Kiwi Encounter (ex. Christchurch)

8 Reviews

Excellent

25%

Good

38%

Average

25%

Rather Poor

13%

Bad

0%

• MK

  Myriam
  Written on January 7, 2018

  3.0 - Average

  The trip itself was fine. The main issue was our guide who: - was unreachable in case of a problem - made sure that we have the worst deal (several times take us to the most expensive places) - skipped several included activities (seal colony in Kaikoura or telling us that the tongariro crossing was cancelled while we found out it wasn’t) - didn’t wait for people several times - Mock several person because they want a bathroom break - Always using Facebook as a communication platform regardless the fact some people didn’t have Facebook In the other hand, he took good decisions regarding: - hobbiton: there was an issue with it he solve that out - whakapapa: we were stuck in the middle of nowhere, I tool us out Also, regarding the accommodation, most of them were fine. We had an issue in wellington. Topdeck booked rooms in a fancy hotel and like often it was a triple room. Except that hotel didn’t have triple rooms. Instead, they gave queens bed and worst, they made up a triple room out of a double room! That would be an issue if the room was big enough. It wasn’t the case. We couldn’t put our baggage in ( for 3) but even worse, we had difficulties to go from one bed to another. We complained to our guide that was unacceptable to be parked like cattle. Before he could answer, another Topdeck guide came and said to us that the tour was backpacking. Except we never asked to be in a fancy hotel. During that trip, we’ve been in several hostel why not in wellington. After a big fight, they finally agreed to a proper twin room. This story shows the lack of consideration of the participates by some guide and Topdeck. Otherwise the tour itself was amazing. Wonderful landscape, good weather in general (except Tongariro)

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• E

  Emily
  Written on November 4, 2017

  4.0 - Good

  It was amazing!! Can't believe how good the guides and bus drivers were! Definitely recommend

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• KT

  Kristie
  Written on October 23, 2017

  5.0 - Excellent

  I did the Kiwi Encounter with Taimi Maidla as my guide. It was Amazing! The bus was brilliant and so comfy, and the accomodation was always really great. The places we went to were all fantastic, and everything we could've wanted was included or available while still being flexible and good value for money. Taimi and our driver, Vickie Gane, were both knowledgable, helpful and fun. They knew all the good places to go as well as tvs locals, and were there for anything we needed.

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• 

  Georgina
  Written on October 21, 2017

  4.0 - Good

  I had a great time in NZ and would defiently go back. Amazing scenery, a variety of activities to do and pretty good accomodation (you get a variety but it is usually if a very high quality). Taimi was a great trip leader (very knowledgeable, friendly and super organised). Chris the driver wasn’t too bad either

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• WW

  Wonder
  Written on January 27, 2017

  2.0 - Rather poor

  After travelling NZ before I was looking forward to seeing the beautiful country again. This tour does not touch on much. The accomodation is horrible. Our tour guide had minimal local knowledge and couldn't even crack a smile on our first day meeting everyone. We spent many travel days getting to places that had no where to go and no optional activities. We had a quarter of the activities than I had previously on Contiki. The bus had no wifi and after further searching online, I see this has been a problem for many years. Our bus driver was fab and should have swapped places with the tour guide. Please do thorough research before selecting a Topdeck tour.

  

  Topdeck commented on this review

  Hi Wonder Woman, Thank you for your feedback and sorry to hear that some aspects of your trip fell short of your expectations. Our feedback team would like to hear for you regarding your comments. It is their aim to resolve your concerns in a timely fashion. You are able to reach out to them at feedback@topdecktravel.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you. Many Thanks, Team Topdeck

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• 

  Gavin
  Written on December 6, 2016

  3.0 - Average

  I did this back in late dec 2015 And topdeck never answered back to me later after finishing the tour n pointing out that though the itinerary said to inlude Bay of Islands They DO NOT go here at all but stay in Pihia.. Thus false advertising. No reply back about it nor any refund given for at least those days spent in Pihia! Topdeck has gone down hill since 2013 I have had compensation/refund when done adventure tours OZ when they id ot ot was unable to go to kalbarri NP due to road works but was charged that day . They refunded me the NP fees

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• 

  Tom
  Written on October 5, 2013

  4.5 - Excellent

  It was a really amazing experience, I am really thankful for a good job Scotty and Craig did. Apart some small things like no wifi on the bus and crazy priced one at accommodations everything was really good. Really felt in love with Queenstown, Wellington , Milford Sound. However, I think , that some activities should be included , otherwise a day is spent doing nothing. E.g. Fox glacier, if you do not go for a hike , there's like 3 cafes and you in the middle of nowhere , same goes for rotorua , I did rafting , because otherwise there's nothing else to do, which is king of annoying a bit. Lastly, I suggest 1 day instead of 2 in Tongariro park , because apart from walks (it was raining and foggy) there's nothing else. More time in Wellington would have been cool. Also , if possible finish tours in a different way, because the last day of tour for nearly all people (6 day and 10 day and 14 day) was driving in the morning and getting left somewhere , in our case Auckland without a tour in the city and simply a sad mood. Apart from these small things ,everthing was amazing - the team, the people I went with , didn't expect so many solo travellers which made it so good. Loved the glow worms walk in Fox glacier forest , all the things done South Island - lake Matheson was amazing , lake Ahau , furry seals and overall all! Thanks

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• 

  Sonia
  Written on October 13, 2012

  4.0 - Good

  Highly recommend this tour, had an amazing time, great group, and worth your money The only thing is do not expect top notch accommodations, many are very poor in standards But other than that great guide and driver and cant wait to go back :)

  

  Topdeck commented on this review

  Thank you for your feedback, we are glad that you had a great time! We are always looking at ways to improve the standard of our trips and your comment regarding accommodation caught our eye. As our trips are catered for the 18-39 age bracket we tend not to offer chain hotels on the outskirts of the city, we choose accommodation that is suited to the local surroundings, whether it's in the base village of a glacier, or a lodge sitting on the edge of a lake. We always look for and maintain that you will find clean, comfortable accommodation averaging 3-3.5 star. If you would like to tell us about a specific property that was not to your standards, please email us at info@topdeck.travel Thanks again & best regards, Team Topdeck

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