Reviews

Thanks to everyone we met on our journey. We could count on you 24/7. Thanks to all of you for the practical things and the quick responses. It was an unforgettable journey with three generations and a visit to our children. A wonderful country and super nice people. We really enjoyed our stay and made beautiful memories. Thanks for your assistance in organizing our travels and your exceptional service! Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2024! Kind regards, Soetens family.Soetens Family, Belgium

Thank you for everything, Ellen! Our trip has been fantastic! You hit it out of the ballpark in terms of places we stayed, things we did and being so helpful in every way. New Zealand is gorgeous and I have to say, the people are even more stunning with their friendliness and open hearts. We are off to Sydney and then the states. Please let everyone know how appreciative we are for this amazing trip!Weaver Family, United States.

We are now ready for boarding to Sydney and are reflecting on a wonderful travel and discovery of beautiful New Zealand. We can’t even yet believe that we spend here one month, our longest holiday ever! Thank you very much Ellen, Fabienne, Aline and team for organizing a fantastic trip, with the best lodges on superb locations, all the different activities including planned and…last minute helicopter flights! We never had so many flights, but it was 5 (!) times an extraordinary way to see the magnificent national parks. Van Zundert Family, Belgium

We just got removed from our gate along with everyone else for a security sweep, but it’s just made the trip all the more memorable! That’s not to say it wasn’t already a trip of a lifetime but with everything y’all (as we say) put together and arranged for us, the whole thing has just been beyond incredible. We can’t say just how we’ve appreciated your effort!Bill and Pat Katz, United States

Hi Felicity. We want you to know that we did not forget about thanking you for all you did to make the Aotearoa/New Zealand portion of our trip such a wonderful adventure. The people in NZ are also amazing, very warm and friendly everywhere we went and who you connected us with. It was a special trip for us, and we have you and the Ahipara team to thank for your efforts to ensure that.Carol and Jeff, United States

Ellen, thank you so very much for all your help here on the ground in NZ & for all your assistance in our final months of itinerary drafts. Our trip is so memorable in too many ways to recount. Having you, Lynn & Cara readily available to us on the trip gave us great peace of mind & definitely assistance. Have to say, 5 nights at Cabot Lodge was certainly the icing on the cake, as we say, & at the end of a month-long trip was perfect. Thank you, thank you, thank you!Mary Lou Voytko and Joseph Tobin, United States

Hi, Ellen and Gillian! Everyone you connected us with has been stellar! We’ve had an amazing time! Thank you so very much for planning such an amazing experience for us. We had one exceptional adventure after another! We’re so grateful for the care your team has put in to selecting your partners. We’re had an amazing time with all our tour guides while in this stunningly beautiful country.Andrew Dunn and Gina Kieffer, United States

Thanks Ellen and Clare - you have been amazing and amazingly helpful - great job, we very much appreciate it! Thanks so much for everything, you have been amazing as has everything you’ve organised for us. All with wonderful people, all brilliant fun and right up our street - many, many marvelous memories Hammond-Giles Family, United Kingdom

Kia ora lovely team, we are now at the airport. My heart is crying, but we had an amazing time. Time to go home with an almost granddad. Life is too short to be unhappy you know. One laugh a day keeps the doctor away. We will miss you too. Wish you also the best for the future. The organisation was perfect.Peter Soenen and Ann Van Twembeke, Belgium

Thank you for planning such a wonderful trip, for being so incredibly patient and open to feedback, and for going above and beyond. Working with you as our first travel agency has completely spoiled us for the future. We don’t want to think about voyaging without you in the future. Since we hope to return, our fingers are crossed we’ll have the opportunity to spoiled by you in the future. Thank you again!Ana Boksay and Ben Shakal, United States

Hi all, it’s quite hard to board the flight! This morning we were swimming in the sea in the Coromandel and now we're sitting on a plane ready to take off! We have all had the most magical time. So many experiences, incredible scenery, amazing people and of course it was great to meet you JM and Karen and family and of course the brilliant Fabienne! I would like to thank you for creating an amazing introduction to NZ. I feel I have a good understanding and overview of NZ. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2023! Liz. xx Hi Ellen, Fabienne and all at Ahipara. I have absolutely nothing to do with organizing the trip which Liz did with you under your guidance and recommendation, but I could not have enjoyed it more and I had no idea how much NZ had to offer. It was wonderful to have your guidance every step of the way, and the individuals we had at various times as guides were all excellent and interesting, as well as fun. Thanks so much for a great trip and very best wishes for a happy and successful 2023 Roger.Liz Cavell-Taylor and Roger Sharpley, United Kingdom

Thank YOU to all of you for making this a beautiful most memorable and extraordinary trip for all of us. Your attention to detail, accommodations, and kindness is second to none. We had so many experiences that warmed our hearts, blew our minds and just made us fall in love with pretty much everything about your exquisite country. I could go on and on..this was a truly magical experience to say the least. Words don’t do justice, and even pictures couldn’t capture the true magnificence of this country. Thank you for arranging everything and making this trip seamless. We LOVE NZ!!!!!!!! It is sad to leave. Well not so sad since we’re going to Fiji!!Faggen Family, United States

We are at the airport in the lounge and feeling very sad to be leaving. We have had the most fantastic time and are incredibly grateful to you for all your hard work and for looking after us so well. Your ears should have been burning on a number of occasions as everywhere we went people sang your praises and we fully agree! I cannot believe how unbelievably lucky we have been in avoiding floods, cyclones etc. I will take a kayak in the hold any time! Many thanks James & Emma.James and Emma Hussey, United Kingdom

Dear Ellen, Claire and the whole Ahipara Travel team, thank you very much for taking care of us during the whole trip. Your efficiency and great willingness to help gave us a lot of peace of mind knowing that everything was under control. The whole programme was very well thought out. Thanks to it we have seen places we will never forget. As you say Ellen, your country has exceeded our expectations by far!!! We are planning to come back soon and of course we will keep in touch. We return to our country having learned many things, especially from the New Zealanders we have been lucky enough to meet. You can be very proud of your country. Thanks again and see you soon!Maria and Mario Rotllant, Spain

Hi Ellen, back in the groove here in California. Missing all of our fun times in New Zealand though. What a great time I want to come back and do some more fishing and enjoy more of the outdoor life New Zealand has to offer. I did love the wonderful people as well. I’m having a hard time going back through where and what I did and which were my favorites, there was so much. Trip of a lifetime for sure. Thanks for all your help, Mark and Patty.Mark and Patricia Woolpert, United States

Karen, Ellen, and team: The first word that comes to mind is…bravo! I know our family will have many journeys to come, but this one is already the Family Trip of A Lifetime. The plan and all the underlying execution that you and Sandy did for us was just one magical experience after another. We are used to making much more of the arrangements ourselves and on the fly; what all your work did for us not only ensured we had highlight after highlight, but it took away all the stress. That helped create a looong family gathering remarkable for its harmony and joy. For all this we thank you! Consider us big fans and supporters and if we can help in any way please let us know!McCamy-Miller Family, United States

Hey Ellen, Hey Gil! Hey Ahipara Team! We had an incredible journey, thanks to your great planning and support. NZ is such an amazing country! Thank you so much for all your efforts. Ellen, we will definitely miss your great recommendations when we head to Australia. A big, warm thank you from the Andersons!Anderson Family, Germany

Ahipara was great throughout the whole process: pretrial planning, trip support, and post-trip follow-up. Planning: Fabienne added good ideas to our trip wish list. She was also very flexible & responsive to requested changed. Trip support: Support availability every day, and often during off-hours. We had to make a lot of changes due to Cyclone Gabrielle, and they did an excellent job. Post-trip: They worked with us on the final accounting. Also, they provided documentation for our travel insurance claims.Mary Koto Group., United States.

Thanks again for all of the support and help as things needed to be reconfigured given the cyclone, along with our natural questions around activities. We had a wonderful visit and really enjoyed your beautiful country. The Glenorchy flight/ship/flight to Milford Sound was a highlight, as was Skippers Canyon with Beau, the helicopter ride with MacKenzie Helicopters and the Hooker Valley Hike. All of the lodges were great, and we especially enjoyed Pete and Janine at Wild Earth. Not to take anything away from the others (Jason and Rebecca were wonderful at River Birches, as was Jeff and his wife up in Twizel - a really nice setting - plus we really liked the Spire and their associates). In any event, happy to provide whatever feedback would be helpful Thanks again for all of your unceasing support as we drove around unfamiliar territory and explored your great country!George and Bev Blitz, United States

We were so thrilled to work with Ahipara on this holiday. We picked them because they worked exclusively with New Zealand, and because they specialized in one-on-one experiences, and they certainly didn’t disappoint. Their knowledge of the country and attention to every detail was exceptional.Ted Faiella & Lindsay Bosch

Hi Gillian & Leigh-Ann, I know that Greg sent you a follow up email thanking you for your time and efforts to ensure we had a memorable vacation. We certainly did and I cannot say enough about each and every person that we met. Your collaborative “team” is amazing and a testament to the work that you and your coworkers do in building and maintaining network based on relationships of respect and genuine love of what you do and the country you wish to “showcase” to travelers. Please pass on our sincere thanks to each of them (and your Ahipara team) for their time and willingness to share with us their stories and personal knowledge and histories. It was a pleasure to get to know each of them and was as memorable as the beautiful landscapes and experiences we encountered.Martin Family, United States

Dear Gillian Firstly thank you for all your support. Setting up a WhatsApp group chat is a great idea. There was always somebody responding. We really enjoyed the trip. The weather was not as expected but with the exception of the glacier hike, we could make most off what we had planned. It was as at the end a bit long, always eating restaurant food, despite it was always delicious. Concerning the itinerary, one night less in Wanaka would have been enough. One night more in Franz Josef would have increased the chance for the Heli flight. We enjoyed more or less all the lodges. Westhaven, bad luck. We still went to the north end of the Island, which was very nice. Best were Acacia Cliffs Lodge in Taupo, Lake Heron Station, Fiordland Lodge, Fiordland Discovery in Milford and Te Koi – The Lodge at Bronte. But generally all the hosts at any of the places where extremely friendly and supportive. We also met a lot of nice other travellers. The small places and the set up with common cocktails or dinners made it easy to get in contact with others. Overall an exciting trip with many new experiences in a beautiful country. One has to like nature, some sportive activities, good wine and food. Thanks again to the team, we wish you all the best and continuous success with your company Best regards Peter & SusannePeter and Susanne, Switzerland

To start of with, I would like to say that planning, support by and communications with Ahipara have all been outstanding! You have managed to create a fantastic and memorable trip for us that picked up on all the things we love to do, integrated an exciting mix of activities, some of which we would otherwise have had no access to and suggested outstanding accomodation, all of which we were sad to leave, without exception. Communication and reaction time throughout the trip were excellent and way above standard - one of your team was always available, whatever the time of day. Besides this, communication was personal, easy and fun! Reaction time and problem solving was excellent as well - particularly during the incident with the rain storm where you managed to conjure up a great room for us last minute and managed to get the refund from Cabot Lodge. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with all of you! We have spoken to other guests en route, talking about who had been where and was going to go where and on these occasions, people have asked us for your contact information - they all had great trips organized as well but apparently not as great as ours....;)Laila Mourey and Christine Georg, Germany/Denmark

Hi Fabienne, Thank you so much for this feedback and for taking such good care of them. Trust me when I say that your dedication, passion and attentiveness is rare amongst DMCs and every time I make a booking in NZ with Ahipara I have no worries as I know you will assist the travellers exceedingly well. Thank you again! Best, NicoAgent, Lateral Life, London, UK

I have been home for a couple of days now and just wanted to thank you for again doing a marvellous job organizing my travels in NZ. Everything was perfect and completely worry free. The way a good trip should be. Carol and I are also devastated by the horrible news coming out of White Island. We hope that your clients were all safe. Thank care and thanks again. DickDick Wilson, USA

We cannot thank you and Monique enough! We had an incredible time and are truly grateful for the last minute effort to plan an unforgettable trip! We loved experiencing New Zealand in ways we normally wouldn’t have booked for ourselves - helicopters, luxurious stays such as at Lakeside Retreat, and more! The Heliworks tour through Fiorland was probably our favorite experience but so many close seconds! The helicopter, hike, and boat trip was such a unique experience as well! We loved how low key Wanaka was too and the homestay was perfect. We went on some of the prettiest hikes we had ever been on. Bungee and the Nevis Swing were also highlights- once in lifetime experiences! We enjoyed great food and wine throughout the trip too. I am including some photos :) Thank you again!! We really appreciate it.Kylie and Patrick Legare, United States

I wanted to take a moment and express our sincere gratitude to the entire team at AhiPara for making our first (and certainly not last) trip to New Zealand unforgettable. From the moment that we first connected via email, I knew that we had sourced the right travel agency, as AhiPara was incredibly responsive, informative, and adaptable, while working to develop our itinerary. As a small business owner, I always appreciate the "back of the house", if you will. The foundation of business is relationships, and it's evident that AhiPara has spent a tremendous amount of time developing them throughout the country and identifying unique and exclusive experiences for its clients. I would be remised if I didn't call Monique, Leigh Ann, and Fabienne by name, as I will certainly be in withdrawal without our daily banter. I can honestly say that we have developed a friendship with the AhiPara family, and while we are headed back home to the states today, we are dreaming of "tomorrow" back in New Zealand.Christine Herndon, United States

Thank you to Gillian and her team at Ahipara for helping us plan a memorable trip to the magnificent country of New Zealand. It was a lot more complicated to plan a trip to the North and South Islands than we originally had thought. Her knowledge is top notch and she helped us tailor an itinerary that suited our needs, and she was always quick to respond to our many emails. We appreciated Ahipara’s high standards to select which companies to recommend for us. Gillian and her team also communicated with us during our trip and, when necessary, arranged backup experiences because of unpredictable weather. They were also responsive when any issues arose. We would absolutely not hesitate to recommend Gillian and Ahipara. She and her team were outstanding. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting many friendly New Zealanders and seeing the gorgeous landscape from so many perspectives. Highlights included blackwater rafting in an underground cave, a fantastic helicopter ride to Milford Sound, and fast boat and kayak up the Dart River. Don't miss visiting this beautiful country. Thanks again! Leslie and Scott, United StatesLeslie and Scott, United States

Covid-19 - The team at Ahipara are working hard at assisting all of our clients to provide the best outcome for each of them. The following review was received from one of our clients. Hi Gillian: It is really sad that we have been corresponding on and off for just over one year and finally we just ended in a full circle. Lin and I are greatly indebted to you and others in your office who might have participated for your unfailing patience, your knowledge and the promptness with which you responded, and for the courtesy you showed both when at the last minute we concluded that the risk of travel was too high and in unwinding as much of the arrangements as you could. We saw the decree from Prime Minister Ardern and the consequences of that for travel are pretty obvious. It is going to be very tough all round as there is now damage in so many sectors both to the sector and to the people who work in it. We hope as you said that you all come out of this OK. Best of luck, good health and take care Michael and LinMichael and Lin

Hi Fabienne! How’s the injury healing up? I tried to click on the link below for feedback but it didn’t work. I’m happy to copy/paste this if you have a new link? Despite all the Coronavirus mayhem here, we still can’t stop talking about how this was more than a trip for us and you and your team made that possible. We tackled the Ironman, which was so incredible, but the love from New Zealand locals was what really made the experience special for us. Every step of our trip was flawless and stress free and every single Kiwi was friendlier and more helpful than the last. We appreciate the way of life and the kindness because that’s how we always choose to treat people which is not always reciprocated here in the states unfortunately. We can’t say enough about how majestic and beautiful New Zealand is! It’s hard to favorites between Waiheke, Taupo, Queenstown, and the Milford Sound - pictures don’t do it justice but we know we will always have our memories to play back when we need them Eric & Grace, March 2020, United States

Gillian A million thanks, from the bottom of my heart for all your help with this crazy situation. We feel such peace knowing we have a plan for the foreseeable future. Thank you for keeping us up to date with Air NZ as well (a huge relief to the Cowan’s) We feel so fortunate to be in NZ riding out this storm and to have people like you welcoming us and helping us. Hope you and your family are healthy and well prepared for lots of together time. Stay healthy! With gratitude, Ashley and familyAshley Harmon, United States

To all at Ahipara Travel We have just arrived at AKL after our fabulous, but too brief a tour of NZ. We loved every minute. Everything went seemlessly and on time thanks to all of the arrangements which you put in place for us. Thank you for looking after us so perfectly and we look forward to our next visit with you. Off to Fiji now for a much needed week of rest! Best wishes Graham and PennyGraham and Penny, USA

Hi Fabienne, Thanks for the message. Our trip was absolutely wonderful. From start to finish, we would absolutely love to do it all over again. Fiordland Lodge was a dream, our guide Tara was wonderful, and the hiking was phenomenal. JT and Paddy with Prestige were kind, generous and incredibly fun. Those two days blew our minds, from the scenery to the modes of transportation and delicious food. And of course, Split Apple Retreat was perfect. We couldn't have asked for a more wonderful introduction to New Zealand! Thanks again for everything, Ryan and AlexAlex and Ryan, United States

Our trip to New Zealand was one of the most amazing trips we’ve ever had. Lizzy took care of us in such a personal way that it felt like we were family. She took the time to hear what we wanted and we were so spoiled!. The team was always making sure we were comfortable and kept checking on us, giving us restaurant recommendations and were available for us 24/7. Ahipara raised the bar for all the other travel agencies!.Krystal and Don Stelling, United States

Thank you for all your hard work planning an amazing honeymoon for us! We absolutely had the trip of a lifetime! We took over 1900 pictures -- everywhere we turned there was a postcard photo! The itinerary you designed for us was amazing, and the perfect blend of active and luxurious. From the champagne you had for us at the Hilton, to your (daily!) calls to our lodging, to your lighting-fast text responses to us, we're so grateful for all of the little touches, too! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!Ryan & Corey

My wife and I have recently returned from a wonderful 16 day vacation in New Zealand, planned by Ahipara. We are very experienced travelers to many exotic places and found the process of working with Ahipara among the best. With their guidance, we had wonderful experiences with much of what this fabulous country has to offer. From lodging, food and wine, to exploration of the Maori culture, to bird and sea creature watching, to helicopter hiking on Fox Glacier, to a terrific helicopter tour of the Southern Alps – not to mention visiting Middle Earth – the guides and tour providers were excellent. The planning process was very smooth, and they were very flexible in adjusting the initial suggested itinerary to accommodate our timing and budget. Turnaround of itinerary changes and reservations were very prompt. Most importantly, they watched over us during the trip to be sure everything was going smoothly, and made a few adjustments on the fly to accommodate weather issues. I heartily recommend them for a memorable trip to New Zealand.Chris Gebelein

We had a fantastic time in New Zealand! Really appreciated all of your help and responsiveness. You made things really easy. We actually did a seal snorkeling trip yesterday on our "free day" which was another great experience. The Factory was fantastic and the food and accommodations were great. The owners are really nice and we would highly recommend it to other clients you may have in the future. Thanks again for all of your help!Scott & Chloe

I wanted to be sure to take the opportunity to thank you, on behalf of Kathy and I for a job well done! I honestly would not tell you that I wish we had done a single thing differently . When asked what I enjoyed the best , I honestly could not think of a reply . The entire trip was surreally exceptional . You did a fine job of showcasing your beautiful country , its people , culture and history . Thanks again ! You are gifted at your job , and both Kathy and I feel blessed to have found Ahipara and you!!Roy & Kathy

Lizzy - Thought I should write you a quick note while we are waiting at the airport for our flight to Australia. Thank you for all your assistance in planning our trip. Has really been a great trip! Feel like we saw a very good “slice” of New Zealand ... knowing that there is still a lot more to see if we ever get to come back. And if we do get a chance to come back, you will be one of the first people we call! Thanks again, Terry & LaurieTerry & Laurie

We had a wonderful 2 week trip to New Zealand this past February, arranged by Ahipara. We wanted to see a range of places on both islands and especially to learn about the Maori. Fabienne rapidly produced an initial itinerary which included almost all the things we had asked for, with stays at luxury lodges and much of the travel by helicopter. It took only a few adjustments to coordinate with the friends we wanted to visit. The trip was well paced and we loved the variety of activities, but the highlight for us was being able to spend so much time talking with Maori people about their history and culture. We would highly recommend Apihara to anyone planning a vacation in New Zealand.Colin Masson, United States

First, our thanks for a wonderful trip. Your attention to details, and our interests, and the planning that transpired in advance of the trip was excellent. We very much appreciated Leigh-Ann's outreach as soon as we arrived and her responsiveness to our needs as it related to weather and sailing and weather and driving. She was on top of all of our outdoor activities to make certain they were not impacted negatively as a result of the weather. Each of the guides, with one exception, was excellent and that included Mick, Madeleine, Hen, and Erich who were all great. Special kudos to Madeleine who wanted us to enjoy all of the aspects of nature during our walk, and Mick who was a charming and very knowledgeable guide about food and wine. Our guide on Waiheke Island was not particularly good. . She really, despite her efforts, wasn't an expert on food and wine and in the end, was just "annoying." The accommodations were also terrific. Garth and Angie were wonderful at their bed and breakfast/ lodge and getting to know them added a great deal to our experience. They are exceptional hosts. With the exception of the noise on Saturday night we loved the Spire, and got a kick out of the cinema suites. The Hilton was also very comfortable. Getting to know about the Mauri culture became an important part of the trip which we enjoyed immensely. Both Delani and Tom are special men, committed to making the community a better place using the values of their ancestors ...learning about that and them was very interesting. All of the logistics went smoothly, Including the incountry flights and auto pick ups. In sum it was a wonderful trip. We won't hesitate to recommend your agency wholeheartedly. Many thanks. Audrey Weiner and Jeff SolomonAudrey and Jeff, United States

We had a wonderful time on our vacation and we have both you and Leigh-Ann to thank. Our travel, our trips and associated guides, all of our accommodation...it was all great. We appreciated Leigh-Ann keeping us appraised of the weather and its possible influence on our daily activity and also her concern for Rich after his fall. Everyone, was so friendly and informative. You company has chosen their associates very well. They made our visit special. We feel we have had a real adventure vacation and have come home with many glowing tales of your beautiful country, countrymen and your company. Thank you so much......Susan and Wayne FisherSusan and Wayne Fisher, Canada

What an amazing time we had in New Zealand! It was truly the best trip we have ever taken as a family (2 parents, 2 boys ages 18 and 22). We started with a simple email to Ahipara outlining our interests of high adventure with a lot of exposure to the local people and culture. We wanted local lodges owned by proprietors and not big, typical chain hotels. We wante d hikes, helicopters, extreme adventures and memorable experiences. We wanted a bespoke trip that nobody had replicated previously. Marina and Ahipara delivered in EVERY respect! We were not disappointed by a single lodge, activity or encounter on our 10 day trip; on the contrary we are hard pressed to see how it could have been any better. Furthermore, we made in-country adjustments due to weather that required moving things around (including lodging) and Marina was always readily available and super accommodating. That truly helped us make the most of the trip vs. having some disappointments along the way. All-in-all I highly recommend Ahipara for your trip to New Zealand, and if you are wavering on whether to visit New Zealand, DON'T! It is one of the most amazing places you could ever visit. Kent SorrellsKent Sorrells, United States

A World Of Thanks Hello Kim , I hope this correspondence finds you doing well . I wanted to be sure to take the opportunity to thank you , on behalf of Kathy and I for a job well done ! I honestly would not tell you that I wish we had done a single thing differently . When asked what I enjoyed the best , I honestly could not think of a reply . The entire trip was surreally exceptional . You did a fine job of showcasing your beautiful country , its people , culture and history . Thanks again ! You are gifted at your job , and both Kathy and I feel blessed to have found Ahipara and you !!! Sincerely, Bill Silwones and Kathleen MalkiewieczBill Silwones, United States

A helicopter trip to a volcanic island and a private wildlife tour… REGINA OLSHAN | APRIL 7, 2019 I should say I didn’t actually have any contact with Jean Michel beyond the first phone call. But his team member Gillian Buckley did a great job planning our itinerary which resulted in an extremely memorable trip – New Zealand is an amazing country and our trip included highlights like a helicopter trip to a volcanic island and a private wildlife tour where we saw yellow eye penguins and tripped over sea lions. The hotels were all excellent yet I never had the feeling which I occasionally have had with other wow list agents that the itinerary was designed around luxury hotels rather than our interests. As always the more involved in planning you are and the more research you do on your own, the better the trip will be. A great and memorable family vacation. https://www.wendyperrin.com/reviews/jean-michel-jefferson/Regina Olshan, United States