NZ LOTR Tour Reviews

Thank you Heidi for collaborating with us on what was one of the greatest international destinations we have ever visited. We felt totally comfortable and prepared with all of the detailed information you provided us. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and cannot wait to return to New Zealand again.

I recently booked a 12-day LOTR road trip in New Zealand with First Light Travel, and I couldn't be more impressed with their service. From start to finish, the entire process was seamless and well-organized. They took care of everything-including car rental, accommodations and activities-which allowed me to simply enjoy my trip without any stress.

Heidi Gillingham was very responsive and provided an excellent amount of detail and description in the whole holiday. All questions were answered promptly. Everything booked was confirmed on arrival, no hiccups which helped with the enjoyment of the trip

There is an advantage to using a local travel agency to assist in planning a trip to an area that you are not familiar with. While you can research on your own, it's likely you would miss something memorable. Our two week+ self-drive tour of the South Island really was marvelously executed. The timing of the stops, hotels, and activities was well thought out. We did a fair amount of coastal cruises, wine tasting, wine tasting, helicopter flights, the whole thing. Most everything was small groups, and sometimes just by ourselves with a guide. No big buses. Highly recommended.

I can't say enough good things about First Light Travel! We worked with Marcella who helped us create our dream custom itinerary for our 2 week honeymoon. She was very patient, knowledgeable, and quick to respond. Once we actually got to New Zealand, all of our expectations were exceeded when it came to hotels, excursions, and other recommendations. We felt very well taken care of and didn't have to worry about a thing other than enjoying ourselves! This was the trip of a lifetime and we are so grateful for the help.

Thank you Kirsty! We had a blast. New Zealand is a stunning country and the first country my husband wants to return to very soon. It was a perfect celebration of his 60th birthday. It was a seamless few weeks, well though out and given us many fond memories.

First Light Travel made booking a big trip for two families of four, travelling together from Australia, a breeze. We found an itinerary online from First Light which was close to what we were thinking, then reached out to and worked with Bernadette and Katarina to tweak and fit in everything we wanted. They took care of all the bookings, which was too overwhelming to do on our own! The accommodation selections were great, recommended tours and activities all enjoyed and the trip was hassle free. We absolutely loved our South Island adventure, thank you!

We've used several companies over the years to travel with and First Light Travel is among the top travel agencies that we have experienced. Our time in New Zealand was almost magical due to their planning. Everyday was like a new adventure to experience and we looked forward to the variety of activities that were scheduled.

When we started planning our honeymoon, we quickly realized we had no idea how to plan an epic vacation. Gina and the First Light team put together an excellent itinerary that catered to our preferences and turned it into our favorite trip ever! The time spent in each location was perfect, and coincidentally helped when we ran into a few weather related reschedules. For the price, everything exceeded our expectations! We loved it all, but we especially loved the day in Milford sound with the scenic flight back. We also loved the franz Josef helicopter, the steamboat ride & dinner. There wasn’t a bad activity on the itinerary.

I recently had the pleasure of booking a trip to New Zealand with First Light Travel, and I can say without a doubt that it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. The decision to travel with them was an easy one, primarily due to how simple and efficient the planning and booking process was. Everything was seamless, and their responses to my inquiries were always prompt, relevant, and accurate, which made the entire journey feel smooth and stress-free.

The itinerary provided was spot on and tailored to my interests. I felt well-informed and prepared throughout the trip, with all the details I needed laid out clearly. One highlight of the trip was Rotorua, where I had the chance to explore the hot springs and geyser areas. It was absolutely amazing—such a unique experience that I'll remember for years to come.

The activities suggested were a perfect fit for me, and I didn't come across any that I didn't enjoy. The accommodations were great, just as I expected, and the transport was all very convenient. One minor hiccup I encountered was driving around Auckland, especially with the ongoing construction and one-way streets. While it wasn’t ideal, I understand there’s not much that can be done about that.

As for the value, I can confidently say the service I received represented excellent value for money. It was a great trip, and I truly appreciated how First Light Travel managed the details.

The only small suggestion I’d have is for them to include restaurant recommendations in the itinerary. The hotel we stayed at wasn't particularly helpful in that regard, and having a few go-to dining spots would have been helpful.

All in all, I had a wonderful time, and I would absolutely recommend First Light Travel to friends, family, or colleagues planning a trip to New Zealand.