Frequently Asked Questions

We want to reassure everyone that we will continue to monitor and be responsive to Government health advice to ensure that we continue to protect the safety and wellbeing of our staff and travellers. At this stage, face masks are recommended, but not mandatory. It is highly recommended that all passengers take out their own comprehensive travel insurance and review their own health insurance, is this is a concern.

For your own enjoyment and safety during the tour, please note that a reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required as there will be the need to climb and descend stairs (on coaches, excursions and at hotels), carry your own bag and walk some distances on uneven ground. If you need a walk-in shower at your hotel, please let us know so that we can allocate one in advance, as these are limited.

Most of the train carriages have a toilet.

The tour is a combination of train, luxury coach and ferry over the 13-day tour duration.

For your enjoyment and comfort, seating is not pre-allocated. We ask that you rotate seating on a regular basis to allow different viewing opportunities for all passengers. If you wish to be seated with a group of friends, please let us know before the tour so that you will be allocated seating on the same coach.  If you suffer from travel sickness, please ensure that you have appropriate medication with you.

Yes, there are food and beverages available for purchase on board all of the five train services. It is not permitted to bring your own alcohol on board the train for consumption during any journey. 

Yes, passengers are welcome to move from carriage to carriage.  However, care must be exercised when moving between carriages. Passengers wearing sandals (or any shoes that are not properly enclosed) will not be permitted on the viewing balconies of the train carriages. Standing on the gangways between carriages is not allowed.  Restrictions on moving about the train while passing through tunnels may apply. Please ensure that no arms or heads are out of the windows as some line side vegetation is very close.

Smoking or vaping is not permitted on any train or coach. This restriction applies to all areas of the train including outside on the open-end carriage balconies.

The payment terms for the Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Rail & Coach Tour is a 20% deposit to secure a booking; 40% due six-months prior to the tour departure; the balance is due the month before the tour departure.

The SWIFT BIC code for Bank of New Zealand is: BKNZNZ22. If you’re asked to provide a clearing code or a BSB number, please use: 020600. BUSINESS DETAILS: Account name: Pounamu Tourism Group ltd, Account number: 02-0600-0296941-000. BNZ bank’s details: Bank of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand.

Flights to and from your points of arrival/departure are not included in the tour package. If you would like to book pre or post-tour accommodation, this option is available to book (an extra cost). Transfers from the pre-tour hotel to the beginning of the tour are included. Transfers from the end of the tour to the post-tour hotel are included.  

We ask that you limit your luggage to one suitcase (or bag) per passenger, due to space restrictions on the coaches. (This is in addition to your daily back-pack or shoulder bag).  If you have a requirement for additional baggage, please let us know before the trip. 

When travelling by train, your luggage will be transported by luxury coaches that accompany the tour. You can take one small shoulder-type bag or backpack in the coach/train/ferry for personal items, medications and warm/waterproof clothing as you will not be able to access your luggage during the day. The luggage will be transported to the hotel at the end of each day’s travel. If you require assistance in moving baggage during the tour, please let the tour leader know. The 4-star hotels we use for the 13-day tour often have porter services, but not all of them, so you do need to be able to manage your own luggage within the hotel at times.

You do not have to go on the tour excursions – unless they are incorporated as part of the day’s travel. If you decide on the day not to join an excursion, just let your tour guide know. 

There are a range of quality excursions that are already included in your tour package. If you would like to book an Optional Extra Excursion, these options will be made available for booking prior to tour departure. Some tours have limited capacity and bookings are on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you have a special tour request outside those offered, please talk to us to make it happen.

Terms & conditions can be viewed here.

It is strongly recommended that all passengers take out their own comprehensive travel insurance and review their own health insurance, if this is a concern.

If cancellation is made more than 6-months prior to the tour departure, a full refund will apply, no cancellation fee; 60 days or more prior to departure, 20% of the tour package price will apply; If cancellation is made between 30 and 59 days prior to departure, 50% of the tour package price; If the cancellation is made less than 30 days prior to departure, 100% of the tour package price will apply. In the event that Pounamu Tourism Group cancels a tour, 100% refund will apply. 

Medical assistance and local chemists have been identified at all daily travel and overnight locations. If you require assistance for any travel or personal needs, talk with your tour guide.

Yes - please complete the pre-trip documentation to let us know about any special dietary requirements. The tour leader will be available throughout the tour to discuss your needs, and to ensure that these are met.