Conqueror Team
PRE TRIP ESSENTIALS
Get these things sorted now…
Having the Conqueror team all together in New Zealand is super exciting, and sharing an experience in the South Island is the perfect way to kick things off.
Below are a few things you’ll need to start thinking about and preparing for before embarking on your trip with us.
Travel Insurance - Get it Now
Travel insurance is compulsary on a Conqueror Adventures trip. We recommend World Nomads for our trips, as their cover includes medical cover, repatriations in emergencies and tour cancellation.
Get in touch with them directly!
You may also have a travel insurer who you have worked with in the past but please remember to make sure they will cover you for our destinations.
Your flights
By now, Tracey, our travel agent, has reserved your flights.
Arnoldo & Sabas – we’ll book your flights as soon as the visa process is completed.
NZ Crew – by now you would have received your flight details Tauranga to Church. Get the Air New Zealand app and load them in!
Getting Physically Prepared
The South Island trip requires a low to moderate level of fitness. While it’s impossible to assess your individual level of readiness to embark on this trip from afar, there are a few general rules that we can apply in order for you to get into great physical shape for the trip.
Practice Hikes – Find some local trails, hike through your town, or just get out and walk. Get used to long walks. Learn where your body struggles and how far you can push yourself. You’ll be amazed at how far you can go once you get used to pushing through the first wave of discomfort.
Training Program (2X per week):
- Hike or take a long walk
- Build up to 2-3 hours with minimal rests
- Choose hilly, uneven terrain whenever possible
- Wear your daypack and slowly increase the weight of its contents to 25lbs over time.
Breaking in your Hiking Boots - Do It Now!
OK, so first things first – even though this is a moderate trip, you’ll need a good pair of hiking shoes, and they’ll need to be able to keep moisture out. They’ll also need to be sturdy enough with good stitching and construction. For unbiased reviews of hiking boots, check out Outdoor Gear Lab’s 2022 hiking boots review: https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/shoes-and-boots/best-hiking-boots
Now go and hike in them, and do it regularly until you leave for the trip. The more you can break in your shoes – i.e. get them moulded to your feet – the better. There’s NOTHING worse than finding that your hiking shoes are giving you blisters or are uncomfortable when you’re halfway through a walk.
Travel Documentation
Visas are currently not required for Australian, US, Canadian or UK/EU passport holders wishing to visit New Zealand. If you are outside these regions, please check with your embassy. You can also check the Visa HQ website for up to date information.
New Zealand’s border opened to international travelers from May 2022.
Bringing Money And Changing Money
The New Zealand Dollar is the official currency of New Zealand. There are ATMs everywhere and it is very easy to exchange foreign currency in cash at Auckland international airport upon arrival. In Christchurch, you’ll have easy access to ATMs, but while on the west coast of the South Island (most of the trip), there are almost no ATMs. Queenstown has a number of ATMs and money changing places.
Having said all that, New Zealand is largely a cashless society where you can use your visa or master credit or debit cards everywhere.
COVID Travel Documentation/Requirements
You’ll need to check with your airline as to what their requirements are regarding covid travel safety.
July 31 2022 Update:
You need to provide proof of vaccination to enter New Zealand if you are:
- not a New Zealand citizen or resident
- not an Australian citizen living in New Zealand
- not a New Zealand citizen or resident and you are transiting New Zealand
- foreign air crew arriving in New Zealand.
Vaccination exemptions
You may be able to get an exemption if you are travelling to New Zealand from a country with no, or limited access to COVID-19 vaccines.
You will need to apply to the Ministry of Health for an exemption, along with evidence of why you need one.
Here are the latest Covid Entry Requirements from the New Zealand Government: https://covid19.govt.nz/international-travel/travel-to-new-zealand-by-air/vaccination-requirements-for-travel-to-new-zealand/
Gear List
Here is our South Island gear list – it might seem a little overkill, but don’t forget, it’ll still be a bit chilly while you’re with us! https://theconqueroradventures.com/south-island-gear-list/
Pre Trip Accommodation and Transfers
Carol has updated you all about pre-trip accommodation for the night of the 23rd of September.
Raul, Lulu, Illinca, Florin and Silvia – here’s your accommodation: https://www.booking.com/hotel/nz/quest-on-manchester.en-gb.html
Tauranga Team: https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/27960901?source_impression_id=p3_1659669367_K2fEHWn53GiNPBQE
We will meet up late afternoon/early evening on the 23rd and I’ll give you guys a short trip briefing over dinner and a drink somewhere TBD.
Transfers
We will update you with transfer options soon.
Dietary and Medical Information
Please fill in our traveler information form so we can accommodate any dietary requirements you may have, and make sure we can put things in place in case you have any important medical information.
