1. Covid-19: Tour hotel selection: Pacific Trailways selects quality 4-star (or 4-star plus) tour hotels that have not been included in the NZ Government’s border quarantine programme.
2. Covid-19: Safety on tour. Pacific Trailways will always put the health and safety of our staff and guests first. Best practice Government authorised Covid-19 hygiene and safety practices will apply on every tour.
3. Tour prices: Tour prices are in New Zealand dollars and include GST. Prices are per person, twin share basis. An additional price applies for guaranteed single person room occupancy. Pacific Trailways will absorb extra-ordinary supplier price increases if at all possible, however we reserve the right to apply a surcharge in the event of significant fuel price rises. No surcharge will be applied once the final tour balance has been invoiced and paid.
4. Deposit, Payment and Acceptance of Terms: A deposit of NZD$500 per person is required to confirm the booking. Payment of the deposit confirms the tour client has read and accepted the Tour Booking Terms & Conditions. Full payment can be made at any time but is required no later than 60 days prior to departure (full payment is required for bookings made less than 60 days from tour departure).
5. Deposit and Full Payment Options:
INTERNET BANKING – Pacific Trailways Ltd. BNZ Account number 02-0400-0116109-001.
CREDIT CARD – Visa and Mastercard only.
6. Minimum booking numbers required. This tour will be confirmed to operate once bookings have achieved the minimum numbers required. In the event that minimum booking numbers are not achieved, Pacific Trailways will fully refund all tour payments, this being the full extent of our responsibility. Any additional costs you may incur as a result of cancellation by Pacific Trailways will be your responsibility and we expect you to seek remedy via travel insurance cover.
7. Client Cancellations, not related to Covid-19: All cancellation charges apply ‘per person’.
For cancellation 60 days or more prior to tour start date a full refund applies, less $50 administration fee. For cancellation: 59 – 46 days prior to tour start date: cancellation fee is 50% of the tour price.
For cancellation: 45 – 00 days prior to tour start date: cancellation fee is 100% of the tour price.
No refund can be made once the tour is underway and there are no refunds for unused tour components.
8. Client Cancellations due to Covid-19: If client cancellation is a direct result of Covid-19 and a requirement for the client to isolate or seek medical treatment, Pacific Trailways will, at its discretion, review cancellation charges applicable to that client’s booking. Pacific Trailways will consider each case on its merit, taking into account the medical situation, personal circumstances and time remaining before tour departure. To consider a review of cancellation charges, Pacific Trailways will require an authorised Covid-19 test result. A $50 administration fee will apply to the cancellation charge review.
9. Covid-19: Lockdown tour cancellation. If the tour departure is cancelled due to a New Zealand Government Covid-19 lockdown order, Pacific Trailways will offer two options. 1. To transfer your deposit and/or tour payments to a later tour departure, or 2. Receive a full refund of your deposit and tour payment balance (whichever amount/s you have paid).
10. Travel Insurance. Pacific Trailways strongly recommends that ‘loss of deposit’ travel insurance is purchased at the time of booking. Cancellation fees will not be waived where travel insurance could have provided cover.
11. Itinerary amendments. Pacific Trailways reserves the right to amend the itinerary if/as necessary due to weather and/or operational requirements and to substitute accommodation, transport and sightseeing services if required. If weather conditions on a particular day (or days) prevent safe flying, Pacific Trailways accepts the professional decision of the aircraft captain (Pilot in Command) to determine whether or not the aircraft will fly on the day. If a ‘no-fly’ decision is made, ground transport will be substituted on the affected day/s to continue the tour and meet itinerary obligations.
12. Aircraft Operation (during the tour). In the event a chartered aircraft is rendered unserviceable or unable to operate for any reason during the tour, Pacific Trailways will make every effort to use suitable alternative chartered aircraft and/or air services to complete the affected tour sectors. If suitable chartered and/or air services are not available, Pacific Trailways reserves the right to substitute ground transport to complete the affected tour sectors. If air or ground transport is substituted for chartered flights for any reason above, no refund or reimbursement applies and the air or ground transport substitution is the full extent of our responsibility to you.
13. Luggage on tour – limits per passenger.
(i.) One small soft-sided cabin/day bag able to be stowed in an overhead locker or under a seat.
(ii.) One medium soft-sided overnight sports-style bag weighing no more than 10 kg (22 pounds) that can be stowed in a limited-space aircraft hold to meet NZCAA safety regulations.
(iii.) One piece of luggage with a total length, width and depth of no more than 140 cm (56 inches) and weighing no more than 20 kg (44 pounds). Note: Your chartered aircraft will not have onboard space for large luggage. Larger luggage items will be transferred from hotel to hotel by tour coach, each day of the tour. On occasions when coach connections may be delayed, we will advise you (ahead of time) to take your overnight bag on the aircraft to carry your clothing and personal items with you.
14. Seat change daily. To provide a fair and equitable viewing experience for all tour participants a daily seat change policy applies. The process will be explained during the tour and all tour party members are expected to participate.
15. Hotels. Tour accommodation is on the basis of standard ‘twin or double’ rooms that may not include lake, or scenic, or sea views.
16. Solo tour members – guaranteed single room preference. Limited single occupancy rooms may be available at the time of booking. To secure a guaranteed single occupancy room, the Guaranteed Single Room option must be purchased.
17. Solo tour members – twin share room preference. Solo travellers may book ‘twin share’ basis and Pacific Trailways will make every effort to select appropriate same gender roommate pairings. Solo travellers booking on this basis must accept that there is no guarantee of compatibility with your selected roommate and that smoking is not permitted in rooms at any time.
18. Smoking. New Zealand Government laws forbid smoking in public transport, tour coaches, aircraft, airport terminals, accommodation, restaurants, bars, cafes and other recognised public places.
19. Personal expenses. Items and/or services not specified as included under ‘Highlights and Inclusions’ are deemed to be personal expenses and are not included in your tour price. Items considered to be personal expenses may include but are not limited to scheduled airfares and taxes, accommodation and meals and transport not included under ‘Highlights and Inclusions’, food not included on the regular tour menu, drinks, personal items, laundry, passport and visa fees, excess baggage, fuel surcharges, optional excursions and gratuities.
20. Personal belongings and lost items. Valuables on tour should be kept to a minimum and packed in your hand luggage along with personal items such as a camera, phone, small personal appliances, essential changes of clothing, toiletries and other personal items. You are responsible for your personal items at all times and must ensure you have adequate travel insurance cover in the event of any loss.
21. Health requirements. Payment of the deposit is a warranty by you that you or any persons covered by your booking are sufficiently fit and healthy to undertake this tour and associated travel arrangements. Pacific Trailways reserves the right, at its discretion, to remove tour participants who prove unable to meet these health requirements or who prove to be incapable of caring for themselves or who become a hazard to themselves or other tour members. No refund applies in such circumstances if the tour has commenced, and Pacific Trailways is not responsible for any associated travel arrangements or repatriation costs.
22. Pre and post tour connecting transfers, transport and air travel. Transport and travel before and after your tour are not included in your tour arrangements and these are your responsibility. Pacific Trailways will make every effort to keep your tour to the stated itinerary schedule but is not responsible for any missed connections before or after your tour.
23. Tour map. The tour map included on the website and in the brochure is not necessarily to scale. The map depicts an indication of the daily itinerary and route however the actual tour route may vary from the depicted tour route if operational or safety requirements make route changes necessary or desirable.
24. Illustrations. All photographs in this brochure, Pacific Trailways Facebook site/s and Pacific Trailways website illustrate and depict genuine events, places, occurrences and experiences. The use of these illustrations and images does not guarantee that such events, places, occurrences and experiences will necessarily be experienced or seen as depicted in the photograph or illustration.
25. Force Majeure. Force Majeure means an event or circumstance that is beyond the reasonable control of Pacific Trailways Ltd and that could not have been reasonably prevented by Pacific Trailways Ltd. It may include, but is not limited to, war, armed conflict, criminal damage, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity or the possibility or threat of any such activity, natural disaster including but not limited to earthquake, volcanic eruption, cyclone, hurricane, tornado, tsunami, flooding, high or low water levels, fire, landslide, adverse weather conditions, nuclear or other industrial accident causing environmental contamination, or any change of law. In the event that Pacific Trailways Ltd cancels or changes your tour arrangements in any way due to a Force Majeure event, Pacific Trailways Ltd will not be liable to refund any part of your tour deposit or tour purchase price paid by you if Pacific Trailways Ltd subsequently changes or cancels your tour arrangements in connection with a Force Majeure event. As such Force Majeure events cannot be predicted and are beyond the control of Pacific Trailways Ltd it is your responsibility to purchase travel insurance that will adequately cover you against these risks.
26. Additional costs. Pacific Trailways is not responsible for any additional costs which may be incurred by tour participants as a result of events beyond the company’s control. Examples may include (but are not limited to) pandemic, strikes, industrial action, weather or any other man-made or natural occurrence.
27. Passport & Visa Requirements. It is the client/s total responsibility to meet passport and/or visa requirements for travel to and from New Zealand. Pacific Trailways is not responsible for, nor liable for, any loss or damage suffered by the client (or any person covered in the booking) resulting from client/s failure to meet required passport and visa conditions.
28. New Zealand law applies. All Pacific Trailways Booking Terms and Conditions and operations are governed by the laws of New Zealand and all parties submit to the jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.
0800 TOUR NOW (0800 868766 NZ)
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DEPARTURE DATES
Two tour departure dates for 2026 are being planned right now.
Starts in Christchurch, ends in Queenstown (optional Queenstown extension available).
Email info@pacifictrailways.co.nz to receive details at the first opportunity!
TOUR PRICES
Share twin / double and guaranteed single room occupancy available
An exclusive 12-day New Zealand South Island Air Tour adventure. By private plane and luxury coach.
See and experience the South Island’s grandest landscapes in high style – from above! Fly aboard luxurious 12-seat whisper-quiet Cessna Caravan aircraft to enjoy turbo-prop safety and performance, lower altitude flightseeing, leather seats, air conditioning and uninterrupted high-wing scenic views. Pilots provide entertaining, interpretive commentary throughout each flight to enhance your air touring experience.
Fly over the imposing Southern Alps and view majestic Aoraki Mt Cook, climbed by New Zealand’s own Sir Edmund Hillary – co-conquerer of Mt Everest. Fly above braided alpine rivers, colourful fertile plains, beautiful southern lakes, the highest mountain peaks, extensive sweeping glaciers, majestic fiords, remote islands and more. Take an exclusive jet boat cruise deep into the natural magnificence of a World Heritage park and cruise on picturesque Lake Te Anau aboard a 1935 motor yacht that once hosted Sir Winston Churchill. Cruise on mighty Milford Sound, often regarded as the eighth wonder of the world. Explore the remote Catlins region, visit Stewart Island and walk on pristine Ulva Island, a significant predator-free bird sanctuary. Visit the Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head, see Larnach Castle and much more too. With three 2-night stays, and one 3-night stay, this well-paced adventure lets you enjoy and appreciate each area in depth.
Thoroughly enjoyed it, saw and did things I hadn’t done before. The scenery was impressive, so different. A wonderful and enjoyable trip. Christine S (NZ)
I traveled with Pacific Trailways a couple of years ago. It was truly the trip of a lifetime and an unforgettable experience. Flying low and slow over one of the most beautiful countries on the planet is truly the best way to experience New Zealand. Captain Thomas Scott C (USA)
What a time we had! Jan H (NZ)
A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE – TOURING BY PRIVATE PLANE & COACH
Fly specially chosen sectors of your tour in modern ‘private charter’ Air Safaris and Air Milford 12 seat Cessna Caravan aircraft – with pilot commentary en route for significant points of interest. This is a unique opportunity to see exceptional scenery and diverse regional landscapes from a rarely offered perspective. You’ll enjoy spacious, individual aircraft seats with large windows for excellent viewing and those breath-taking photo moments.
Complementing the flight sectors is a stylish, luxury Bayes touring coach for ground level visits and sightseeing. Quality onboard features, panoramic coach windows, comfortable seats and the care of an experienced driver guide mean you can sit back, relax and enjoy all the scenic delights and activities as they unfold. New Zealand by air and by coach – what could be better?