PRE-PLANNED TOURS

Pre-Planned Tours are becoming increasingly more popular and New Zealand is ideally suited to them. These "independent' tours are not escorted in the sense that you have a permanent Tour Manager or Guide with you throughout the duration of the tour. Instead, the services of local sightseeing and coach companies are utilised.

These tours give you the assurance of having a pre-planned itinerary, with sightseeing tours, hotels and transportation being pre-arranged, however because scheduled sightseeing companies are used, you are given the flexibility of choosing what time to take your tour and transfer (subject to itinerary and availability), so you feel as though you are taking the tour 'on your own'.

You will be provided with all the necessary vouchers you will need, coach, rail, hotels, sightseeing, and you will be given a detailed itinerary with all the contact numbers you will need (these will be provided either prior to departure or they will be at your first hotel.)

Transfers

All independent tours include transfers (either coach, rail or ferry) between your overnight stops. In most cases these transfers operate from the main transportation terminal (usually located in the downtown area.) Except for programmes offered by Thrifty Tours (TT), which are included, you will be required to make your own way to and from your hotel and the transfer departure point and these local transfers are NOT included.

Tour Cost

All tours include accommodation, transfers (as described above), and sightseeing as indicated. Transfers to/from hotels are generally not included. All tours are usually on a room only basis (meals not being included).

Land Only

None of the tour prices listed include any airfares to the tour starting point or from the tour ending point. This is to enable you to be able to combine tours, or add pre and post nights in a hotel or even a mini-break and any sightseeing and/or adventure packages. Airfare is also not usually included if any particular tour combines both the North and South Island and a flight is required, unless otherwise stated in the itinerary.