General Terms, Conditions & Notes

Personal & professional guidance with care and attention to your comfort and safety for the duration of your tour from arrival to departure.

Opportunities for rest & relaxation and private time as required.

Road travel by luxury mini-coach, 2 to 6 passengers (or larger groups by special request).

Quality, mid price range (comfortable superior but not luxury), accommodation.

Home or farmstay accommodation is used wherever possible (refer NZ Bed & Breakfast Book and also  Friar's Guide to New Zealand Accommodation - these usually have private ensuite bathroom facilities).

Breakfast, lunch & dinner each day - unless meals are excluded from the tour package by request - refer itinerary for specific detail.

A clearly defined but flexible itinerary.

NZ Government Goods & Services Tax (GST) 12.5%.

Free of charge: the stunning beauty of the mountains, lakes, glaciers, water falls, rainforest, wilderness, coastline, seals, dolphins, the native birds, alpine flowers, farmlands, - the friendship and hospitality of the Kiwis (NZ people) and fellow walkers with whom you will make life long friendship on the optional Milford Track Guided Walk.

Your additional spending needs for snacks between meals, fruit, liquid refreshments etc. range say from $15 to $45 per day (personal preferences vary greatly) or whatever you wish or can afford.

Alcoholic beverages with meals (beer, wines, spirits etc).  In New Zealand these are customarily ordered and paid separately so are not included in the tour price.

Other personal needs, local arts, crafts & souvenirs - there are plenty of opportunities to view or purchase along the way.

Additional options/activities (scheduled or un-scheduled) can be included in the tour package or selected on a "pay as you go" basis but some may require pre-booking.

Shortstay tour packages (1 to 6 days) are designed for visitors based in Christchurch therefore exclude Christchurch accommodation and meals (but may be added to the tour package if required).

Recommended comprehensive travel and cancellation insurance should you need to cancel, require medical treatment, hospitalisation for illness, or suffer loss of, or damage to your personal property beyond the control of Brilliant Tours of New Zealand.

A non-refundable deposit of $200 each is required as a "booking fee" for a tour reservation to be confirmed.

A deposit of 10% of the Basic Price is required at least 30 days prior to the tour date plus any pre-booked options which also require prepayment such as the TranzAlpine Scenic Train and overnight cruising on Doubtful Sound, the balance of the Basic Price (less the $200 each booking fee and 10% deposit) plus any other pre-booked optional activities is due on arrival.

Payment will be required using MASTERCARD or VISA, (details by fax, airmail or telephone order only, not e-mail).

Other methods of payment  may be arranged.

Your driver/guide (English speaking only) is available to accompany you at all times except:

TranzAlpine scenic train one way option from Christchurch to Greymouth or Moana/Lake Brunner (transfer to Christchurch railway station and meet at Greymouth or Moana is of course included.)

Professionally guided walks and/or other optional activities.

Overnight cruise option.

For the duration of the Milford Track Guided Walk (Te Anau to Te Anau or Queenstown).

Any other times you prefer, or require, to be alone !

At any time of the year the itinerary and/or included options are subject to change as a direct, or indirect result, of weather, road conditions or other factors beyond the control of Brilliant Tours of New Zealand or their agents. Changes will not be made without consultation, equal or adequate alternatives mutually agreed where practicable or other agreed compensation given.

The tour package usually begins and ends at Christchurch - alternatives are negotiable. Travel arrangements and costs before and after the tour package are your responsibility.

The Milford Track Guided Walk is available November to March only.

Availability is subject to satisfactory completion, prepayment and acceptance of your application by the operators of the Milford Track Guided Walk.

Full details of BOOKING CONDITIONS and CANCELLATION POLICY are contained within the brochure provided by the independent operators and should be studied carefully.

ONLINE and up to date information, bookings and secure payment facility is available at the Milford Track Web Site

The Milford Track Guided Walk can be heavily booked therefore a prompt decision and early booking is recommended (full payment to Milford Track Guided Walk is required at least 60 days before the walk commences).

Brilliant Tours of New Zealand have no input or influence upon consideration or acceptance of your application by the operators but will help and advise in any way possible to expedite your application.

Separate application and payment arrangements are required for the Milford Track Guided Walk (although costs are included in the amounts quoted herein) - also check out recommendations regarding fitness, experience, clothing and travel insurance etc.

Don't hesitate to ask for additional information about the Track or any other aspect of the itinerary.

Members of the tour group not able, or not interested in walking the Milford Track, participate in a multitude of alternative leisure or adventure activities from our Te Anau - Fiordland base accommodation. (Te Anau is widely known as "The Walking Capital of the World").

Alternatives include lake or fiord, kayaking, sailing, cruising or fishing - golf - walking - trekking - mountain biking - scenic flights or just time out for relaxation.

The Milford Track walk may also be undertaken during the same period (late October to early April) as a "freedom walk". This option is for experienced fully equipped, self contained and provisioned trekkers/trampers. Camping out is not permitted anywhere near the track - basic huts provided and maintained by the Department of Conservation are used - the overall cost is significantly less - this option also requires pre-booking as numbers are strictly controlled.

Please call if you require detailed information, as this and many other famous South Island "freedom or professionally guided walks" such as The ROUTEBURN, GREENSTONE-CAPLES, KEPLER, REES/DART, HEAPHY, ST. JAMES, ABEL TASMAN can alternatively be included in a customised tour package.