I know its really early but i was wondering if anyone else was thinking of doing this tour! Its sounds awesome and would be cool to spend nye over there!

Hey Hughesy_33

I am thinking of doing this tour but leaving on 27th Dec from Queenstown. Any particlar reason you wanna leave on the 30th.

Been advised to leave from Queenstown. Where you leaving from?

Adam

hi blueads
just wondering why you were advised to leave from Queenstown? Just wondering cos i'm still deciding if i should do the tour the normal way or in reverse!
Hughesy_33 thanks for the idea of nye in nz, helped me decide on a time to go on this tour!
where are you both from? me australia

Hey everyone I'm on this tour. Though I think when Contiki updated the website the dates they now show is Dec 28th now instead of Dec 30th for a starting date. Its the same tour though since now they say the first two days are for travel so it technically starts on the Dec. 30th. Anyways I've read on the messageboards some folks say start in Auckland and others say start in Christchurch etc. I chose the normal way since I was advised by a girl who was on my last Contiki tour who had done this tour and she advised me to start in Auckland since Queenstown was the pinnacle of the trip and it was better to build up towards that since the North Island is a little more laid back. So I took her advice but who knows, I think this tour is a lot of fun no matter which way you start. I also think New Years will be super fun no matter where you are in New Zealand as well. If you have great people on the tour that will make all the difference with the experience. Just my opinion.

Hi Leah and Others

I have now officially booked for NZ
I was advised to leave from Queenstown rather leaving from Christchurch as it was more traveling on the bus. It seems all i am missing is a lake.

The official starting place was christchurch, but my friend and i are starting in Queenstown 1 day later.

So I think my tour starts on 27th Dec till 9th Jan

Let me know which tour you decide on

Ads

hey leah,
i'm from melb aus, so the dates are the 28th now?
I think im going with my girlfriend but she struglles to save!!!!
i dont think it really matters where u start though as they are both the same thing really, just one is a bit cheaper tour but the airfares would work out more expensive for me.
it still says the 30th of december on the website, are you thinking of adventurer?
cheers pete

Hey Pete, yeah it says it starts the Dec 28th and ends on Jan 14th. According to the itenerary it says Days 1 & 2 are for Travel. So technically it starts on Dec 30th. I could be looking at the version of the website thats for the US so it might be a little different now than it was earlier this year when I signed up for it. Anyways I guess I should confirm again which tour I'm really on.

Hi guys,
I am booked on the Grand Explorer leaving Auckland on Dec 30th. My brother decided he wanted to see a bit of the world, so he's on board now too. I've done contiki a couple of times before and had a blast, so I am really looking forward to it and can't wait to meet everyone.

I'm booking the Grand Explorer leaving Auckland on the 30th. Wheres everyone from? I'm from Toronto here

hey aycor,
i';m from melbourne australia. It's good to hear theres a few people doing this tour now! Starting to fill up!
There are quite a few optionals to do have you got any ideas of which ones you want to do? Is everyone landing a few days before the tour to get settled?

Hi
After reading all the emails, talking to everyone and going out of my mind deciding which tour to do and what way, i have finally decided on the 30th Dec going the normal way. We are going to have a fantastic time in NZ and i can't wait to see in the new year over there! i'm booking the flights and putting my deposit down tomorrow!!! YAY
Ok chat to ya later!
Leah

Hey Hughesy, thats cool...after this tour I'm doing the Reefs and Rainforests with a friend and then going to Melbourne with her. I really want to do the black water rafting, not sure what other optionals I'll be able to afford after booking 3 contiki tours but we'll see

Hello fellow travellers,
well its done, have paid my deposit and am on the tour with you all for the 30th from auckland! It looks like most of you are travelling with another person, is anyone travelling alone???
Look forward to meeting you all then need to save all my pennies from now until then!
ok hope to see some more posts from you all
leah

Yeah Leah, I'm going alone on this one. Wherabouts are you from?

hi aycor
i'm from sydney australia....what about you? i'm glad i'm not the only one going alone! was quietly freaking out
Where is everyone else from?
leah