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Your Trip Information

To help you prepare for this trip, we’ve gathered some useful information together! Some things, such as flights and insurance will be relevant sooner; and some things such as gear will be relevant closer to departure.

Before your trip

Visas for Australians You’ve booked! If you’re arriving from Australia, Australian citizens are exempt from both What’s next? fees, though Australian permanent residents need to pay the ETA. The ETA is NZ$12.50 and you can do this here: nzeta.immigration.govt.nz Within a week of booking: pay deposit, confirm your contract and Travel Insurance log into your Travel Wallet As an Active Adventures traveller, you’re required to have travel insurance for Sooner rather than later: check your trip – please be aware some insurance companies require insurance to be passport, arrange travel insurance purchased within 14 days of deposit payment (to be eligible for pre-exisitng and book your flights, start your medical cover). training regime and get fit! Please head to our Travel Insurance page for more in-depth information, our Three months before your trip: recommended insurance providers and let us know if you’d like to chat more full payment is due, complete extra about your options. items* Travel agencies Four weeks before your trip: check We recommend booking your flights through our preferred travel partner, for any missing details for your trip Fuzion Travel. They’re our experienced hand-picked experts in travel, passionate Two weeks before your trip: about what they do, and will tailor-make your flight itinerary to match your reconfirm your flights, print your Active Adventures tour. Get in touch with them directly by email final trip information* [email protected] or on 1 800 TRAVEL. Let them know your preferred travel plans, including any stopovers or extra nights’ accommodation, and they *We’ll email you reminders about will put everything in place for you. They offer a total travel solution and five star these things! service that you’ll want to tell your friends about!

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Extra hotel accommodation Biosecurity We can arrange additional hotel accommodation for you If you’re arriving from Australia, New Zealand is very strict at one of our preferred hotels if you plan to arrive early or on checking high risk biosecurity items so it’s a good idea to: leave later than your trip end date. The best way to make a • Scrub your hiking boots clean and pack them at the booking is to request the hotel, dates and room types you top of your luggage. You’ll be asked to declare them require through your Travel details Step 3 Page. and it’s highly likely they’ll be inspected. As biosecurity is such a serious threat to New Zealand, you can be Flights fined up to NZD$300 for dirty boots. • Declare/dump any food items, especially those that International flights contain produce, meat, fruit or dairy. If you’re flying over from Australia, most flights arrive If you’d like to know more about our customs requirements, into Auckland or , before connecting through please check out: www.biosecurity.govt.nz/ to your final destination. Some airlines will fly directly to Queenstown though - usually from Sydney or Melbourne. transfers Transport is easy to arrange from every New Zealand Domestic flights airport. You can either catch a taxi, uber or there are door- We recommend booking your domestic connections within to-door airport shuttles. takes a little bit longer, New Zealand as part of your international fare. It’s more however it’s an economical option for solo travellers. economical that way, and can make life a bit easier if your international flight is delayed. : 30 kilometres (20 miles) to the city. • Taxi: 30 minutes, NZ$~80 - $90 per vehicle. Arriving and departing • Shuttle: 40 minutes, NZ$35 per person New Zealand • SkyBus: 60 minutes, NZ$16 per person (purchase from kiosk between doors 8-11 international or outside door Customs and immigration 4 at domestic terminal) Once your international flight arrives into New Zealand : 15 kilometres (10 miles) to the city. you’ll proceed through immigration to have your passport • Taxi: 20 minutes, NZ$~60 per vehicle. checked and be issued your visitor’s permit (see passports • Shuttle: 30 minutes, NZ$25 per person and visas above). You should then collect your luggage before proceeding through customs. : 10 kilometres (6 miles) from town. If you’re arriving into Auckland and connecting to • Taxi: 15 minutes, NZ$~40 per vehicle. Christchurch, you’ll need to transit from the international • Shuttle: 20 minutes, NZ$24 per person terminal to the domestic terminal. There’s a free transit bus available, or it’s a 15 minute walk. You’ll also need to re- Carparking check your luggage for your domestic flight. If you’re driving yourself to the start of your trip, you can either leave your park at an accommodation (you’ll need to check with the hotel directly) or you can book your car in to the below locations in each City:

Auckland There’s Standard Parking options are available at both the international and domestic terminals at Auckland Airport, check your options our here.

Christchurch There are short-term and long-term options available at the Christchurch Airport so check them out here or an external company Craddocks offer options from NZ$10-12 per day.

Queenstown There’s Standard Parking options are available at the terminal at Queenstown Airport, check your options our here.

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What if there’s an emergency?

Flight delays If your flight is delayed, or you can’t travel for any reason and aren’t able to get to your pre-arranged meeting place on time, please let us know as soon as you can. Flight delays and missed connections do happen from time to time so we’re pretty accustomed to dealing with them. It’s all part of the whole travel experience, so if it does happen to you, we’ll help you get to where you need to be. You’ll need to cover any additional costs incurred by your flight delay, so keep all receipts in case you need them later to support an insurance claim. If you can, we recommend arriving earlier to be on the safe side.

Luggage delays As with flight delays, losing your luggage does happen from time to time and we can easily help you deal with this. If your luggage doesn’t arrive with you for any reason, you’ll be directed to the airport baggage claim service where your details will be taken so that your baggage can be tracked down – feel free to give the airlines the emergency contact number below. You’ll be given a luggage tracking number and, in most cases, your bags will be delivered to your hotel within 24 hours. If your luggage hasn’t arrived by the time Time in New Zealand your trip starts, give your Active Adventures New Zealand New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) is the time zone for guide the luggage tracking number so we can continue to New Zealand, it’s 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean track it for you. They’ll also help you find some shops to Time (GMT). ensure you have everything you need until your luggage arrives – be sure to keep your receipts for travel insurance purposes. We recommend travelling with a spare set of clothes in your carry-on luggage, and your hiking boots on Your Active Adventures New your feet, just in case your luggage doesn’t arrive with you Zealand Trip at the same time. Your group Emergency contacts We get a real variety of people on our trips and they all If you have a genuine emergency in the few days before seem to have one thing in common – a love of the outdoors! your trip starts, or your family needs to get in touch with Our group sizes range from a minimum of four people to you urgently during the trip, please call our Client Services a maximum of fourteen people, generally with a mix of Team, who’re based in New Zealand. singles, couples and friends. If you’re travelling with other Phone +64 27 839 6538. people be sure to let us know so we can keep you all Non-emergency contacts together in the one group, as we often run two trips over For non-emergencies, please contact our New Zealand our more popular dates. office using the details below. If the office is unattended Your guides (outside of New Zealand business hours), please leave Your trip will be operated by two Experienced Active a message so we can pick it up and respond as soon as Adventure NZ guides, as well as local specialist activity we can. guides. Your guides will be there to make sure you’re well Free phone: 1 800 661 9073 (Australia) informed about each day and you’re well-fed, well-rested Free phone: 0800 234 726 (NZ) and happy! We think our guides are amazing and we hope Worldwide: +64 3 450 0414, ext 1 you do too, although they’re not very good mind readers, so Email: [email protected] if something’s up, please let them know!

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Rooming Food Our trip fares are based on a twin share rate (two people Almost all meals are included in your trip fare and any per room), so we’ll team you up with someone of the same that aren’t, are indicated in your itinerary. The type of food gender to share with if you’re on your own, or of course varies – on some occasions your guides will cook your you can share with your travel partner or family. Those meals and on other occasions we’ll eat out at restaurants. travelling with a partner will have a choice of either twin- We also keep a generous snack basket on the bus at all share (one room, two single beds) or double-share (one times. All the food you eat, be it a traditional Kiwi barbeque, room, one double/queen bed). Triple sharing is always or a packed lunch to take with you on a hike, will be of top an option if you prefer, though it may not be available quality. All our guides have food hygiene certificates and everywhere we stay. Just let us know and we’ll see what are well practiced in the art of back country catering! we can do! Dietary requirements Single room option If you have any particular dietary requirements, please let If you’d prefer not to share a room, we have a single us know. We’re accustomed to working with the following supplement option for an additional fare. If you purchase a diets, and if you have any other dietary needs or allergies, single supplement, we’ll arrange for you to have your own let us know so we can plan in advance: room throughout the trip. In certain places, single rooms • omnivore (I eat red and white meat, pork, chicken, fish, aren’t available and the price of the single supplement dairy, fruit and vegetables) takes this into account. • no red meat (I eat chicken, fish, dairy, fruit and Bathrooms vegetables) Generally speaking, in most places you stay, you’ll have • no pork (I eat beef, lamb, chicken and fish) an ensuite or private bathroom. In some places we use • fishatarian (I eat fish, dairy, fruit and vegetables) two-bedroom units, in which case you may be sharing a • vegetarian (I eat dairy, fruit and vegetables) separate bathroom between two to four people. In certain • vegan (I eat fruit and vegetables, no dairy or animal places, there may be a large bathroom with private cubicles products) which is shared by everyone at that accommodation. • gluten intolerant (I can’t eat wheat, rye, barley or oats) Water • lactose intolerant (I can’t eat dairy products) All New Zealand tap water is safe to drink. In many places, you’ll be able to drink right from our lakes and streams, except for those located near farmland.

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Money

Medical issues, allergies and other information New Zealands currency is the New Zealand dollar. For an If you have a medical issue, allergy or recent injury, please up-to-date currency conversion please see: www.xe.com/uc. let us know – we’ll be sure this information gets passed on Forms of payment to your guide discreetly. If you have an allergy, please also We recommend you bring a variety of payment options let us know whether your allergy is mild or severe (severe with you – NZ dollars, an ATM card, and a credit card or being an anaphylactic reaction) so we can be prepared. two. Visa and MasterCard are accepted in most places. We love knowing about anniversaries, honeymoons and If you’re travelling from Australia, NZ dollars can always be birthdays too! obtained at the airport upon arrival and you should notify Transport your bank you’ll be using your cards in New Zealand before Your trip fare includes all ground transport, except for leaving home - your bank may charge a fee for each foreign airport transfers if you arrive or depart a day or two either ATM transaction. side of the trip. We prefer to travel in modern 20-seater Spending money buses so you have plenty of room to spread out. Air Your trip fare includes all transportation, guiding, meals and conditioning, a good sound system, seat belts and comfy activities (except any optional activities). We recommend seats are all prerequisites! On the way, you’ll be enjoying bringing around NZ$300 with you, with the option to spectacular scenery, reflecting on your adventures, and withdraw more if required. A meal on your day off may cost your guide will be sharing stories and knowledge about the NZ$25-35 per main course with a drink costing between area. Our time on the road is a good chance to rest weary NZ$5-12 per juice/beer/wine. If you’re keen to take part in muscles, get to know your fellow travellers, or read your an extra actvity during your free time, expect to pay about favourite book. NZ$150+ per half day activity. Music If you’ve got an iPod, MP3 player or something similar, by all means please bring it along. Our guides like to introduce people to their favourite Kiwi music – so feel free to introduce them to your favourites too!

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About New Zealand

Altitude Drones The highest elevation we get to on any of the Active Very occassionally we get requests to bring drone’s along Adventures New Zealand trips is about 1,500 metres on our trips though as they’re aerial machines. It’s fine to (5,000 feet). So there are no real altitude issues to contend fly them around your own property or in places like at the with here though the tracks can still be quite challenging. beach, though they’re not permitted in public places such as Our tracks are often quite steep and will have more conservation land, or over other people’s property without switchbacks/hairpin bends than other countries. The best their express permission. All of our hiking/snorkelling/biking/ way to prepare for these tracks is to do hikes which involve kayaking activities are on conservation land so this means hills and stairs. you wouldn’t be able to use it on any activity during your trip. It’s perfectly OK to use hand-held cameras and video Flexibility equipment at any time throughout your travels, so we When it comes to adventure travel, it’s always worth suggest bringing a good camera along and leaving your expecting the unexpected! Occasionally we have to deal drone at home. with things like the weather or the environment throwing something in the path of our best laid plans. Our priority WiFi is always to run a safe and enjoyable trip, and we always WiFi will be available at most of the accommodations have a plan B in mind. All we ask is you be open to things you’ll be staying at and you’ll also be able to use your cell changing and know our top priority is your safety, best phone about 80% of the time during your trip, and 3G/4G is interests and enjoyment! available too for accessing the internet from a smartphone or tablet.

Electricity New Zealand operates on a 240V AC system with the Plug Type I shown here.

Weather Given the alpine topography of New Zealand and the proximity to Antarctica, it can get cold and rainy in New Zealand at any time of year. There are four distinct seasons: March to May (autumn), June to August (winter), September to November (spring) and December to February (summer). To monitor the weather please head to: metservice.co.nz

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Trip Notes - Alps 2 Ocean

Starting and ending your trip

Trip start details Flight departure details Your ‘Alps 2 Ocean’ trip starts in Christchurch and we’ll If you’re flying out of Christchurch Airport on the last meet you on the day your trip starts, at one of the following afternoon, your flight should depart after 6pm for a locations: domestic flight and after 7pm for an international flight. If • Merivale Manor, hotel foyer, 9:30am these times don’t suit you please contact us before booking any non-changeable flights. • Christchurch Airport, 10am, - Travel and Info Centre desk. Extra time in Christchurch There’s so much on offer in Christchurch - if you’re an Flight arrival details adrenaline junkie there’s mountain biking, horse riding, If you’re flying into Christchurch Airport on the first morning, rock climbing, surfing and jet boating – and that’s just for book a flight that arrives by 9.30am. If these times don’t suit starters! you, please contact us before booking any non-changeable flights. For more information on booking flights, please refer You could take a walk around Hagley Park, including the above on Page 2. Christchurch Botanic Gardens or visit the free Canterbury Museum to learn about New Zealand history, art and the First day activity natural world. Explore the Brockworth Street Art Gallery We’ll be heading south to reach Mount Cook before getting which gives you a taste of the awesome street art there is geared up for our first bike ride, so be sure to keep your to see in Christchurch or head to Quake City (NZ$20 entry) biking gear somewhere where you can access it easily in gives you a deeper understanding of Christchurch’s recent your luggage. history of the 2011 Canterbury Earthquakes.

Trip end details Check out the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial Your ‘Alps 2 Ocean’ trip ends in Christchurch and we have too by following by the 185 Empty White Chairs memorial two drop off locations for you to choose from: to those who lost their lives in these earthquakes. • Christchurch Airport, 5pm - in time for the flights below • Central Christchurch, 6pm - anywhere in central Christchurch

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General Information General Equipment & Gear

Fitness The Bikes As an Activity Level 3-4 trip, you’ll need a solid level of Due to the varied terrain and conditions we encounter on fitness for the ‘Alps 2 Ocean’ trip. While you don’t have to the ‘Alps 2 Ocean’ trip - gravel roads, paved tracks, forest be extremely fit, you should be in the habit of doing regular trails and bridges - we use cross-terrain mountain bikes aerobic exercise, ideally on your bike, and incorporating up with semi-slick tires - safe and comfortable off-road. We hills, down hills and decent distances. Advance preparation have a dedicated fleet of quality cross-terrain touring means you’ll enjoy the active and outdoor nature of your bikes for this trip. Please be aware although we don’t do trip even more. Please head to our Fitness Guide for great any mountain biking on the trip, we do ride on gravel and tips on how to prepare along with a workout plan! roughly paved sections of road, so road bikes with skinny tires are not suitable for use. Accommodation Specifically, we most commonly use the Specialized Roll- We have selected the accommodation on your ‘Alps 2 Elite an excellent lightweight, cross-terrain touring bike with Ocean’ trip for their stunning settings and adventuresome great flexibility. To view the bike, you can check it out here: feel. You’ll love the places you’ll stay in on this trip, but activeadventures.com/our-bikes-and-cycling-gear it’s not designed as a tour of the fanciest hotels in New Zealand. As many cyclists prefer the familiarity of their own bikes, you’re also welcome to bring your own ride and we will Laundry help you assemble it at the start of the trip. It goes without Laundry facilities will be available at your accommodation saying our guides are seasoned bike mechanics, so we’ll on days 2 & 3. Please check with reception on check-in, or deal with any minor issues you may have as we go. If you we can do that for you. You guides will usually have laundry want to bring your own bike with you that’s absolutely fine, detergent handy, so if you need some, please just ask. just please ensure it will be suitable for the type of rides we do. Additionally if you want to bring your own cycling gear such as cycling shoes, pedals, helmet or seat (no seat stems please!) we’d be happy to help fit them for you - note; if you’re bringing your own shoes please also bring your own pedals, to be sure they match! All bikes come supplied with the following equipment: safety vests, rear rack and rack bag, a water bottle cage, flat pedals, helmets (small/ medium/large/XL) and water bottles - we provide one for you, though we don’t provide electrolytes.

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Your guides/support vehicle Trip luggage & biking bag Once you’re on the ‘Alps 2 Ocean’ trip you’ll be You’ll need one piece of luggage on your ‘Alps 2 Ocean’ trip, accompanied by two guides - one guide/driver and one plus a sturdy daypack for your days out on the trail. Your cycling guide/chef - this gives us the ultimate flexibility main piece of luggage can be anything from a backpack, to depending on the type of ride and terrain we cover each a sports bag with wheels or a suitcase. day. At the start of the season all of our guides are put You may also like to bring along a small camelbak to carry through an intensive training program which includes your water in and a layer of clothing for when you’re on the bike maintenance. On top of this all our bike guides are bike trail. passionate bikers in their own right, many of whom have years of technical bike experience, so your guides will be Rain jacket and pants more than capable of attending to any bike problems/ You’ll need to carry a waterproof, windproof and breathable maintenance you might require along the way - all you rain jacket and some rain pants for your ‘Alps 2 Ocean’ need to do is ask! trip. A poncho won’t cut the mustard! Even in summer New Zealand gets a fair bit of rain here and there - it wouldn’t Our support vehicle is equipped with a portable bike be the country it is without it and our activities don’t always workshop, known as the Park BK-2 Roll-up which includes stop for it. You need a jacket that’s not too light (it won’t the following tools: pedal spanner, cone spanners, keep you dry properly and you’ll get cold), not too heavy (or 8/9/10/11 mm spanners, cassette remover, crank puller, you’ll get too hot while hiking) and with a decent hood. If chain breaker, spoke key, wire cutters, bottom bracket you don’t already own a waterproof jacket, we recommend remover, Allen key set, tire levers and patch kit, headset chatting to your local outdoor retailer and getting equipped. spanner (it sounds pretty basic, but with the current technology that’s all you need).

Electronic (E)-Bikes If you’ve selected on your Travel details Step 4 page that you wish to rent an E-Bike, you’ll be provided with an Specialised Roll E-bike - low rise frame with an upright riding position with either 29 inch or 27.5 inch mountain bikes tyres, mountain bike handlebars, hydraulic disc brakes, and front suspension, so they combine a relaxed riding position with features of a mountain bike and are ideal for the A2O trail. To view the E-bike, you can also check it out here: activeadventures.com/our-bikes-and-cycling-gear

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Gear List - Alps 2 Ocean

Essential Clothing Biking shorts: one or two. Gear Note Biking short sleeve top: one or two. If you’re not sure what any of these things are, please ask at Biking long sleeve top: or arm warmers, for chilly mornings. your nearest outdoor store, or ask Biking gloves: one to two pairs, one windproof. us. We want you to be as well Waterproof rain jacket: a breathable, rainproof and windproof unpadded prepared as possible for your trip. shell jacket with a hood. Waterproof/windproof rain pants: for keeping dry and warm while hiking. Wearing thermal underwear underneath these is best. Fleece/Down Jacket/Wool sweater: something nice and warm. Fabric Note Shirts/T-shirts: one or two, cotton or quick-dry merino style. We recommend quick-drying,  Thermal underwear: one set of top and bottom thermal/polypropylene wicking fabrics such as Patagonia underwear for cold mornings. capilene, Icebreaker merino, or other specially designed fabrics Socks: three or four pairs. for this trip. If you’re not sure what Casual Clothing a quick-dry fabric is, ask at your nearest outdoor store. While you Essential Luggage can bring some cotton, denim and Main piece of luggage other non-wicking fabrics on this trip, be aware that they won’t be Biking Pannier: to strap to your bike, (we do provide these though sometimes easy to wash or dry. it’s nicer to bring your own). Camelbak: Incase you prefer one over a pannier.

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Essential Footwear Essential documents and items Biking shoes: if you have shoes that clip into pedals then Passport (if travelling from overseas): in a waterproof bring your pedals along as well and we’ll fit them for you. bag. Biking shoe covers: not essential though handy to keep Money: Approx. NZ$300 cash, credit/debit cards with pin your feet dry if it’s raining number for cash withdrawals. Jandals/Trail runners/light sandals: or similar. Good for Trip Summary Step 6 page: print this out and bring it casual wear. with you. It includes where to meet your group, any extra hotel information and emergency numbers. Essential Accessories Warm hat: wool/fleece ski hat or similar. Recommended Items Sun hat: wide brimmed to protect you from the sun. Biking gear: you can bring your own bike, helmet, seat, cycling shoes and pedals too - let us know on your Travel Sunglasses: with polarizing lenses to prevent glare. Details pages. Warm Gloves High-vis Top/Vest: we highly recommend bringing a Water/Hydration bladder: 2 litre volume. high-vis top or vest, (we provide these though sometimes it’s nicer to bring your own). Personal Items Swim suit/shorts: for any swimming opportunities. Toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, tooth brush & paste, Travel towel: You might like to bring a travel towel for soap, facecloth, prescription medications, glasses/lenses, swimming. shaving gear, feminine hygiene products, wet wipes, Ear plugs: for light sleepers. hand sanitiser (some is provided), ziplock bags. Energy snacks/drinks: snacks will be provided, you may Personal medical aid kit: for any essential items you like to bring some along too if you have special dietary know you’ll need e.g. blister treatment. needs. Camera: memory cards and batteries/charger. Reusable Coffee Cup: If you’re a keen coffee drinker. Sun-block & Insect repellent: Both will be provided so Reading material only bring your own if necessary, we’re keen on reducing our plastic usage! Maximum SPF UVA/UVB broad spectrum sunscreen is recommended all year in New Zealand.

The final word If there’s anything else please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at: [email protected] or head to our website for more information about New Zealand.

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