Frequently Asked Questions  

What makes Sidetracks Women different from other tour operators? We offer women-only tours with a focus on community, comfort, and a personal touch. Our tours are led by women for women, creating a welcoming and empowering environment. We focus on building lasting friendships, offering home-cooked meals, and staying in cosy accommodations. For more details, check out our blog, where we dive deeper into what makes our tours special. If you still have questions, we’re always happy to chat with you personally. How do I know if a tour is right for me? Each tour description includes details about the level of fitness required and the type of activities involved. We offer easy to moderate tours, so you can choose based on your fitness and comfort level. You can also read more about tour selection in our blog, or feel free to contact us directly for guidance. Do I need travel insurance? Yes, we strongly Each tour description includes details about the level of fitness required and the type of activities involved. We offer easy to moderate tours, so you can choose based on your fitness and comfort level. You can also read more about tour selection in our blog, or feel free to contact us directly for guidance. What’s the age range of participants? Most of our participants are women aged 50 to 80, though we welcome women of all ages who share a love of nature and adventure. Our blog features some of our past participants' stories, which might inspire you, and we’re also here to answer any personal questions.

How do I book a tour? You can easily book through our website by selecting the tour you’re interested in and following the steps. If you need assistance, feel free to contact us directly. We’ve also written a step-by-step guide on the booking process in our blog. Can I reserve a spot without paying the full amount? Yes, we offer the option to reserve your spot with a deposit. The remaining balance is due closer to the tour’s start date. More details about our payment options are available on our blog, or you can reach out to us with any specific questions. What payment methods do you accept? We do not accept credit card payments – direct payments only. This can be done via bank transfer to our provided account details. Do you accept payments in local currencies? Yes, we offer customers from Australia, the United States, Canada, and Europe the option to pay in their local currency. We will provide the amount payable for the deposit and convert the final balance into your local currency based on the exchange rate when payments are due. Direct payments can be made into an account in your local currency. What happens if a tour is cancelled by Sidetracks Women? If we cancel a tour due to unforeseen circumstances, we will offer you a refund or the option to transfer your booking to another tour, depending on the time of the cancellation. Please read our Terms and Conditions provided on our website for more information.

What type of accommodation is provided? We select comfortable and characterful accommodations, often with shared facilities like kitchens and lounges. Most of our stays are in smaller, community-style accommodations rather than big hotels. For more information about the unique places we stay, head to our blog, or contact us directly if you have specific questions. Can I request a single room? Yes, we offer single rooms on a first-come, first-served basis, though availability is limited. If you'd prefer a single room, please request it early. You can learn more about room options on our blog, or feel free to ask us directly about specific tour arrangements. What kind of food can I expect on the tour? Our meals are home-cooked and enjoyed in a communal setting. We prioritise fresh, local ingredients and cater to dietary preferences like vegetarian, gluten-free, or dairy-free. For more information about the type of food we offer, check out our blog. If you have particular dietary concerns, just get in touch, and we’ll be happy to help. Are all meals included? Most meals are included, particularly breakfast and dinner. Lunch may vary depending on the tour itinerary, but it will be noted in your tour details. Visit our blog for more about how we plan meals on tour. Do you offer accommodation for the nights before or after the tour? While accommodation for the nights before or after the tour is not included, we’re happy to recommend nearby options. If you’d like help arranging your stay, let us know, and we can suggest places based on your preferences.

Is pick-up and drop-off included in the tour? Yes, we offer three convenient pick-up and drop-off points for each tour. These include one within a 5-minute walk from the airport, one at a recommended accommodation for pre- and post-tour nights, and one close to the CBD. More information and exact details will be provided after your booking is confirmed. If you have specific needs, feel free to contact us directly. Can I park my car during the tour? Yes, you are welcome to park your car near our Christchurch home office. It’s located in a quiet residential street within a safe neighbourhood, and many participants have done the same without any issues. Please note that parking is at your own risk. The bonus is that the tour van departs directly from there! Alternatively, you can consider Airport Secure Parking. More details can be found here: Christchurch Airport Parking Options. Sorry, we cannot offer any parking for tours starting in Queenstown.

How much luggage can I bring? Luggage space is limited, particularly on fully booked tours. We ask that you reduce the size of your bags or suitcases to medium size, with a maximum weight of 20 kg for cycle tours or multi-activity tours. Please respect this limitation to ensure space for everyone’s belongings. We also need to carry and pack a lot of food, as shopping on tour is often very limited or not possible at all. For hiking tours, luggage will be transported to the nightly accommodation by the track staff. This limits the allowed weight to a maximum of 10 kg per person, which includes your sleeping bag. We need the extra allowance per person for the food we provide for the duration of the hike. Hikers are allowed to leave a bit of extra luggage in the vehicle while on the track (at their own risk). If you're visiting the South Island or New Zealand for longer than the tour duration, please consider storing extra luggage not needed for the tour in your pre- or post-tour accommodation. What do I need to pack? We will provide you with a gear list when we confirm your booking, and we’ll resend the same list with your final pre-departure information. The list includes everything important for your time on tour. Don’t worry – on most longer tours, there will be options to wash your most important clothes in between, so you don’t need to overpack.

How difficult are the hikes? Our hiking tours are classified as easy to moderate. We encourage you to check the tour description for the specific difficulty level. If you're unsure, just ask us! Our blog also provides some helpful tips for choosing the right level of hiking difficulty. Can I bring my own bike for a cycling tour? Yes, you’re welcome to bring your own bike if you prefer. However, we provide high-quality bikes, including e-bikes, for all cycling tours. We’ve written more about our bike options and how to prepare for a cycling tour on our blog. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any personal preferences or questions. What happens if the weather is bad? We keep safety as our priority. While some activities may be rescheduled or adjusted due to weather conditions, we’ll ensure you still have a fantastic experience. Our blog offers more insight into how we handle weather challenges, or you can contact us directly to discuss concerns.

Can I join a tour if I’m travelling alone? Yes! Many of our clients travel solo. Our tours are designed to foster a friendly and inclusive group environment, so you’ll never feel alone. You can read about solo travellers’ experiences on our blog, or reach out to us directly to hear more about how we make solo travel comfortable. Can I book a private group tour? Yes, we offer private, unisex tours for groups of 6 or more. These tours can be customised to your group's preferences. Check out our blog for more ideas on how to plan a private group tour, or talk to us personally to design your perfect trip. What’s the group size for your tours? We keep our groups small, with a maximum of 10 participants. This allows for a more personalised and intimate experience. We explain the benefits of small group sizes in our blog, but feel free to ask us any specific questions.

What COVID-19 precautions are in place? We follow all current government guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all our clients. This may include social distancing, mask-wearing, and sanitisation measures. For the latest updates, visit our blog or contact us directly if you have specific concerns. What if I have a medical condition? If you have any medical conditions or concerns, please let us know when booking. We can accommodate many medical needs, but it’s important to check in advance. More detailed information on health and safety during our tours can be found on our blog, or contact us personally for advice. Will there be first aid on the tour? Yes, our tour guides are trained in first aid, and we carry a first-aid kit on all tours. However, we recommend you bring any personal medications you may need. Our blog covers health and safety tips for our tours, but we’re happy to address any personal concerns you might have. Do I need to fill out any health forms before the tour? Yes, we ask every customer to fill in a Health form shortly before the tour starts. This helps us learn about any important issues that our guides need to know in order to keep everyone safe during the trip. What happens in case of an emergency outside of phone reception? For safety reasons, our guides carry an emergency beacon in case of emergencies that happen outside of phone reception. This ensures we can quickly alert emergency services if needed, even in remote locations.

How do I leave feedback after the tour? At the end of each tour, we’ll provide you with a feedback form and encourage you to leave a Google or Facebook review. Your feedback helps us improve and build trust with future clients. Learn more about why reviews are important in our blog. Why are reviews so important to Sidetracks Women? Reviews are a key way for us to grow and gain the trust of new participants. Positive reviews show future clients the value of our tours through real-life experiences. If you’d like to know more about how your reviews help, we’ve explained this in detail on our blog.