This exploration of New Zealand has been specially designed to introduce trip members to the majestic beauty and ecological diversity found in this distant corner of the world.
Day 1
Depart from USA to Auckland, New Zealand.
Day 2
En route - day lost crossing the International Dateline.
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Day 3
WIAHEKE ISLAND
Arrive Auckland, New Zealand's most cosmopolitan city, frequently called the "City of Sails" as it hugs the coastlines of the Waitemata Harbor out to the Hauraki Gulf. After clearing Customs take a short introductory tour of the city, an opportunity to orientate yourself and enjoy the scenery from one of a number of extinct volcanic cones on which Auckland is built. After the tour, we will join a ferry for a short ride to Waiheke Island. Situated in the Hauraki Gulf Waiheke Island has become famous for its wines. Our destination is Te Whau Lodge, overlooking Putiki Bay and the Waitemata Harbor. This unique lodge offers opportunities to enjoy the New Zealand lifestyle and enjoy the outdoor spa.
Te Whau Lodge
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Day 4
BAY OF ISLANDS
After breakfast at the lodge we return to Auckland city then travel north across the Auckland Harbor Bridge to the Bay of Islands. At Warkworth, we take a small detour to Matakana for a visit to the well known Morris and James pottery. At Whangarei, we have lunch in any one of the numerous Pacific style cafe's in this seaside town. Later this afternoon, we stop at Waitangi. It is here in 1840 that the Europeans signed the Treaty of Waitangi with the indigenous Maori people. We visit the Marae and learn about the importance and significance of Treaty of Waitangi and how it has and is affecting New Zealand culture. Further north we visit Kemp House and the Stone Store in the picturesque seaside township of Kerikeri, these are some of New Zealand's oldest European buildings. We stay overnight at King Fish Lodge in Kingfish Cove at the head of Whangaroa Harbor.
King Fish Lodge
Day 5
BAY OF ISLANDS
Today we spend a full day exploring the remote Cape Reinga the northern most part of New Zealand. In Maori legends this is the mystical departure point for Maori spirits as they return to Hawiki (their ancestral land) from Aotearoa ( New Zealand). We depart early for Kerikeri where we join others on a journey along the sands of 90 mile beach to Cape Reinga. Along this stretch we visit the giant Kauri trees at Puketi Forest, have an opportunity to dig for tuatua's( shellfish) and travel through the quicksands of Te Paki Stream. It is a day of diverse scenery from farmland to exotic and native forests and beautiful coastal beaches. We will return to the comfort and luxury of King Fish lodge for the evening.
King Fish Lodge
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Day 6
ROTORUA
We depart this morning after an early breakfast traveling south then west to the rugged west coast and the entrance to the Hokianga Harbor before turning south through the Waipoua Kauri forest and onto Dargaville. South of Auckland, we will visit Miranda on the Firth of Thames. The Miranda Naturalists Trust offer an insight into the delicate ecological balance achieved at this area which hosts both trans-equatorial and endemic waders. Our southward journey continues through the heartland of kiwifruit country to Rotorua, the cultural heart of the Maori or indigenous peoples of New Zealand, and also a geothermal area with hot pools and geysers.
Home of Hardys Lodge
Day 7
ROTORUA
Today we explore Rotorua including Waimangu Reserve. We take a guided tour of Ohinemutu and Faith Church with a local historian and then tour the Buried Village at Lake Tarawera. This village was buried with Mt Tarawera erupted in 1800's covering much of the local landscape including the once famed Pink and White Terraces. The Village has been excavated in part giving a frozen glimpse of life in early New Zealand. Late afternoon, we will visit Whakarewarewa, a geothermal centre with its Pohutu geyser and the ceaseless plopping of the hot mud pools, and then enjoy a cultural hangi experience. (A hangi is a traditionally cooked meal)
Home of Hardy Lodge
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Day 8
NELSON
We take an early flight from Rotorua to the sunshine capital of New Zealand, Nelson. Situated at the top of the South Island this provincial town is home to artists of many different art forms. The World of Wearable Arts has recently opened its public exhibition where designs created from recyclable materials, or to diverse themes are displayed. Glassware, pottery and weaving blend seamlessly with the vineyards, olive groves and casual relaxed nature of this seaside town. We take in the town, including a 30 min walk up Botanical Hill from where we get great views over the city.
Across Tasman Bay from the city of Nelson is the gently rising seaside area surrounding Mapua where we stay at Bronte Lodge. On the same small peninsula as Bronte Lodge is Bronte pottery, certainly worth a visit for those with an artistic inclination.
Bronte Lodge
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Day 9
ABLE TASMAN NATIONAL PARK
Today is a full day exploring the picturesque Abel Tasman National Park. It is the smallest of New Zealand's many National Parks. The white sand beaches, native forest to the shoreline and the clear blue waters of Tasman Bay are very attractive and peaceful. We take a water taxi from the seaside village of Marahau to Torrent Bay, one of many beaches within the Park and then walk the track to Tonga Bay (approx 3.5 hours) During this leisurely walk on well formed tracks, we will pass through some beautiful patches of native forest and hear and hopefully see a number of the native birds including the bellbird. Picnic lunch along the way. On our arrival at Tonga Bay, we return by water taxi for the return trip to Marahau and then transfer to Bronte Lodge.
Bronte Lodge
Day 10
BLENHEIM
From Bronte Lodge, we travel back to Nelson and then onto Blenheim, the rapidly emerging Wine Capital of New Zealand. En route to Blenheim, we will explore a small part of the Marlborough Sounds. We take the "Grove Track", a windy but extremely picturesque route between Perlous and Queen Charlotte Sound. In Blenheim, we sample some New Zealand wine before lunch at a local winery. This afternoon, we take the coastal highway south to Kaikoura.
Literally translated from the Maori, "Kai" means Food and "Koura" so this area is known for its seafood and in particular, crayfish. The Kaikoura Peninsula has long been a site for the Maori peoples of New Zealand to live. Its unobstructed views allowed the spotting of any war-like group approaching and the steep mountains to the west protected the area from approach. Today its geology means that the deep sea trench to the east brings food to the surface for a resident population of sperm whales. Hectors Dolphins, the world's rarest also can be seen at Kaikoura.
Hapuku Lodge, Kaikoura
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Day 11
WHALEWATCHING / CHRISTCHURCH
Early morning is the best time to observe the whales, so its an early start (ca 0500hrs) traveling a short distance to South Bay and joining our special Whalewatch vessel. We go in search of the sperm whale which feeds in the deep trench a few miles off the coast. Our guides spot them and point them out to us when they come to the surface. During our time at sea, we could also see several different albatross species and the very rare Hectors Dolphins.
On our return to Kaikoura and after a late breakfast, we continue our southward journey to Christchurch, the most English of New Zealand cities. The River Avon meanders through the central city, past homes and historic sites. Christchurch is also known as the Garden City of the World, its many parks and reserves culminate in the spacious central grounds of Hagley Park and the associated Botanic Gardens. Neo Gothic architecture abounds on the Arts Centre and Canterbury Museum Buildings.
The remainder of the day after our arrival in Christchurch is free for shopping, resting or relaxing after our early start this morning.
The George Hotel
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Day 12
QUEENSTOWN
After a leisurely breakfast we take a tour of the city including visits to some of the historic buildings. Our first stop is the Antarctic wing of the Canterbury Museum (Christchurch has close links with Antarctica - it is a gateway city) and then continue on to the beach suburbs of Sumner and New Brighton. We finish with the Port Hills and Port of Lyttelton where we will have lunch at a restaurant overlooking the city.
This afternoon we fly from Christchurch to Queenstown. Upon arrival, we then transfer to Arrowtown. This delightfully quaint town developed using the gold retrieved from the Arrow River which flows alongside the township. The Chinese miners have left reminders of their work in the restored Chinese township at the far end of Arrowtown. A short walk gives wonderful insight into the resourcefulness of the people of this era. We stay overnight at Remarkables Lodge in Queenstown.
Remarkables Lodge
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Day 13
QUEENSTOWN
A day to explore Queenstown and its surrounds, journeying along the edge of Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy at the head of the lake. Here we join a jetboat ride along the Dart River to take us into the heart of New Zealand's mountains and beech forest. Jet boats were developed in New Zealand to allow boat access along the many braided rivers where one minute the water is deep and the next shallow as they wind their way seaward over banks of moving gravels.
During the afternoon we will walk into Sylvan Lake to gain a greater understanding of the beech forest ecology and its place in the ecological composition of New Zealand. It is an easy walk among the giant Red Beech trees and it is an excellent place to see bush birds.
You may even see the very rare Yellowhead.
The setting sun on the Remarkable Ranges is a fitting end to our day as we wind our way back to our overnight accommodation.
Remarkables Lodge
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Day 14
TE ANAU / DOUBTFUL SOUND
We depart Queenstown for Te Anau travelling through extensive farmlands where both sheep and deer farming are dominant. On arrival in Fiordland, we join a boat trip across Lake Manapouri into the far reaches of World Heritage Fiordland National Park. On the western side of the lake, we join a coach to cross the Wilmot Pass to the west (wet) coast. We descend through rainforest into Doubtful Sound, one of many Fiords in the Fiordland National Park. At Deep Cove, Doubtful Sound we join the Fiordland Navigator for our overnight voyage into this remarkable wilderness. This purpose built vessel has private cabins with ensuite bathrooms. There are spacious deck areas for viewing the wilderness scenery and wildlife, which includes fur seals, dolphins and in season rare penguins. Activities include kayaking and excursions in the tender vessels to explore the coastline. The vessels anchor overnight in one of Doubtful Sound's hidden arms.
Fiordland Navigator
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Day 15
TE ANAU
After a hearty breakfast, there will be more time to explore and an opportunity to soak in the silence of Halls Arm and marvel at the wonders of nature in towering mountain peaks before recrossing Wilmot Pass and heading back to Manapouri. We rejoin our coach and travel to Te Anau where we enjoy lunch at "Josswood" a very special boutique restaurant run by Joc and Woody Wilson featuring the very best of New Zealand food and wine. This afternoon, we visit a special wildlife park which features some of New Zealand's rare (and unusual birds) and the National Park headquarters where there are some great displays and information on this World Heritage site. This small village on the shores of Lake Te Anau also offers a chance for some relaxed shopping either for souvenirs or gifts for friends and family back home. We stay tonight at the luxury Fiordland Lodge and all the rooms enjoy spectacular views over the lake to the bush clad mountains.
Fiordland Lodge
Day 16
DEPART
After breakfast at the Lodge, we depart Te Anau for Queenstown where we join a domestic flight to Auckland International Airport for our North American flight.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
There are no set departure dates for this trip. Please contact EXPLORE Africa as to the time you would like to travel and we can book this itinerary or another customized itinerary for you.
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