Terms and Conditions

Last updated: 31 March 2025

You must be aged 18 years or over to attend a tour.

You understand and acknowledge that a tour itinerary, and related inclusions and photography opportunities, are subject to many variables including but not limited to environmental conditions which cannot be guaranteed. Where weather, forces of nature, or other circumstances restrict or prohibit tour activities or access to locations, the itinerary may, at our sole discretion, be changed and substituted with alternative activities. ​There are no partial refunds in the event that the tour itinerary, activities or locations are changed.

During a tour you may be photographed or filmed and subsequently appear in promotional material relating to the tour or future tours, including but not limited to use on social media channels, YouTube, and websites. Unless you specifically advise us in writing, you grant us these rights without compensation and waive any inspection or approval rights.

Personal insurances and travel protection coverage are not included in the tour cost. For the reasons stated in other terms and conditions below, we strongly recommended you obtain travel insurance for the tour (at your own cost). The coverage should at minimum cover New Zealand and include Cancellation or Interruption, Medical Expenses, Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, and Baggage.

We are not qualified to answer technical questions about the benefits, exclusions, and conditions of travel insurance plans or existing coverage. If you have any questions about your personal insurances and travel protection coverage, please call your insurer or insurance agent or broker.

Payments

A deposit payment to us is required to reserve your place on a tour. Your place on a tour is not guaranteed until the full balance payment is received by us.

The full balance payment is required no later than 90 days prior to the tour start date. Except as otherwise provided for below, if the full balance payment is not received in this period your reservation and any payments made are forfeit.

As noted above, travel insurance is strongly recommended for attending a tour. It will give you peace of mind in the event of any cancellations by you or us.

Cancellation (withdrawal) by you

All withdrawals need to be advised to us in writing.

If you withdraw from the tour in the period leading up to 90 days prior to the tour start date, and we are able to fill your place in that same period, we will refund you any payments made, less a NZD $400 administrative fee. If we are unable to fill your place in that same period, we will refund you any balance payments you have made but your deposit payment is forfeit.

If you withdraw from the tour during the period between 0-90 days prior to the tour start date, or you withdraw or leave during the tour for any reason, there will be no refunds of any payments made. At our sole discretion, we may credit any payments you have made to another tour.

Cancellation or modification by us

A tour requires a minimum number of participants. In the case of under-subscription we reserve the right to cancel the tour, in which case we’ll refund any payments you have made, less a $400 NZD administrative fee.

We reserve the right to cancel a tour due to unforeseen circumstances. At our sole discretion, any payments you have made will either be credited to another tour or refunded to you, less a NZD $400 administrative fee.

At least 90 days prior to the tour start date, you must make us aware of any medical conditions, health, allergies or fitness related issues that could affect you or other participants during the tour.

If you become sick during the tour, to the extent it is (in our sole judgement) no longer safe for you to continue and/or poses a risk to other participants, you will not be able to continue on the tour and no refunds will be payable.

When undertaking activities on the tour, included walking to photography locations, you are fully responsible for carrying your own camera gear, equipment, food and drink, and any personal medications.

As noted above, travel insurance is strongly recommended for attending a tour. It will give you peace of mind in the event of illness immediately prior to or during the tour.

Many of the locations visited on a tour, in particular those on the public conservation estate (e.g. national parks), may have significant natural, physical, and cultural value. You must act in a responsible and respectful manner towards the environment and other users, including:

• Stay on formed tracks / parking areas
• Not block or hinder other users ability to use the track / parking area
• Keep discussions at conversation noise levels
• To the extent possible spread out and avoid walking or congregating in large groups
• Obey all official warning and guidance signs
• Only use formal toilet facilities
• Carry all rubbish and dispose at an appropriate facility
• Avoid removing or disturbing vegetation and soil
• Avoid disturbing native wildlife
• Ensure clothing and footwear are clean before entering public conservation land.

​Your health and safety is of utmost importance to us. We operate in accordance with an independently audited safety plan that is in full compliance with New Zealand law and regulations (this is available to view at your request). One of your guides is first aid certified and will carry a first aid kit, emergency supplies, and GPS locator beacon.

Notwithstanding this, you accept that by participating in a tour there are inherent risks, hazards, unforeseen circumstances, and dangers. ​These risks and hazards can include but are not limited to being transported to locations in a vehicle, and undertaking walks to locations for photography.

Transportation in vehicles has risks inherent with driving on public highways, roads, and streets. Photography locations and walking tracks may have trip hazards, uneven or unstable surfaces, and obstacles, and may be in proximity to water, fall from heights, and rockfall and avalanche dangers. Unpredictable and volatile weather (heat, cold, rain, wind, and snow) may also be a risk at photography locations.

You accept that by participating in a tour that the potential consequences from these hazards include but are not limited to accident, injury, illness, death, and damage or loss of your equipment and property.

You agree to follow the rules and instructions of our guides. You accept that if you do not follow those rules and instructions, you may be removed from the tour or activity. You may also be removed from the tour or activity for inappropriate behaviours or actions that pose a safety or environmental risk, or disrupt the tour or the rights of other people.

You understand that if you do not follow the rules and instructions of our guides, or otherwise act in a dangerous or unsafe manner, we will not be responsible for any injury, illness, accident, death, and damage or loss of your equipment and property you sustain or cause to others.

During a tour, activities may be provided by third party suppliers such as scenic flight and boat cruise companies. If you choose to participate in these activities you will need to agree to their terms and conditions, follow their rules and instructions, and you accept the inherent risks of participating in those activities.

As noted above, travel insurance is strongly recommended for attending a tour. It will give you peace of mind in the event of any accidents or incidents during the tour.

It is your full responsibility to obtain and carry a valid passport, visa(s) / New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, inoculations, and all other documents required for visiting New Zealand, as well as comply with biosecurity rules. Various online information sources are available; a useful starting resources is https://www.newzealand.com/nz/visas-and-immigration/.

While in New Zealand, you agree to follow and abide by any and all national, regional, and local laws and regulations.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, you hereby discharge and exclude us, from all liability in contract or tort including negligence or for breach of statutory duty or otherwise for any losses, claims, damages, expenses, or costs including without limitation special, incidental, or consequential loss or damage or loss of profits or wasted time incurred directly or indirectly in connection with your tour.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, our total liability in contract, tort (including negligence or breach of statutory duty) arising in connection with a tour is limited to the total payments made by you.

We assume no liability for, any loss, damage, delay, or cancellation resulting in whole or in part from a force majeure condition, including without limitation any unforeseen circumstances or factors that impact negatively on, or hampers, our ability to fulfill any contractual obligations or conditions. In circumstances amounting to force majeure, we will not be required to refund any money to you.

In providing a tour we use third party suppliers for services, including but not limited to transportation, accommodation, restaurants, scenic flights, and boat cruises. We are not responsible for the ownership or operation of services by third party suppliers. You understand and accept that each supplier operates according to their own terms and conditions, which you agree to when you use their service. We assume no responsibility or liability for any delay, change in schedule, loss, injury or damage in connection with any services supplied or not supplied by third party suppliers.