Terms & Conditions

Bookings are confirmed once payment has been received and you have received a booking confirmation from Crater Rim Walks, unless alternative arrangements have been agreed with us in writing.Prices are in New Zealand dollars unless otherwise stated.Please check your booking confirmation carefully and let us know as soon as possible if any details are incorrect.The person making the booking is responsible for providing accurate information and for ensuring that all members of their party are aware of these Booking Terms & Conditions and any information relating to the requirements of the tour.

Our guided walks and tours require a minimum of two guests to operate. Solo travellers are welcome to join an existing confirmed departure.Solo travellers can also guarantee a departure by booking and paying for two guests. If another guest subsequently joins the same departure, we will refund the cost of the second guest.If the minimum number has not been reached, we may offer:another departure time or date;an alternative tour;the option to guarantee the departure by paying for two guests; ora full refund. We will give you as much notice as reasonably possible if a tour is unable to operate because minimum numbers have not been met.

We understand that travel plans sometimes change.For direct bookings of 1–4 guests, cancellations received 48 hours or more before the scheduled tour departure will receive a full refund. Cancellations received within 48 hours of departure are non-refundable.For bookings of 5 or more guests, at least seven days’ notice is required for cancellation. Cancellations received seven days or more before departure will receive a full refund. Cancellations received within seven days of departure are non-refundable unless otherwise agreed in writing.Requests to change the date of a booking will be accommodated where possible and are subject to availability.We understand that genuine emergencies and exceptional circumstances can occur and may consider these individually at our discretion.Different cancellation conditions may apply to private group bookings, special events, trade bookings or bookings made through third parties. Where this is the case, the conditions advised at the time of booking will apply.

For direct bookings, the standard cancellation policy applies if you choose to cancel your booking. For bookings of 1–4 guests, you will receive a full refund if you cancel at least 48 hours before departure. For bookings of 5 or more guests, you will receive a full refund if you cancel at least seven days before departure.If your cruise ship is unable to dock at Lyttelton on the scheduled day, we will refund 75% of the amount paid, with the remaining 25% retained to help cover non-refundable catering, vehicle and other pre-booked operational costs.If your cruise ship docks but you choose not to join the tour or miss the departure, the standard cancellation and no-show conditions apply. If disembarkation is delayed due to ship or port operations, we will make reasonable efforts to adjust the departure where possible.If your ship’s arrival or departure time changes, we will make reasonable efforts to adjust the tour where possible. Any changes will take into account the ship’s revised schedule and the safe operation of the tour.For bookings made through a travel agent or third-party booking platform, refunds may need to be processed by that provider, and their own terms and conditions may also apply.

Our tours operate in an outdoor environment and are therefore affected by weather, track conditions, road access and other circumstances beyond our control. We do not automatically cancel a tour because of rain or changeable weather.If conditions are not suitable for the planned walk, we may change the route, walking distance, departure time or itinerary to provide the best and safest experience possible. This may include a shortened walk, scenic drive, coastal or harbour sightseeing, or Christchurch attractions.Track closures, fire risk, severe weather, natural hazards, road closures or other safety concerns may also require us to alter an itinerary at short notice.Where possible, we will provide a suitable alternative experience. If we determine that the tour cannot safely proceed and a suitable alternative cannot be provided, you may choose to reschedule or receive a full refund.The safety of our guests and guides will always take priority.

Our walking tours take place on outdoor tracks that may include hills, uneven surfaces, steps, loose ground and exposed sections.Guests are responsible for considering whether the selected tour is suitable for their level of fitness and mobility.Please tell us before the tour about any medical condition, injury, mobility limitation or other circumstance that could reasonably affect your ability to participate safely. This allows us to discuss the tour with you and, where possible, make suitable arrangements.Guests should carry any personal medication they may require during the tour.Our guides may modify a route or, where there is a genuine safety concern, advise that a guest should not undertake or continue part of a walk.Guests are expected to follow reasonable safety instructions given by their guide.

Christchurch and Banks Peninsula weather can change quickly, and conditions on the hills may differ from those in the city.Guests should come prepared with suitable clothing and footwear for the conditions, including:comfortable, sturdy walking shoes, with traction on the bottom;warm layers;sun protection; anda waterproof jacket when rain is forecast. Crater Rim Walks provides additional equipment on selected tours, as described in the individual tour inclusions.If a guide believes that a guest's clothing or footwear presents a significant safety concern, we will discuss suitable alternatives before beginning or continuing the walk.

Children are welcome on appropriate Crater Rim Walks experiences.Children and young people under 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or responsible adult unless alternative arrangements have been agreed with Crater Rim Walks in advance.The accompanying adult remains responsible for the child's supervision and behaviour throughout the tour.Some walking routes may not be suitable for younger children because of distance, terrain or weather conditions. A private tour may be recommended for families with younger children so that the pace and itinerary can be adapted to suit the group.Please contact us before booking if you are unsure which experience would be most suitable for your family.

Please be ready at the confirmed meeting or pickup location at the time advised in your booking confirmation email.Small-group tours operate to a schedule, and we may not be able to delay departure if doing so would significantly affect other guests or the day's itinerary.If you are running late, please contact us as soon as possible. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate you where we can.Guests who do not arrive for their tour and have not contacted us will be treated as a no-show and are not eligible for a refund.

Complimentary hotel pickup is available for selected tours from accommodation within approximately 5 km of central Christchurch, as advised in the individual tour description.Pickup from locations further from the city centre may be available for an additional charge.Cruise ship guests will be provided with specific Lyttelton meeting and pickup instructions before their tour.Your confirmed pickup time and location will be included in your booking information. Please ensure that we have the correct accommodation, cruise ship and contact details.Guests must follow all reasonable instructions while travelling in Crater Rim Walks vehicles, including the use of seatbelts.Please advise us in advance if children are travelling with you or if there are any particular transport or accessibility requirements.

Food and refreshments are included on selected Crater Rim Walks experiences.Please tell us about any dietary requirements or food allergies when booking so that we have time to make suitable arrangements.We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary requirements; however, food may be prepared or supplied in environments where allergens are also present and we cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment.Guests with severe allergies should contact us before booking so that we can discuss their requirements.

Occasionally we may need to cancel a tour because of severe weather, unsafe conditions, track or road closures, guide availability, operational circumstances or another event outside our reasonable control.Where possible, we will first offer an alternative date, departure or itinerary.If Crater Rim Walks cancels your tour and a suitable alternative cannot be provided or accepted, you will receive a full refund of the amount paid directly to Crater Rim Walks for the cancelled tour.Except where required by law, Crater Rim Walks is not responsible for costs associated with other travel arrangements, such as flights, accommodation or onward transport. We strongly recommend appropriate travel insurance.

We may occasionally take photographs or video during our tours.If we would like to use an identifiable image of you for promotional or marketing purposes, we will seek your permission. You are always welcome to let your guide know that you prefer not to be photographed.Permission from a parent or guardian will be sought before identifiable images of children are used for promotional purposes.

Walking in an outdoor environment involves inherent risks. These may include uneven or slippery terrain, changing weather, natural hazards, traffic, physical exertion and other conditions associated with outdoor activities.Crater Rim Walks takes reasonable steps to identify and manage risks and to provide our services with appropriate care and skill. However, it is not possible to remove every risk associated with being outdoors.Guests are expected to take reasonable care of themselves and others, follow the instructions of their guide and disclose relevant health or mobility information that may affect their safe participation.To the extent permitted by law, Crater Rim Walks is not responsible for loss, injury, damage or additional expense arising from circumstances outside our reasonable control or from a guest's failure to follow reasonable safety instructions.Nothing in these Booking Terms & Conditions is intended to exclude, restrict or modify any rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, Fair Trading Act 1986, Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 or any other applicable New Zealand law.These Booking Terms & Conditions are governed by New Zealand law.

We may update these Booking Terms & Conditions from time to time. Unless otherwise required by law or agreed with you, the terms applying to your booking will be those in effect when your booking was confirmed.

If you have any questions about your booking or need to make a change or cancellation, please contact us:Crater Rim WalksEmail: nicole@craterrimwalks.co.nzPhone: +64 21 280 3350