NEW ZEALAND
Traditional Maori culture, historic early settlements and colourful botanic gardens are just a handful of the attractions of this comprehensive three-week itinerary, alongside dolphin-watching and whale-spotting.
The central theme of our tour will be the glorious New Zealand landscape, from the deep valleys and sheer rock-faces of Fiordland National Park to the snow-capped mountains and glacial lakes of Milford Sound. Mark Hanger, a professional ornithologist, will also introduce us to New Zealand’s exotic birdlife, from its keas and parakeets to its albatrosses and mollymawks.
Our programme opens on Auckland’s wild west coast in the Waitakere Ranges, home to the lofty kauri pine, whose monumental girth can reach an astonishing 60 feet. We then head for the Waimangu Valley, a vast geothermal area of hot springs, bubbling geysers and boiling mud. The Tongariro National Park welcomes us next, where participants might choose to fly over three imposing snow-clad volcanoes.
In the Wanganui Valley, a leading centre of Maori culture, we will take a boat trip from the historic village of Pipiriki along the Whanganui River to the Bridge to Nowhere. Our final stop on North Island will be the capital, Wellington, where the national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, displays New Zealand’s most significant Maori treasures.
One of the most intriguing sights on South Island is to be found in the Blackbirch range of mountains – “vegetable sheep”, a peculiar alpine vegetation that, from a distance, resembles a flock of dozing sheep. At Kaikoura we will admire a wide range of seabirds and marine animals, including threatened species of dolphin and whale.
Two nights follow in Christchurch, with its absorbing museum, botanic gardens and Victorian and modern architecture. In the Mt Cook area we will catch sight of New Zealand’s highest peak, roam over glaciers and spot rare birds such as the wrybill plover and black stilt.
The tour ends in Dunedin, a remarkable Victorian and Edwardian survival inspired by Edinburgh, from where we will enjoy an excursion to see albatrosses on the tip of Otago Peninsula.
Travel is by comfortable, small coach equipped with an excellent library of reference books. Accommodation is in pleasant hotels and motor lodges with private facilities.
This tour will be led by Mark Hanger, MA, one of New Zealand’s leading natural history guides. A botanist and ornithologist, Mark worked for a number of years for the New Zealand National Parks Service and has been offering his own distinctive tours of New Zealand and Australia for nearly twenty years.
There will be a maximum group size of 16 on this tour.
Itinerary
Day 1Depart Heathrow 1545 on Air New Zealand for Auckland via Los Angeles.
Day 2In flight.
Day 3Arrive Auckland 0705. Transfer to Hotel Grand Chancellor for two nights with remainder of day at leisure.
Day 4Waitakere Ranges (walk amidst immense kauri trees), Muriwai (gannet colony), Mt Eden (volcano).
Day 5Volcanic regions of North Island: Miranda (wading birds), Lake Rotorua (waterfowl), Waimangu Valley (geothermal area, Tarawera rift). Transfer for overnight to Rydges Hotel, Rotorua, with Maori concert and hangi (food cooked in outdoor pit oven).
Day 6Southwards to Orakei Korako (geothermal area), Pureora Forest Park (lowland podocarp forest, range of New Zealand forest bird species), Tongariro National Park (outstanding volcanic features). Transfer for two nights to Powderhorn Chateau, Ohakune.
Day 7Day exploring flanks of Mt Ngauruhoe (new Zealand’s most active volcano) and Mt Ruapehu.
Day 8Wanganui River National Park (volcanoes, bubbling mud, geysers), Pipiriki (boat excursion), lower reaches of Wanganui River (sites of Maori interest). Transfer to Wanganui for overnight at Kingsgate Hotel.
Day 9Depart Wanganui via horticultural lands for Wellington (botanic gardens) and Te Papa (National Museum) then by ferry across Cook Strait to Picton on South Island for overnight at Broadway Motels, Blenheim.
Day 10Blackbirch Mountains (spectacular alpine vegetation, panoramic views), rugged Kaikoura coastline. Overnight at White Morph Inn, Kaikoura.
Day 11Morning at sea spotting sperm whales, three species of dolphin (including endangered Hector’s dolphin) and wide array of marine birds. Afternoon: depart for Christchurch for two nights at Copthorne Durham Street.
Day 12Free day in Christchurch (Gothic Revival arts centre, Avon River, cathedral, traditional Maori buildings) or excursion to historic French settlement of Akaroa on Bank’s Peninsula.
Day 13Cross Canterbury Plains to Peel Forest Park, then continue over Burkes Pass into Mackenzies Country (stunning glacial lakes) for overnight at Mackenzie Country Inn, Twizel.
Day 14Via Lake Pukaki to Mt Cook National Park (alpine park dominated by Australasia’s highest peak): spectacular Hooker Valley (imposing glaciers, black stilt in delta) then via Lindis Pass to Queenstown for overnight at Kingsgate Terraces Hotel.
Day 15Depart for Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park (New Zealand’s largest area of wilderness) via sheep-station near Garston. Transfer to Luxmore Hotel for three nights.
Day 16Day of leisure at Te Anau.
Day 17Hollyford Valley (rare blue duck), Gertrude Valley, Milford Sound (stunning lake, spectacular waterfalls).
Day 18Cross southern South Island to Nuggets (yellow-eyed penguins) then on to Dunedin for two nights at Southern Cross Hotel.
Day 19Free time in Victorian Dunedin then Dunedin botanic gardens, exploration of Otago Peninsula and cruise to Taiaroa Head (royal albatross colony).
Day 20Visit tour director’s home for brunch then transfer to Dunedin airport for flight via Christchurch to Auckland. Depart Auckland 2300 via Los Angeles for Heathrow.
Day 21Arrive Heathrow 1040.
Cost includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, all meals except two lunches & two dinners, excursions & admissions.
Not included: travel insurance, single room supplement £590.
