Highlights of Australia & New Zealand
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Get your fill of world-defining landscapes and culture in this pair of sun-soaked countries.
Aussie or Kiwi? The Land Down Under or the Land of the Long White Cloud? When trekking to Oceania, you shouldn’t have to choose between visiting Australia or New Zealand—so we wrapped both into one itinerary. On this tour, you’ll get a good look at the finest these two countries have to offer (think: the teeming waters of the Great Barrier Reef and the peak-framed panorama of Fiordland National Park). And if you want to fully recharge before returning to real life, tack on the extension to Fiji.
Your tour package includes
- 12 nights in handpicked hotels
- 12 breakfasts
- 2 lunches
- 4 dinners with beer or wine
- 7 sightseeing tours
Included highlights
- Carlton Gardens
- Great Barrier Reef
- Sydney Opera House
- Gondola ride up Bob’s Peak
- Fiordland National Park cruise
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Day-by-day itinerary
Print itineraryBegin your journey to Australia. While flying over the Pacific Ocean, you’ll cross the International Date Line and “lose” a day, jumping ahead one date on the calendar. (Don’t worry: You’ll more than make it up while on tour!)
Keep flying toward Australia. Soon enough, you’ll be landing in...
You’ve made it Down Under! Say hello to your Tour Director at the airport, then transfer to your hotel. You’ll have some time to freshen up before meeting the rest of your group at this evening’s welcome dinner. Enjoy your meal, served with beer or wine, and get excited for the beginning of your adventure.
Your tour starts in earnest with a guided tour of Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city and capital of the state of Victoria. Let your Tour Director steer you through town, pointing out and popping into major sites as you go.
- Explore the Carlton Gardens, a beautiful splotch of green on the fringes of the Central Business District. Prized for its Victorian landscape design, the park features lush lawns, flower beds, and plenty of trees, both domestic and European. The Gardens’ biodiversity landed them on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and their shaded walkways make them a symbol of Melbourne.
- Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral—recognizable by its soaring central spire, elegant Gothic architecture, and dark walls crafted from local bluestone—before moving on to the Shrine of Remembrance. Based on a pair of ancient Greek monuments, this classical memorial honors Australians who have served their country in war.
- Pass the ever-flowing Yarra River and the Sports and Entertainment Precinct. The latter befits Melbourne’s status as Australia’s cultural capital: It fits six world-class stadiums onto close to 100 acres of riverfront real estate and hosts the annual Australian Open tennis tournament.
- Stroll through Queen Victoria Market, the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere, and peruse its stalls selling everything from vegetables to Australian specialties.
End your day on an adorable note by adding our optional excursion to the Phillip Island Penguin Parade. If you’d rather explore on your own, stick to the nature theme and head to the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. How many of its 50,000 plants can you spot in one visit?
Phillip Island Penguin Parade
From $159 per person
Leave Melbourne and board a flight bound for Cairns—the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Transfer to a hotel in the region and prepare to take a close-up look at one of the Natural Wonders of the World.
As the largest coral reef system on the planet, the Great Barrier Reef has long fascinated the world. Take a full day to explore it with your Tour Director and see it in all its majesty.
- Make the drive to Cairns Marina, where you’ll trade your bus for a catamaran. Once everyone has boarded, sail to Michaelmas Cay—a sandy islet surrounded by turquoise waters—with a marine biologist.
- Sip on some tea as they explain the reef’s unique ecosystem, then plunge beneath the surface and admire the technicolor coral up close as you snorkel. (If you’d prefer to stay dry, your boat has a glass bottom, letting you see everything from the comfort of your seat.)
- Return to your catamaran for an included buffet lunch, then finish your day in the sun with a glass of sparkling wine and settle in for the cruise back to Cairns.
Please note: Snorkeling equipment will be provided.
Today, board a flight back south. Your destination: Sydney! Touch down, transfer to your hotel, and dust off your travel day before reconvening for an included dinner.
With its mesmerizing interplay of hills, waterways, and skyscrapers, the “Harbour City” of Sydney always puts on a show—whether it’s your first or fifth time visiting. After breakfast, join your Tour Director for a guided tour of this bucket list mainstay and discover why it’s one of the most pleasant places in the world.
- Pass the buzzing waterside district of Darling Harbour and the lush Royal Botanic Gardens in the city center.
- See The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest colonial neighborhood, and stop at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair—a bench carved into sandstone in the early 1800s—to admire the view of Sydney Harbour Bridge.
- Soak in the sunny sights of world-famous Bondi Beach and its iconic Bondi Icebergs Club—with swimming pools perched over the ocean so that crashing waves splash up into them—and the Gap, a dramatic dip in the cliffs of Watsons Bay.
- Enter the National Opal Collection and peruse its extensive assortment of Australia’s national gemstone. Each iridescent stone demands attention, but our favorite exhibit showcases opalized fossils.
- Step inside the UNESCO-listed Sydney Opera House—the 14-masted building that has graced photos and films since 1973—with a local guide and admire the architecture of this global icon from within.
For a delightful dinner served with a helping of sweeping city views, book tonight’s optional harbor cruise. Alternatively, pop into a fish and chip shop, order your meal to-go, and eat as you bask in the sunset on one of Sydney’s beaches.
Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise
From $149 per person
Today’s at your leisure, which gives you a few options. For a more structured day, add our optional outing to the Royal Botanic Gardens—the oldest green space of its kind in Australia—and learn more about its history and importance to the Gadigal Aboriginal people. Or, strike out on your own and get to know Sydney’s cultural scene. The Australian Museum (the fifth-oldest natural history museum in the world) is a must, as is the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Royal Botanic Gardens & Bush Tucker Tour
From $125 per person
This morning, say “goodbye” to Australia and “g’day” to New Zealand as you fly to the resort town of Queensland. After landing, take the afternoon to get your bearings. Look all around you: Soaring mountain ranges surround this town of 29,000 people. Wherever you go, there’s a photo waiting to be snapped.
Before the sun sets, meet up with your fellow travelers once again and take the Skyline Queenstown Gondola 1,500 feet up to Bob’s Peak. From this vantage point, you’ll have unfettered views of The Remarkables and Walter Peak, as well as Lake Wakatipu in the distance. Soak it all in as the sun dips below the horizon.
Today, head east with your group to the historic settlement of Arrowtown. Founded in 1862 at the height of the Otago Gold Rush, the township still has its old-timey charm, courtesy of the well-preserved period buildings lining its main avenue. Beyond its principal street, you’ll find the Chinese Settlement, a collection of restored, rough-and-tumble huts that once sheltered the town’s immigrant population.
Afterward, return to Queenstown for a free afternoon. Continue your trek through time by booking the afternoon’s optional excursion and cruise to the base of Walter Peak aboard the steamship TSS Earnslaw. Or, to slow things down and return to the present, enjoy some solo relaxation at the Onsen Hot Pools. (Cedar-lined soaking tubs with epic mountain views? Yes, please.)
Walter Peak: Lake Cruise & Lunch
From $125 per person
Walter Peak: Lake Cruise & Dinner
From $129 per person
Get an early start today and make your way through Fiordland National Park. At roughly 4,900 square miles, it’s New Zealand’s largest national park, and every inch of it is packed with breathtaking scenery. (And yes, there are plenty of fjords—or “fiords” as the locals spell it—throughout, interspersed with rivers, rainforests, and more.)
- Roll along the farmland of Five Rivers and past Lake Te Anau. Opening onto three inland fjords, the lake is the largest on New Zealand’s South Island and marks the beginning of the Fiordlands.
- Pass through beautiful beech forests and more glimmering lakes before arriving at the Homer Saddle mountain pass. There, you’ll drive through Homer Tunnel, a three-quarter mile cut through the snow-capped peaks of the Darran Mountains.
From there, it’s just a short drive to Milford Sound. Leave your bus behind and transfer to a boat for an included lunch, paired with a relaxing cruise along calm waters. You’ll get a good look at Mitre Peak, too, looming more than 5,500 feet above the sound.
Finally, head for land, drive back to your hotel, and pack for tomorrow morning’s flight to the North Island city of Auckland.
After breakfast, go to the airport and fly to Auckland. Squeezed between two natural harbors, the “City of Sails” stuns with its coastal scenery and cosmopolitan culture. Let your Tour Director show you around and get a taste of Kiwi life through the city’s highlights: Mount Eden, the emerald-enveloped cone of a dormant volcano; the Sky Tower, the second-tallest freestanding structure in the Southern Hemisphere; and the Auckland Domain, a vast public park tucked into a crater left by an age-old eruption.
Afterward, join your group on an optional excursion to the Sky Tower and see what Auckland looks like from 52 stories up. You could also spend the evening at your leisure, either relaxing in your hotel room or walking along a seaside promenade.
Auckland Sky Tower & Dinner
From $105 per person
Make the most of your last full day in New Zealand by hopping on a boat and taking our optional outing to vineyard-dotted Waiheke Island. (And yes, you’ll get to sample more than just the scenery!) Alternatively, stay on the North Island and check out some more must-see spots in the city proper. If you’re looking for recommendations, you can’t go wrong with the Auckland War Memorial Museum or One Tree Hill.
Later, celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner served with beer or wine.
Waiheke Island
From $145 per person
Transfer to the airport for your flight home—or extend your stay with some well-earned rest and relaxation on the island paradise of Fiji. Ample free time punctuated by snorkeling and cultural excursions? Sounds like a good time to us.
Transfer to the airport—but instead of flying home, you’ll soar through the skies en route to Nadi, a town on the main Fijian island of Viti Levu. Once you arrive, transfer to your seaside hotel and find the best place to savor the ocean breeze.
Fill up with breakfast, then plan your next moves. For a more active schedule, take up our excursion to Tivua Island and fill your day with snorkeling, sailing, and sunshine. For something more restful, hang back at your hotel and make full use of its amenities (like the immaculate beaches that front the waters of the Pacific).
Tivua Island Sailing & Snorkeling
From $125 per person
Your final day on tour looks similar: Either laze away the hours in beachside bliss or opt into an excursion and let us plan an outing for you. If you choose the latter, you’re in for a treat. You’ll strike out for Viseisei, one of the oldest settlements in the country, and dive into Fijian culture, complete with a welcome ceremony and a kava tasting.
This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers and celebrate a trip well-spent.
Fiji Village Visit: Indigenous Culture & Traditions
From $95 per person
Spend the afternoon relaxing in a dayroom, then transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Book for just $99 down
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Reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall rating 4.5 out of 5
5 out of 5 stars
Our tour director, Ronan, was exceptional. The itinerary provides a great overview of the highlights of Australia and New Zealand. Ronan offered numerous optional excursions above and beyond those offered at the time we booked the tour. Each of those excursions was outstanding. The hotels and co...
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delight...
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars
Traveler photos
Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.This historic and elegant hotel is located in the central business district of Melbourne off of Flinders Street. Guests enjoy the on-site restaurant, ...
This centrally located hotel is located on the Cairns Esplanade. Guests enjoy a heated pool, free Wi-Fi, and a restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find the Esp...
This classic hotel is located in the Docklands. Guests enjoy WiFi, a fitness center, and spa. Nearby, you'll find Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, Eureka ...
This contemporary hotel is located steps away from Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown. Guests enjoy the outdoor terrace, fitness center, and bar featuring lo...
This comfortable hotel is located in the Sudima neighborhood of Auckland. Guests enjoy the on-site coffee house, fitness center, and restaurant. Nearb...
This beachfront complex is located on Fiji's Denarau Island. Guests enjoy the lagoon style pools, a variety of dining options, and the luxury spa. The...
Flights
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
- Find out more about flights
FAQ
Print FAQ- In order to enter Australia and New Zealand (and the Republic of Fiji on the tour extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
- U.S. and Canadian passport holders must purchase an individual visa from the Australian government’s Electronic Travel Authority website immi.homeaffairs.gov.au prior to departure.
- U.S. and Canadian passport holders must purchase an individual visa and pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy on the New Zealand government’s Electronic Travel Authority website nzeta.immigration.govt.nz prior to departure.
- U.S. and Canadian citizens are automatically issued a visa upon arrival in Fiji (on the tour extension).
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code ANE.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Melbourne and depart from Auckland (or Nadi on the tour extension).
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost if they are arriving or departing on the standard day.
- When you arrive in Melbourne, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
- This is a moderate physical activity-level tour. You can expect casual walks and plenty of time to explore throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a brisk-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- Most days full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
- Most transportation by motor coach
- Some transportation by plane and boat
- Daily bus time varies and can be lengthy
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 2 miles per day- this includes city streets, cobblestones, stairs, and hills.
- Entry/exit from the Sydney Opera house requires 100 stairs each way
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
Climate Considerations
- Travelers can expect a wide variety of climates on this tour from warm, tropical climates by the Great Barrier Reef to cooler, rainy climates in Southern New Zealand
- Countries visited on this tour are in the Southern hemisphere so their seasons are opposite of those in North America
- Summer months are considered December- February, while winter is June - August
- The wet season in Fiji is from November-April. Days consist of brief but often heavy rains
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team. We’re here to help!
- This tour includes various modes of transportation, including boats, planes, and motor coaches. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
- Boat rides to the Great Barrier Reef and on Milford Sound are included in the price of your tour.
- Flights from Melbourne to Cairns, Cairns to Sydney, Sydney to Queenstown, and Queenstown to Auckland are included in the price of your tour. (The tour extension also includes a flight from Auckland to Fiji.)
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and included flights.
- A checked bag may not be included in your airline ticket.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at airports and hotels.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may also wish to pack a swimsuit, as there are opportunities to swim on tour.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- The Australian sun is very hot. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
- Travelers prone to seasickness may want to take special precautions for the boat rides on tour.
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- We recommend packing your Insurance Card (from your primary insurance provider) in your carry on luggage.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm.
- Accommodations are typically three to four star hotels.
- All accommodations include a private bathroom.
- Most rooms will include a safe for valuables.
- Your hotels will have Wifi, but it may be limited to common areas.
- Elevators in hotels are not guaranteed.
- Some hotels on this tour require travelers to walk with their luggage a few blocks as buses cannot drop travelers off right out front.
- We cannot guarantee that your hotel accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with the hotel once they are confirmed about 30 days prior to departure.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- Take proper care with sun exposure, as the sun can be especially strong in some of the regions on this tour.
- If you choose to go swimming, be careful of powerful surf. Make sure to obey signs and lifeguards’ orders, and always swim between the marked flags.
- Travelers prone to seasickness should note that this tour includes boat rides.
- The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code ANE.
- This tour includes 2 lunches and 4 dinners. Included meals may be plated set menus, buffet or family style depending on the location. Dinners include one glass of beer, wine, or soft drink and water, coffee and tea.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- Australian menus emphasize high-quality steaks and lamb chops, though meat pies are also popular. Regional specialties include shellfish (such as Sydney rock oysters and crabs) and smoked sausages brought to South Australia by German settlers. The national beverage is beer, and a visit to an Aussie pub is a popular pastime, but the country’s wines are also superb.
- In New Zealand, there are many good local varieties of seafood, excellent lamb and fresh fruits, including kiwi and passion fruits. For lunch, tea rooms serve savory meat pies, quiche, and desserts.
- On the tour extension, Fijian cuisine is traditionally healthy and fresh, incorporating local seafood, coconut, pineapple, and tubers such as taro.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use the Australian dollar and the New Zealand dollar on this tour (plus the Fijian dollar on the tour extension).
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers.
- To ensure you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend you download the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. The app is free and provides important deadlines, entry requirements, your detailed itinerary, packing tips and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the chat feature in the app.
- Wifi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wifi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director in Australia and New Zealand.
- You will have a different Tour Director for your tour extension in Fiji than on your main tour.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- While in Australia, you'll travel through Australian Eastern Standard Time (15 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time).
- New Zealand is 17 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time.
- Fiji (on the tour extension) is 16 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time.
- When it’s noon on Monday in New York, it’s 2 am on Tuesday in Cairns and 5am in Queenstown (and 4am in Fiji on the tour extension).
- Please note, some regions of Australia do not observe Daylight savings time
- When you travel with EF Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit, and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can make an enormous socio-economic impact to communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at local businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: be aware of the monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market, learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette, and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- EF Go Ahead Tours encourages our travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single use plastics. You can avoid single use plastics by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
- Environment: On this tour, we recommend the use of a reusable water bottle, as the local drinking water is safe for travelers. Your Tour Director can provide additional guidance on local water standards. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastics.
- Environment: When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
- Environment: To protect the delicate reef ecosystems, make sure to use reef-safe sunscreen.
- Animal Welfare: Take the philosophies of World Animal Protection to heart during included tour activities and your free time. Do not touch, do not feed, and maintain a respectful distance from wild animals. Wild animals encountered on tour should be able to exhibit natural forms of behavior. If you feel we are not meeting these commitments, please share your feedback with us.
- Animal Welfare: Avoid buying any exploitative wildlife products such as tortoise shell or shark fin soup.
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4.5 out of 5 stars