Enjoying a motorhome holiday in New Zealand is wonderful; taking it further afield brings a whole new perspective, says Catherine Milford.
Kiwis are renowned for being intrepid explorers – and RVers lead the way in this area. Athol and Diane Greentree are just the same, which is how Kiwi Travel Club came to exist. “We had travelled with family in Asia, Australia and the USA; this is a great fit for us,” says Athol. Kiwi Travel Club provides unique specialised motorhome cruise tours and travel across many parts of the world.
Particularly popular is the Motorhome & Cruise Grand Tour to Canada and Alaska, which, when combined with the West USA Parks and Canyon tour, means travellers get to visit most of the ‘must-see’ destinations at the top of North America. This is just one of many tours Kiwi Travel Club provides for its 2,000 members. “People come to us because our motorhome tours offer a unique travel experience,” says Athol.
“You get all the benefits of group travel, with all the freedom to travel at your own pace, in a fully equipped modern motorhome.” The tours are self-guided, but Diane and Athol provide extensive tour notes and driving instructions, along with details of what to see en route. Tour packages include rental of a full-sized motorhome with permanent beds, toilet and shower, gas stove and heating, anda full-size fridge freezer, as well as hookups for water and black water. Packages include vehicle insurance, unlimited mileage and everything you would want in a motorhome including plates, cutlery and bedding.
Many Kiwis enjoy holidaying alone, and Athol says travelling in an organised group like this has many benefits for solo travellers. “There’s great interaction between group members, sharing experiences, travel tips and supporting each other,” he says. However, they often see couples, families and friends travelling together – although don’t expect to be stuck in a massive convoy. ”To ensure our travellers get to know each other we have a maximum of 12 motorhomes per tour,” he says. “Most people choose to travel in small groups of two or three motorhomes, stopping to visit attractions and for lunches and tea. It’s not uncommon to see travellers who are driving together to take turns at baking cakes or scones for a shared morning tea.”
USA-Canada-Alaska Motorhome Tours, May 2024 (Seven-day inside passage cruise included)
Highlights include:
Muncho Lake: Located on the Alaskan Highway, this remote area is a great place for a stopover. Enjoy an included group dinner at the adjacent lodge.
Fairbanks: Take a three-hour trip on Riverboat Discovery, visit an Indian Village and Sled Dog Centre and watch a float plane take off followed by a miner’s lunch.
Denali National Park: Using park transportation, travel this six millionacre park, located 400km south of the Arctic Circle.
Top of the world highway: Take this remote highway before boarding the ferry across the river to Dawson City (No bridges in this part of the world!).
Jasper – Icefields Parkway – Lake Louise: See the spectacular Icefields Parkway and overnight at Lake Louise, one of the most beautiful places in North America.
Inside Passage Cruise: After returning the motorhomes at Calgary, take a flight to Vancouver to join the included seven-night cruise.
Yellowstone National Park Montana: Your three-night stay at Yellowstone gives you the chance to see plenty of wildlife including bears, buffalo, deer, and groundhogs. View the world famous “Old Faithful Geyser” in this famous National Park.
Bryce Canyon National Park Utah: Famous for its Hoodoos and extraordinary sunrises, you’ll have an included group meal here and a half day coach tour with commentary to Rainbow Point.
Grand Canyon, Arizona: Have an unforgettable three nights at the Grand Canyon South Rim. Our campground is located within the park boundary.
Yosemite National Park, California: Yosemite National Park covers nearly 1,200 square miles of mountainous scenery with high cliffs, deep valleys, large wilderness areas and of course the ancient giant sequoia tress.
Kiwi Travel Club has been making dreams come true for Kiwis since 2003. They offer fully escorted, unique specialised group tours in Australia, Canada and the USA. They offer free membership, with operating costs covered by tour fees which are included in the tour price. Motorhome tours are particularly popular with seniors who appreciate the all-inclusive aspects, with pre-booked and paid campgrounds with hookups where available, entry into attractions and detailed route planning. For more information on all tours, including pricing and member services, visit kiwitravelclub.co.nz
