Trekking in New Zealand

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 17 reviews.

Paul Bould

TREKKING IN NEW ZEALAND

Written March 2010
A great trip that encompassed New Zealand over 3 weeks. From Volcanoes to waterfalls, from Cities to remote mountain huts; this trip had it all.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Tackling Fox Glazier in the most horrendous rain and wind conditions. We were the last group to tackle the Glazier that day owing to the weather condtions making the terrain very unstable. Our local guide made it a very exhilerating adventure. The helicopter trip to Siberia Hut, the walk to lake Crucible, followed by a Jet Boat out......A perfect 48 hours. We must mention, Darb, our Helicopter pilot. His skills in taking us over and through the mountain range was superb.......then who should meet us with his Jet Boat....Darb! Fantastic! I want to be Darb....what a job!
What did you think of your group leader?
Cath, our North Island leader is probably the most inspirational and interesting person we have ever had the pleasure to travel with. Her patience, knowledge and good humour held the group together at all times. She recognised the varying abilities and encouraged all to achieve. An absolute gem!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The Tongeriro crossing is a challenge. The weather was poor on our crossing, making it a real 'grunt'. Our advice would be; be confident of your abilities in the mountains in difficult weather condtions.
Tricia Wray

TREKKING IN NEW ZEALAND

Written July 2009
Only three weeks to see New Zealand is not long, so three things had to be perfect to make this trip work - itinerary, organisation and guides. These could not have been bettered, thus making this a really memorable holiday.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Mountain huts, kayaking, Tongariro Crossing, South Island views, Milford Sound, helicopter trip, flight from North to South Island, jet boating, river crossings, Ballroom Overhang ........ and more.
What did you think of your group leader?
Both leaders, North and South Island, had exceptional knowledge of the country and the sorts of places we all wanted to go, and were extraordinarily organised. They were just exceptional. Special mention must go to Chris' family's home made cakes!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Travel light, take layers of clothing for all weathers, be prepared to get your feet wet and just relax into the holiday.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If you're uncertain, just do it. I wondered if I was doing justice to NZ with only three weeks there and, while I would have loved to have spent longer in the country, the trip was so very well worth doing.
David Owens

TREKKING IN NEW ZEALAND

Written June 2009
New Zealand didn't dissappoint (apart from Crucible Lake but it wouldn't be NZ without some weather) and a great way to get a full taste of what's on offer. I will definately be going back
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Too many but here goes, Christmas Day & Boxing Day on Tongariro Crossing with the evening spent in the mountain hut with a stunning sunset and pavlova with Kiwi fruit (well done Kath, who would have known that it would have been one of the best, yet simplest Christmas meals ever). Flight from Wellington to Picton, one of the best if not, the best, flight I have ever taken. Abel Tasman, stunning.
What did you think of your group leader?
Both Kath & Chris were knowledgeable, enthusiastic, fun and quickly became more 'friends' than guides.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't expect to keep your feet dry!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Bunk Beds & adults don't mix. Expect it in huts but not 'nicer' accomodation.
poppy coley

TREKKING IN NEW ZEALAND

Written April 2009
A whistle-stop tour which took in as much of this beautiful country as was possible in a 3 week period. This tour takes in the well-known tourist sites but the guides also manage to get you off the beaten track to some incredible places which we would never have found on our own. I loved every minute of the trip.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Climbing Mt Tongariro was a day that I will never forget. We woke in our mountain hut to a stunning sunrise which heralded the bright blue skies which would be with us all day. We hiked through fields of rock formations with a spectacular view of the clouds streaming down Mt Ruapehu. We trekked through ash fields, past the brilliant turquoise of the Emerald Lakes and the Red Crater where steam was jetting out of the snow covered mountainside. Our guide took us to the summit of Mt Tongariro where we lunched in the snow before descending the scree slopes into the crater. This was so much more than the standard Tongariro Crossing.
Although this was clearly the highlight of the trip, there were many other wonderful things that should also be mentioned. In brief they were rafting over a 7m waterfall, kayaking up to a seal colony, the trip to the Ballroom Overhang, a really fun wet walk from Siberia Hut, the helicopter ride, the views from the start of the Routeburn track, Milford Sound, the walk from Mt Cook village and the caving at Mt Somers.
What did you think of your group leader?
We had two very organised and keen leaders in Malcolm (North Island) and Jaron (South Island). Malcolm inspired us all with his amazing knowledge of the country, landscape and Maori legends, whilst Jaron perked everyone up with his bouncy nature and early morning coffees.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It does get cold in the mountains, I was wearing thermals under ‘warm as toast’ fleece-lined trousers up Tongariro despite it being sunny. I would recommend taking a couple of pairs of thermal bottoms as these are ideal for all the river crossings. There were often clothes washing facilities (when you had time to use them) so as others have suggested try not to overpack.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Be prepared for a full-on tour which is exhausting as you move and therefore pack every day, but it is definitely worth it. It would have been nice to have longer in a number of places we visited but then I wouldn’t have wanted to miss anywhere out and this trip has given me a clear idea of where I want to go back to!
Peter Long

TREKKING IN NEW ZEALAND

Written January 2009
A fairly whistle stop tour, but seeing and doing lots.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The Tangwira crossing over the volcanoes.
What did you think of your group leader?
Both Malcolm (North Island) and Chris (South Island) were brilliant guides and were calm, conscientious and safe.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for it being cold in the mountains.
Richard Christie

TREKKING IN NEW ZEALAND

Written April 2008
Overall the trip was a wonderful mix of both hiking and other activities that when combined with a great group (of 8), brilliant guides and amazing weather left very little that could be improved upon.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were many wonderful points in this trip. Perhaps the best for me was the 2-day hike across Tongariro and climbing Mt Ngauruhoe - definitely the most physically challenging two days. However the clarity of the night sky from the hut was incredible, along with the scree-surfing down Ngauruhoe itself. The views and varying colours of the highly volcanic area were wonderful.

A close run up on that was the Siberia experience and lake crucible. The hike, the helicopter entrance and then the jet-boat exit were all incredible experiences in their own ways.

Although the scheduled trip to the ballroom was rained off due to threat of being stranded on the wrong sie of a river crossing, the alternative coastal day walks in the area our guide found were well worth it in their own ways.

Finally the Milford Sound Kayaking is well worth the money, especially if the weather is good (as it was for us: clear blue skies, and almost no wind)
What did you think of your group leader?
We had two leaders over the course of this trip - Kath in the north island and Dan in the south. Both leaders were exceptional (though very different characters) with a huge amount of local knowledge being displayed, making us feel like this was a one-off trip for ourselves rather than a monthly recurring one. In particular there was not feeling that they were sticking to a set script (and as Dan's alternatives in South Island showed), there were always plenty of options to choose from.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you want to do the Ngauruhoe climb, you will want to make sure you are fairly fit, as it is quite a tough ascent (though very worth it). According to our guide Kath, we were apparently the first Exodus group to attempt it (and made it)!

On another note, if you like your wine with meals, be aware that NZ restaurant prices, whilst generally cheaper than UK for food and beer, are often just as expensive for wine.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
New Zealand is a very different country to the UK; very sparsely inhabited outside the major cities (e.g. Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch). Once you are out trekking you often feel that you are nowhere near any civilisation. For those who enjoy this sort of experience (especially if you have also never been kayaking in a fjord, or up in a helicopter or over rapids in a jet-boat before) this trip is full of `wow'.

It is also refreshing to see a country where the inhabitants still have real pride. Compared to the UK, NZ is a very clean place with regards to litter and road pollution; and people are generally very friendly, laid back and relaxed.
claire milican

TREKKING IN NEW ZEALAND

Written April 2008
This trip provided Wow moments daily. I know this contradicts with a review from a previous trip and everyone is entitled to their opinion but I think we must have been on different trips. This was amazing.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were so many but a shortlist would include:-
Staring up at the milky way wilst staying on a mountain.
Camping on a remote beach in Abel Tasman
Kayaking in Milford Sound
What did you think of your group leader?
We had 2 great group leaders. Both worked hard, were very knowledgeable and great company.
Kath is an anspiration with her energy and zest for life.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be sure you are "trek fit" to get the most out of your trip.
Be prepared for VERY basic accomodation at times.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
WOW is the only way to describe this trip as it provided WOW moments daily.
There are so many wonderful places to visit in New Zealand. It is a spectacular place. But a tour is not just about the sites but also the people and I was lucky to have 2 fantastic tour leaders. The group of 8, whilst from different backgrounds, came together well and I am glad I had the chance to share my experience with such a great bunch of people.
If I had to score the trip I would say..... 10/10, 5 stars, 100%, platinum rated or top class. I am due to take an Exodus tour in Africa next month - it has a lot to live upto my now very high expectations!