4 Stars (118 reviews)
This trip offered unbeatable scenery and a great view of the South Island of New Zealand. The hikes offered a range of scenery from rain forest to glacial valleys to snow-capped mountains. The backpacks were a nice length, but be prepared to do a lot of stream crossing and scrambling over rocks. Milford Sound was beautiful from a kayak and the short walk to view the Franz Joseph Glacier was nice.
New Zealand Winter Adventure, August 2014
Keron, United States
5 Stars (118 reviews)
We had an awesome experience with Active Adventures! My buddies and I hit the New Zealand countryside for our 40th birthdays, led by our trusty god-like Active guides Dan (D.K.) and Sarah. It was an amazing trip! D.K. and Sarah were superstars and made sure everything went as smoothly as a Lenny Kravitz song. They led us on some outstanding hikes, kayaking, mountain biking, late-night card playing, you name it. The food they prepped was mouthwatering good, and the ever-present milos and flat whites warm and cozy. The accommodations were great, and the pace of the trip was just right. The sites were incredible! I can highly recommend D.K., Sarah, and the rest of the Active team-- I would use them again in a heartbeat. They turned a bunch of handbags like us into full-on Outdoor Types. I give it a score of 5 moustaches and 2 wristbands! Loved our trip- I can't wait to visit N.Z. again!
New Zealand Winter Adventure, August 2014
Sasha, United States
5 Stars (118 reviews)
My wife and I had a great time on the Winter Rimu. Both DK and Mel were really great, knowledgeable guides. The scenery we saw was just breathtaking. The trip was very well paced with the bush-bashing alternating with luxury. I wouldn't hesitate to do another trip with active!
New Zealand Winter Adventure, August 2014
Stuart, Australia
5 Stars (118 reviews)
Awesome! Hiking through the valleys beneath clear blue skies & snow capped mountains was definitely a highlight. Not to mention our amazing guides DK & Mel who always cooked great food & shared interesting local/cultural knowledge wherever we were. Overall this was a fantastic experience & would definitely recommend this trip to others!
New Zealand Winter Adventure, July 2014
Matthew, Australia
5 Stars (118 reviews)
The July Winter Rimu trip with Dan & Mel was outstanding. These two were fantastic, it was a real delight being in their company. All the hikes were stunning and not too demanding and the weather was perfect. We certainly came home feeling enthusiastic and we would definitely look at another trip.
New Zealand Winter Adventure, July 2014
Eva, Australia
5 Stars (118 reviews)
We are in our early 60s and were a little bit worried about the hikes. We wisely went on only the first 8 days of the Winter Rimu trip. We had a WONDERFUL time. The guides, Sarah and DK were fantastic: funny, helpful, warm, and really well-organized. We couldn't hike as fast as the rest of the group, but Sarah and DK made us feel like we were world-class trampers! The food was wonderful. The day we hiked in driving rain and 90-km wind, Sarah surprised us with a thermos of hot soup, which we ate in the shelter of a little hut. On our overnight, DK surprised us with two bottles of red wine to accompany Sarah's great pasta dinner, made without electricity or running water! It was a terrific experience that I will never forget. Thank you Sarah and DK and Active Adventures!
New Zealand Winter Adventure, July 2014
Carolyn, Australia
4 Stars (118 reviews)
This was a great trip, but don't expect to stay on the itinerary. Due to weather, it changed many times over the course of the trip. Despite that, the guides always found fantastic places to hike and explore.
New Zealand Winter Adventure, June 2014
Robin, United States
5 Stars (118 reviews)
I knew it at the time and coming home hasn't changed my view that it was two of my favorite weeks on this planet. I think it was a combination of the wonderful scenic country of NZ, the well organized Active NZ, the activities, and last but not least the expertise of our guide Ken and the company of my fellow travelers. Every day was full of fun, laughter, adventure, good food, exercise, and great company. Who could ask for more? Ken as a guide is professional yet playful, knows how to challenge each individual, anticipates the needs of everyone, and is always available to answer questions or chat or share a laugh. We couldn't have been luckier than to have him as our guide. Active NZ is great value for the money and a definite for anyone looking for a combination of nature, adventure, exercise and fun. I can't wait to come back. Cheers.
New Zealand Winter Adventure, September 2013
Lani, Virgin Islands (U.S.)