FAQs

We recommend you book well in advance to secure your spots on the trips we offer, as space is limited, particularly during the peak months of December to March. Many tracks fill up months in advance, so we recommend early booking to avoid disappointment.

Our freedom packages are for those who are more independent minded but like certain elements pre arranged for them. Our freedom package will include bookings such as your accommodation on the track, transport links to and from the track, gear hire (on some tracks) and daily packed lunches (on some tracks only). You are then free to walk the track alone or with your group independently, armed with your provided track maps and information packs.
Our Guided walk packages are for those that enjoy spending time with likeminded people in a small group atmosphere. You will have the expertise and experience of the guide with you the whole time and your guide will share their knowledge of the local history of the track as well as the area and the flora & fauna. The guided walk packages are also fully catered.

The main NZ walking season is from October to April/May. The exceptions to this are on the Abel Tasman and Queen Charlotte Tracks, which we can arrange packages on year round due to their temperate climate (itineraries may vary slightly).

In New Zealand you can find yourself experiencing all four seasons in one day! We always advise our clients to be prepared, have good footwear, good rain gear and layers are the key when walking.
Spring time can often be wet, with the more settled weather in March/April.
Some of the Southern Alpine tracks still experience snow in Spring time.
The most popular months for walking the tracks are December, January, February and March.

Many of the packages we offer are fully catered for. These are the Guided walk packages offered on the Paparoa Track, Hump Ridge Track, Hollyford Track, Tongariro lodge based tour, Tongariro Northern Circuit, Abel Tasman Track and Queen Charlotte Track.

Most of the tracks we offer require at least a medium level of fitness and we'd always recommend a training programme leading up to your trip departure. This should include starting with shorter walks carrying no weight, to longer days walks with a pack. Climbing some hills and stair work will greatly improve your fitness. Also try a few walks in the rain to get used to this too!..

For the majority of the tracks we offer, we would recommend wearing walking boots with ankle support or sturdy walking shoes, with a good tread. We do not recommend wearing new boots for a multi-day trip, these should be well worn in before you take your trip.

Yes there are!..
Daily luggage transfers are included on the Abel Tasman and Queen Charlotte Track packages we offer (both freedom and guided), so you only carry your day pack. This is also the same for the Tongariro lodge based guided trip, where you return each evening to the same accommodation, so only carry a day pack.
Some other tracks we offer include partial pack carrying (only on some days, not all) which include the Guided walks of the Hump Ridge Track and the Hollyford Track.

Yes absolutely, please just advise at the time of booking what your dietary requirements are eg vegetarian, vegan, gluten free etc

YES! We love that families are keen to get out and explore the Great walks and tracks of NZ!
For first time walkers, we would recommend the Abel Tasman Track or the Queen Charlotte Track as they include luggage transfers so you only carry a daypack. Water taxis also operate here, so on any given day, you could water taxi to the next section of track if needed (additional cost applies). They both offer wonderful family share private accommodation options.
For some of the Southern tracks (eg the Milford, Routeburn and Kepler Tracks) there is a minimum age requirement of 10 years old.

Not at all! For some of the track packages we offer there is a single supplement added for solo travelers, but for some tracks there is no single supplement added eg the guided walks of the Paparoa Track and Tongariro Northern Circuit.
Travelling solo can be liberating made easier knowing all elements of your trip are arranged for you.
A lot of our solo clients love joining guided walks and being around like minded people whilst exploring somewhere new, knowing they have the support and knowledge of their guide along the way.

Booking Terms - Our payment terms are $300NZ non-refundable deposit per person for multi day walks (or $150NZ non-refundable deposit for one day guided walks) due upon booking confirmation with final payment for your trip due 40 days prior to the date of departure. If bookings are made inside 40 days, full payment would be required at time of booking.

Cancellation Policy - If a cancellation is made within one month but outside of fourteen days from your departure, there is a 50% refund applicable minus the non-refundable deposit. Once within fourteen days of your departure date, the cancellation fee is 100%.

Amendments - If required, we are happy to amend your trip departure date, however, please keep in mind that an administration fee of $50 per person will be charged for any change made to a reservation after the booking has been confirmed and this is only applicable to changes made 30 days or more prior to your departure date. This is also only relevant to date changes for bookings on the same track as the original booking.

Covid-19 - If you are unable to travel due to the Government placed travel restrictions or border closure, we will transfer your booking to a future date within the next 12 months for no penalty or transfer fee, subject to availability at the time of booking. Any difference in package pricing will need to be met. Alternatively, our standard cancellation policy above applies.
If you test positive for Covid-19 just prior to your trip starting, then our Covid-19 policy above will apply (we will need to see proof of your positive test). Please note that New Zealand Walks (or any of our outfitters) will not be able to cover the costs to self-isolate during a trip.

Changes to Terms and Conditions - The Operator reserves the right to change these Terms and Conditions at any time without notifying customers. Any future bookings you may make will be made subject to the Terms and Conditions which apply at the time a booking is made and you are advised to read all the Terms and Conditions carefully on each occasion prior to making a booking.

We do recommend that all our clients have personal travel insurance.

All prices quoted on our website are in NZ$. Please allow 24-48 hours for confirmation for the trip to come through. Upon confirmation, we will process your $300 per person non-refundable deposit - the name that will appear on your statement will be New Zealand Walks (Walking Holidays New Zealand Ltd, Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand). Please note there will be a 2.9% surcharge added for credit card payments and international bank transfers will incur an additional charge. There is a 1.75% booking fee for bookings made directly through our website.

Walking Holidays New Zealand Ltd have taken every care to ensure you have an outstanding New Zealand walking experience. Bookings are all done in good faith and our refund policy is as detailed on our website and our booking terms and conditions. In the event of a cancellation through either weather or other event outside of the control of Walking Holidays New Zealand Ltd affecting your walk we will offer you an alternative option where at all possible. Any extra costs to relocate you to another walk will be your responsibility but we will transfer, where possible, your bookings and pre-payments to other providers and seek to minimize any inconvenience and extra expenses within our control. We do recommend that all our clients have personal travel insurance.

Yes absolutely!
As well as your walk package, we can book your pre and post walk accommodation in most locations and also assist with bus, ferry and train bookings too. Also in some locations, we can book guided kayak tours, wine tours or cruises - please just ask us for more information!

All of the up to date information on self isolation requirements for travellers can be found on the Ministry of Health website - https://covid19.health.nz/advice/travelling-new-zealand/self-isolation-traveller-requirements?_ga=2.9319089.583251637.1657760448-1557569714.1584482410.