Your mission was accomplished. I would not change a thing about my Oct 16 2017 Rimu adventure with Simon and Liana. It was perfect!
- Well organized – From the pickup at the airport, to meals and accommodations, to the drop off at the airport, the trip was well organized. Liana and Simon kept an eye on time to ensure we kept on schedule and they even added additional stops as time allowed for unscheduled adventures. They were very thoughtful and attentive to our preferences and requests.
- Outdoor oriented – LOVED IT! I was able to eat outdoors, watch sunrises and sunsets, sit under the stars, and adventure out on my own in the mornings and the evenings. The timing of this trip couldn’t have been better for me; since it was Spring in New Zealand, the weather was wonderful with perfect temperatures and there were very few other tourists on our hikes and at our stops. Both Simon and Liana were great guides. Liana was a great source of knowledge, particularly about the vegetation, birds, wildlife, and the history of New Zealand.
- Awesome adventure around New Zealand – The trip was well laid out to allow an efficient tour of the South Island. We were able to see and experience so many landscapes. New Zealand is quite impressive in what it has to offer. The days were well balanced; the amount of time we spent traveling in the bus was broken into smaller, manageable chunks of time. Simon did a splendid job driving the bus and having our luggage easily accessible.
- Allow time to relax – I had plenty of time to relax and unwind. I had time before and after our daily scheduled events to do my own thing. There were also ample opportunities during our bus rides and activities (hiking, biking, kayaking) to just sit back in take in the beautiful surroundings and the serenity of it all.
- Get off the beaten track - I loved the quaint places we would stay and visit; each was unique and an experience in itself. There was so much to see and explore. The remote locations were perfect for being unplugged/unconnected and just being in the moment.
- Show the real New Zealand – Stops along the way (Torlesse winery, Andris Apse gallery, Garston Honey shop, sheep shearing at Morelea, etc.) to visit with locals and hear about their history are one of a kind experiences I will always treasure. I am impressed and grateful that Active Adventures supports local, small business entrepreneurs for outfitters (kayaking, biking), accommodations, meals, and shopping. Liana did a great job incorporating local cuisine into our meals and snacks. The food was wonderful; my compliments to Liana who is a very talented culinary artist.
- Sent home buzzing with energy – My time in New Zealand couldn’t have been better. It is exactly what I needed; it truly reenergized me. I’ve been sharing my experience and recommending Active Adventures since my departure flight shuttle ride. Just thinking about my trip to New Zealand makes me smile. I would definitely consider doing another adventure with Active Adventures.
I sincerely appreciate that the Oct 16 2017 Rimu adventure was allowed with only 3 of us. The potential of having 14 in a group was the only reservation I had when I signed up for this adventure; I was extremely delighted when I found out we had a small group. Our small group made the whole experience that much more personable.

| January 1970