Travel Buddies is not your typical handheld tour, meaning you will get to enjoy the best of both guided and solo travel. Travel Buddies will arrange all of your accommodation, bus sectors, and activities included in your package. However, it is your responsibility to arrive at the designated pick-up or starting points on time. If you miss an activity or bus, you will not be refunded, and you will need to handle your own travel arrangements and any related expenses. You are also then free to choose your own downtime activities and you can add on any additional tours as you go, pending availability. Although there is no official guide for this trip, you will have someone dedicated to your group in the WhatsApp chat to help out along the way.

A semi -guided tour combines the best of guided and solo travel. Travel Buddies handles key aspects like accommodation, transportation, and scheduled activities, but you are free to explore and experience each destination at your own pace. A Travel Buddies rep meets you at specific points to provide assistance, but there’s no full-time guide, giving you the freedom to choose your own adventures in your downtime. This allows for a blend of group and independent travel, offering flexibility with the comfort of support when needed.

Yes, you can – just reach out to ask a travel specialist when booking your tour, who can also provide recommended activities to take part in before your tour starts. This accommodation will be separate from the rest of your Travel Buddies group, but pending availability we will be sure to book you into the same hostel as at the start of your trip, so you won’t need to move hostels.

Anyone 18+ can join and enjoy our tours, however the average age range is between 18 and 35. This is mainly because our chosen accommodations and activities are often catered towards social backpackers between these ages.

Travel Buddies tours typically have a maximum group size of 18 travellers, however our minimum number is 2. This allows for a more intimate, social experience, where everyone gets to know each other while still having the space for individual exploration.

The tour price includes all accommodation, all pre-booked bus transportation, 4 meals, and key activities like sailing Lake Taupo, a Maori Cultural Experience, Hobbiton set tour, and a Skippers Canyon Jet Boating excursion. You’ll also have access to a dedicated WhatsApp group for daily updates and assistance from Travel Buddies reps at key locations.

The itinerary offers a balance of planned group activities and free time, allowing you to explore each destination on your own or with your new friends. While certain activities and transport are scheduled, you’ll have the flexibility to choose your own adventures during free days or in your downtime.

The Maori show is a cultural performance where you’ll witness traditional Maori songs, dances, and ceremonies. The Hangi feast is a traditional Maori meal cooked in an underground oven, offering a unique taste of New Zealand’s indigenous culture. This experience is included in the tour and provides an authentic cultural connection.

You’ll be added to a dedicated WhatsApp group chat on the Friday before your departure. This group will include your fellow travellers as well as a Travel Buddies rep. The chat is a great way to connect before the trip, share excitement, and arrange meet-ups before your official start date.

On the Friday before your departure, you’ll be added to a WhatsApp group chat with your Local & Travel Buddies, giving you a chance to connect before the trip begins. This chat will provide daily updates about where you need to be, what activities you’ll be doing, and include Google Maps links for easy navigation. While there is no guide for this trip, a dedicated group chat representative will be available to help you throughout your journey. Keep in mind, it’s your responsibility to arrive at the correct pick-up or start location on time.

Once you’ve officially booked your spot with Travel Buddies, we will send you a confirmation email. An itinerary specific to your trip, including bus schedules and activity times, will be finalised and sent to you at least 14 days before your departure.

On the Travel Buddies New Zealand tour, you’ll encounter some of the country’s unique wildlife, including the iconic kiwi bird, New Zealand fur seals, and several species of penguins, such as the Little Blue and Yellow-eyed penguins. In coastal areas, you might spot dolphins and even orca’s, particularly in Kaikoura. New Zealand’s rich birdlife is also a highlight, with sightings of kea, tui, and fantails, while the magical glowworms in the Waitomo Caves offer a truly unique experience.

No, you won’t need to drive during the New Zealand tour. All transportation, including bus transfers, is provided and pre-arranged. This allows you to relax and focus on enjoying the journey without worrying about navigating or driving yourself.

The physical demands of activities on the New Zealand tour vary. Some hikes are relatively easy and suitable for all fitness levels, while others may be more challenging. Your Travel Buddies rep can provide recommendations based on your fitness level, ensuring you choose the right activities for your comfort.

While standard travel gear like comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing is recommended, you may also want to bring specific items for outdoor activities, such as hiking boots for longer treks, a rain jacket for wet weather, and swimwear for water-based activities. Your packing list should reflect the range of experiences you plan to participate in during the tour.

From the 1st of April 2024, travel insurance is compulsory when booking Travel Buddies. It is important to have a travel insurance policy that covers you in case you get sick or injured (COVID-19 or otherwise), lose an item, or miss your tour. At minimum, your travel insurance policy should include: medical costs, emergency evacuation, and cancellation protection. This includes adventure activities and any unexpected situations, such as illness, injury, unpredictable weather, or cancellations. If you already have travel insurance, please understand that it is your responsibility to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all of the adventure style travel you have booked with us.

World Nomads travel insurance provides coverage for over 150 activities. You can get a quote, file a claim, or purchase or extend your policy while travelling.

Each tour’s meeting point and time will be different – your official itinerary will be sent out to you at the latest 21 days before departure with information about your meeting locations. Your pre-booked hostel is available for check-in anytime from 2pm. If you arrive early, don’t worry – the hostel offers a secure area to store your bags, allowing you to explore the city during your free time. On the Friday before your departure, you will be added to a WhatsApp group chat with your fellow Travel Buddies and a Local Buddy, making it easy to arrange meet-ups before check-in. Your Local Buddy will also provide a time and location for a welcome gathering in the afternoon or evening.

If an activity is cancelled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, we will try to reschedule it or find an alternative activity for you. If rescheduling or finding an alternative is not possible, you will receive a refund for the discounted rate paid for that activity.

We’ve chosen our favourite hostels and accommodation in New Zealand for you to stay at while on your tour. These hostels include Lylo Queenstown, Haka House Wellington, and Adventure Lodge Wanaka. All are highly rated and perfect for a bit of socialising. You’ll get to enjoy wonderful amenities like pools, bars, big shared kitchens, and central locations as well as excellent staff. Check out our itineraries for more information on where you will be staying in each location.

For most of the trip, you will be in dorm rooms shared only with other members of your Travel Buddies group. In some circumstances you may be sharing a room with other travellers – however you will never be booked into a room alone without at least one other Travel Buddy.

Yes, all of your Greyhound buses will be pre booked for you. All information regarding times and bus stop locations will be sent to you along with your itinerary and ticket details at the latest 21 days before your departure.

If you’d like to continue travelling once you’ve finished your Travel Buddies trip, why not reach out to your travel agent and find out some more bucket-list destinations for any onward travel – whether it’s continuing on where you are, travelling somewhere else in the country, or even a different country – we’ve got you covered.