New Zealand Multi-Adventure: North & South Islands

• In order to enter New Zealand, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
• We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
• U.S. and Canadian passport holders must purchase an individual visa and pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy on the New Zealand government’s Electronic Travel Authority website (nzeta.immigration.govt.nz) prior to departure.
• If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

• Round-trip flights booked through EF Adventures arrive in Auckland and depart from Queenstown.
• Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through EF Adventures. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own transfer upon arrival, and may request a departure transfer with EF Adventures for an additional cost.
• When you arrive in Auckland, an EF Adventures representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with an EF Adventures sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.

Physical activity level

This tour is rated as Challenging, which means you're an avid outdoor enthusiast who lives for the thrill of pushing your boundaries. You have a solid fitness base and crave physically demanding activities. You'll tackle some tough terrains and exhilarating challenges that test your skills and endurance, fueling your passion for adventure.

This tour is great for:

• Avid adventurers
• Those craving intense and rewarding outdoor experiences.

What to expect:

• Up to 13-mile hikes with a maximum elevation gain of 3,300 ft on varied terrain
• Up to 37-mile bike rides with a maximum elevation gain of 3,500 ft on a mix of paved roads, smooth paths, and gravel
• Other activities like Class II-IV whitewater rafting and extended kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding in diverse water conditions

Tour pacing

This is a fast-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:

• One 1-night stays, four 2-night stay, and one 3-night stay
• Most days and evenings full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
• Transportation by bus and internal flights
• Daily transportation time varies and can be lengthy

Climate considerations

• New Zealand has a temperate maritime climate with mild temperatures year-round.
• Since New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, seasons are opposite to North America—their summer is during North American winter, and their winter is during North American summer.
• Summer temperatures (December to February) typically range from 68°F to 77°F
• Winter temperatures (June to August) typically range from 45°F to 60°F
• Rainfall can occur year-round, with winter being slightly wetter. The west coast of the South Island receives significantly more rainfall than the east.
• Weather can change rapidly, leading to the local saying "four seasons in one day" - layers are recommended year-round.
• Summer days are long with daylight lasting until around 9pm in December, while winter days are shorter with darkness falling around 5pm.

Physical activity & tour pace extra info

• EF Adventures and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
• If you have physical activity concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or give us call at 617-619-1679. We’re here to help!

This tour includes various modes of transportation, including private buses and internal flights.

• Internal flight between Rotorua and Queenstown is included on tour.
• Internal flight between Queenstown and Auckland on the extension is included on tour.

Equipment for all adventure activities will be included

• Mountain biking: High-quality mountain bikes suitable for Rotorua's terrain and helmets
• Kayaking: Kayaks, paddles, life jackets, thermals, dry bags, spray skirts, fleeces, paddle jackets and neoprene gloves
• Blackwater Rafting: Inner tubes, life jackets, helmets and headlamps
• Whitewater rafting: Rafts, paddles, life jackets, and helmets
• Optional ziplining excursion: All necessary safety gear, including harnesses, gloves and helmets
• Jet boating: Life jackets, spray jackets, and other cold water gear (warm hats, gloves & blankets)
• E-Biking: E-bikes, helmets, panniers and rain capes

• Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches.
• Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
• Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
• Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
• Travelers must be able to manage their luggage throughout tour; porters aren’t guaranteed at hotels or airports.

We recommend packing lightweight, quick-dry, and warm clothing that can be easily layered. New Zealand's weather can be unpredictable, so being prepared for various conditions is essential. Don't forget to pack:

• Waterproof and windproof jacket
• Warm layers (fleece, wool sweaters, thermal underwear)
• Comfortable, waterproof hiking boots with good traction
• Warm, waterproof gloves and a warm hat
• Swimsuit for water-based activities
• Sunglasses and sunscreen (the sun can be intense, even on cloudy days)
• A daypack to carry essentials like water, snacks, and extra layers
• A refillable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the tour (and cut down on single use plastic waste)
• Binoculars, in case you want to get a closer look at local wildlife and scenery.
• A collapsible walking stick for long hikes (some travelers find them useful)
• Dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance
• Any personal medications, including motion sickness remedies for boat rides
• Your medical insurance card, in case of emergencies (pack this in your carry-on)

• EF Adventures handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, sustainability, and local charm.
• Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-five-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
• Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
• Some hotels on this tour are situated in remote locations where you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
• Please be advised that the air conditioning in New Zealand hotels and buildings is often not as strong or cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
• New Zealand operates on the standard 220-240 volts and use Type I plugs with three large, flat pins set on an angle.

• Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app.
• We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
• Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
• Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).

• At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at cdc.gov.
• If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify EF Adventures at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
• If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
• There are inherent risks associated with adventure activities including blackwater rafting, biking and other water sports, particularly for those with pre-existing medical conditions. Discuss your planned activities with your doctor or healthcare provider for the best advice on participation.

• This tour includes two lunches and seven dinners: they may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, juice or a soft drink, as well as water, coffee, and tea.
• Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
• In New Zealand, there are many good local varieties of seafood, excellent lamb and fresh fruits, including kiwi and passion fruits. For lunch, tea rooms serve savory meat pies, quiche, and desserts.

• Tips for meals, bus drivers, porterage (if applicable), sightseeing guides, and local guides for adventure activities are included in the price of your tour.
• At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
• We recommend tipping the equivalent of $15-$20 USD per person per day for your Tour Director.
• Tips can only be paid in cash.

• You will use the New Zealand dollar on this tour.
• Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
• We strongly advise that you take debit and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
• You can use most cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
• International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you don’t already have at least one card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
• Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your Tour Director.

• To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Adventures mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
• Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
• There is no Wi-Fi on any of the buses.
• Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

• Your Tour Director will be an experienced guide who will be with you throughout the entire journey. In addition to sharing their knowledge of the country's history, culture, and natural wonders, they will coordinate all included activities, assist with logistics, and ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for the group.
• The Tour Director will work closely with local guides who specialize in each adventure activity, providing an additional layer of expertise and support. As an active individual themselves, your Tour Director will participate in many of the same adventure activities as you and is trained in safety procedures to ensure the well-being of the group.

• One of the benefits of traveling with EF Adventures is our on tour emergency support team.
• Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
• This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
• As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.

• New Zealand is in the New Zealand Time Zone, which is 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+12) during standard time, and 13 hours ahead (GMT+13) during their summer daylight saving time.
• When it's noon in New York:
  • During US winter (Nov-Mar): 6am next day in NZ
  • During US summer (Mar-Nov): 4am next day in NZ

Note: Exact dates for daylight saving changes may vary year to year.

• When you travel with EF Adventures, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
• Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
• Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
• When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
• EF Adventures encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
• When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
• When you come across wild animals on tour, take the philosophies of World Animal Protection to heart: Don’t touch or feed them, and maintain a respectful distance. The animals you encounter on your trip should be able to exhibit natural forms of behavior.
• Furthermore, avoid buying exploitative animal products, like crafts made from tortoiseshell or meals such as shark fin soup.
• If you feel we aren’t meeting any of these commitments, please let us know.