New Zealand Family Vacation – New Zealand Guided Family Tours – New Zealand Family Adventure Tours
I would say it was a once in a lifetime trip,
but it was so good a person should not only experience it once.- Mike G., (USA) Aug 2009 Winter Rimu
PHOTO OF THE MONTH:
Rimu Jan 2010
We love being based in Queenstown! It's the best playground in the world and there's always something new to try...
MEET OUR GUIDES:
Gemma van Beek
"Gemma! A very special girl! She might not be in the 'limelight' but she certainly stands on her own as an excellent guide! I loved her! Her cooking was fantastic, and she relates well with everyone! I really enjoyed her company! This was my first guided trip and my expectations were low. You greatly exceeded them! It was all due to the excellent guides we had. It could have been a very different experience without Barry and Gemma. I think we got the best!! Their enthusiasm for the adventures, their love of the country and their special service made the trip 'special' for each and every one of us."
Kimberly Schavey (Lake Forest Park,Washington, USA) Feb 2010 Rimu
"This was definitely one of the best experiences of my life. The guides were more like friends than guides and really seemed to care that we were having a good time and that they were meeting our expectations as well as educating us about their country. A return trip to New Zealand is definitely on my list of priorities and it is because of this experience. "
Toni Efflandt (California, USA) October 2002 Rimu
Toni Efflandt (California, USA) October 2002 Rimu
Kea family - Important Info
ACCOMMODATION:
The Kea family trip is an activity-oriented trip around the South Island. We’ve chosen interesting, comfortable and family-friendly accommodations throughout. Where possible we will provide accommodation with two bedrooms for your family. In some places it’s quite luxurious but many of the other places we stay are off-the-beaten-track – and don’t have many accommodation options – but are really, really spectacular. We think you’ll love the places we stay!
RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS:
If you’re flying in on the first day of the trip, or out on the last day, we recommend arriving in Christchurch by approximately 9 - 10am on Tuesday, and departing from Christchurch after 1 - 2pm on Sunday. Other flight times may also be possible – if you are considering alternative flight times please let us know.
PICK UP INFORMATION:
On the first day of the trip we can either pick you up from the Holiday Inn City Centre in Christchurch at 10.30am, or at the domestic terminal at Christchurch Airport in front of the information desk at 11am.
DROP OFF INFORMATION:
On the last day of the trip we can drop you off at Christchurch airport in time for the flights above, or anywhere in central Christchurch in mid-afternoon.
TRIP DIRECTION:
To keep our group sizes down, we run the Kea in two different directions around the South Island – southbound and northbound (refers to initial direction of travel from Christchurch). This itinerary happens to be written up in the southbound format. Whichever trip you take, you’ll do all the activities we’ve mentioned, just in a different order. The Kea is a product of many years of evolution and fine-tuning – it works well whichever direction you go.
FITNESS:
You and your kids need to have a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy yourself on the Kea family trip, but no more than the average family. This trip is all about family fun so the activities are suitable even for people with short legs! If you’re concerned about your fitness level, or whether your kids are up to it, have a chat with us so we can help you choose between the Kea family trip and our other trips.
EXPERIENCE:
You don’t need any outdoor experience at all to enjoy our trips. All our trips allow you to make the most of New Zealand’s incredible environment. Our experienced guides are highly trained and will look after you and your kids. You don’t need to have ever been in a kayak to enjoy kayaking Lake Mapourika or in a raft or jet boat to enjoy those activities either. All we ask is that you be in reasonable shape, and that everyone’s keen to have fun in New Zealand’s amazing outdoor playground. We guarantee you’ll have an incredible time. We manage the level of commitment to suit your experience, and we have an impeccable safety record. We hold all relevant government licenses and permits.
FLEXIBILITY:
Because of the off-the-beaten-path and non-commercial nature of some of our accommodation on this trip, we sometimes need to change a night stop. We try to make as few changes as possible but we might have to make slight changes to make sure your trip is as good as it can be.
INCLUDED:
The trip fare is US$2799 + 12.5% NZ government taxes for adults, and US$1999 + tax for children (15 and under). We quote all prices in US dollars, so our families from all over the world can more easily relate prices to their own currencies. You can also join for shorter periods of time, at a pro-rated fare. The trip fare includes just about everything, specifically:
• All guiding services. We generally have two guides per trip, a Lead Guide/driver, and a Co-Guide who is responsible for meals and accommodations. This means we can really make sure your family has a great time! We operate with small groups, and we don’t hesitate to offer a second departure when our trips start getting full.
• Comfortable accommodation for the entire period you are with us. We can also organize accommodation for you if you want to arrive earlier or leave later.
• All your meals, except in Queenstown where we’ve found people prefer to check out the wide range of restaurants. Alcohol is generally not included, although we do spring for a few cold beers or wine for the parents here and there!
• All hiking, kayaking, jet boating, and rafting described in the itinerary, except optional extra activities, such as the overnight trip to Milford Sound. We have estimated the rates for optional extra activities operated by local activity operators in US dollars, including all required equipment, but these rates may vary according to the USD/NZD exchange rate of the day. There are many optional activities available at extra cost, particularly in Queenstown. None of these activities are compulsory, and nor will your trip seem less awesome if you do the cheap or free options. Although some people enjoy sampling bungy jumping, skydiving, and so on, others prefer to focus more on the hiking, paddling and fun family activities, which is of course the reason you’re coming to New Zealand in the first place!
NOT INCLUDED:
This is your holiday, and we are serious about not nickel-and-diming you! You’ll have a few meals and drinks to cover, extra activities if you choose them, and you’ll probably feel like tipping your guides at the end of a fabulous time, but you won’t be pulling out your wallet every few minutes on your ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND trip!
GEAR LIST:
Click here to see a copy of the Kea Family Gear List
The Kea family trip is an activity-oriented trip around the South Island. We’ve chosen interesting, comfortable and family-friendly accommodations throughout. Where possible we will provide accommodation with two bedrooms for your family. In some places it’s quite luxurious but many of the other places we stay are off-the-beaten-track – and don’t have many accommodation options – but are really, really spectacular. We think you’ll love the places we stay!
RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS:
If you’re flying in on the first day of the trip, or out on the last day, we recommend arriving in Christchurch by approximately 9 - 10am on Tuesday, and departing from Christchurch after 1 - 2pm on Sunday. Other flight times may also be possible – if you are considering alternative flight times please let us know.
PICK UP INFORMATION:
On the first day of the trip we can either pick you up from the Holiday Inn City Centre in Christchurch at 10.30am, or at the domestic terminal at Christchurch Airport in front of the information desk at 11am.
DROP OFF INFORMATION:
On the last day of the trip we can drop you off at Christchurch airport in time for the flights above, or anywhere in central Christchurch in mid-afternoon.
TRIP DIRECTION:
To keep our group sizes down, we run the Kea in two different directions around the South Island – southbound and northbound (refers to initial direction of travel from Christchurch). This itinerary happens to be written up in the southbound format. Whichever trip you take, you’ll do all the activities we’ve mentioned, just in a different order. The Kea is a product of many years of evolution and fine-tuning – it works well whichever direction you go.
FITNESS:
You and your kids need to have a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy yourself on the Kea family trip, but no more than the average family. This trip is all about family fun so the activities are suitable even for people with short legs! If you’re concerned about your fitness level, or whether your kids are up to it, have a chat with us so we can help you choose between the Kea family trip and our other trips.
EXPERIENCE:
You don’t need any outdoor experience at all to enjoy our trips. All our trips allow you to make the most of New Zealand’s incredible environment. Our experienced guides are highly trained and will look after you and your kids. You don’t need to have ever been in a kayak to enjoy kayaking Lake Mapourika or in a raft or jet boat to enjoy those activities either. All we ask is that you be in reasonable shape, and that everyone’s keen to have fun in New Zealand’s amazing outdoor playground. We guarantee you’ll have an incredible time. We manage the level of commitment to suit your experience, and we have an impeccable safety record. We hold all relevant government licenses and permits.
FLEXIBILITY:
Because of the off-the-beaten-path and non-commercial nature of some of our accommodation on this trip, we sometimes need to change a night stop. We try to make as few changes as possible but we might have to make slight changes to make sure your trip is as good as it can be.
INCLUDED:
The trip fare is US$2799 + 12.5% NZ government taxes for adults, and US$1999 + tax for children (15 and under). We quote all prices in US dollars, so our families from all over the world can more easily relate prices to their own currencies. You can also join for shorter periods of time, at a pro-rated fare. The trip fare includes just about everything, specifically:
• All guiding services. We generally have two guides per trip, a Lead Guide/driver, and a Co-Guide who is responsible for meals and accommodations. This means we can really make sure your family has a great time! We operate with small groups, and we don’t hesitate to offer a second departure when our trips start getting full.
• Comfortable accommodation for the entire period you are with us. We can also organize accommodation for you if you want to arrive earlier or leave later.
• All your meals, except in Queenstown where we’ve found people prefer to check out the wide range of restaurants. Alcohol is generally not included, although we do spring for a few cold beers or wine for the parents here and there!
• All hiking, kayaking, jet boating, and rafting described in the itinerary, except optional extra activities, such as the overnight trip to Milford Sound. We have estimated the rates for optional extra activities operated by local activity operators in US dollars, including all required equipment, but these rates may vary according to the USD/NZD exchange rate of the day. There are many optional activities available at extra cost, particularly in Queenstown. None of these activities are compulsory, and nor will your trip seem less awesome if you do the cheap or free options. Although some people enjoy sampling bungy jumping, skydiving, and so on, others prefer to focus more on the hiking, paddling and fun family activities, which is of course the reason you’re coming to New Zealand in the first place!
NOT INCLUDED:
This is your holiday, and we are serious about not nickel-and-diming you! You’ll have a few meals and drinks to cover, extra activities if you choose them, and you’ll probably feel like tipping your guides at the end of a fabulous time, but you won’t be pulling out your wallet every few minutes on your ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND trip!
GEAR LIST:
Click here to see a copy of the Kea Family Gear List
