14 days in the Land of Kiwi,  Takahe, Keas and more

North and South island exploration

28 November – 11 December 2010

$8,600 per person

Single Supplement is $1,299

Join us as we embark on a unique journey exploring both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

This unique, custom designed adventure especially created for us will include incredible wildlife, scenery and culture.  We will witness newly-hatched penguins, the flightless kiwi, keas and kakapo, spectacular marine life, Maori culture, high altitude sheep farming, majestic fjords, seals, dolphins, rainforest, glaciers and so much more.  This two week ecotour promises to be a fantastic and awe-inspiring experience.

This is an Ecotour that will make a difference to you, and to the areas we visit.

We will donate to the important work of the Tiritiri Matangi conservation project.

Call 1-877-GO EXPLORE (877-463-9756) to reserve your space today!

New Zealand Ecotour

Highlights:

Our program incorporates both the North and South Island – you experience the diversity of the environment and wildlife, from the rainforests of the south to the geothermal centre of the north.

We include the TranzAlpine train, considered one of the top six train journeys in the world.

We have arranged for a private lecture from the Wilderness Lodge owner Dr Gerry McSweeney.

Doubtful Sound Overnight cruise v’s Milford Sound day cruise.

No comparison! While many have heard of Milford Sound because it is more accessible, Doubtful Sound is three times longer and has a surface area 10 times larger than Milford Sound. The fiord remains pristine and has spectacular towering cliffs clothed in luxuriant rainforest. You will not see other boats or tourists!

Marlborough Sounds – off the beaten track – the ‘Falcons for Grapes’ project is an excellent example of where industry and conversation are working hand in hand. We have arranged for a private talk with the project team members to see how they are making it possible.

Maud Island in the Marlborough Sounds is a private cruise – not available to the public – and we have special consent from the New Zealand Department of Conservation for access.

At the Te Papa National Museum of New Zealand we have arranged a private talk with Dr Hamish Campbell, ‘geologist in residence’ at Te Papa.

Our insight into the Maori culture is enhanced because we are privately guided by Don Stafford and Jim Schuster. Each offers a unique aspect of the Maori culture, a genuine experience away from the regular tourist itinerary.

In Rotorua we learn about how New Zealand has harnessed the unique geothermal energy for electricity

On this ecotour we stay one night at the Millennium Hotel in Christchurch and the Copthorne Hotel in Wellington; and we spend two nights at Arthur’s Pass Wilderness Lodge, Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge, Novotel Lakeside in Queenstown, Heartland Hotel in Marlborough, and the Hyatt Regency Auckland.

Plus we include one overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound.

Day 1: Sunday. Arrival to Christchurch, New Zealand.

After our overnight flight we connect with ongoing flight to Christchurch, New Zealand.  We will arrive in Christchurch and transfer immediately to the Millennium Hotel.  Enjoy a Welcome dinner and tour briefing this evening.

Overnight at the Millennium Hotel (D)

Day 2: Monday. Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass

This morning we travel by TranzAlpine scenic rail to Arthur’s Pass in the southern Alps, this breathtaking journey is considered one of the top train journeys in the World.  From your carriage you will see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps, where we disembark at Arthurs Pass.

At Arthur’s Pass Wilderness Lodge we are hosted at dinner this evening by Dr. Gerry McSweeney, lodge owner and ecologist.

Overnight at Arthur’s Pass Wilderness Lodge  (B,L,D)

Day 3: Tuesday. Arthur’s Pass
Today we spend the whole day exploring the high altitude sheep farm and can choose to take part in seasonal farm activities and learn about high country farming and conservation in this unique area.

Overnight at Arthur’s Pass Wilderness Lodge (B,L,D)
Day 4: Wednesday.  Arthur’s Pass to Lake Moeraki

Today we travel by coach down the ‘Wild West Coast’ of the South Island to take in two major attractions in a country full of natural wonders – Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. While many glaciers world-wide have been retreating, these glaciers still flow almost to sea level, making them unique relics of the last Ice Age. There are several good glacier viewpoints that can be accessed with little walking. Other walks require a little worthwhile footslogging. We end our day at Lake Moeraki Lodge surrounded by World Heritage listed rainforest and recipient of an “Enviro-Gold” award for its contributions to conservation.

Overnight at Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 5: Thursday.  Lake Moeraki

This morning we take a guided walk through the rainforest to a remote beach, home to the Fiordland Crested Penguin, which should be busy nesting at this time of year. We may be lucky to also view the Fur seals and perhaps the rare Hector’s dolphin, and we will learn how the lodge works towards protecting this special environment.

Overnight at Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 6: Friday. Lake Moeraki to Queenstown

We continue south traversing the thick temperate rainforests of Haast Pass, past the reflective waters of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea and over the Crown Range into Queenstown. Our guide will stop the coach on the way at hidden short walks to stunning waterfalls and blue pools that others drive past – you will find it hard to believe the road is so close! In Queenstown we spend the evening at the Novotel Lakeside Hotel.

Overnight at Novotel Lakeside Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 7: Saturday.  Queenstown to Doubtful Sound

With over 10 times the surface area of Milford Sound, immerse yourself in Doubtful Sound’s breathtaking beauty, towering peaks and bush-clad islands.  We drive from Queenstown, take a short ferry ride across island-studded Lake Manaouri and a coach ride on the remote sub-alpine route over Wlimot Pass before boarding the Fiordland Navigator at Deep Cove.

There is plenty of time on your overnight cruise to soak up the stunning surrounds and to discover the hidden arms of Doubtful Sound.  Bottlenose dolphins often ride the bow waves, fur seals bask on the rocks and at times rare penguins make an appearance.  The ship will anchor at a chosen mooring for the night giving you an opportunity to kayak around the shoreline, go exploring in the tender craft with our nature guide or simply relax on deck with a cocktail.

Overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound (B,L,D)

Day 8: Sunday.  Doubtful Sound to Queenstown

Our Captain wakes us before dawn cruising off the main channel into a narrow side arm cutting the engines.  Sitting becalmed between two towering cliff-faces, the only sound to be heard is the mew of soaring sea-birds and the distant splash of waterfalls finding their way into the Sound while the sun rises silhouetting the surrounding peaks. Enjoy breakfast in this tranquil wilderness before our return journey. We pause on the way up Wilmot Pass to stretch our legs and take in the panorama from above and cruise across Lake Manapouri. We pass the lush farmlands of Central Otago and realise the extent of Lake Wakatupu as we drive in our coach along the eastern arm of the lake on the return to Queenstown.  Dinner is on your own this evening to allow you to explore the sights and sounds of Queenstown.

Overnight at Novotel Lakeside Hotel (B,L)

Day 9: Monday. Queenstown to Blenheim

After breakfast we head to the airport for our flight to Blenheim, New Zealand’s gourmet paradise, and the gateway to the stunning Marlborough Sounds, an extensive network of sea-drowned valleys.  Rarer than the kiwi, for the first time in 150 years the endemic New Zealand Falcon has returned to the area to breed on the Wairau Plain.  Learn more about this iconic species and the wine industry “Falcons for Grapes” project that is turning its fortunes around.  Home to world renowned Sauvignon Blanc, we sample some tonight with dinner this evening.

Overnight at Heartland Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 10: Tuesday. Marlborough Sound

Today another opportunity to spend some time on the water as we cruise on the Marlborough Sounds discovering Greenshell Mussel farms and Maud Island.  Indeed Maud Island is an important nature reserve to which only scientists and conservationists have access, it is a haven for New Zealand native wildlife, some of which are unique to the island and some are rare and in danger of extinction in mainland areas where non-native pests threaten their survival.

Overnight at Heartland Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 11: Wednesday. Blenheim to Wellington

Today we fly across Cook Strait to Wellington and join the ‘geologist in residence’ at Te Papa National Museum of New Zealand for a private lecture and guided tour of the ‘Awesome Forces’ exhibition. Later we visit Karori Wildlife sanctuary and learn about their efforts to protect New Zealand’s endangered species, reversing a decline that has lasted for at least 700 years, the Karori Sanctuary Trust has an extraordinary 500-year vision to restore a corner of New Zealand as closely as possible to the way it was before humans arrived.  This evening we take a tour in search of the elusive and famed nocturnal flightless Kiwi.

Overnight at Copthorne Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 12: Thursday. Wellington / Rotorua and Auckland

Today we fly to Rotorua, New Zealand’s geothermal centre. Here we join Don Stafford, renowned historian and writer, discovering Rotorua’s Maori culture and history.  This evening we fly on to Auckland, the “City of Sails”.  This evening dinner is on your own with a wide variety of restaurants to choose from.

Overnight at Hyatt Regency (B,L)

Day 13: Friday. Auckland

Visit Tiritiri Matangi, one of the most important conservation projects in New Zealand today join our private guide as we tour this 220 hectare island.  Once stripped by farming, Tiritiri Matangi has been restored and is now a sanctuary for many endangered species.  This evening we enjoy a farewell diner overlooking the beautiful waterfront, as we say goodbye to this beautiful country.

Overnight at Hyatt Regency  (B,L,D)

Day 14: Saturday. Auckland / home

This morning enjoy a relaxed breakfast, before we head to the airport and our flights home. (B)

Cost per person is…………………………………….……………………$8,600

Single supplement is $1,299

(B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)

Included: Accompanied throughout by English-speaking local guides; all transportation within New Zealand; all accommodations; meals as specified; and complete pre-departure information.

Not included: International round-trip airfare; airport departure taxes; gratuities, alcoholic drinks; insurance fees; visas and passport fees; medications; items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, etc.

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