Ultimate South Island Adventure
4.7 from 4483 reviews
Nelson O
This organised trip is now the standard by which I will measure all other trips. Jasmine and Amanda were fantastic in terms of guiding us around South Island and getting to our locations within a reasonable amount of time, whether it be driving (Jasmine was flawless in her driving) or hiking (Amanda could probaby do the entire two weeks of walking in her flip flops!) I was thoroughly satisfied. The great weather helped, but even without it, my opinion would not have changed.
| January 1970
Classic South Island Adventure
4.7 from 1727 reviews
Ann K
Good, really enjoyed it
| January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
4.7 from 4483 reviews
Leslie S
Seeing and experiencing this beautiful country, with its diverse landscapes, with guides (Nick and Rachael)who are passionate about their country and the outdoors--and delivering an amazing experience to their guests--was a trip I will never forget. Really, I can't think of enough superlatives to describe this trip.
| January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
4.7 from 4483 reviews
Graham C
My Rimu Trip was simply outstanding. From the moment everyone joined the trip, our two guides Nick and Rachael made sure that everything ran smoothly in a most relaxed way and within a few days we were all the best of friends. Although the trip was very "active" with some early starts and some long days on the road they ensured that we enjoyed our travels keeping us happy, entertained and informed along the way. Nick and Rachael just could not do enough for us, preparing hearty breakfasts, wholesome picnic lunches and some lovely evening meals. They became more like close friends and fellow travelling companions rather than guides. Their understated professionalism was a credit to Active Adventures and New Zealand tourism in general.
The arrangements for all the activities were extremely well organised and they took place in a "seamless manner". I personally snorkelled, hiked / climbed, trekked, sea kayaked and mountain biked over the course of the trip. Every single day of the trip was very special and a highlight for different reasons. I enjoyed every single day of the trip but one needs to be energetic to enjoy the trip to the full.
We stayed in some excellent accommodation ranging from homesteads to hotels (and DOC Huts on the Trek in the Nelson Lakes National Park) I slept well, rested and ready for the next days adventure! We also dined out in some nice restaurants along the way.
On the last day of the trip we had a wonderful visit to Morlea sheep farm where we had a lovely final lunch together which was a very personal and fitting end to a truly outstanding trip. Sadly the trip was for only 2 weeks. I did not want it to finish! Ideally it would have been nice to have had a few extra days along the way to have had even more "adventures".
| January 1970
Ultimate Galapagos Islands Adventure
4.7 from 1376 reviews
Christiane A
Good, really enjoyed it
| January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
4.7 from 4483 reviews
Michaleen J
Good, really enjoyed it
| January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
4.7 from 4483 reviews
Debbie B
A beautiful & inspiring trip. The guides were the best, Nick & Rachael! Would suggest to anyone to do this trip in a heart beat!
| January 1970
Milford Track Adventure
4.6 from 826 reviews
Chantale M
Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!
| January 1970
Patagonia Hiking Adventure
4.7 from 1140 reviews
Randall Y
As an occasional day hiker and not having any multi-day trekking experience, I was worried that I would not be able to hold up to the physical rigors of backpacking for several days. I found the hiking and backpacking on this trip to be just about perfect for me. Yes the steep ascents were about at the limit of what I could handle but I managed to make it through all of them. What made it great was that had I felt that I would not be able to do some of these before hand then I had the option to skip these portions of the hikes if I wanted to.
The itinerary of starting off with the multi-day Torres Del Paine W trek, having a little transportation break to get to Argentina, then having only day hikes the second week was PERFECT! It gave my body time to recover after the first week. Staying in hotels the second week also was a nice thing to look forward to after the refugios on the W.
I had a difficult time trying to decide what clothes and gear to bring since being from Hawaii I had no cold weather to train in. Cynthia our guide was invaluable in helping me weed out all the unnecessary clothes and gear I did not need for the W trek beforehand and being able to store all this extra stuff in Puerto Natales was a godsend.
The meals on the trip were better than I expected, our group was fantastic company, the biking and kayaking were good additions to add variety, and the ice hiking was totally AWESOME.
I am still amazed at the logistics of the trip. Getting our group from here to there was totally smooth and well planned out. Having the tour boat rendezvous with our ice hike boat mid-lake to pick us up and already be loaded with our backpacks that we had left behind at the refugio was mind blowing. My roommate had missed his flight over and arrived many hours late after we had already departed on the bus to Puerto Natales. Yet somehow Cynthia had arranged to have him greeted and picked up from the airport and transported to our hotel that same night so he didn't miss any of the trip. She even had dinner saved for him at 1:00 am when he arrived!
Overall I was totally satisfied with the trip and felt it surpassed all my expectations of how the trip should be.
| January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
4.7 from 4483 reviews
Geoffrey B
Your company is an outstanding organization. From initial contact right through to dropping us off in Christchurch your PEOPLE are 10 star individuals. You are incredibly well organized, and your service is beyond compare. How two 22 year old guides can be as good as Nick & Rachel is beyond me. To say they did a fabulous job is an understatement. They are absolutely amazing individuals.
| January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
4.7 from 4483 reviews
Cathy K
Truly, this was a trip of a lifetime for me and my family. We enjoyed the time together we never seem to find the time for as our lives are so busy. New Zealand was the most picturesque, friendly, clean, comfortable and breath-taking country I have ever been to. I have always dreamed of doing an adventure travel like this and it was all it promised. Exciting, beautiful, challenging, comfortable and inspiring all at once. We were busy and active and experiencing new and wonderful sights and activities every day. The food was wonderful. The guides were absolutely great with all of us, no matter what our capabilities. Sally and Logan made the trip memorable and I so appreciate their expertise, fun, and patience. New Zealand is a place everyone should go to. My only regret is I wish I could have stayed longer.
| January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
4.7 from 4483 reviews
Irene B
Activity started the first day, swimming with the seals in Kaikaroa and ended on the last day with an incredible sheep shearing and lunch visit to Morelea Farm. In between, kayaking Marlborough Sounds (Kenapuru and Queen Charlotte) and being completely spoiled at Tanglewood by Linda and Steve with gourmet food and very comfortable accommodations. Then on to Punakaiki's Pancake Rock via scenic Lake Rotiti, kayaking Okarito lagoon with herons, Franz Josef with up-close and far views of the glaciers and cycling to Lake Wanaka via Lake Hawea. Queenstown was a buzz of activity and a free day. On the way to Milford, a hike on the Routeburn with more glacial vies ending with a drive through the tunnel to be stunned by the cliffs at Milford as the NZ national anthem was sung by (I believe) Haley Westenra. Returning to Lake Manapouri after an early morning Milford kayak to walk the Kepler Track. The last stop Aoraki for more hiking bliss. We experienced many more stops along the way to enjoy the natural wonders of South Island. All the above was made exciting and fun by the extremely competent guides. We will be back for more!
| January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
4.7 from 4483 reviews
Klaus K
Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!
| January 1970
Ultimate North Island Adventure
4.7 from 337 reviews
Kathleen C
This trip surpassed almost every expectation I had! I tried not to pay attention to details ahead of time, preferring to be surprised by what each different day had to offer! I had researched what company to travel with and Active Adventures always rose to the top of my list and seemed to have the most variety in what they offered. The guides, Andrew and Amanda were quite a team! They worked together seamlessly to make everyone happy and I am not sure that they ever slept. Andrew should be a history professor!
I am thrilled that I did the longest trip offered on each Island as there is so much to see and do. Lots of driving and understandably so as we covered a lot of ground!
| January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
4.7 from 4483 reviews
Ron G
Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!
| January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
4.7 from 4483 reviews
Thomas H
My friends and I planned this trip for over a year. We thought it would be a great chance to push ourselves doing multiple activities and see amazing sites. Certainly it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Now, I find myself looking at the pictures I took and wondering when I can return - this time with my family!
The trip was so much more than just a series of adventure activities. It was a group of strangers coming together to form a rather tight group. It was a constant lesson on the history, geology, flora and fauna of New Zealand. It was learning that "there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad choice in clothing."
I knew the adventure would be fun, but the people, especially our guides Craig and Amanda, put this trip over the top!
*Until I come back!!!
| January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
4.7 from 4483 reviews
Kathleen C
Loved traveling for 2 weeks on the South Island! So many beautiful places to see and wanted more time in each!The right size group and what an adventurous itinerary, keeping us more than busy and looking so forward to what lay ahead each day for us. The guides always had plan B and C when the group needed choices due to weather changes or whatever. Amazing guides!
| January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
4.7 from 4483 reviews
Jennifer M
I have been on a lookout for a fine and exhilarating way to get both physically and mentally fit. I love to see new countries and hear new lore. Wit and wandering should always go hand in hand. I found good stimulation along this South Island quest with two marvelous guides. I am certain the two lasses could not have been better. I was also lucky to have fallen into a group of 11 fine outdoorsy types. Not all was smooth sailing for there was one very rough go at the start. Whether it was jet lag or those simply impossible stairs at Mt. Cook I will never know but they can take that one off the list... However every thing after was a dream. Of course the Angelus Circuit won me through and through and I only wish we could have kept on walking that ridge into the future.
| January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
4.7 from 4483 reviews
William N
Good, really enjoyed it
| January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
4.7 from 4483 reviews
Nancy L
Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!
| January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
4.7 from 4483 reviews
Anne N
Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!
| January 1970
North Island Volcanic Adventure
4.5 from 754 reviews
Anne N
Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!
| January 1970
Patagonia Hiking Adventure
4.7 from 1140 reviews
Marty K
This was our 4th Active trip and all our expectations were met. Sebastian our guide was the best; accommodations, food, activities were all first rate. We love the superb organization of Active. They think of everything...and this makes the trip the best. i don't know another travel company that takes your laundry somewhere for you! And it's the little extras that make Active so special. 1. Getting out prior to arriving at Perito Merino and hiking along the shore for a quiet, non tourist crowded view of the glacier. 2. Taking us out of town to start our hike to the mirador for Fitz Roy...avoiding all the crowds and making for a fabulous hike rather than just an "out and back". We are so glad we found Active.
| January 1970
Ultimate South Island Adventure
4.7 from 4483 reviews
Mark L
Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!
| January 1970