Ultimate North Island Adventure
"We booked this excursion wanting to see and hike this extraordinary country which it did. However the range of activities we engaged in, snorkelling, mountain biking, Sandboarding, tube rafting added an exciting dimension and perspective by actually experiencing what NZ has to offer. Accommodations were excellent and above expectation; snacks, and sunscreen always available. Definitely recommend!
read moreWe booked this excursion wanting to see and hike this extraordinary country which it did.…
"We booked this excursion wanting to see and hike this extraordinary country which it did. However the range of activities we engaged in, snorkelling, mountain biking, Sandboarding, tube rafting added an exciting dimension and perspective by actually experiencing what NZ has to offer. Accommodations were excellent and above expectation; snacks, and sunscreen always available. Definitely recommend! read less
4.7 Stars (336 reviews)
R | October 7200
Great Walks of New Zealand
"Liana & Kelly were fabulous guides & I loved every minute of my trip. The accommodation, food & walks were all great.
read moreLiana & Kelly were fabulous guides & I loved every minute of my trip. The…
"Liana & Kelly were fabulous guides & I loved every minute of my trip. The accommodation, food & walks were all great. read less
4.7 Stars (128 reviews)
M | January 1970
New Zealand Walking Adventure
"This trip provided a variety of hikes through beautiful rain forests, beaches and mountains. We were always given a choice between an easier hike and a more strenuous hike. I would highly recommend the Heli-Hike on Franz Josef glacier. It was a unique and very memorable experience. Mel and Kayla were excellent guides for this trip. Most of the meals were prepared and cooked by Mel and Kayla and they provided a variety of delicious meals. They also made accommodations for those with dietary restrictions. Mel provided a sarcastic wit and was very knowledgeable with answering questions. She was also an amazing driver through some very windy roads with a bus and attached trailer to navigate. Mel and Kayla provided a fun, safe, delicious and adventurous trip. I highly recommend this trip for anyone looking to hike, kayak and wine taste in an absolutely beautiful country.
read moreThis trip provided a variety of hikes through beautiful rain forests, beaches and mountains. We…
"This trip provided a variety of hikes through beautiful rain forests, beaches and mountains. We were always given a choice between an easier hike and a more strenuous hike. I would highly recommend the Heli-Hike on Franz Josef glacier. It was a unique and very memorable experience. Mel and Kayla were excellent guides for this trip. Most of the meals were prepared and cooked by Mel and Kayla and they provided a variety of delicious meals. They also made accommodations for those with dietary restrictions. Mel provided a sarcastic wit and was very knowledgeable with answering questions. She was also an amazing driver through some very windy roads with a bus and attached trailer to navigate. Mel and Kayla provided a fun, safe, delicious and adventurous trip. I highly recommend this trip for anyone looking to hike, kayak and wine taste in an absolutely beautiful country. read less
4.8 Stars (387 reviews)
D | January 1970
Ultimate North Island Adventure
"My ultimate north island trip was outstanding. The trip was extensive, well thought through and as promised 'Active'. A good trip was made exceptional by the contribution of our guides Luke and Noah. Thier knowledge, insight, attention to detail and helpfulness could not have been better.
read moreMy ultimate north island trip was outstanding. The trip was extensive, well thought through and…
"My ultimate north island trip was outstanding. The trip was extensive, well thought through and as promised 'Active'. A good trip was made exceptional by the contribution of our guides Luke and Noah. Thier knowledge, insight, attention to detail and helpfulness could not have been better. read less
4.7 Stars (336 reviews)
K | January 1970
Ultimate North Island Adventure
"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!
read moreExcellent, the trip of a lifetime!
"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime! read less
4.7 Stars (336 reviews)
J | January 1970
Classic South Island Adventure
"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!
read moreExcellent, the trip of a lifetime!
"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime! read less
4.7 Stars (1725 reviews)
J | January 1970
Classic South Island Adventure
"This trip was outstanding! I cannot think of a single thing that could have been better. I loved our guides. They were delightful and showed personal care for each one of us. They made every single moment of the trip fun.
Unfortunately I injured my ankle early on and the guides were able to accommodate me and help me continue safely with the activities.
This trip was outstanding! I cannot think of a single thing that could have been…
"This trip was outstanding! I cannot think of a single thing that could have been better. I loved our guides. They were delightful and showed personal care for each one of us. They made every single moment of the trip fun.
Unfortunately I injured my ankle early on and the guides were able to accommodate me and help me continue safely with the activities. read less
4.7 Stars (1725 reviews)
A | January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
"Certainly! Here's a revised version:
Greg and Kim are an exceptional team, and our experience with them was truly memorable. Kim's culinary skills created an array of delightful dishes that had us savoring every bite. From appetizers to main courses, each plate was a testament to her culinary expertise, leaving a lasting impression.
On the other hand, Greg's knowledge of New Zealand and its diverse birdlife brought a unique and engaging element to our stay. His passion for the subject was evident in the captivating stories he shared, turning casual conversations into fascinating insights about the country's avian wonders.
What made this duo stand out was their seamless collaboration. Kim's dishes perfectly complemented the natural beauty of New Zealand that Greg so passionately described. The combination of exquisite cuisine and enriching discussions created an immersive experience that exceeded our expectations.
Greg and Kim's genuine warmth and expertise made our stay not just a vacation but an exploration of taste and nature. Whether through a mouthwatering meal crafted by Kim or an intriguing bird-related anecdote shared by Greg, their unique blend of talents turned our time into a delightful, well-rounded experience.
Certainly! Here's a revised version:
Greg and Kim are an exceptional team, and our experience with…
"Certainly! Here's a revised version:
Greg and Kim are an exceptional team, and our experience with them was truly memorable. Kim's culinary skills created an array of delightful dishes that had us savoring every bite. From appetizers to main courses, each plate was a testament to her culinary expertise, leaving a lasting impression.
On the other hand, Greg's knowledge of New Zealand and its diverse birdlife brought a unique and engaging element to our stay. His passion for the subject was evident in the captivating stories he shared, turning casual conversations into fascinating insights about the country's avian wonders.
What made this duo stand out was their seamless collaboration. Kim's dishes perfectly complemented the natural beauty of New Zealand that Greg so passionately described. The combination of exquisite cuisine and enriching discussions created an immersive experience that exceeded our expectations.
Greg and Kim's genuine warmth and expertise made our stay not just a vacation but an exploration of taste and nature. Whether through a mouthwatering meal crafted by Kim or an intriguing bird-related anecdote shared by Greg, their unique blend of talents turned our time into a delightful, well-rounded experience. read less
4.7 Stars (4482 reviews)
G | January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!
read moreExcellent, the trip of a lifetime!
"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime! read less
4.7 Stars (4482 reviews)
D | January 1970
Patagonia Hiking Adventure
"Our trip with Active Adventures was outstanding. Our guide was amazing and the views were stunning
read moreOur trip with Active Adventures was outstanding. Our guide was amazing and the views were…
"Our trip with Active Adventures was outstanding. Our guide was amazing and the views were stunning read less
4.7 Stars (1139 reviews)
R | October 9600
Ultimate North Island Adventure
"I've been impressed with the customer service at Active Adventures from the very beginning- from the basics of setting up a trip to the crazy
tour shifting in March 2020 to changing our 2023 trip to 2024. And our just completed Ultimate North Island Adventure continued to surpass all
that. Our guides, Braden and Katie, were exceptional in every way, going the extra mile to make our trip special and accommodating the varying abilities and desires of the group. There was always a good alternative if you weren't up to the main activity, and their "home town" knowledge added a special personal touch to the tour. They looked out for me and my bum knee, always making sure that things were OK, and finding ways of making it work. And I won't even start on the wonderful food- absolutely amazing, especially the guide prepared spreads with all the NZ specialties! The highest kudos and deepest thanks for their tireless efforts.
I've been impressed with the customer service at Active Adventures from the very beginning- …
"I've been impressed with the customer service at Active Adventures from the very beginning- from the basics of setting up a trip to the crazy
tour shifting in March 2020 to changing our 2023 trip to 2024. And our just completed Ultimate North Island Adventure continued to surpass all
that. Our guides, Braden and Katie, were exceptional in every way, going the extra mile to make our trip special and accommodating the varying abilities and desires of the group. There was always a good alternative if you weren't up to the main activity, and their "home town" knowledge added a special personal touch to the tour. They looked out for me and my bum knee, always making sure that things were OK, and finding ways of making it work. And I won't even start on the wonderful food- absolutely amazing, especially the guide prepared spreads with all the NZ specialties! The highest kudos and deepest thanks for their tireless efforts. read less
4.7 Stars (336 reviews)
B | January 1970
Ultimate North Island Adventure
"I'm not usually a "tour" type of traveler. I joined the North Island Adventure trip because I was traveling solo through NZ and thought Active Adventures would help get me to places I couldn't get myself. Over the ten days, there was not a moment I questioned my choice. Our guides -- Katie and Branden -- were all about generosity of spirit, pride, and knowledge about the country they lovingly call home. Every activity, accommodation, and meal was seamlessly organized and full of joy -- and in some cases mischievous surprises. There was even laughter on the long bus rides. What I really appreciated the most about the trip was the flexibility and thoughtfulness. I never felt like the "extra" as a single traveler and I, or any other of my fellow trip mates, wanted to change up our day or try something different, the answer was always "yes". Should you join an Active Adventure trip? My answer will always be "yes"!
read moreI'm not usually a "tour" type of traveler. I joined the North Island Adventure trip…
"I'm not usually a "tour" type of traveler. I joined the North Island Adventure trip because I was traveling solo through NZ and thought Active Adventures would help get me to places I couldn't get myself. Over the ten days, there was not a moment I questioned my choice. Our guides -- Katie and Branden -- were all about generosity of spirit, pride, and knowledge about the country they lovingly call home. Every activity, accommodation, and meal was seamlessly organized and full of joy -- and in some cases mischievous surprises. There was even laughter on the long bus rides. What I really appreciated the most about the trip was the flexibility and thoughtfulness. I never felt like the "extra" as a single traveler and I, or any other of my fellow trip mates, wanted to change up our day or try something different, the answer was always "yes". Should you join an Active Adventure trip? My answer will always be "yes"! read less
4.7 Stars (336 reviews)
W | January 1970
Classic South Island Adventure
"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!
read moreExcellent, the trip of a lifetime!
"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime! read less
4.7 Stars (1725 reviews)
T | January 1970
Classic South Island Adventure
"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!
read moreExcellent, the trip of a lifetime!
"Excellent, the trip of a lifetime! read less
4.7 Stars (1725 reviews)
J | January 1970
Patagonia Hiking Adventure
"From the first moment, we felt in good hands. We were fortunate with other group members being friendly as well. We had agonised over challenging vs comfort and we’re so glad we chose challenging for the immersion. Yes we had to share but our group was with us. Bonus. It was bonding
read moreFrom the first moment, we felt in good hands. We were fortunate with other group…
"From the first moment, we felt in good hands. We were fortunate with other group members being friendly as well. We had agonised over challenging vs comfort and we’re so glad we chose challenging for the immersion. Yes we had to share but our group was with us. Bonus. It was bonding read less
4.7 Stars (1139 reviews)
D | January 1970
Classic South Island Adventure
"Good, really enjoyed it
read moreGood, really enjoyed it
"Good, really enjoyed it read less
4.7 Stars (1725 reviews)
S | January 1970
Ultimate Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands Adventure
"I went on this trip to see Machu Picchu and ended up being amazed by The Sacred Valley, the people (Incas) of the Andes and our Guide Salvador. Our guide brought the people and the land to life!
read moreI went on this trip to see Machu Picchu and ended up being amazed by…
"I went on this trip to see Machu Picchu and ended up being amazed by The Sacred Valley, the people (Incas) of the Andes and our Guide Salvador. Our guide brought the people and the land to life! read less
4.7 Stars (112 reviews)
D | January 1970
Patagonia Hiking Adventure
"For those considering if booking with Active is worth it... Well, in short, yes. They absolutely handle the logistics during the trip and handle them well. The booked transfer services, lodging, and guides were excellent and worth the cost. My particular trip was to Patagonia. Doing privately would / could have been challenging and potentially frustrating. There are a lot of complexities in Patagonia and the Active team absolutely handled that very well.
read moreFor those considering if booking with Active is worth it... Well, in short, yes. …
"For those considering if booking with Active is worth it... Well, in short, yes. They absolutely handle the logistics during the trip and handle them well. The booked transfer services, lodging, and guides were excellent and worth the cost. My particular trip was to Patagonia. Doing privately would / could have been challenging and potentially frustrating. There are a lot of complexities in Patagonia and the Active team absolutely handled that very well. read less
4.7 Stars (1139 reviews)
B | January 1970
By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. This offer is only valid for reservations where the trip is no sooner than 180 days from the departure date at time of booking.
We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance - you can find details here.
*Terms & conditions apply – read more here
We believe our small group, off-the-beaten-track adventures are the safest way to travel. To keep you, your fellow travellers, our guides and the communities we travel in safe, all adults over the age of 12 (i.e. 13 years and above) must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
To keep you healthy during your trip, we follow all ATTA, WTTC, Qualmark and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) health and safety guidelines, as acknowledged by their stamps.
It is your responsibility stay up to date on the latest visa and entry requirements for your destination. Please use the CIBT entry tracker on our website as a guideline or visit the relevant immigration webpage for the country (or countries) you're visiting more information.
You do not need vaccinations to visit any of the European countries in which we operate. Easy!
As an Active Adventures traveller, It’s essential you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of personal injury, medical expenses, trip cancellation for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Insurance page for more in-depth information and insurance provider options. It’s also important to check your insurance covers all the activities you’ll be partaking in, in case you’re travelling to altitude or looking at extreme sports.
Our preferred Travel Partner Fuzion Travel can assist with you with flights and other travel arrangements. Let them know your preferred travel plans, including any stopovers or extra nights’ accommodation, and they’ll put everything in place for you. They offer a total travel solution and five star service that you’ll want to tell your friends about!
On your Europe trip you'll stay in a variety of places depending on the destination and activities. For the most part you'll stay in nice, locally owned, beautiful family run hotels in great locations, with private bathrooms, free wifi, great breakfasts and warm local hospitality. Whilst in more remote areas we use rifugios or backcountry cabins - in the Alps these rifugios are more like hotels with private bathrooms and all the mod cons! Whereas in Iceland they're more rustic with outhouse bathrooms (flush toilets) and gas heating.
Your transport will be a mixture of private van, private bus, bike, kayak and your very own two feet on our trips in Europe. You'll spend most time hiking, biking or paddling everywhere though! All your transport is included from the start of your trip and we'll drop you at the airport at the end. The details are all listed in the trip specific itineraries.
All your meals are included as described in the itinerary except on your free days. We have found that people enjoy checking out what is on offer by themselves sometimes, so you can go and see what's out there! On every other day and especially after any long hikes, we've chosen places to eat that can cater for our hearty appetites, work well with our small groups (they know we are coming) and provide us with an authentic destination specific culinary experience. There are always options for you, so you can either be brave or choose something more familiar. You can be assured that on all our trips we will make sure you are very well fed, and Europe's vast array of cuisine won't disappoint you!
Our trips are all led by an experienced Trip Leader. Our Trip Leaders are very proud to work with Active Adventures and often lead our trips for many years, for which we are very lucky and very grateful, as it means we're able to consistently offer a fantastic level of service. They work closely with our local specialist guides to provide you with a seamless, fun, exciting and memorable trip. They will happily share with you as much or as little as you want to know about the history, culture, social aspects and lifestyle of the country you are visiting.
Our trip fares are based on a twin-share rate (two people per room), though in some places we use two-bedroom units, in which case you may be sharing a separate bathroom between two to four people. In certain places, ie; the refuge/refugio’s and mountain cabin’s, there will be shared rooms with up to 10 people and a large bathroom with private cubicles which is shared by everyone at that accommodation.
We welcome many solo travelers on our trips – in fact, we get so many solo travelers and they always say it’s a great way to travel alone, but not actually by themselves. You’ll have an incredible adventure sharing your experiences with other like-minded travelers, and the best part is we don't charge extra for solo travelers, providing you don’t mind sharing a room. However, for bookings within 90 days of your chosen departure, a forced single supplement will apply if there is no other guest of the same gender already booked to share with.
If you prefer not to share a room at all, you can upgrade to a single room, if one is available. If your trip uses refugios or mountain cabins which can only accommodate guests on a multi-share basis, the upgrade cost will reflect this.
We generally take up to 14 people per trip, although this can vary, and all our trips have at least two of our guides to look after you (apart from the occasions we have a small group). We have found that our trips tend to attract a particular kind of person and many people have commented that the social scene was one of the highlights of their trip!
Once you've booked your trip, you'll have access to a gear list in your portal on exactly what to bring along. The gear list is carefully thought out to provide you with everything you need to be warm and happy, or cool and relaxed, whatever the weather! So it is best to bring everything we recommend along, if you don't bring everything you need, we can't guarantee your comfort.
You will need proper hiking boots - trail shoes are not good enough. We'll be taking you to some awesome places where you'll be hiking over a variety of terrain, therefore your boots should have full ankle support and a stiff sole with a high profile tread. It's also important that whichever footwear you decide to bring that it's well broken-in and waterproofed before you come down. If you have good ankles that will be able to cope pretty well with varied terrain, then good hiking shoes should be fine, but if not then hiking boots will give you better support.
European cuisine is varied and delicious, usually incorporating lots of fresh produce, cheese, local meats, bread and pastries. Icelandic cuisine is famous for their local seafood, specifically their cod as well as lamb, bread and skyr- a soft yogurt-like cheese. The sheer abundance and variety of produce, wine and meats will satisfy any palate.
Vegetarian options are varied whereas vegan choices are slightly more limited though if you let us know beforehand we’ll make sure you have options! We provide drinking water and you’ll be able to buy espresso and/or alcohol (and other drinks) in most places.
Vegan choices may be limited but we’ll do our best to help find things you may like. While glutenfree meals are possible, there may not be a huge variety available for gluten-free options either - as most local breads and pastries contain gluten. Dinner meals are often very late in the evening too as per the local customs.
We are accustomed to catering to the following special diets:
• vegan (no meat or animal products) *please discuss this option with us - difficult to accommodate in Spain (Camino)
• vegetarian (no meat products)
• pescatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
• no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
• gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
• lactose intolerant (no dairy products)
You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in our pre-trip questionnaire. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or the online questionnaire.
The currency in Austria, France, Italy, Spain and The Netherlands is the Euro €, in Croatia it's the Croatian Kuna, in Iceland it’s the Icleandic Króna kr and in Switzerland it’s the Swiss Franc CHF.
In Switzerland if you’re near the border (ie Geneva or while on your Tour du Mont Blanc trip) most places will accept Euro’s for payment, though they’ll charge you extra for this convenience.
Our trips include all transportation, guiding, meals and activities (except where indicated on the itinerary). The only things you will definitely need cash for are drinks other than water (drinking water is fine to drink from the tap on all our trips), souvenirs and tips.
Usually the easiest thing to do is use your credit or debit card to withdraw money directly from your home account, in local currency. There are plenty of ATM's and banks in larger towns in Europe, and ATM's will accept all major credit cards and many debit cards. Cash advances are the most convenient way to get cash.
No. even though we're in the Alps, we don't go into any areas where altitude is a major factor. The only place where you'll find altitude is a factor is on the trip up to Aiguille du Midi above Chamonix but you'll be taking a cable car up there and won't be there for too long!
A little would be helpful, especially on arrival and for ordering food in restaurants, but it's certainly not required. English is spoken in most hotels, airports and tourist areas though not everywhere. Our local guides are all fluent native speakers so if you don't have time to learn a little before arrival you don't have to worry... they will take care of everything.
For the majority of the summer season Austria, Croatia, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and The Netherlands are in the Central European (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) whilst Iceland is on GMT time.
European countries operate on a 220V AC system with Plug Type C which consists of two round parallel pins while the wall plug has two holes where it is connected.
WiFi is available almost everywhere in cities and easy enough to find in most towns/villages so you can rely on having regularly access during your trip. If you have data roaming switched on, then you'll be able to use the internet on your smartphone, but beware of the fees! WiFi is available at most of the accommodations that you'll be staying at, sometimes for a small cost so check this out at each location when you arrive.
Active Adventures & Austin Adventures family vacations are naturally about spending time with family and as such, most families opt to share rooms on our trips. At time of booking, families consisting of four guests with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:
Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at the guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.
show more
show less
Kia Ora! We use cookies to make sure your journey on our website is as good as it could possibly be. To learn more about how we use cookies, view our Privacy Policy.