Important Points to Note for Your New Zealand Tour:
- Manpower & Service Delays: New Zealand is an advanced country with limited manpower, so please expect self-service at many places and some waiting time at attractions and restaurants.
- Use of Disposable Cutlery: At some restaurants, plastic or disposable cutlery may be used due to operational norms.
- Optional Sightseeing & Activities: Activities like bungee jumping, helicopter rides, and scenic flights over Milford Sound, or adventure sports in Queenstown are optional and not included in the main tour cost. We can assist with bookings, but they must be paid for in advance.
- Itinerary & Sequence Flexibility: The tour itinerary and sequence of sightseeing may change depending on various factors such as weather conditions, flight availability, road closures, or operational reasons.
- Travel Duration: Some days involve long drives, such as Queenstown to Milford Sound and Queenstown to Christchurch, but these are scenic routes with photo stops and comfort breaks.
- Local Conditions: Weather in New Zealand can be unpredictable, especially in the South Island. Certain activities like cruises or adventure sports may be canceled or rescheduled due to safety concerns.
For NRI Passengers:
- Please note, we will be giving the reduction in the tips amount instead of complimentary gifts to passengers staying out of India / NRI passengers due to logistic issue.
Internal Airline:
- We generally choose airline carriers that offer convenient options for group travel.
- All group tour bookings are in Economy Class by default. If you prefer to upgrade to Premium Economy, Business, or First Class, we’re happy to assist - additional charges and availability conditions will apply.
- Internal flights are mainly low cost carriers and hence meals and refreshments are not served on board. We suggest carrying some dry snacks for added comfort during your journey.
- It is very much possible that flights are via point flight too with layover ranging from 1 to 3 hours.
- Due to domestic carriers being small aircraft we might have to split the group to different flights with similar timing as well.
- Domestic Flights: Baggage allowance on internal flights within New Zealand may be lower than international flights (generally 20–23 kg). Any excess baggage cost will be borne by the passenger.
Sightseeing::
- Due to evolving circumstances, certain monuments, attractions, or activities may close temporarily without prior notice.
- In case of high visitor traffic or sudden changes in reservation systems, access to certain sightseeing spots may not be possible. In such cases, we will try to arrange an alternative visit or refund the entry fee wherever applicable.
- No refunds will be provided for missed activities or sightseeing due to delays, weather conditions, operational issues, or other unavoidable factors.
- Tour Leaders will adhere to the schedule; if any passenger delays the group, the itinerary will continue as planned.
- Passengers are responsible for any personal loss or damage during sightseeing or activities.
- All sightseeing and optional activities are non-refundable and subject to weather conditions and operational feasibility.
- We reserve the right to modify itineraries or cancel excursions if required for safety, weather, or operational reasons.
Hotels:
- The hotels on tour are comfortable and have been appreciated by our guests in the past.
- Hotel accommodations may vary depending on flight timings and room availability.
- Room assignments are managed solely by the hotel, and while we do forward special requests (such as adjacent rooms, same floor, or preferred views), they are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
- The category of hotels on international tours is a mix of three-star, three-star superior, and basic four-star. Kindly check your respective hotels before booking your tour.
- Guests are responsible for any damage caused to hotel property or tour vehicles during their stay. We shall not be held liable for any such incidents.
Tipping
- Tipping is compulsory in NZD.
- You will have to pay NZD 5.00 per person per day for the Duration of your tour. Kindly pay NZD 45 per person on arrival to the Tour Manager (Applicable on both adult and child)
Baggage
- On the tour luggage allowance in the coach will be one handbag and one suitcase per person.
- Porterage in Any of Tours is not included. It will be passenger’s responsibility to carry their bags to and from the Coach and their room.
Food And Water
- Breakfast: Your breakfast is normally a continental which usually will have Tea or Coffee, Juices, Cereals, Milk, Breads, Butter, Jam, cheese. Some hotels may provide hash brown potatoes or hot potatoes or hot beans. No Indian item or Jain item will be available.
- Indian Breakfast: In case of Indian Breakfast, you will be taken to the Indian restaurant and not in the hotel you are staying.
- Lunch & Dinner: may be a combination of Indian / Continental or local vegetarian or packed. Local lunch can be pizza, pasta or Mexican or subway. But all vegetarian.
- Jain passengers: Please note, the Jain food which may be provided will be without onion, garlic & potatoes. Any further restriction from the above for vegetables etc. cannot be accommodated. Also there will be restricted choice of vegetables, curries items for Jain passengers.
- Drinking water: Tap Water throughout the New Zealand is Safe to Consume and therefore request you to carry an empty bottle with you which you can fill whenever you wish to.
- A meal doesn’t include any Water Bottles, Beverages Hard/Soft drinks, Fruit Juices.
- If you are non-vegetarian please request us at the time of booking.
- Some of Meals will be Packed Meals on the Tour for betterment of itinerary and convenience of our passengers.
- Please note that lunch and dinners are in restaurants, which may be far from your hotels.
- If you are sick or ill on tour, we will guide you to the medical facilities but the tour will continue onwards and the tour manager also will continue further on the tour. You will be on your own.
- Meals: Indian meals are arranged where possible; however, in some locations, meal options may be limited and adjustments may be required.
*In the cruise, the meals will be served as per the cruise policy.
If you are non-vegetarian please request us at the time of booking.
Travel Insurance:
- Flamingo strongly advises that you should carry a travel insurance with you, with a minimum of USD250, 000 coverage. We will not release any tour documents, unless the insurance copy is submitted to us.
- Please note the insurance cost is not included in the tour cost. It is going to be additional.
- Please ensure that your insurance covers any optional activities you choose to participate in.
Tour Manager
- Your tour manager will not be travelling with you in the flights. He / She will meet you directly in the first hotel of your tour / airport (if there is a transfer)
- It is not necessary that the tour manager travels with you in the internal flights as well.
- Your tour manager may change the flow of sightseeing for the betterment if need may be.
- Please make sure that if you are opting for any adventure activities then you should take insurance covering the same.
Coach And Coach Captain
- The tour group size will range between 25 to 50 passengers, and we will fill the coach to its full capacity.
- The first row of seats on both sides is reserved for the Tour Manager and Guide.
- Seat rotation is mandatory for all passengers; you will be required to change seats daily as per group travel norms.
- Eating, drinking, and smoking inside the coach are strictly prohibited.
- Coach Captains are bound by New Zealand driving laws regarding maximum driving hours per day and per week. All itineraries are carefully planned to comply with these laws. Passengers must strictly adhere to reporting times to avoid delays.
- Coaches of different capacities (30-seater, 49-seater, and 55-seater) are used, depending on the number of participants, and we aim to utilize full capacity with minimal empty seats.
- Wi-Fi facilities are generally not available on board the coach.
- Guests are advised not to leave valuables inside the coach as safety cannot be guaranteed.
- Any damage to the coach caused by passengers will be charged to the individual responsible.
- Air-conditioning in the coach may take some time to become effective, depending on the outside temperature.
- Some coaches may have a toilet on board; however, it is only for emergencies. Regular washroom breaks will be provided during the journey.
Payment Policy:
- Initial deposit - Rs. 50,000/ to confirm you’re booking with us. If you are applying visa with us then you need to pay visa fees additional.
- 2nd Payment - Rs. 1, 00,000/- 95 Days Prior to your Departure.
- 3rd Payment – Rs. 2, 00,000/- 60 Days Prior to your Departure.
- 100% payment to be made at least 45 Days Prior to your Departure.
- The USD component will never be freezed. ROE will be considered on the date of payments given, towards USD portion.
Cancellation Charges Per Person:
- 90 Days or more prior to Departure Rs.100000/-
- 75 Days to 45 Days prior to Departure Rs.200000/-
- 45 Days to 30 Days prior to Departure 75% of the Tour Cost
- With 15 Days of Departure 100% of the Tour Cost
Refunds:
- There will be no refund on utilized services.
- Due to reasons beyond our control such as strikes, heavy traffic, rain etc or you did not use services such as Meals, Entrance Fees, Sightseeing Tour, Hotels, cruises, Optional Tours it is clearly understood that there will be no refund due to any reason whatsoever.
- Any refund (if due) process will take minimum 60 days or the time taken as per the supplier policy on whose services needs to be refunded.
- Refunds will be given in Indian Rupees and thru Cheque or Bank Transfers only even though payment by cash.
- If refund is due in foreign currency the rate of exchange will be considered on the day when refund is made and not the day when the payment was made.
Minimum Participation & Tour Cancellation:
- Tours specified in the brochure / itinerary is subject to minimum participation of paying participants. If the participants are below the minimum prescribed or any unforeseen circumstances beyond our control or without assigning any reason the company reserves right to amend, amalgamate, alter, vary or cancel a tour without incurring the liability to pay any compensation.
- Under such circumstances amount paid by you will be refunded forthwith after deducting the actual expenses incurred by us like visa, travel insurance and the like but no compensation is payable. All refunds shall be given in Indian Rupees and thru cheque or bank transfers only.
- If company decides to operate the tour with participation below minimum stipulated or if the participants are required to travel as “individual traveller” the company reserves right to collect additional amount in case any. Persons travelling as individual travellers such cases will not be provided certain services including that of tour manager and the client may travel in the same itinerary with some amendments such as in coach, airport transfers, which re at fixed times etc.
Credit Card:
- Kindly carry a credit card, as some hotels may require a refundable damage deposit / refundable Security deposit which is accepted only via credit card.
Brochure Accuracy:
- All information given in the Brochure / Itinerary / Sightseeing Tours are based on the information available at the time of publication. We reserve the right to change any brochure / itinerary before or after booking your tour due to any event beyond our control. In case if we will know about any changes before your departure we will update or communicate with you otherwise our Tour Manager or Local Representative will inform you of the changes on the tour.
Points To Be Noted for South island (queenstown, milford sound, christchurch
- Milford Sound excursion is a full-day trip (9–10 hrs) and involves long scenic drives. Please be prepared for a long day with limited rest stops.
- If Milford Sound cruise gets canceled due to weather, an alternative activity will be arranged, and refund will be provided for the cruise amount (if applicable).
- Adventure activities in Queenstown such as bungee jumping, jet boating, skydiving, helicopter rides are optional and at an additional cost. Advance booking is recommended for guaranteed slots.
- Hotel check-in time is generally 3 PM, so if arriving early, passengers may need to wait in the lobby or leave luggage at the concierge.
- The sequence of sightseeing in South Island may change depending on road closures, weather, and other operational conditions.