Questions


HOW TO BOOK

Ask for a Registration Form. All trips listed on this website are open for Registration, except for any marked “Keep Me Posted". Please be aware that historically most bookings are made 9 to 12 months prior to departure.

Deposits

The level of deposit and its refund ability vary according to how far out from departure you book. Please check with us to confirm the current level of Deposit required to secure your place.

Preliminary Deposit, $100 - Applicable to trips departing more than 12 months from the date of Registration or for trips that are listed as TBA (price to be advised). It is refundable until the Completion of Deposit, a further $400, is requested. At this time you will need to either confirm or withdraw.

Full Deposit, $500 - Applicable to trips departing in less than 12 months from the date of Registration and refundable for one month after date of receipt.  However, if Registration is made less than four months prior to departure the refund ability period is reduced.

Add-on trip Deposit, $200 - Applicable to published add-on extensions e.g. The Atacama Adventure. The same conditions of refundability as for Full Deposit apply.

Trip Dates and Itinerary - Details of each trips itinerary, dates and style are available in the trips "Specific Details" - please contact us to receive these. Please be aware that flight schedules can and do change and that these changes may affect the final price and itinerary.

Grassroots Booking Conditions -These are included as part of the Grassroots Registration Form.

Trip Price

As prices are subject to change they are listed as Estimated Prices. This is to reflect alterations in airfares, local prices and currency rates. Although generally fairly accurate they occasionally need to be adjusted either upward or downward. We will keep you advised of any change.


Price Includes (unless otherwise specified):

Airfares are ex Auckland return, in a specific class.
Accommodation  is based on twin or double-share rooms.  Requested single rooms will incur additional cost, as will late bookings that create the need for a single room. 
Sightseeing, entries, services as specified in the  final itinerary.
Included meals as listed in the final itinerary (this varies from trip to trip, see "Meals" below)
Prices are quoted in NZ$ unless otherwise specified.

Price Excludes

All taxes and surcharges pertaining to flights and airports.
Personal Insurance and all other personal spending.
Visa's or any other documentation required.
Any meals or services not specifically included - see "Meals" below
We take pride in there being no hidden extras, as any major exclusions or exceptions are advised well beforehand so that you know exactly what to budget for.

Land Only Price

Yes, you can include most trips as part of your other personal travel plans. Ask for the Land Only price.

Meals

The majority of trips include most breakfasts and a selection of other meals. Each trips preliminary itinerary will indicate approximately how many meals will be included, with the exact number being confirmed in the final itinerary, marked as B,L,D.

Viable Numbers

As the confirmation requirements for airlines and overseas providers varies from trip to trip it is impossible to give a set “deadline” time frame that applies to all trips. Although it can vary, the normal Viability Date is 120 days prior.  When it is critical, the viability date will be noted in the Current Status section.   In order to avoid the disappointment of finding that your chosen trip has been cancelled due to lack of numbers, please book early.

Add-ons and Alternative Plans

These are subject to securing suitable connecting flights.

Leadership

Our trips are normally escorted from New Zealand by a Grassroots Leader, although in some extraordinary circumstances or in emergency, they may be lead by a local guide. Although a Grassroots leader normally accompanies a group from New Zealand, on very rare occasions the leader will meet you on your arrival in the destination country. For some add-on extensions you may be looked after by local representatives or specialized local leaders, rather than a Grassroots Leader.

 Would you like to be kept informed? - "Keep Me Posted" Lists

If you are interested in a trip listed as "Keep Me Posted" (KMP) please ask for your name to be added to the destinations "Keep Me Posted" List. You will receive email notification of updated trip details as soon as they become available and the opportunity of priority Registration.  Please note, many of our trips fill from these lists.

E-News mailing List

To keep our travellers updated we send out an email newsletter five to seven times a year. These publications include "Updates of our Trip Programme" and from time to time "destination articles".  If you would like to be added to this "E-news mailing list" please let us know.  Go to the Contact Page and Tick "Add me to the E-News List" 

For those without email we post an Update of our Trip Programme at least twice a year.  If you would like to receive these publications please phone so that we can add you to the postage list. 

Contact Us

To ask for more detailed Information on any trip please go to Contact Us.