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This 9-day tour starts at Christchurch Railway Station and ends back in Christchurch at Bealey Quarter accommodation in the city centre. If you’re an international visitor, we recommend flying in and out of Aotearoa New Zealand via the Christchurch International Airport.

About 75% of people who tour with Stray Travel are going solo, so you’re in the right place! There’s no dorm room accommodation on this tour, so you don’t need to worry about socialising with your entire group 24/7. Instead, you will be staying in twin/double room accommodation with one other member of your group. 

If you’d prefer a private room during your trip, we highly recommend selecting the private room option at the time of booking. 

Are you looking to take in some incredible scenery, immerse yourself in the Kiwi culture, and generally have a fantastic time? Then a trip with Stray Travel is the right choice for you! 

Most people who travel with Stray Travel are aged between 20 and 50 (although there is no maximum age limit; a sense of adventure lives forever!) and have varying levels of fitness. All walks and activities are optional, so if you’d prefer to sit out on a trek or bungy jumping just isn’t for you, no problem! There’s something for everyone on this South Island trip.

As is standard for all countries, New Zealand requires international tourists to hold a valid passport (with a minimum of 6 months validity). 

Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.

It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from and where you are going.

Travel insurance is required when touring with Stray Travel. You’ll want insurance that will cover you for loss, accident, tour cancellations and medical costs. 

Your accommodation and some meal costs are all covered, so the only things you need to budget for are any souvenirs, additional meals, and optional paid activities you’d like to participate in. 

For food, it’s all about how fancy you’d like to get. Meal prices in New Zealand can vary between $20 - $100 (NZD) per day, so it really depends on how much you’d like to spend. Optional activities also vary in price, so we suggest thinking about just how adventurous you’d like to get and then budgeting accordingly. For example, a museum trip may cost $25 (NZD) per person, whereas a skydive may be closer to $400 (NZD).

The majority of places in New Zealand will accept a MasterCard, a Visa debit, or a credit card, but it’s still always handy to carry around $50-$100 (NZD) with you at any given time just in case. European travellers should also note that NZ shops don’t accept Maestro Cards, though you can use these cards at ATMs to draw out some money as long as it’s set up for worldwide usage. 

You should bring a backpack or small/medium suitcase (up to 15kg) filled with:

• Your clothes with at least one warm jumper and a pair of trousers
• Swimsuit / Towel
• Bug repellent
• Reef Safe Sunblock / Hat
• Day pack
• Water bottle
• Waterproof jacket (shell)
• Walking shoes/trainers
• Sarong/shawl

In winter (May - September) we also recommend bringing a warm hat, a jacket, and light thermals or clothes you can layer, particularly for NZ South Island tours as it gets pretty cold down there!

You won’t need any of the following:

• Sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Blankets or sheets

Luggage is restricted to one backpack, bag or case per person with a maximum weight of 15kgs as our buses have limited storage space. You may also travel with a daypack to carry your camera, valuables, raincoats, and any other items you might need throughout the day.  

Altogether, we suggest travelling with no more than 23kgs of luggage. You'll only ever have to transport your luggage short distances but you need to be able to manage this yourself. If you are going to be travelling with a lot more than 23kg, then please let us know.

On this tour, you'll stay in comfy 3-4 star hotels for most nights. In the more unique destinations, you’ll spend the night in high country farms or scenic lodges close to the waterfront or national park. Hotel rooms on this tour are ensuite, while shared facilities are in the unique destinations. Upgrade to solo occupancy may be possible and subject to availability.