"This holiday was one of the best experiences we've ever had. Costa Rica is a special place, and made even better by having a very knowledgeable and experienced guide called Sterling. As well as keeping us on track with all of the activities, he was always on the lookout for all of the beautiful wildlife that Costa Rica has to offer. We loved all of the activities that included Ziplines, Rappelling and Kayaking. We'd recommend this trip to anyone who's looking for an adventure into the rainforest and like a more active holiday.

"This was my first experience on the beautiful South Island of New Zealand. The planning, the trip, the itinerary and our guides Mel and Brogan were absolutely outstanding and professional and worked so very hard. Some days we had very long van days, however they broke it up so the trip was delightful. Transport to and from the airport was a nice feature. The days were action packed, the sights and activities we so rewarding. I feel like I had the opportunity to experience the entire South Island and all the beautiful parts of it. The free day came at a perfect time. Our group was small which made it nice for all of us. The meals made by the guides were superb and featured New Zealand cuisine and features products made in New Zealand, like Barkers. We were even able to make a trip there before we headed to the airport. The accommodations were lovely and had all the necessary amenities. NZ accommodations tended to have towel warmers which was delightful and also helpful to dry a small batch of laundry. The 3 day back country backpacking was hard, but worth it, the climb to Mueller's Ridge was hard,…

"New Zealand provided a magnificent backdrop to an amazing Active Adventure trip. I enjoyed every second of this trip. Mel and Brogan, challenging tracks, beautiful views from William and magnificent vistas on our hikes, nutritious and delicious food and snacks, great accommodations, especially the Hermitage Hotel near Aoraki, the small stops along the way grabbing an ice cream, coffee or just stretching our legs and taking pictures (did that a lot), Mel and Brogan providing a ton of information on everything New Zealand, interactions with local people, I couldn’t have asked for more. Thank you. By, the way, did I mention Mel and Brogan?

"My Active Adventure Tour of the beautiful South Island of New Zealand was Outstanding! Our tour guides were phenomenal! Ryan was an excellent, safe, and courteous driver, and Noah an amazing chef (yum!!). They both shared so much knowledge about Maori culture, history and stories, re: conservation, wildlife, plant life, and more. Onto the tour, I loved every beach we stopped at, our lagoon kayak trip, all of the hikes, the bike ride, and more! The Siberian Valley was out of this world, from the small plane ride, to the river crossing, the hike. and the most fun of all, the crazy, wild, fun, jetboat trip back! Woohoo! I loved Queenstown, our accommodations there were amazing, and Milford sound and the hike after was fantastic. I also loved all of the birds fluttering around us on hikes, from the Fantails to the Tomtits and more! I will definitely be returning to New Zealand!

"I really wasn't sure how I would like traveling with strangers (also considered new friends) and in a group setting, but this was one of the best vacations I have ever had. I did plan for some alone time before and after which was a nice mixture. But ultimately I do believe my experience probably has a lot to do with the company I was keeping. I feel grateful that the folks in our group were easy to get along with and I have made long lasting connections. I also believe that the guides can make or break it and our two guides, Ryan and Noah, were fantastic. They had a wealth of knowledge and I literally said, "it's really nice to have walking encyclopedias with us" on this trip! They were kind, funny, organized and Noah is an amazing chef! We ate well, we hiked great trails, we saw amazing sights and we didn't have to sweat any of the small details which really made me feel like I was on vacation. Overall, I had a wonderful time creating amazing memories I won't forget. It was without a doubt…

"This was my first group tour so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was a little sus, actually, and was uncertain how things would go. Those concerns were quickly dismissed once I met our guide, Roy, and driver, George. They found excellent hotels, activity vendors, restaurants, led informative and exciting hikes, and put together an overall awesome itinerary. Each day was filled with adventure, fun and local food. I have to admit the trip exceeded my expectations and I'm considering exploring the east coast of Costa Rica now that I've experienced the west coast.

"This is my second trip with Austin / Active Adventures and it won't be my last! Costa Rica, Guanacaste trip was amazing. The activities were well planned and ran smoothly. The nature was beautiful and everything I hoped it would be. But the best part was our guide Roy and our driver Jorge! They 100% made my trip the best it could be. I am a single traveler and I always felt safe, taken care of and very much entertained and educated! I definitely recommend the Guanacaste, CR trip and if you are lucky to get Roy and Jorge, you are guaranteed to LOVE IT!

"The trip was first rate and exceeded my expectations. It’s easy to be won over by New Zealand’s stunning scenery and natural beauty! More than this though, the success of the trip was due, in large measure, to our two superlative guides, Emma and Elize. Both guides did their jobs superbly: Emma is a fantastic cook who put heart and soul, indeed love, into her cooking. Every meal she prepared was delicious and well presented. Elize is an excellent driver - steady and considerate, making us feel safe throughout the long distances covered over 14 days. As hiking guides, both enhanced our hiking experience with their knowledge of flora and fauna. They also kept us entertained with local stories and legends. Both put in so much effort to give us an unforgettable holiday, and even went out of their way and beyond the call of duty to help us on 2 occasions. They were exceptional!

"Wonderful experience exploring Patagonia - outstanding guide (CEM), spectacular scenery and great food.

CEM went out of his way to ensure we were well taken care of throughout the trip. Highly recommend any trip with him. He was the best guide! Our group named him "Guide of the Year" to our farewell dinner.

"The Patagonia adventure was epic. Our guide, CEM, was an experienced professional who cared about each of us.

"This was an absolutely fabulous trip. Every step of the trip was smooth and all details taken care of. Beautiful country and our guides were spectacular (Liana & Lauren). The accommodations were great, food was good, and the narrative by Liana was second to none. She described in beautiful detail everywhere we went and the history (maori legends included) of each town and sight we saw. Lauren was a perfect partner to her in making sure we were well fed and all details taken care of.
I would gladly do another trip with Active Adventures or even Austin Adventures. Will only hope I get Liana and Lauren again.

"Greg and Max were fantastic guides. They were positive and made the trip a joy to experience. If they were guaranteed to be my guide for other trips then I would sign up for a trip again in the future. Not only were they our tour guides, chefs, and drivers, but they also were wonderful teachers sharing their passion for New Zealand.

"A bit apprehensive at first about a guided tour, on a bus, etc but after the first day with Max and Greg at the wheel settled in to letting them be the excellent guides they are. Saw much more than previous trip I did on my own; secret places with thorough explanations Especially nice after an arduous day of hiking to have a gourmet meal cheerfully prepared by our guide! The last evening after another tough hike (how many thousand steps?) of crashing glaciers, we were entertained by both on the piano, bringing the history and ambiance of the Hermitage alive!

"Wonderful introduction to the South Island of New Zealand through hiking plus limited amounts of kayaking, biking and heli-hiking experiences. Our guides, Greg & Max, were outstanding. Greg provided insight into New Zealand history, geology and horticulture. The hikes were well thought out and gave the entire group access to areas we would unlikely have done on our own (including obtaining all of the necessary permits on the Great Hikes). Max was an excellent chef for the breakfast, lunch and dinner meals we did not eat out. The guides did a nice job integrating everyone on the trip which can be difficult when people meet each other and are then together for 14 days! Highlight of the trip (if I had to pick just one…..and there were many) was the hike in Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park to conclude the adventure.

We are already plotting out next trip back to New Zealand!

"Really great way to see and experience the South Island in a week. Lovely, and very knowledgeable guides who take you as far and as deep into the country as you want. - Angus, Toronto, Canada.