New Zealand Adventure of a Lifetime.
New Zealand
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Jan 30 - Feb 25, 2026
Our four week trip to NZ was customized after an iterative process of inquiry and response, including by phone with Ruth. She listened well and offered incredibly helpful insights. We followed her advice in most cases, and she offered various options for us to consider by way of guided tours, etc., as electives beyond the basis itinerary. We selected some of those to be included. The entire trip from arrival to departure including hotels, car rental and ferry booking was organized and communicated really well. All worked out perfectly. It turned out that a medical emergency intruded in the final week of our trip and the local agents were wonderfully supportive to manage and adjust the itinerary and give a sense of local expertise in the local time zone. My wife and I cannot speak more highly of our experience and plan to use kim kim again in our future travel plans.
Hotel Reviews
The Pear Orchard Lodge was a delightful surprise. The lodge offers a beautiful setting outside of Nelson. It featured a well-equipped common kitchen, perfect for those who enjoy cooking, and it was shared only between a few rooms. Additionally, having access to a washing machine for a small fee was incredibly helpful during our travels.
The Heartland Hotel Glacier Country in Fox Glacier was quite disappointing, but we were advised that accommodations in that area wouldn't be top-notch. It was basic at best, although the local hospitality was undeniably welcoming.
I was pleasantly surprised by the Scenic Hotel Cotswold in Christchurch. Despite my initial expectation that it would be lackluster, it turned out to be great.
Activity Reviews
The Hobbiton Shared Tour was a highlight of our trip. While we're not the biggest Lord of the Rings fans, the tour was exceptionally well-done, offering fascinating insights into the making of the films. It's very well organized and worth the visit.
The Half Day Mt Tarawera Crater Walk Experience was quite intense, perhaps not suitable for the faint-hearted. Some aspects were slightly oversold, like the description implying a four-wheel-drive adventure when it was just a regular van. Overall, it was a good, challenging experience.
The Full-Day Jet-Boat Adventure and Funyak River Safari in Queenstown was enjoyable, but I felt the description didn't match the experience. While the initial jet-boat ride was exciting, the later sections with kayaking were slower, as the guides needed to accommodate everyone. Next time, I'd probably just opt for the shorter, more thrilling jet-boat trip.
Iain and Liz were wonderful to work with. They had been planning and looking forward to visiting New Zealand for some time so I was delighted to assist them in designing the trip they always wanted. I am so sorry they got to experience the New Zealand medical system but was glad we could assist with getting things back on track once they were ready! Life has a way of taking us on interesting detours!