Reviews of A Relaxing NZ Journey - North and South Islands

The primary reasons we used First Light Travel were our consultant and the ease of planning/booking. We all totally loved this trip and memories will remain a long long time! We enjoyed all the South Island adventures plus Rotorua fun..we got a tip to drive to and hike Mt. Manganui / bay of plenty on our drive from Rotorua to Auck - the amazingly beautiful big white sand beach and views from the top of the mtn (hike not for the unfit!) we’re truly amazing- .lavender and animal farm in Wanaka was a gem as were the pancake rocks. Nice hike along river in Paparoa park until we saw a 5 foot long black eel! travel distances are quite long driving so be prepared food and gas wise- very few services on south island..

Kim Gaumer - USA

Hi Therese.

Not sure if it’s too late for a testimonial on FB but here is ours. If you would like me to change any of the pictures in the collage or want me to change anything in our testimonial let me know.  I hope everyone there is well. Our trip holds a special place in our hearts!

We really don’t know where to start. We travelled to New Zealand earlier this year (before the pandemic) and First Light Travel did an awesome job with our 20 day self-drive itinerary. The accommodations, car, and activities booked for us were spot on. From Hobbiton, to glow worm caves, to hiking (tramping) a mountain, to bubbling mud pools and waterfalls, to wine tours, to cultural shows, to an alpine crossing by train, to cruising intimate fiords, to amazing views on the road, to our final bungy jump. We did so much and experienced things we never imagined, especially at our age. The quality of our tour guides were outstanding. And we loved our rental cars (same make and model) waiting for us throughout, which made us feel safe while driving on the “other side” of the winding roads. Everything was fantastic. We wished we booked a longer stay. When Mother Nature sent us curveballs First Light was there to help. We were booked to cruise Milford Sound but it was flooded so they rearranged and sent us to Doubtful Sound. It was so achingly beautiful with clouds hanging off the lush green fiord hills and the sun and blue sky peeking through, we almost started weeping during the moment of silence.  On our anniversary we were booked to have a heli-ride to Franz Joseph Glazier but the mountain was socked in. No matter, we did local hikes and found Lake Matheson with its majestic peaks reflected in its still waters. And tramping that mountain, all I can say is that was the most physically challenging thing I have ever done in my life. If I wasn’t for our guide (and my husband) I would not have made it through. Finishing that hike was another emotional moment especially with 70 kilometres an hour winds at the summit and being terrified of heights. That made me so brave that we added the bungy jump on our second last day of our trip!

We are definitely planning on returning to tour more of beautiful New Zealand and look forward to working with First Light again.

Joanne Royce & Richard Zahorchak - Canada

Our trip to New Zealand was nothing short of amazing. What a beautiful country! We were lucky enough to spend a month touring both islands, and Christine did an excellent job of listening to my inputs and designing a trip that was just perfect for my husband and me. We cannot say enough good things about First Light Travel or New Zealand.

Elaine & Scott Keller - USA

For us, as first time visitors to New Zealand, booking with First Light Travel took all the hassle out of organising the trip. Christine was great - she gave us a suggested itinerary and then adapted it as we researched places to visit. All our pick-ups, car hires etc went smoothly. When Milford Sound was closed because the road was washed out Christine booked us a trip to Doubtful Sound. Many of the people we met on our travels missed out because they were unable to change tours (as I'm sure we would have been unable to if we had booked our own tour. We loved New Zealand and will visit again.

Mike & Ruth John - Canada

Shelley did a great job for us especially when the weather impacted our plans in Franz Joseph and also Queenstown. She changed our Heli Glacier Hike at short notice and also managed to get us a flight over Milford Sound when all the road access was flooded

Laurie and Sally Berryman - Great Britain

Kia Ora Rhodri,

Just wanted to reach out and thank you for all your help planning our vacation. It was everything we could have hoped for and more. Your services and First Light will come highly recommended by us.

We made this little video that followed our adventure, and we wanted to share it with you.

https://youtu.be/K3GVyEwkKtA

Thanks again,

Erik Reynolds & Liz Kirchhoff - USA

Love love love First Light Travel. Deb Evans was fantastic. Very responsive, trip was so well planned, and information provided was thorough. I can’t wait to return to NZ!

Lisa Norwood & Katrina Martin – Texas USA

Planning this extended vacation without the help of First Light Travel would have been very difficult and certainly not as enjoyable as it turned out. Advise on nights to stay to fully enjoy each destination was excellent and tours added could not have been better.

James & Marcia Carson – Indiana USA

We travelled to New Zealand for three weeks in April 2019 and contacted First Light Travel for assistance with the itinerary, accommodation and car hire. We can't recommend them highly enough. Our agent was Christine and she was, throughout, responsive, courteous, flexible and understood our complex requirements which required wheelchair accessible accommodation, activities and car. When the Fox/Franz Josef bridge collapsed a few days before we were due to leave, Christine contacted us, recommended reversing the itinerary and organised everything. And the bridge was rebuilt just in time! We had a fantastic time, and anything that makes our travel a little easier is so appreciated.

So thank you to Christine and First Light Travel, if we return to NZ we will be in touch!

Moya McFadzean & Sean Cox - Australia

This trip was planned for a very long time for my husband and myself. It had always been a dream of ours to visit New Zealand. Jo at First Light Travel helped us to plan our dream trip. Every excursion and every accommodation was top notch. We could not have asked for a more perfect vacation. The memories will last us forever.

Jim and Pam Butchart - USA