Important Info

Trip Notes & Expectations

ACCOMMODATION

Our program fees are based on double-occupancy accommodation (see “Single Travelers” below if you do not have a travel companion and would be interested in a private room). Our accommodations are selected for safety, cleanliness, and convenient locations. While they are comfortable and well-suited for group travel, they are generally simple rather than luxury properties in order to keep the program affordable. Sometimes the accommodation is not air-conditioned.

TRANSPORTATION

We use a mix of transportation that gets our guests from location to location safely. Sometimes you will have full days and nights of transportation as our trips tend to cover a lot of ground. The transportation will often be an adventure in itself.

WIFI/INTERNET ACCESS

Please be aware that WiFi and internet access is not as readily available in New Zealand as in other parts of the world. There are often additional charges to connect to the internet, and speeds may be slower than what you are used to.

LUGGAGE/PACKING

You must be able to easily carry or roll your luggage, so do not over-pack. Weather in New Zealand—particularly within alpine environments such as Fiordland and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Parks—can alter rapidly. Carry waterproof outer layers, sturdy footwear, and water on all outdoor excursions. Activities in glacier regions (such as heli-hikes) are strictly weather-dependent.

ACTIVITY LEVEL & PACE

This trip includes plenty of walking and some light hiking, and requires at least an average level of fitness. On the more active days, expect to walk quite a bit. In the cities, you can split apart from the group to go at your own pace. Getting on and off transport and walking with luggage requires some physical effort. Some optional tours may include hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking. Please make sure you have thoroughly read the itinerary and can handle the group activities, which sometimes include day hikes with your daypacks. Meals can sometimes be far apart, so we recommend always carrying snacks with you.

LOCAL GUIDELINES & SAFETY

Local Laws: New Zealand strictly enforces environmental protection laws. You must follow “Leave No Trace” principles in all national parks. It is illegal to litter, disturb native wildlife (especially marine life in Kaikōura), or remove natural flora. In addition, New Zealand has exceptionally strict biosecurity laws at all international borders and regional ports. You must declare all food, seeds, wooden items, and used outdoor hiking gear (boots/tents must be clean and free of soil) upon arrival. Unlisted items can result in immediate, heavy fines.

Group Expectations & Cultural Respect: When visiting indigenous sites—such as the Mitai Māori Village—please follow your guide’s instructions regarding sacred protocols (tapu), photography boundaries, and cultural etiquette. Non-compliance with safety directions or disruptive behavior may result in removal from group activities at the leader’s discretion.

GROUP LEADER

All GEEO programs are led by a G Adventures Chief Experience Officer (CEO), whose role is to take the hassle out of travel and help you get the most from your trip. They’ll share information about the places you visit, suggest activities and restaurants, and introduce you to our local friends. While not traditional guides, CEOs have broad knowledge of the region’s history, culture, and daily life. On some excursions, local guides are used for deeper insight.
 

Single Travelers

Traveling solo? You’re in good company—about half of our participants do the same.

Shared room by default. The program fee covers one person in a twin room. We’ll pair you with a roommate of the same gender if you don’t have a travel companion.

Want a private room? Most trips offer a “My Own Room” (single-supplement) upgrade. Check the price in the Add-Ons & Budgeting section, then email [email protected] to reserve it. You pay the single-supplement only if you request it.

Emergency Contacts

If you need urgent help during your trip, call the local G Adventures office first. If no one answers, leave a detailed message with your name and contact information so they can return your call as soon as possible.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS:
G Adventures Local Office and after office hours emergency number
From outside New Zealand +64 211935846
From within New Zealand: 0211935846

If for any reason you are unable to reach the G Adventures local office, please call the numbers listed below to connect with their Sales team, who will happily assist you.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Packing List

See our blog post of staff-recommended gear to help you pack for your upcoming travels. You must be able to carry your own luggage—up stairs, on and off of transport, and during 15 to 20 minute walks. Bring one small or medium backpack or rolling bag (22-30lb) and one daypack for daily items. Space is limited on transportation, so oversized bags cannot travel. As you prepare your packing list, we recommend checking average weather conditions for your destination.

NOTE: The max luggage allowance on most domestic flights within New Zealand is 1 checked bag (20 kgs) and 1 carry on (7 kgs) per person.

*Laundry: Laundry facilities are offered at some of our hotels for a charge, or ask your group leader where the nearest laundromat is located.

Passports and Visas

Travelers are responsible for securing all required travel documents and meeting the entry requirements for every country on their itinerary, including applicable transit/layover countries.

PASSPORT
All travelers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your trip dates with enough blank pages for stamps. Need to apply or renew? Start here.

ENTRY/VISA REQUIREMENTS
Visa rules change frequently—always verify the latest requirements on the U.S. State Department Country Information Pages. Non-U.S. passport holders should verify requirements with your country’s official government resources. You can also use Sherpa, a third-party service and trusted G Adventures partner to look up the latest requirements.

Money Exchange

Currency: The local currency in New Zealand it is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). For current exchange rates, visit www.xe.com.

Credit/Debit Cards: New Zealand is almost entirely cashless. Credit/debit cards are accepted everywhere. Avoid bringing large sums of foreign cash to exchange on-site. Some vendors may charge an international transaction fee, so check with your bank before you travel.

Cash: For small purchases, tipping, or places that don’t take cards, we recommend using ATMs to withdraw local currency while traveling. If you bring U.S. dollars to exchange, the bills must be new, unmarked, and in excellent condition—damaged or older notes are often rejected.

Emergency Funds: Bring at least $200 USD (or the equivalent in local currency) in cash for emergencies in case of ATM or card issues. Always carry more rather than less to avoid feeling short of funds while traveling.

For more advice, see our post, Smart Travel Finances: Your Guide to Money, ATMs, Fees, and Safety Abroad

Tipping

It is not customary in New Zealand to tip service providers. Unless specifically asked to do so (by your tour leader), do not tip your local guides. At the end of your program, if you felt your G Adventures tour leader did an outstanding job, you may consider a small tip (5 – 10 NZD per person, per day), but it certainly isn’t expected.

Vaccinations

GEEO cannot provide any medical advice, so it is very important to consult your doctor or a travel clinic about which vaccinations you will need for your trip. We recommend contacting Passport Health, which has travel clinics located throughout the United States. You can also check the CDC’s recommended vaccinations for your destination. Please take this seriously!

Flights

Wait for official trip confirmation via email from GEEO before booking your flights. Prices tend to be lowest 90–120 days out, but that window varies by route and year. Neither GEEO nor G Adventures bears responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed.

This program begins in Auckland and ends in Christchurch. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Auckland. You may want to arrive in New Zealand one or more days early in case you have flight disruptions. You can arrive at any time you choose, but try to make it in time for our Welcome Meeting on Day 1. You can depart from Christchurch any time on the final day of the program, or stay later to see more of the city.

Plugs and Converters

New Zealand uses Type I plugs and the voltage is 230V. To use your electronics safely, you’ll need to consider:

1. Adapter (plug shape)
Adapts your U.S. plug to fit another type of socket. See our recommended all-in-one travel adapter in our Gear Recommendations post.

2. Converter / transformer (voltage)
Steps the outlet voltage down to 120V for U.S. appliances that can’t handle higher voltage.

Check what you need: Look on your device’s plug or power brick. “Input: 100-240V” works worldwide—you only need a plug adapter. Any range narrower (e.g., “110-120V” or “Input: 120V”) means you need an adapter and a voltage converter to avoid damage. Converters are inexpensive and available online or in travel stores.

Weather

New Zealand’s maritime climate is notoriously variable, and local microclimates can change rapidly. Because this program covers both the warmer North Island and the mountainous South Island, packing a versatile layering system is essential regardless of your travel month.