Nature & Wildlife Tours in New Zealand

Hi TourRadar: Below is what we wrote to G Adventures. Dear G Adventures: We are writing with feedback pertaining to our Highlights of New Zealand trip from February 1-15, starting in Auckland ending in Christchurch. We booked through Tour Radar. Our impression is there is very little coordination, communication, collaboration between the two agencies which has a negative effect on the customer. I won’t elaborate, but suffice it to say when I called G Adventures before leaving the USA to inquire about E Sim cards (part of the package through Tour Radar) this was the G Adventures’ representative’s reply, “That’s not our problem. You should have booked directly with us.” I did pass this response on to Tour Radar. Not a good first impression. I feel confident in saying all of the 16 travelers were very disappointed with aspects of the trip that could have been solved by G Adventures. People who had been on many G Adventures trips said that they had never experienced anything like this from the company. Before I list the areas that caused disappointment and complaint, let me say that the places we visited were wonderful, the hotels were good, and the driver was an experienced driver, helpful where he could be, and tried to accommodate requests. Feedback for G Adventures as a Company: 1- Our Driver was our tour guide. Several of our fellow travelers who had been on G Adventure tours said they always had a guide and a driver. It was our combo driver/guide’s first time with G Adventures, apparently called out at the last minute because you did not have drivers to do the trip. He clearly was not prepared by G Adventures as evidenced by: A) CEO Greeting prior to dinner the first night- horrendous. G Adventures should have provided a “welcome to the adventure” script. A fellow traveler had to suggest we do introductions as we gathered in the lobby. That was it – then we all went to dinner at a rather second rate restaurant. B) G Adventures did not provide the Driver/Guide with a clear agenda of the day; for example we were often confused as to whether we should buy snack or lunch- or it if was just a bathroom break. Sometimes we went to 2 or 3 in the afternoon before stopping. C. Dining options, at least for dinner, are often provided by the guide. G Adventures should have supplied these to our Driver/Guide. D. The Driver usually unloads the vehicle of traveler baggage. Ours went in first to get our room keys, and the travelers unloaded the luggage the first time... We thought it was a one-time deal…but ended up being the norm. E. The Seymour Ap to book the excursions was not effective. We were told about it for the first time during our CEO briefing, and few travelers could make it function. Our driver tried to help on the second night, but still not all could access it. We should have had access to it prior to arrival in New Zealand. We had asked if we could sign up in advance for activities but were told to wait until arrival. Having to wait until New Zealand led to several people not being able to even sign up for some of the activities because of problems using the Seymour Ap. The companies through which we booked on Seymour also said it was problematic. F. Again, I reiterate that the driver was nice and tried his best to help. He personally helped me when items were left behind at a hotel. However, a knowledgeable guide focuses on the travelers and their experience whereas our driver was focused on trip logistics – getting us to a destination and checked in. We missed our Group Farewell dinner because the driver did not plan in advance – and it was Valentine’s Day when we reached Christchurch. At 5pm in the evening contacted us through Whats Ap with a meet-up spot. Many people were annoyed – 11 did not go. 9 of us met up in the hotel’s bar/restaurant which served the same food as the “Fully booked” hotel restaurant. Makes one wonder in the thoroughness of the research work to find a spot. Disappointing. Sincerely, Claudia Jaccarino and Sharon Slayton

The Tour Operator (Exodus Adventure) answered all my questions pre-departure, provided an unbelievably friendly and experienced tour leader and followed the itinerary that lived up to all my expectations. Weather was expected to be wet on a few days but the tour leader changed the timing of the walks to make best use of gaps in the less pleasant weather and avoid having to walk in anything worse than short showers or very fine rain. The choice of walks was excellent in terms of the scenery, views and wildlife that we were able to experience. Some of the walks were quite strenuous but still enjoyable taken at a reasonable pace but then the tour was aimed at experienced hikers. Some of the accommodation was a bit basic and could be improved - the least good were those that were selected as alternatives to those advertised. But this was not advertised or priced as a luxury tour so does not alter the five star rating.

Was great and delightful tours organised very well