• > How Strenuous are these Trips?
• > Group Participants and Tour Leader
• > Private Tours and Custom Dates
• > Local Transportation
• > Accommodations
• > Meals
• > Climate
• > Travel Documents
• > Flights
• > Airline Tickets
• > Money
• > Health
• > Luggage & Clothing
• > Resources
• > Communication

How Strenuous are these Trips?

Group adventures (with our Dutch groups) tend to be longer programs and are often more challenging than our private journeys in several ways. Participants, of all ages, take hearty hikes and will rent bikes to explore. The Dutch have spent their entire lives on bikes so even older travelers are good endurance. Be sure to ask the guide the nature of any hike and opt out if you feel it will be too much.  (This is also a great argument to lobby for bike paths in the States!). The infrastructures in many of the countries we visit can be very undeveloped compared to the States. Long road trips on bumpy roads can be uncomfortable for some travelers. On several of these trips, we spend a day or two in remote areas that may require a willingness to “rough it”. Roosters will crow, lights may dim, and a cold shower may be expected on these days. On some of our group adventures, we stay for a night or two in indigenous lodgings which can be basic or very primitive. Some have no formal bath facilities. Be sure to check the weather conditions for the dates you are considering at worldweather.org, and pack appropriate shoes and clothing for these trips. At most hotels there is no porter service and you must be able to carry your own luggage.

Our semi-private and private trips are less challenging. While these trips are also quite active, there are fewer physical challenges. Also some hotels and modes of transport are upgraded for the private/semi-private trips, and there is a little more one-on-one assistance from the guide.

Group Participants and Tour Leader

Private Tours and Custom Dates

Custom dates can be arranged for your private group of 10 or more. Please inquire about discounts for larger groups.

Local Transportation

The time difference between the United States and New Zealand: +17 hours ahead of East Coast Time, +20 hours West Coast time. During the entire trip, we make use of comfortable buses where there is plenty of room for all participants. We use different buses on the North and South Islands. Because we have our own transportation, it is always possible to make a stop along the way for pictures, or to visit a little market or go for a walk along a beautiful stretch of nature. The travel distances are not that great so we are not in a great hurry on travel days. From Wellington, the most southern point of the North Island, we travel by boat to Picton on the South Island over the Cook Strait, a sometimes bumpy but beautiful trip where the dolphins accompany the boat on the way to the beautiful nature reserve, Marlborough Sounds.  
Use the following link to view slides of the transportation we use: http://www.djoserusa.com/transportation

Accommodations

We spend the night in different style accommodations: hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts.
In most rooms, showers and toilets are present; in a few cases, you will use a shared bathroom facility. Quite often, you will have supplies to make your own tea or coffee. We will always try to obtain atmospheric and centrally located accommodations. Use the following link to view some of our lodgings: http://www.djoserusa.com/hotels

If you are traveling alone you will be matched with a roommate of the same sex. Please note the cost of a single room listed in the cost descriptions. If you request a roommate, but we are unable to match you, there will be no penalty charge for the single room.

Meals

The food in New Zealand reflects the multi-cultural make-up of the country so you will find the traditional “fish and chips”, the India, Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine, as well as typical Dutch treats, poffertjes (small pancakes). You are certain to find plenty of American hamburger chains as well. Make sure to try a lamb dish as it the local specialty is unrivaled throughout the world. One thing is for sure: you will never starve here, as the portions are quite large. Meals are not included during the trip. This way you have a wide choice of eating establishments wherever we go. During the stay in the marae the extra cost for the dinner and breakfast and traditional reception at the local currency of New Zealand, NZD 50, or around $30. 

Climate

New Zealand is located on the Southern Hemisphere, which means that summers run from October until March. July is the middle of winter. The farther you go north, the warmer it gets. The temperature in the cities varies between 32°F and a maximum of 85°F. The chance of rain is greatest in July but there is not a set rainy period. The temperature of the South Island is a little below that of the North Island. During the trip, we also visit areas at a higher altitude where, of course, it is cooler. Be aware that during the entire year there are different weather patterns. New Zealand is known for weather that changes instantly. Due to the great differences in altitude, it is possible that you may stand on a glacier in the morning and the afternoon you are sunbathing on the beach.

Travel Documents

American and Canadian citizens will not need a visa. Upon arrival in Auckland, you will receive a visa stamp in your passport that allows you a stay of up to three months. Also, in route, you will have a long day in Singapore. There is no visa required for Singapore. U.S. citizens eligible for a visa waiver do not need a visa for tourist stays of three months or less. For more information about visa waivers and entry requirements contact the Embassy of New Zealand, 37 Observatory Circle, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 328-4800, the Embassy’s home page at http://www.nzemb.org, or the Consulate General of New Zealand in Los Angeles, telephone (310) 207-1605. If your passport is of a different nationality be sure to consult the New Zealand embassy or consulate for your home country as requirements may vary.

If you need rush service for processing your passport, we recommend a service called It’s Easy, located in New York. You can check their website http://www.itseasypassport.com for passport requirements and to download the current forms and rates and processing fees. Or you can call them to fax you forms if you do not have Internet. It’s Easy offers 24 hour document expediting services.  They can even turnaround documents within 48 hours in emergency situations. It’s Easy will honor a 10% discount for the service processing portion of the fees for Djoser clients. The government fees are not discounted.  

It’s Easy  (Passport & Visa Expediting Service)
Satellite Airline Terminal
125 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Phone - (212) 286-8500,
Fax (212)-490-3224
Website   http://www.itseasypassport.com
E-mail      mail@itseasypassport.com

Flights

We book our flights with top airlines. Most airlines will honor earned mileage. You will need to submit your mileage credit yourself upon receipt of your flight information. For airlines that allow advance seating reservations, we typically request aisle and adjoining seats unless otherwise instructed on your registration form. It is vital that you arrive at the airport early, according to the airline (often 3 hours prior to flight time). We do provide airport transfers (airport pick-up and drop off) in our destination country for those who book the Land/Air package. Flight times are subject to change. It is recommended that you book your domestic Add-on (connecting) flights through Djoser in association with the international flight. To avoid penalties for flight changes do not book your own domestic add-on (connecting flight) without first receiving a printed copy of your flight record from Djoser confirming your actual departure and return flight times.  You will find more about flights in the General Information section. Below you will find the usual flight times for the airline indicated.
 
Sample flight with Qantas:

Usual flight times – subject to change

Airline Tickets

You will receive your tickets or E-tickets 10-12 days prior to your departure date.
In case the airline uses E-tickets you will receive two documents:

•    A document that shows the E-ticket number & flight itinerary (sent by email & mail).
•    A receipt of the E-ticket (sent by mail).

The first document listed is needed to check in at the automated kiosks. If you check in at the
E-ticket desk you don’t need any of the provided documents, you can simply show your passport and you’re good to go. Both the automated kiosk and the e-ticket desk insure a much faster check in than at the regular check in desks. It is important to hold on to your e-ticket receipt, as you might need it to claim your mileage credits (if the airline awards mileage for this particular flight).

Money

The currency in New Zealand is the New Zealand dollar (NZ), which is worth approximately $.59. For one dollar you receive 1.7 NZ dollars.  But of course, the value of currency will change. It’s handy to take an updated currency chart, which you can find easily on the Internet at www.exchangerate.com. In most places you will find ATM machines. In addition you can bring travelers checks or cash dollars. In New Zealand, you need a minimum of $240 per week for meals, entry fees, tips, optional excursions and incidentals. If you want to partake in optional activities such as bungee jumping, helicopter flights, swimming with the dolphins, canoeing, etc., we recommend you increase your weekly budget. These activities are quite pricey, however, definitely worthwhile. Upon departure, you will have to pay 25 NZD as departure tax in Auckland.

Health

For a tour in New Zealand, you do not need any immunizations. The hygienic circumstances in New Zealand are comparable to the United States. In the event there is an emergency during the trip where medical assistance is needed the tour leader has a first aid kit, with sterile supplies. Of course, it is a smart idea to bring your own small medical kit with band-aids, bug repellant, sunscreen, etc.

Luggage & Clothing

Try to keep the weight of your luggage below 30 pounds. A duffle bag or a frameless backpack is ideal for packing on the bus. Hard suitcases are difficult to load. You will generally carry your own luggage so be sure to bring what you can comfortably lift. Without packing your entire wardrobe, it is advisable to bring clothes for varied weather conditions. In New Zealand, the weather can change substantially; a sweater and a coat are recommended. From September until March, summer clothes are needed. In the winter, April to September, you will winter garb. Bring a swimsuit in the summer and winter because in the area of Rotorua and Taupo there are great heated swimming pools. In addition, it is recommended to bring a rain poncho. Don’t forget that for your stay in Singapore on the way, the climate is tropical. The voltage in New Zealand is 220V: a converter is required.

Resources

Communication

With all of the modern telecom equipment these days, it is easy to reach you in New Zealand. In most towns you will find Internet cafes, where for a small fee you can send and receive emails. Access by cell phone will depend on your phone instrument and carrier.