ACTIVE DOWNUNDER

Designing New Zealand Vacations ~ One trip at a time (800) 425-9036

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Design a Trip

Let us create your perfect vacation with a customized itinerary designed to fit your specific needs, interests and travel style.
Read what other's who have used our service have said on our testimonials page
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What you need to know

  • US Citizens passports must have at least 3 months validity (past the date you intend to leave New Zealand);
  • If you are using frequent flyer miles, you must have your travel dates booked and confirmed before we can start this process;
  • If you have booked your own flights, please provide us with all details (ie: airline, flight #, departing and arriving airports, arrival date/time, departure date/time);
  • We use four and five star accommodations;
  • We work with a limited number of selected B&B's, boutique hotels, hotels, apartments and lodge accommodations;
  • We partner with Air New Zealand to provide international and domestic airfares;
  • We also offer travel serivces for those wishing to visit Australia and South Pacific Islands (ie: Fiji, Cook Islands);
  • We book complete itineraries which means we do not book pieces of an itinerary.  It is a requirement that both parties agree on the complete itinerary and price and your trip is booked all together;
  • We require at least four weeks’ notice (this may vary depending on time of year);
  • We do not itemize or breakdown pricing of our itineraries;
  • We do not get involved with using clients loyalty programs and credit card membership benefits etc.  If you wish to use any such programs, these must be booked directly by the client, and prior to working with us. 

About You
Complete our 'Customized Itinerary Questionnaire' and return via fax or email. Please add any additional information about your travel needs and style. We will contact you upon receipt of your questionnaire to discuss.   Note:  A trip budget must be included.
Itinerary Design
We will design and price a ‘suggested itinerary’, along with a quote for travel insurance.  This will be sent via email for your review.  Once you have reviewed the ‘suggested itinerary' and provide feedback, we will continue to make any changes necessary to ensure it meets your needs, interests and budget. 
Trip Deposit
Once approved, we will proceed in making booking and confirming your trip.  At this point we will request a non-refundable deposit of $300 per person (deducted from your final trip cost). Please download and complete our "Credit Card Authorization" and "Personal Details Form" and return via fax.

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance at time of booking. View Access America travel insurance policies we sell.  Please note, travel insurance must be purchased within 7 days of paying your trip deposit to be eligible for pre-existing conditions waiver.  Refunds are only made for unused vouchers if the activity has been cancelled due to poor weather conditions or for reasons beyond the tour operators control.  For this reason, we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance.
Confirming Your Itinerary
Once your deposit has been received, we then proceed and sending requests for confirmation on your itinerary. This can take a few weeks.  When this is complete, your 'confirmed' itinerary will be emailed to you along with an updated quote showing deposit paid and final payment due date.  Any changes you request after this time will incur a $50 change fee per item.   At this point, we will recommend making a lump sum payment towards your trip to allow us to ticket your airfares.  Note.  This is done through an industry partner (airfares wholesaler) so your payment will be made to them.  We will advise details at the time.
Final Payment
Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure, or if booking with this period, full payment is due upon confirmation of your itinerary.   We will contact you at least 65 days prior to arrange final payment. If paying by credit card, we require a "Credit Card Authorization" form for the final amount to be completed and faxed back to us.

Travel Documents
Your travel documents are sent by Priority Mail to arrive at least two weeks prior to travel. They include:

• Vouchers for all accommodation, tours, transfers and car hire;
• Airline tickets or e-ticket receipt;
• Confirmed Itinerary (includes local phone numbers, addresses, tour pickup times etc);
• Map of New Zealand;
• Brochures

This process, although time consuming, does ensure we deliver a highly customized itinerary and an incredible New Zealand experience.

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FORMS

Download Customized Itinerary Questionnaire
 
Download Credit Card Authorization Form (for trip deposit)
 
Download Personal Details Form (to accompany trip deposit)
 
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Active Downunder
2007 Condé Nast Traveler Recommended Travel Specialist for New Zealand
All prices are quoted in US dollars and subject to change without notice.
California Seller of Travel Reg No. 2060868-40 - © Copyright 2001-2011 Active Downunder
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Image Credits: Gareth Eyres, Becky Nunes, Cavalli Beach-House Retreat, Ian Trafford, Hiroshi Nameda, Adventure Films, Arno Gasteiger, Chris McLennan, Huka Lodge, Sofitel, Awaroa Lodge, Rob Suisted, Fay Looney, Gilbert van Reenen, Miles Holden, Rob Brown, & Carrington.