Highlights of the South Pacific
Highlights of the South Pacific
Highlights of the South Pacific
17 Days Starting in Auckland, New Zealand and ending in Sydney, Australia
Visiting: Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown, Melbourne, Cairns, Sydney
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PK-2026
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey with the "Highlights of the South Pacific" tour, exploring the best of Australia and New Zealand. Begin your adventure in Auckland, New Zealand, with a welcome dinner offering panoramic views. Discover the charm of Waiheke Island, the mystical Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and the iconic Hobbiton movie set. Experience Rotorua's geothermal wonders and Maori culture before flying to Queenstown, the adventure capital, and cruising the breathtaking Milford Sound. In Australia, immerse yourself in Melbourne's cultural scene, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns, and explore Sydney's iconic landmarks, including the Opera House and Bondi Beach. This tour promises a blend of natural beauty, cultural experiences, and thrilling adventures.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Auckland,New Zealand
Location: Auckland
Accommodation Name: SKYCITY Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. Please schedule flights to arrive by 4:30 pm in order to attend the evening’s welcome meeting and dinner. Tonight, enjoy 360-degree views of Auckland below as you dine atop SkyCity at the Orbit Restaurant.
ARRIVE IN AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND Kia Ora! Welcome to Auckland! Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. Please schedule flights to arrive by 4:30 pm in order to attend the evening’s welcome meeting and dinner. Tonight, enjoy 360-degree views of Auckland below as you dine atop SkyCity at the Orbit Restaurant. (D)AUCKLAND-CITYSCAPE.jpg
Day 2: Auckland. Excursion To Waiheke Island
Location: Auckland
Accommodation Name: SKYCITY Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
AUCKLAND. EXCURSION TO WAIHEKE ISLAND New Zealand Treasures Enjoy an orientation tour of Auckland, including bustling Queen Street, the city’s oldest park, Auckland Domain, and the historic Parnell Village. Then, take a ferry to beautiful Waiheke Island and visit an olive grove and a [LF] winery for a tour, tasting, and lunch. Return to Auckland where the remainder of the day is yours to explore. (B,L)LOCAL FAVORITELOCAL TASTES A hidden gem known to local New Zealanders and discriminating travellers, Waiheke Island is known to many as the jewel of the Hauraki Gulf. Just 40 minutes by ferry from Auckland, this oasis of white sand, rolling hills, olive groves, and world-class vineyards is yours to enjoy! Tour this island paradise and sample wines at Stonyridge Vineyards – named one of the top 10 must-visit wineries in the world. After all – queens, kings, and world dignitaries can’t be wrong! WAIHEKE.jpg
Day 3: Auckland,Waitomo,Matamata,Rotorua
Location: Auckland
Accommodation Name: Distinction Hotel Rotorua
Meals Included: Breakfast
AUCKLAND–WAITOMO–MATAMATA–ROTORUA Home, Hobbits, Home Depart Auckland and travel through the green pastoral region of Waikato to the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Experience a guided tour through the limestone chambers and passages of the cavern. Take a silent boat trip through Glowworm Grotto as you glide quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glowworms suspended from the cave ceiling. Next, stop at a picturesque farm near Matamata, which was transformed into the Hobbiton movie set of the Lord of the Rings films. Continue on to Rotorua for a 2-night stay. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEM Step into the lush pastures of the Shire with a guided walking tour of Hobbiton, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. With the mighty Kaimai Mountain ranges towering in the distance, your guide will escort you through the 12-acre movie set, recounting details of how this location was transformed and how movie magic was made here. As you meander down the paths of the enchanted village, see the most iconic sites, the Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and the world-famous Green Dragon Inn where you’ll enjoy a cold beverage. The perfect ending to your Middle-Earth adventure!WAITOMO.jpg
Day 4: Rotorua
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation Name: Distinction Hotel Rotorua
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
ROTORUA The Living Earth This morning visit Te Puia, Rotorua’s most prominent thermal area with New Zealand’s largest geyser, boiling mud pools, and silica terraces. Next, visit Agrodome to experience New Zealand’s sheep industry. There’s time to watch a sheep shearing demonstration, visit the farmyard nursery, and see the remarkable farm dogs as they demonstrate their ability to respond to commands and keep the sheep in line. This evening, enjoy a traditional [LF] Hangi dinner. (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITECULTURE & TRADITION Explore an ancient culture of the Māori. You’ll learn the history of the area, hear storytelling, be captivated by songs and dance, and experience the famous Haka (war dance). Afterward, sit down in the Wharenui (ancestral meeting house) for an authentic Hangi dinner (roasted meats and vegetables cooked underground with hot stones) and be entertained with music and dancing. ROTORUA-TE-PUIA.jpg
Day 5: Rotorua,Queenstown
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation Name: Heritage Hotel Queenstown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
ROTORUA–QUEENSTOWN Adventure Awaits! Fly to Queenstown, the “Adventure capital of the World.” In addition to the non-stop action available in Queenstown, you’ll find top-notch restaurants and cafes, art galleries, shopping, spas, and wine tasting rooms. Dinner tonight is served with a view. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTEPIC RIDE This evening, take a scenic gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak where you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and breathtaking views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkable Mountains. Make sure to have your camera ready for fantastic photo opportunities. QUEENSTOWN-CITYSCAPE.jpg
Day 6: Queenstown. Excursion To Milford Sound
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation Name: Heritage Hotel Queenstown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
QUEENSTOWN. EXCURSION TO MILFORD SOUND Fjords, Forests & Falls Today, travel into scenic Fiordland National Park. Boasting some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, this region of New Zealand has been named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was famously described by author, Rudyard Kipling, as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Return to Queenstown late this evening. (B,L) NOTE: Excursion to Milford Sound may happen on Day 7 depending on weather and road conditions today. TOUR HIGHLIGHTPICTURE PERFECT Cruise on the fiord with sheer rock walls rising thousands of feet from the water’s great depths. Experience dense rainforest, towering mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. Have your cameras ready for marine life such as playful dolphins, seals, and penguins. It will be a day to remember as you experience New Zealand’s wild side at its absolute best! MILFORD-SOUND.jpg
Day 7: Queenstown
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation Name: Heritage Hotel Queenstown
Meals Included: Breakfast
QUEENSTOWN Vineyards & Views A full day at leisure for your own discoveries. (B)ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE with an optional visit to a local vineyard and sample some of the prize vintages – or maybe take a thrilling jetboat ride on the Dart River. This and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.QUEENSTOWN-SHOTOVER-JET.jpg
Day 8: Queenstown,Melbourne
Location: Melbourne
Accommodation Name: Stamford Plaza Melbourne
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, board your flight across the Tasman Sea to Melbourne. Often referred to as Australia’s cultural capital, Melbourne is a blend of world-class restaurants, museums, shopping, and interesting hidden laneways.
QUEENSTOWN–MELBOURNE Australia Bound This morning, board your flight across the Tasman Sea to Melbourne. Often referred to as Australia’s cultural capital, Melbourne is a blend of world-class restaurants, museums, shopping, and interesting hidden laneways. (B)MELBOURNE-SKYLINE.jpg
Day 9: Melbourne
Location: Melbourne
Accommodation Name: Stamford Plaza Melbourne
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
MELBOURNE Sights & Heights Today’s sightseeing includes landmarks such as Parliament House and the Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to Australia’s war heroes. Drive past the lush Royal Botanical Gardens and then enjoy a [LF] guided tour of beautiful Fitzroy Gardens and a visit to Cook’s Cottage. Afterward, enjoy a delicious high-tea lunch. Enjoy free time the remainder of the day. (B,L)LOCAL FAVORITEBEAUTY BLOOMS Set aside as a reserve in 1848, Fitzroy Gardens follows a classic Victorian-era design. Your guided tour will explain the history of the gardens while highlighting a variety of flowers, ornamental shrubs, and expansive lawns. There’s also time to explore Cook’s Cottage, originally built by the parents of Captain James Cook in Yorkshire, England and brought to Melbourne in 1934. MELBOURNE-COOKS-COTTAGE.jpg
Day 10: Melbourne
Location: Melbourne
Accommodation Name: Stamford Plaza Melbourne
Meals Included: Breakfast
MELBOURNE Cosmopolitan Cool Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this multicultural and cosmopolitan city. (B)ENHANCED FREE TIMEEXPLORE MORE in Melbourne with a trip out of town to sample award-winning wines in the Yarra Valley or drive along the spectacular Great Ocean Road to see the “Twelve Apostles.” You may also enjoy an optional visit to Phillip Island to see the famous Penguin Parade.MELBOURNE-PHILLIP-ISLAND-PENGUIN-PARADE-SIGN.jpg
Day 11: Melbourne,Cairns
Location: Cairns
Accommodation Name: Pullman Cairns International
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, fly to Cairns, the “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.” Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.
MELBOURNE–CAIRNS A Kaleidoscope of Coral Today, fly to Cairns, the “Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.” Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant. (B,D) CAIRNS-ESPLANADE.jpg
Day 12: Cairns. Excursion To The Outer Great Barrier Reef
Location: Cairns
Accommodation Name: Pullman Cairns International
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
CAIRNS. EXCURSION TO THE OUTER GREAT BARRIER REEF Under The Sea Prepare for the experience of a lifetime when you board a catamaran and cruise to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Explore this underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of coral and sea creatures. Return to Cairns late this afternoon. Your evening is at leisure. (B,L)TOUR HIGHLIGHTBUCKET LIST. CHECK! The only living structure on Earth that can be seen from space, the Great Barrier Reef is a masterpiece of Mother Nature. Comprising over 3,000 individual reefs and spanning over 135,135 miles (350,000 square kilometres), your day at the Reef will be one to remember. After your scenic catamaran cruise, the day is yours to explore the Reef how you like. Choose to snorkel amid the dazzling hues of fish and coral, take a semi-submersible watercraft tour, attend an informative presentation by a marine biologist, or just relax and enjoy the serenity of your surroundings. CAIRNS-GREAT-BARRIER-REEF.jpg
Day 13: Cairns
Location: Cairns
Accommodation Name: Pullman Cairns International
Meals Included: Breakfast
CAIRNS Sights & Bites Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore more of Cairns. (B)ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE with a trip into the Daintree Forest, the world’s oldest living rainforest and to beautiful Cape Tribulation. Other activities include a ride on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, relaxing by your resort’s pool, or checking out the shops and galleries along Cairns’ famous Esplanade. Don’t miss the Night Markets for a bite to eat and a special souvenir. CAIRNS-SKYRAIL.jpg
Day 14: Cairns,Sydney
Location: Sydney
Accommodation Name: Swissotel Sydney
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, fly to Sydney, Australia’s largest and oldest city. Known for its beautiful harbor, superb beaches, and iconic Opera House, Sydney is a city that dazzles. From its convict history to modern skyscrapers, you’ll discover a city with hidden gems, a thriving art and culture scene, unique shopping, beautiful gardens, and amazing opportunities for dining with a view.
CAIRNS–SYDNEY Aussie Adventures Today, fly to Sydney, Australia’s largest and oldest city. Known for its beautiful harbor, superb beaches, and iconic Opera House, Sydney is a city that dazzles. From its convict history to modern skyscrapers, you’ll discover a city with hidden gems, a thriving art and culture scene, unique shopping, beautiful gardens, and amazing opportunities for dining with a view. (B)SYDNEY-BONDI-BEACH.jpg
Day 15: Sydney
Location: Sydney
Accommodation Name: Swissotel Sydney
Meals Included: Breakfast
Visit the Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a guided tour of its interiors and theaters. Travel to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s Botanic Garden for a great photo opportunity and sweeping views of the harbor. Next, visit world-famous Manly Beach with time to explore the shops or perhaps go for a stroll on the beach. Afterward, take a ferry back across Sydney Harbour to Circular Quay and enjoy some of the city’s best views. Make sure to have your camera ready!
SYDNEY Spectacular Sydney Visit the Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a guided tour of its interiors and theaters. Travel to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the city’s Botanic Garden for a great photo opportunity and sweeping views of the harbor. Next, visit world-famous Manly Beach with time to explore the shops or perhaps go for a stroll on the beach. Afterward, take a ferry back across Sydney Harbour to Circular Quay and enjoy some of the city’s best views. Make sure to have your camera ready! (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEM The Sydney Opera House is one of the most well-known buildings in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building was designed by Jorn Utzon, a Danish architect, and was finally completed in 1973, after sixteen years of construction, at a cost of over $100 million dollars. You’ll enjoy a private guided tour of the Opera House and see its interiors and theaters. Hear untold stories, be awed by the acoustics, and learn the history and future of this amazing hall beneath the sails. SYDNEY-OPERA-HOUSE-AND-HARBOR.jpg
Day 16: Sydney
Location: Sydney
Accommodation Name: Swissotel Sydney
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
SYDNEY Celebration in Sydney Enjoy a full day at leisure. Tonight, enjoy a special farewell dinner at a waterside restaurant overlooking Sydney Harbour. (B,D)ENHANCED FREE TIME EXPLORE MORE in Sydney with an optional excursion to the Blue Mountains or to the Hunter valley, one of Australia’s leading wine-growing regions. You can even climb to the top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge! This and more options are available throughout your tour at MyGlobus. Your Tour Director and your GlobusGO mobile app have all the tips and guidance to enjoy your free time.BLUE-MOUNTAINS-THREE-SISTERS.jpg
Day 17: Sydney
Location: Sydney
Accommodation Name: Swissotel Sydney
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. You may also choose to extend your time in Sydney and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase.
SYDNEY Until We Meet Again! Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. You may also choose to extend your time in Sydney and explore more on your own. Extra nights are available for purchase. (B)SYDNEY-KOALA.jpg
What's Included
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Accommodation
Stay at SKYCITY Hotel in Auckland, Distinction Hotel Rotorua in Rotorua, Heritage Hotel Queenstown in Queenstown, Stamford Plaza Melbourne in Melbourne, Pullman Cairns International in Cairns, and Swissotel Sydney in Sydney.
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Meals
Breakfast daily, 4 lunches, and 5 dinners are included.
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Welcome Meeting and Dinner
Attend an evening welcome meeting and dinner on the first day in Auckland.
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Excursion to Waiheke Island
Includes a ferry ride, visit to an olive grove, winery tour, tasting, and lunch.
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Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour
Experience a guided tour through the limestone chambers and passages of the cavern and a silent boat trip through Glowworm Grotto.
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Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
Guided walking tour of Hobbiton, including iconic sites like the Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and the Green Dragon Inn.
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Te Puia Visit
Visit Rotorua’s most prominent thermal area with New Zealand’s largest geyser, boiling mud pools, and silica terraces.
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Agrodome Visit
Experience New Zealand’s sheep industry with a sheep shearing demonstration, farmyard nursery visit, and farm dog demonstration.
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Hangi Dinner
Enjoy a traditional Hangi dinner in Rotorua.
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Gondola Ride and Dinner
Scenic gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak in Queenstown for a dinner with breathtaking views.
What's Not Included
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Flights
International and domestic flights are not included unless specified.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as vineyard visits, jetboat rides, and excursions to the Blue Mountains or Hunter Valley are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Gratuities
Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
Meals
Breakfast daily, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select South Pacific dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
UNESCO Sites
Great Barrier Reef|Sydney Opera House|Te Wahipounamu|Wet Tropics of Queensland
Accommodation
Auckland: SKYCITY Hotel, Rotorua: Distinction Hotel Rotorua, Queenstown: Heritage Hotel Queenstown, Melbourne: Stamford Plaza Melbourne, Cairns: Pullman Cairns International, Sydney: Swissotel Sydney.
Mode of Transport
Travel between destinations by flights, ferries, and scenic gondola rides, ensuring a comfortable and picturesque journey throughout the South Pacific.
Check out our Q&As
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What time should I schedule my flight to arrive in Auckland on the first day?
You should schedule your flight to arrive by 4:30 pm in order to attend the evening’s welcome meeting and dinner.
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What activities are included in the excursion to Waiheke Island?
The excursion to Waiheke Island includes a visit to an olive grove and a winery for a tour, tasting, and lunch.
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What can I expect during the visit to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves?
You will experience a guided tour through the limestone chambers and passages of the cavern, and take a silent boat trip through Glowworm Grotto beneath the lights of thousands of glowworms.
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What is included in the visit to Te Puia in Rotorua?
The visit to Te Puia includes seeing New Zealand’s largest geyser, boiling mud pools, and silica terraces.
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What is special about the dinner in Queenstown on Day 5?
Dinner in Queenstown on Day 5 is served with a view after a scenic gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak, offering breathtaking views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkable Mountains.
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What happens if the weather conditions are not suitable for the Milford Sound excursion on Day 6?
If the weather and road conditions are not suitable, the excursion to Milford Sound may happen on Day 7 instead.
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What are some optional activities available during the free day in Queenstown?
Optional activities in Queenstown include visiting a local vineyard for wine tasting or taking a thrilling jetboat ride on the Dart River.
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What can I do during my free day in Melbourne?
During your free day in Melbourne, you can take a trip to the Yarra Valley for wine tasting, drive along the Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles, or visit Phillip Island to see the famous Penguin Parade.
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What activities are available during the excursion to the Outer Great Barrier Reef?
Activities during the excursion to the Outer Great Barrier Reef include snorkeling, taking a semi-submersible watercraft tour, attending a presentation by a marine biologist, or relaxing and enjoying the surroundings.
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What can I do during my free day in Cairns?
During your free day in Cairns, you can visit the Daintree Forest and Cape Tribulation, ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway, relax by your resort’s pool, or explore the shops and galleries along Cairns’ Esplanade.
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What is included in the guided tour of the Sydney Opera House?
The guided tour of the Sydney Opera House includes seeing its interiors and theaters, hearing untold stories, experiencing the acoustics, and learning about the history and future of the Opera House.
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What are some optional excursions available during the free day in Sydney?
Optional excursions in Sydney include visiting the Blue Mountains, exploring the Hunter Valley wine region, or climbing to the top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
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Low Deposit
Globus requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of globus charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.