Your A&K program includes many special benefits (largely unavailable from other travel companies) designed to enhance your comfort & enjoyment.

Guaranteed Departures
Departures are guaranteed for all programs once we have confirmed your departure date and received your deposit (except for the "Natural Playground" tours, each of which require a minimum of six passengers to operate). We except only circumstances of force majeure or events beyond A&K's control.

Special Hotel Rooms
Most companies book "run of the house" rooms in hotels. In almost every case, A&K specifies a special category of hotel room for their guests. For example, in Sydney they use deluxe harbour view rooms as the minimum standard at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney to provide you with unsurpassed views of sparkling Sydney Harbour.

Pre-Registered Rooms
A&K includes pre-registration on all its New Zealand and Australia programs so travellers may have immediate access to their rooms on arrival. Where departing flight schedules dictate, A&K also includes dayrooms on the last day of the tour.

Step Behind the Scenes
Experiences that few tourists ever encounter. A&K's goal in Australia & New Zealand is to show you something extra, something special. You won't just visit the Sydney Opera House, you'll go on a private guided tour. You won't just dine in a Queenstown restaurant, you'll dine in the home of a local "Kiwi" host.

Special Charter Flights
Where necessary, A&K does not hesitate to charter private aircraft to streamline the itinerary and maximize your time.

Cultural Events
Tickets to the opera, concerts and theater are easy to arrange. We can assist with information about performances in major cities on your itinerary. If you would like to attend a performance during your visit, make sure you inquire when you make your tour reservation.

Gratuities
All gratuities are included for drivers and local staff. We exclude only your A&K guide and staff on the Great South Pacific Express, as we believe these are best left to the discretion of the individual client.

A&K People Down Under
A&K's most precious asset is its people. They not only offer a depth of experience and creativity in designing itineraries, but they provide security to our guests in A&K offices around the world. It is the A&K person on the ground that makes the difference. Our unique worldwide network means that almost everywhere you go Down Under, a knowledgable A&K staff member who knows your itinerary is there should you need assistance.

What makes travelling with Abercrombie & Kent in Australia and New Zealand so special? They've combined their 40 years of experience with their own personal knowledge of the elements necessary for a truly outstanding holiday in the Southern Hemisphere.

"On-site" professionals
in the Abercrombie & Kent Australia and New Zealand offices work under the direction of Managing Director, Brad Horn. Each itinerary planner travels frequently and extensively throughout the region, critically checking that everything is up to A&K's exacting standards, and seeking out new special places and experiences.

Special Skill in Itinerary Design
With more than 18 years of experience in Australia & New Zealand, A&K knows how important it is to choreograph the sequence of your itinerary. Not only do the programs follow a logical order, but your knowledge and appreciation of the country will grow with each exciting day.

Special Sightseeing Experiences
Whereever possible A&K tries to give you experiences that few tourists ever encounter. A sail in Auckland Harbour on an America's Cup yacht. Lunch with a farming family in rural Victoria where the superfine Merino wool breeding goes back more than 100 years. An unforgettable private 4WD tour into a World Heritage listed rainforest. And a breathtaking scenic flight by float plane over the Great Barrier Reef.

Special Dining Experiences
A&K guests frequently comment on the imaginative venues, outstanding quality of the food, and the excellent wines they enjoyed everywhere Down Under. Award winning restaurants, elegant private homes, stylish yachts, open-air picnics and romantic dinners under the tropical stars all make for unforgettable memories.

Specially Selected Transport
We enure that you'll always travel in the most efficient and comfortable style - from the air-conditioned minibus to an exhilarating jetboat ride. The best coaches available throughout Australia & New Zealand are carefully selected and the drivers are hand-picked, not only for their safe driving ability, but their cheerful personality and willingness to assist.

Optional Activities Abound
in Australia and New Zealand, with possibilities ranging from golf and fishing, to special cruises and flightseeing expeditions, bungy jumping and skydiving. All of the A&K programs include leisure time to enjoy these exciting ways to personalize your holiday. Options are listed in each day by day itinerary; they are subject to seasonality and availability, and occassionally incur additional cost.

Who wants to be part of a crowd? Certainly not discerning A&K travellers who value the personal touch and intimate experience of being part of a select few.

Unlike most other tour companies, A&K's maximum group size is 24 guests and the limit is as low as 16 on some of the programs.

Why have A&K established such stringent size restrictions? Simple. They value the quality of the experience that participants in their programs enjoy. Nothing has so great an effect on the all-important "atmosphere" of a trip as the size of the group with which you travel.

Small Groups
Allow your escort to get to know you on a person-to-person basis and they allow you to enjoy less-visited corners of the world without bringing your own crowd along. You don't get lost in the 'shuffle', and escorts, guides, waiters and all other service people are always right on hand to help.

Stretch Out & Relax
On the road you'll not only travel in the most efficient and best available style for every environment and activity on your itinerary, you'll also have room to stretch out and relax as you go. Small groups eliminate the need to "shoe horn" travellers into transport vehicles, and all have extra seating (and room to stow hand baggage) over and above our passenger's needs.

Closed Doors Open
Small groups often gain access to unusual sightseeing stops, such as working farms and home visits that are generally inaccessible to large groups. Travelling in a small group makes it possible to step behind the scenes for a glimpse into an Australia or New Zealand that most visitors miss.

Abercrombie & Kent can take you anywhere you want to travel, whenever and however you'd like to explore

If one of the Private Travel itineraries suggested on these pages isn't perfect for you, simply ask us for an alternative. A&K's experts can easily create a tailor-made, one of a kind program designed just for you. Private independent travel has been an A&K specialty since 1962.

Travel alone, with your spouse, or with a small group of family or friends. By air, road or rail. With a guide to accompany you throughout, or local experts who'll show you the sights of the destinations you've chosen to visit.

We can help design an itinerary based on your personal specifications, with as much or as little support as you like from the A&K network of guides and services.

With its regional experts and on-site offices around the globe, A&K offers a world of possibilities for Private Travellers. Whereever your dreams can take you, Abercrombie & Kent is there.

Calling All Young Explorers
Every child between 6 and 17 years old, travelling on any A&K brochure program, automatically becomes a member of A&K's Young Explorers. The fun begins with the Kit each child receives before the trip begins - and continues with unique gifts and surprises overseas. At home, a web site offers learning games and creativity contests to keep the Young Explorers spirit alive.

Small Groups

When you and your family travel with A&K, there's nothing for you to do but have fun

We've already researched the travel programs, arranged for airport transfers, found the right hotels and restaurants, and hired a friendly, enthusiast guide. So you're free to enjoy the world with your family - all day, every day - on an itinerary designed to appeal to all generations.

A&K guarantees departures on family tours to ensure that a last minute tour cancellation won't disrupt your plans and make you wait for the next school holiday to travel.

A&K caters to families on all seven continents of the world. Their family holidays include special activities and points of interest chosen with young travellers in mind.

Small group travel is synonymous with A&K - and never more important then on a family trip. Their guests appreciate deserve personal attention, an always accessible escort and the freedom to experience the world as unique individuals.

An exceptional escort is critical to the success of any trip, and A&K's experienced, enthusiastic professionals know how to make the sights interesting for everyone, of every age.

Be as active as you choose to be, in exotic destinations far and wide, and "come home" at the end of each day to the best accommodations and service available.

That's A&K Active in a nutshell.

It's always been A&K's goal - their pleasure - their obsession - to find the very best ways to explore the most remote and exotic corners of the world. Today, that often includes travel with an emphasis on active, more intrepid and more personally challenging activity.

For many travellers, in all age groups, traditional touring just isn't enough anymore. If you don't want to be shown the world - if you prefer to participate in it instead - A&K active are the trips for you.

Comfortable nights are welcome respite after a challenging day. Unique hotel, lodge and camping choices always give you the best available accommodations, in the remote wilderness areas of New Zealand or the Australian Outback.

Departures are guaranteed, for a minimum of six passengers once a date's been confirmed and your deposit is received.

For more information on any of the fabulous A&K South Pacific Tours drop us a note or call Rex Travel at 800-777-7739