I booked my Kiwi Experience sheepdog pass well in advance before I had even begun my round-the-world trip. Normally I wouldn’t consider booking something so expensive in advance before getting to the area and looking at the alternatives, but the website screamed at me “25% off” and I duly handed over my credit card details.

Considering I had survived three months planning all my transport and accommodation in South America, it took a bit of getting used to now that I had suddenly joined a bus which handpicks the places and the hostels you go to. Kiwi must have some kind of agreement with Base Hostels which at first annoyed me because they’re overpriced (although people coming from more expensive places like Australia thought they were cheap), but I finally started to fall for their immaculate kitchens and nearby in-house bar!

The bus can act as a hop-on hop-off service, although most people tend to stick to the suggested itinerary meaning that you will often stay with the same group of people for a week or two which is really nice if you are travelling alone. I chose to go on the Kiwi because one, I was travelling alone and two, because I was too lazy to plan my own travels on such a short time-period.

Even though NZ$800+ for a simple bus ride might seem ridiculously overpriced, you are taken door-to-door to most of your activities and the ride also includes many out-of-the-way national parks and guided walks.