Going Hiking in New Zealand? Things you should know before booking...
What can you expect on your hiking trip?
We believe that a large part of the enjoyment and satisfaction a person derives from being out in
the bush is being, or learning to be, more self-reliant. Part of our mission is to help customers learn
to love the outdoors, and how to do things for themselves. It gives us a great deal of satisfaction
to be a part of this process, and we thoroughly enjoy showing customers whatever they need or want to
learn, be it cooking a meal on a gas stove, or how to cross a river, or map-reading skills, amongst
many others – it doesn’t matter how little or how much you know!
So, expect to do most things yourself – we guarantee you’ll enjoy it, and we’ll bend over
backwards to help you. Most of all, expect our hiking guides to be friendly, helpful, patient and
knowledgeable, with a great sense of humour!
Booking & Enquiring about our guided hiking trips
If you’d like to do a hiking trip with us, or enquire about one, don’t hesitate to contact us right away! On receipt of your enquiry we will immediately e-mail or post you one of our booking forms. Please fill in the details required, and e–mail or post the completed form back to us. On receipt of your completed booking form, we will immediately confirm receipt, and send you a checklist for gear and items required for the hiking trip booked for.
Languages
We are fluent in English, Dutch and Afrikaans, and reasonable in German. Also a little Spanish and French (very basic), and will do our best if you have difficulty with English.
Hiking Fitness
Please carefully read the descriptions of the hike you’re interested in, and make sure that your fitness is sufficient to cope with the described requirements. Choosing a hiking trip that is beyond your capabilities turns what should have been a great experience into more of an ordeal, not only for yourself, but also for your hiking companions. Remember that on our hikes you are not expected to prove anything! If in doubt, choose an easier hike to start with – you’ll still have a great time!
Weather
The weather in New Zealand’s oceanic climate can be very changeable, and HBHT reserves the right to cancel or change any hike if, in the Senior Guide’s opinion, your safety may be at risk as a result of a bad weather forecast. Safety is not negotiable – our reputation and business depends on it! However, if feasible, and acceptable to you as the customer, we may suggest an alternative hiking trip where the weather is less of a factor or risk to safety. If the weather really turns to custard, and a hike is out of the question, we may be able to offer a local tour, i.e. Central Hawke’s Bay has a number of interesting boutique wineries, which are well worth a visit.
Snacks & Meals
As stated in the hike descriptions, snacks and meals as described are included in the price. However you are welcome to supply all or part of your own meals if you prefer – in this case please enquire about options or combinations available.
Transport
Included in the price of each hiking trip is the cost of transport from & to your place of residence in either
Waipukurau, Waipawa, Dannevirke, Hastings and Napier. This includes smaller towns and locations in
between these towns, and situated within 5km either side of from State Highway 2. We can pick up from other locations,
with prior agreement on an acceptable additional fee.
It would be very helpful (and time and cost saving for HBHT) if you are able to meet us in Waipukurau
for hiking trips nearby, or south of, Waipukurau. In this case we are happy to negotiate a reduction in price
to compensate – please enquire!
Our guides are also happy to accompany you in your own vehicle (if a group booking) if you wish, and
HBHT will be happy to negotiate a price reduction for this beforehand.
Hiking Gear
On receipt of a booking, we will send you a checklist of items needed for the relevant hike. Delete those that HBHT supplies as part of the package, or that you have hired. Please ensure that all other items are packed, and use the checklist to tick each item as it is packed. The checklists have been carefully compiled to ensure your safety and enjoyment on a hike. Please double-check before departure!
Health
If you have any allergies (particularly to insect bites & stings) or medical conditions (such as asthma) which require prescription medicines to control, please advise us beforehand, and don’t forget to note the details on our booking form. It is very, very important that you bring these medicines along, again for your own safety, and for that of the other group members. HBHT reserves the right to cancel any hike if a customer forgets to pack their medicines – we will check, and request you to produce them, prior to the start.
Prices
Our prices are all-inclusive. What you see is what you pay, with no hidden extras - they include snacks,
meals, transport and taxes. Discounts are available as described on this page, and we are also happy to
negotiate a discount for group bookings – please enquire!
Payment can be made either in cash, by cheque (with identification) or by credit card (MasterCard or
Visa), prior to the start of the hiking trip. Please indicate the preferred method when booking.
Cancellation Policy
We understand that there are many valid reasons for cancelling, and therefore do not have any penalty clauses for late cancellation. We believe that most people with a love of nature and the outdoors are nice and considerate, and aware of the planning and preparation required for a hike. We therefore rely on customers giving us reasonable notice of at least 48 hours if they can’t make it. Thank you!