Kia Ora! We are so excited you’re here and are committing to this bucket list-worthy adventure with us. This LimitLes New Zealand itinerary was curated by us with the expert help of one of our favorite travel partners and friends, Lee Saunders, Owner and Head Guide of Alpine Luxury Tours. It’s a destination that speaks perfectly to not only us, but any traveler who steps foot on its soil. From the adrenaline-pumping activities to the jaw-dropping scenery, the world-class wine, the kind kiwis, and the dynamic Maori culture. I’m ecstatic to return with friends in tow!

The Road Les Traveled is not for the faint of heart. We’ll be staying active, leaning into the adventure and adrenaline rush that Queenstown is known for, and getting the absolute most out of our time in New Zealand. Our adventure-packed itinerary is balanced beautifully with comfortable accommodations to rest your head, local cuisine to spark your taste buds, quiet moments in awe-inspiring nature, and connection activities that will invite you to dive deeply into yourself and others.

About LimitLes New Zealand

Destinations: The stars of the South Island: Queenstown, Mt. Cook, Christchurch

Dates: February 20 – February 27, 2023; Please arrive into Queenstown by 3pm on February 20. Departures can be at any time of day on February 27.

Flights: Fly into Queenstown (ZQN); Fly out of Christchurch (CHC). Once your flights are booked, please email us a copy of your detailed flight itineraries including the airlines, flight numbers, departure, and arrival times so we can plan accordingly. All domestic flights and transfers within the itinerary are included.

Itinerary highlights: Our own fleet of helicopters to Milford Sound, private tour and boat cruise around Milford Sound, heli-hike waterfall adventure (a ‘Hobbit’ filming location only accessible by helicopter), jet boating, scenic hiking, e-biking, hot tubing with a view, wine tasting, honeybee workshop and so much more! Two months before departure, we will hit your inbox with an itinerary overview, packing list, and FAQ sheet.

Travel notes: New Zealand is a trip! It takes at least a full travel day (if coming from the U.S.) and is 16 hours ahead of EST so please take that into account when planning travel and if requesting time off. Also, if you’d like to arrive early to get adjusted to the time difference, we’d be happy to put you in touch with Lee Saunders from Alpine Luxury Tours to help you arrange pre-LimitLes accommodations.

Accommodations: During the first five nights, we’ll be staying at a 5-star, local favorite hotel in Queenstown. During the second portion of the trip, we’ll be immersing ourselves in South Island gems as we move through Wanaka, Mt. Cook and end our time together in Christchurch. We’ll spend time with the best guides in the region to experience the location’s perks to the fullest.

Impact: Wilding conifers are a serious pest in New Zealand and out-compete native plants and wildlife for light and water, infest farmland, and spoil the unique character of iconic natural landscapes. To help control the spread, we’ll tackle the wilding pines in the Wakatipu area of Queenstown. We’ll venture to a plot of land that Alpine Luxury Tours has adopted and partake in a wilding conifer session to help remove these from the environment, an ongoing program already established in the region.

Covid Compliance: As of September 14, 2022, COVID-19 vaccination and testing are not required to enter New Zealand and all passengers will get free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests on arrival at the airport. Travelers are recommended to take a test on the day of arrival as well as day 5 or 6 and report the test results. All passengers must also complete an affidavit of health. As we continue to navigate the world of group travel post-pandemic, we will require participants to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test 24 hours before departure for every traveler’s peace of mind. It is expected to comply with country-specific and business-specific masking requirements at the time of travel.

Getting there: For New Zealand’s NZeTA information, travel restrictions, and traveler details, please click here. All travelers will need an approved NZeTA and a traveler declaration form up to 28 days before you fly.

Travel insurance: This is required. We recommend choosing one of the following plans in this link. They show the best plans that cover Covid-19. If the trip were to be canceled for some reason, participants would be refunded any funds that weren’t deemed non-refundable by our travel partners. If we were to postpone the trip for any reason, the new dates would typically depend on the season and our lodging partner’s availability.

Ready to make a payment?

The $950 deposit is due within 48 hours of the invitation to reserve your spot, and the remaining balance will be due in 2 payments of $4,000 per person. The first payment is due October 28, and you must pay in full by December 1. When you’re ready, “Add to cart” any of the following payment options and move through the checkout process. A processing fee of $5 is applicable to ACH payments and 2.9% to all credit card payments. If you have any questions, please email us!