Are you planning a privately guided tour of New Zealand? Find the answers to all of your questions with our list of facts about New Zealand Guided Tours and New Zealand travel.
We cover the most important facts about New Zealand Guided Tours, from the structure of your tour to how booking and payment works. Have a question you don’t see on this page? Contact us here for answers.
Read on to learn facts about New Zealand and frequently asked questions on New Zealand Guided Tours.
FAQs and Facts About New Zealand Guided Tours
Q) Do we join other people on our tour?
A) No you don’t, your tour is a private tour.
Q) Does our guide collect us from the airport?
A) Yes, your guide will be waiting at the airport for you with a sign-board reading your name. At the end of your tour, your tour guide will drop you at the airport in time for your departure flight.
Q) Do we need to do any driving?
A) No your tour guide also acts as your driver. Additionally, all fuel and rental car costs are included in your tour package.
Q) Do we have the same guide throughout our tour?
A) Yes. We find having the same guide throughout your tour enhances your experience.
Q) Will our tour guide drop us off at restaurants etc?
A) Yes, your tour guide will drive you to any restaurants or locations you wish to go to throughout your tour.
Q) Will our tour guide know where all the secret spots are around New Zealand?
A) Yes, all of our tour guides have been carefully trained and selected to ensure we offer the best tour guides available in New Zealand. They will take you on an insider’s tour of New Zealand and offer priceless local knowledge that will give you a very special New Zealand experience.
Q) How many people can go on a guided tour?
A) We cater for single travellers wanting a unique and personal tour of New Zealand, through to couples, families, family groups, groups of friends, through to larger groups of around 20 – 30 people. We can also cater to larger groups (30+ people)–please ask for more details.
Q) How does payment work?
A) We take a 20% deposit to book your full holiday, with the balance due 45 days before your tour begins.
Q) What is your cancellation and refund policy?
We try our best to minimise cancellation costs as much as possible if these do arise. As there is a considerable amount of administration involved in booking an itinerary, plus cancellation costs involved in terms of operator charges, there is a small charge if cancellation does arise.
We also recommend all of our clients take out travel insurance in case of cancellation or other unforeseen circumstances.
Q) Is travel insurance included in the tours?
A) New Zealand Guided Tours does not provide travel insurance. We recommend that you obtain travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
Q) Do I need a passport or visa to enter New Zealand?
A) All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the country.
You may need to apply for a Visitor’s Visa, depending on your country of origin. Please read the full guidelines on the Immigration New Zealand website.
Q) Is there a minimum/maximum age for your tours?
A) No, we are able to fully customise your holiday to suit any age of travellers, from the very young to the very wise!
Q) Are there any “hidden costs” in this tour?
A) Costs NOT included in our tour packages are as follows:
- Flights (domestic or international)
- Meals (except where included in tours, plus breakfast in our luxury guided tours)
- Travel insurance
- Personal spending money (for souvenirs or drinks, e.g.)
- Optional activities (which may be mentioned in each tour itinerary but not listed in the tour’s inclusions)
These exclusions are clearly outlined in each tour package – there are no hidden costs whatsoever.
Q) When is the best time of year to visit New Zealand?
A) It depends on what you want to see while you’re here!
If you want to avoid the crowds yet still take advantage of our fantastic summer weather, the best months to travel are March, April, October, and November.
If you want to see a bit of snow, you can expect it to be all over the South Island in the months of June, July, and August.
And if you want to travel over the Christmas/New Year’s holidays, we can certainly make that happen, though be prepared for crowds! And be sure to book at least six months in advance.
Q) What’s the climate like?
A) New Zealand’s seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. This means that the warmest months are December, January, and February, while the coldest months are June, July, and August.
Don’t let the cold months put you off, though – winters tend to be short and fairly mild.
Q) What clothes will I need to take?
A) Dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants.
In summer, include a light jacket or sweater in your luggage should the weather turn cooler. You can expect some rain, so don’t forget a light waterproof jacket or coat.
Pack warm winter clothing and plenty of layers if you will be visiting between May and September.
Q) Can I use my credit cards/ATM cards in New Zealand?
A) All major international credit cards can be used in New Zealand, and Travellers’ Cheques are accepted at hotels, banks and some stores. If your credit card is encoded with a PIN number, you will be able to withdraw cash from ATMs.
You can pay for your tour online using Visa or MasterCard via our secure online form, or through an international bank transfer.
Q) Do your guided tour packages include flights?
A) As it is almost always much cheaper to book flights directly through the airline, we do not include international or domestic flights in our holiday packages.
However, we would be happy to help book your domestic flights if you require.
Q) Can you cater for dietary restrictions/allergies?
A) Yes, we absolutely can cater for almost all dietary restrictions and allergies. Please advise at the time of booking what your requirements will be, so that we may book your activities accordingly.
