Trails of New Zealand

Customer Reviews

• A

  Marie Maciver

  · March 12th, 2012
  For my partner and me this was a 60th birthday/retirement trip. We have been with Exodus before so our expectations were high. We were not disappointed.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Hard call this one! We loved the Tongariro crossing - even though it was hard work we had a great sense of achievement at the end! The scenery of NZ is some of the best we have experienced anywhere - stunning mountain ranges, steaming  live volcanos, turquoise glacial lakes, getting up close and personal with icebergs at Atorea Mount Cook....Watching a kiwi feeding from a couple of metres away ........The sadness and optimism of Christchurch - we have our 'silence' as a group on the slpoes of Ben Lomond....Kayaking up a lagoon in a scene which could have come from Jurassic Park.  What did you think of your group leader?We had 2 group leaders Geoff (Jif) and Clark - which was probably a good thing since 15 of us had to be kept under control! From their point of view it must have been better as they could share the driving.We cannot fault these 2 people. Both are Kiwis and clearly love their country They are extremely knowledgeable about their country at a national and local level and always had a good story to tell. They worked very hard to make the trip run smoothly and  make sure that everyone in the party got the maximum from the experience. They got the balance of organising and entertaining just right - booking meals ahead if need be and taking us to the best places for coffee etc. They entered 100% into the activities giving help and encouragement where needed but also recognising limitations. 'Jif's expression - 'it's all good' summed them up nicely.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?This trip did exactly what it says on the tin. Any travellers wishing to do a lot of walking would be better off on 'Trekking in New Zealand'. Those on our trip who would have liked a faster pace had to acknowledge that this was not the aim of this visit.Bring plenty of sunscreen and insect repellant - the sun is stronger here than at home and we both got burned.My partner was badly bitten by sandflies!Is there anything else you would like to add?Visiting NZ was a wonderful experience. Long - very long - flights are worth it! The excellent organisation of Adventure South - the 2 guides from this AS were a highlight of this trip. They even managed to lay on terrific weather!The choice of accommodation -  although limited by budget , this was always of a very good standard.I have already recommended Exodus and this partcular trip to others. In short, IT WAS FAB!
  Show more
  Trip date: March 2012
• A

  Diane Smith

  · March 4th, 2012
  It is impossible to do all of New Zealand in under 3 weeks but this trip comes as near as is physically possible. A brilliant mix of sight seeing, culture and adrenaline rush!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Undoubtedly walking the Tongariro Crossing. I challenged myself further by doing the extra add on of Mount Ngauruhoe, aka 'The Doom' from Lord of the Rings. (Previous walking experience and high level of fitness essential. Don't contemplate it otherwise.) I was apparently the first Exodus client to have done so. The Siberian Experience; a flight in a light plane into the wilderness followed by a 3 hour walk and jet boat back out. White-water rafting on Buller River, kayaking Queen Charlotte Sound and cruising Milford Sound all followed very closely behind in a trip packed with so many inspirational moments.What did you think of your group leader?Clark and 'Jif' (Geoff) were two great, competent, humerous guys. They oozed enthusiasm and knowledge of their homeland which they constantly shared with us. In addition they kept the group spot on with what was a very tight itinerary. I was full of admiration for their excellent driving skills which they carried out whilst participating fully in all the activiteis undertaken. Clark was clearly a man of good taste and always selected the most excellent coffee shops, bakeries and restaurants for refreshment breaks and the purchase of packed lunches. Thanks for the extra inches on the waistline Clark!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Travel light taking easily laundered tech clothing. There are sufficient opportunities at hotels with laundry facilities to refresh your wardrobe/bag.Budget well to make full use of your free time in Queenstown. There are so many extra activities to do there; cycling, the luge, paragliding etc. Don't miss out!Several hotels have spa pools free to use by guests. Make the most of them to help those worn out muscles.Is there anything else you would like to add?This holiday does exactly what is says on the packet! It is a tremendously varied and active holiday taking in all the natural splendors this awesome country has to  offer. I would have liked to undertake more strenuous walks, however, I knew from the itinerary not to expect that. To miss out on all the other things on offer would have been a sin. So get booked up and go and have the time of your life. You won't be disapointed.
  Show more
  Trip date: March 2012
• A

  Jenny Gower

  · January 21st, 2012
  Every day exceeded our expectations. The group were a great crowd. The weather was fantastic. The scenery was awesome and the activities were incredible.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?There wasn't a bad day on this holiday, but if pushed I think that there are two things that stand out as highlights for me.The first is the morning in Siberia Valley.  The day started with an early breakfast, then a short walk across the road to the airstrip where the cessna took us in two groups for a fantastic flight with wonderful views of Lake Wanaka and the mountains.  We were dropped in Siberia Valley.  Then a paddle through an icey stream (that woke the feet up) followed by a beautiful walk through meadows and forest, with Awful views (Mnt Awful).  We arrived at our destination to be met by a jet boat which whisked us off down the river back to our starting location - what can I say - jet boats are REALLY good fun!.....that was the morning and then for the afternoon.........The second moment was our overnight trip on the Milford Sound.  You have to see this, as photos just do not do it justice.  The boat was a lovely size with just 36 passengers.  After a trip around the sound we moored up in a cove and went kayaking, then had a wonderful dinner watching the sunset.  In the morning the early morning cup of coffee on deck with the peace and the scenery was inspiring.  A final trip around the sound and out into the Tasman sea, and we saw two different sorts of dolphins.  It was just magical. What did you think of your group leader?Stefan was everything that you would want from a tour leader and more.  He had a great sense of humour (and suffered Terrys bad jokes well) and went out of his way to make the trip a trip of a lifetime for all of us.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?GO! It is really worth it.  We've been on quite a few Exodus holidays and this one is by far and away the best.  Everything about it is wonderfulIs there anything else you would like to add?This holiday was just magical.  Now I am looking for Exodus to exceed this experience....so the challenge is on.
  Show more
  Trip date: January 2012
• A

  Lesley Beard

  · March 2nd, 2011
  visiting new zealand is like visiting a child. the land itself is still developing. its fresh and exciting. you get the feeling that its looking forward to its future. its not jaded like europe. it has an unique history - no major battles have been fought there - the maoris and white settlers have lived for the most part in harmony - there's no sense of anomisity. Its very dramatic but also peaceful and inspirational. anything and everything is possibleWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?for me the most inspirational moments of my trip were very personal. i have a fear of being trapped underground and also having had a one and only disastorous experience at kayaking i wasnt looking forward to either of these parts of the trip.  however i was everyone was very supportive and the activites were carried out with complete safety.  i really enjoyed both going through the caves and kayaking through the sound.What did you think of your group leader?I didnt feel the group leaders were as involved in with the group as other group leaders have been on previous holidays. on this holiday the group leaders tended to take you somewhere and then wait til you had done the activity. I didnt feel that they joined in and they seemed a bit distant from the group. apart from the first night they didnt join the group for evening meals even in places where there was only one or two resturants.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?be prepared for all types of weather and dont forgot insect repellant. you will hike to and see some amazing places.Is there anything else you would like to add?having been forced by the group leaders to finish my holiday with the group earlier than planned because the earthquake in christchurch meant the group leaders couldnt get me to the airport in time for my flight i didnt feel there was any support for me. I was left in queenstown on my own where i had to sort out my own accommodation and transport to christchurch.  i missed out on two days with the group - two days of activities and two days of companionship - the whole reason why i book on these holidays - so that im travelling with others and not on my own. very disappointing end to an otherwise amazing holiday.
  Show more
  Trip date: March 2011
• A

  Sheila Borkett-Jones

  · April 6th, 2010
  An amazing trip, it was so much more than we expected and was good value. In 3 weeks we were able to travel through the North and South Island, having a variety of adventures- trekking, caving, kayaking heli-hiking and Fiord and glacial lake cruises. Every day was special. We hope to return to see some of the rest we couldn't squeeze into this excellent itinerary.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Difficult to choose just one! Highlights for us were the Tongariro crossing, Milford Sound cruise and the Siberia experience.What did you think of your group leader?Excellent leader, very knowledgable and he taught us much about the flora, fauna, ecology and geography of NZ. He worked hard to accommodate everyone's preferences and ensure we got the best out of everything.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?This is not a hard core trekking holiday. If you want this try the other Exodus trip. It is however a well balanced trip with comfort and a variety of activities.Is there anything else you would like to add?Don't miss it!
  Show more
  Trip date: April 2010
• A

  Caryl Gregory

  · January 23rd, 2010
  This holiday was absolutely fantantastic. I had thought that it was mostly a walking holiday but it much more of an adventure holiday. I undertook many activiities that I had not done before such as caving, jetboating and whitewater rafting. I probably would not have tried such things on my own. The whole experience was well thought out and very well organised. New Zealand is a wonderful country with very diverse geography and landscapes. This holiday managed to pack everything in including walking on glaciers, visting bubbling mud pools, walking through rain forests. This holiday covered both the North and South Islands so there was a lot of time spent travelling in the coach but there was also so much time spent walking and on outdoor activities to make the travelling so worthwhile. This was my first trip to New zealand and I hope it wont be too long before I can afford to go again.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The Jetboating was amazing and so exhilarating and it was a part of an amazing day which started with a trip in a light aircraft to a valley in the middle of mountains. We then walked alongside the river for about 6 miles or so stopping for a picnic lunch and then the jetboat ride took us back to where we started from.Another great day involved walking or rather climbing to the top of the remarkables and then being plucked off the top of the mountains by helicopter and being flown back down into Queenstown.  Before this holiday I had never been in a helicopter or a light aircraft and was terrified of doing so but I am so gald that I just did it because everyone else did it the views from both were so wonderful.What did you think of your group leader?The leader was a bit like a school teacher but she did a really good job getting us to all the places at the right times. She had great relationships with all the people running the places we visited so the group was was always made very welcome and almost treated like family in some places.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?This trip may seem a bit expensive but it packed with so many exciting thing that it is definately worth the money.Is there anything else you would like to add?I would recommend this trip to anyone.
  Show more
  Trip date: January 2010
• A

  Kate Chaddock

  · January 6th, 2009
  Worth the 25 hour flight New Zealand has magnificent scenery and diverse environments all within one country, whether that be from land, sea or air.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Completing  the Tongariro crossing a fantastic walk worth the aching legs for  2 days after . The Nikau caves where a thrill such an awesome natural wonder a highlight of the trip.The Incredibles, where we did the heli-hike , boulder hopping has never been such fun and a breath taking view over Queens Town.To name but a fewWhat did you think of your group leader?Guided us well round New Zealand, but was a ex primary school teacher and it showed at times as we were treated like a group of 8 year olds, which did get wearing at times.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Get plenty of rest before you go as you will need it, some long days but well worth it.I travelled out 2 days before the start and it made such a difference with the jet lag you don’t start the tour feeling rubbish.Is there anything else you would like to add?Meet a fantastic group of people from all over the globe we had such a laugh every day  they all made the trip one that I will remember always.
  Show more
  Trip date: January 2009
• A

  Michael Dragojevic

  · December 21st, 2008
  A bit too soft for my liking but it was good in parts.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Reaching the peak of Mount Tongariro. Fantastic views and such variation in scenery - volcanic, alpine, rainforest, all in one hike. It was the only part of the holiday we worked for and duly rewarded. (Done without group leader).What did you think of your group leader?Was a former primary school teacher - we were all treated like kids!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?DON'T do this trip if you want something physically demanding or if you're expecting much trekking.Is there anything else you would like to add?The hotels were plush and there were too many opportunities for cappuccino and cake. I was furious at discovering that movies were part of the itinerary - on a holiday for @%$# sake!
  Show more
  Trip date: December 2008
• A

  Annette Lewis

  · February 4th, 2013
  This was the trip of a lifetime for me. If you love walking and the great outdoors but want to challenge yourself with some other activities you may not have tried before and see the wildlife and landscape of this fascinating country with a bunch of like minded people book this trip you will not be disappointed.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?There were so many great times it was difficult to pick out one.  Walking the Tongariro Crossing to the Crater Lakes and climbing Mount Tongariro through amazing volcanic scenery Taking a helicopter ride to the saddle below Ben Lomand above Queenstown and after tea brewed by our guides climbing to the summit on a beautiful day with fantastic views and then a leisurely hike down to the gondolaA Maoiri evening cultural performance and feast followed by sunset walk by hot springs  and a wallow  in thermal pools, Walking in a landscape of bubbling mud pools, yellow sulphur lakes Seeing glow worms in a cave and native birds on Tiritiri Matangi Nature reserve  and on a night nature hike at Zealandia and shooting stars in the Southern night sky Loads of water based activities: jet boating , kayaking, wild water rafting, wild swimming  and boat trips in superb and varied scenery   What did you think of your group leader?We were blessed with two group leaders from Adventure South: Stephan and Clark. They really communicates their knowledge of the county, their enthusiasm for their country and their job to our group . They had a lovely rapport between them and they on so many occasions went the extra mile to make our holiday enjoyable for example  sourcing food for my daughter's special gluten free diet, to finding excellent cafes and restaurants  lunches, bathing spots, hikes with freshly brewed tea stops and it was done with humour and professionalism.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?If you have the time take a few days at either end of the trip to see more of the Auckland area,and North Island and Christchurch.The temperature can be quite varied so take a variety of clothing.Overtrousers would be useful. Several  of the hotels/motels we stayed in had laundry facilities for a small fee.Most of the hotel/motel rooms had a fridge and some had limited cooking facilities so you don't have to eat out every night. There are long drives on some days but with breaks but there are activities every day.  Is there anything else you would like to add?I would definately want to go back to New Zealand and see more of this amazing counrty. I hope Exodus will consider introducing some other NZ trips with a different intinery and to add some Australian trips  with a similar variety of activities combining  trecking with other activities. I was glad that so many activities were included such as caving, jet boating that I would not have got round to trying on an independent holiday. I think the trip represents good value as all the activities except on our free day and most of the meals were included. It would be good to have a holiday  including the trecks around Milford  Sound and to include north of Auckland  such as the Bay of Islands
  Show more
  Trip date: February 2013
• A

  Marie Maciver

  · March 12th, 2012
  For my partner and me this was a 60th birthday/retirement trip. We have been with Exodus before so our expectations were high. We were not disappointed.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Hard call this one! We loved the Tongariro crossing - even though it was hard work we had a great sense of achievement at the end! The scenery of NZ is some of the best we have experienced anywhere - stunning mountain ranges, steaming live volcanos, turquoise glacial lakes, getting up close and personal with icebergs at Atorea Mount Cook....Watching a kiwi feeding from a couple of metres away ........The sadness and optimism of Christchurch - we have our 'silence' as a group on the slpoes of Ben Lomond....Kayaking up a lagoon in a scene which could have come from Jurassic Park.
  Show more
  Trip date: March 2012