Most Inspirational Moment
I think seeing the astonishing volcanic vent in the Red Crater of Tongariro; it impressed by its size and awesome beauty. The waterfalls in Milford Sound, an optional trip on a very wet day, were majestic and mystical, too.
Thoughts on Group Leader
We had two main group leaders, Just on North Island and Ali, in the South. They were different characters but both had an infectious enthusiasm for the country, its flora and fauna, its birdlife and its culture. They were incredibly hard-working and made sure we had the best experience possible. Can't recommend them too highly.
Advice for Potential Travellers
It's a full-on trip and there is very little downtime.You need energy to cope with early starts and relatively late, hurried finishes every day. There's precious little time for washing clothes and other personal organisations tasks. It's a team effort, too, with food preparation and washing up, moving luggage into and out of the van, so be prepared to roll up your sleeves and muck in. The two nights wild camping means taking an extra rucksack and managing weight allowances carefully. The sandflies are an absolute pain so get the best bug spray possible as soon as you arrive in NZ (it's specially formulated). The accommodation is pretty good overall, only Queenstown was a bit basic. It's a long way to travel and if you can afford it, business class really helps ease the trip.