New Zealand self drive walking vacation
Designed to show you the landscapes, wildlife and Maori culture of New Zealand, this self-drive tour combines driving with walking, so you can experience the land from different perspectives.
Auckland Rotorua Lake Taupo Tongariro National Park Tongariro Crossing Te Papa Museum Nelson Abel Tasman cruise Buller Gorge Nelson Lakes National Park Paparoa National Park Fox Glacier Franz Josef glacier Wanaka Te Anau Fjordland National Park Arrowtown Hooker Valley Mount Cook Christchurch
Price
£4445 excluding flights
Description of New Zealand self drive walking vacation
Price information
£4445 excluding flights
Departure information
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel guides
Walking vacations are the oldest form of tourism known to man. For centuries people have travelled by foot whether it is was for a pilgrimage or just f...
While visiting Australia, I asked a friend of mine what I shouldn't miss while I was there. He said New Zealand. Now, in fairness he was a Kiwi himsel...
Reviews
1 Reviews of New Zealand self drive walking vacation
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 19 Nov 2018 by Dermot Blastland
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
As we were there a month there were quite highlights. Over night on Doubtful Sound, eating in Fleurs Restaurant Moeraki, Queen Charlotte Sound drive,
bicycle ride around vineyards in Marlborough region. Cinema Paradiso in Wanaka ! Mumbaiwala Indian Street food restaurant in Christchurch , Pen-y-Bryn
lodge in Oamuru ( truly excellent ). Walk to Munros Beach. Relaxing in Akaroa, Tongariro National Park and wonderful walks, the odd Whakapap ski resort
( must be what shiing on the moon would be like and on and on.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Firstly if you've been to Yellowstone National Park, the Norwegian Fjords, Scotland, the Alps of Europe and perhaps even the Perito Merito Glacier of Argentina think carefully about going to New Zealand. It has stuff to match all of this but it is a notch down. It packs a lot in a small area but at times we felt we'd just nodded off on the M1 and woke up in a part of the UK didn't know existed.
Secondly if you're on a driving vacation of 3 to 4 weeks duration avoid the small B & B's that the tour operators offer .....the rooms are too small and you'll not
have enough space. We cancelled a few rooms and booked into pretty good motels which were much more useful.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Most of the places we stayed in were locally owned so benefited local people. Clearly New Zealand is fighting a battle to keep non native animals and plants
out and there is a strong feeling regarding the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A good vacation but as mentioned above it didn't leave us awestruck. A great place for someone to go to see a lot and has not travelled a long haul from the UK
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) vacation so that you can travel knowing it will help support the places and people that you visit, and the planet. Read how below.
Planet
This Tailor-made vacation encompasses three of New Zealand’s National Parks: Tongariro, Abel Tasman and Westland for which we pay an annual licence fee and have official accreditation to operate on Department of Conservation land.For every booking taken we make a donation on our travelers behalf to New Zealand’s unique Trees for Travelers Project. The project is based in Kaikoura , and is re-foresting a local reserve with native trees: www.treesfortravelers.co.nz
We also actively supports Project Janszoon, a privately funded initiative working in partnership with the Department of Conservation to address the ecological restoration of Abel Tasman National Park . Through the auspisces of the Wilson Family who operate guided walks and kayaking adventures in the Park, travelers will be educated on the aims and ethos of this project.
Through our New Zealand partner operator, we are a Qualmark accredited business and a member of the Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand. This means we have been independently reviewed and deemed to operate in an ethical and environmentally sustainable way.
People
All of our itineraries, whether tailor made or our Small Group Journeys, are strongly focused on ensuring support for local communities and educating our travelers on the importance of responsible travel.Accommodation on our Tailor-made vacations is in smaller bed & breakfasts, inns, farm and homestays and travelers will enjoy the services of local activity operators and food from local restaurants. We actively encourage all travelers on our Tailor-made itineraries to get off the beaten path and discover, explore and support small local communities – as well as benefiting the New Zealand people, we firmly believe that this enhances our travelers experience during their time in New Zealand.
Our itineraries have a strong focus on the history and customs of the Maori, as we recognise and appreciate the cultural significance of the Maori people in New Zealand. Through included trips and experiences, guided tours and interaction with locals, we aim to educate and inspire our travelers about the Maori people of New Zealand and their place in the heritage and future of the country.
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