New Zealand's varied landscape offers a new adventure every day. Hiking, snorkeling, glacier explorations, kayaking, riversurfing, canyoneering ... and a bungee jump.

From mountain hikes to sunny beaches, every day is different!

New Zealand offers endless natural splendor, and there's no better way to travel here than with our lively gay adventure group. On this unforgettable trip, we'll become a part of New Zealand's outdoor wonders as we try out the myriad sports that this friendly country offers: Rafting, canyoning, hiking, kayaking, and more.

We begin at the north tip of the scenic South Island, kayaking between the tiny islands and golden beaches of Abel Tasman Bay. In Kaikoura, slide into the water amidst hundreds of dusky dolphins, and swim right alongside them, as they entertain you with their acrobatics. Scuba diving is another option, and we've got a great hike planned along the coast.

Explore the gardens and small gay scene in Christchurch for an evening. Then we travel across the snow-capped Southern Alps, taking time for a hike to a mountain waterfall, en route to Franz Josef Glacier. Here you'll have the unique experience of hiking to glacial ice caves by day; then in the evening, look for glow worms in a fern-decorated rain forest.

Finally, in the lakeside towns of Wanaka and Queenstown, pick from a rainbow of sports: whitewater rafting, rappelling through a waterfall, paragliding, panning for gold, mountain biking, wine-tastings and winery tours, rock climbing, and that much-anticipated bungee jump. Now you know why New Zealand is considered the adventure capital of the world -- and there's no better way to tour it than with our lively gay and lesbian group..

Highlights:

• Splash, leap, and rappel through a deep chasm, in the distinctly Down-Under sport known as canyoning.
  
• Hike into the icy world of Franz Josef Glacier.
  
• Kayak around the wind-sculpted islands of Abel Tasman Park.
  
• Snorkel with dolphins at Kaikoura.
  
• Bungee jump from the bridge over Kawarau Gorge, where this sport began.
  
• Navigate whitewater rivers, armed only with a paddleboard, flippers, and a dose of adrenaline, in a new sport known as riversurfing.
  
• Pick from a long list of other adventures: Whitewater rafting, alpine hiking, mountain biking, jet boating, horseback riding, canoeing, and trout fishing, just for starters.
  

Dates and Price:

• March 12 to 26, 2006: $2,695.00

  (Ask about $50 Rebate)

Travelling Alone?
So are most of the people who travel with us. You do not need to pay extra to travel by yourself. Prices are per-person, and the single supplement applies only if you'd like a room by yourself.

Location: Starts in Nelson, ends in Queenstown (both on the South Island of New Zealand).

Price includes: All group ground transporation, starting in Nelson on Day 1 and finishing in Queenstown on the last day; All hotels and accommodations in double occupancy; Single accommodations will sometimes mean a private room in a shared apartment; Tour director accompanying the group from Nelson to Queenstown; Full breakfast most days, 4 lunches, and 6 dinners; Kayaking day at Abel Tasman Park; Snorkeling with dolphins; Wildlife Park tour; Glacier hike, with mountain guide; Coastal hike; Winery tour and tasting; Hiking and caving in the Southern Alps; Sightseeing visits to waterfalls, primordial forests, seal colonies, and vistas along our route around the island; Sheep station tour; Bungee jump.

Not included: Airfare to Nelson and from Queenstown; Airport transfers; Souvenirs, snacks, admissions; Meals not listed here; Optional activities, such as whitewater rafting, eco-rafting, riversurfing, and canyoning; Gratuities for tour director and local guides.

New Zealand -- particularly Queenstown and the South Island -- are frequently called the adventure travel capital of the world. On this trip, you'll quickly see why. With our friendly gay and lesbian group, you'll enjoy not only the activities New Zealand offers, but its varied landscape and scenery.

Take the sparkling lakes of Italy and the deep-cut fjords of Norway, the snow-capped Alps of Switzerland and the glistening glaciers of Alaska, the dolphin-filled waters of Greece and the Highland hiking trails of Scotland. Now pack it all onto one small island -- and you'll be shocked how much room is still left for sheep. That's New Zealand.

As a Wild Kiwi, you'll enjoy a new activity every day. Glacier hikes, kayaking, mountain biking, snorkeling with dolphins and seals, canyoning, rock climbing, river surfing, rafting, and even a bungee jump, are just a few of the activities that await you.

1: Sunny Nelson

We begin in cheerful Nelson, at the northern tip of the South Island. This pleasant fishing port and crafts community gets more sunlight than any other spot in New Zealand, and offers a warm introduction to local hospitality during our two-night stay.

Linger over coffee at a sidewalk cafe. Browse in the galleries. New Zealand is famous for its many walking trails (known here as tracks); hikers will enjoy The Center of New Zealand Walk, which departs right from town with spectacular views of the bay. Or simply head for Nelson's long stretch of sandy beach. There's nothing like a dose of sunlight to get over jet lag.

For our first evening, we've reserved tables at one of Nelson's top restaurants. This is an opportunity get to know a few of your fellow travelers over dinner.

Who will be there? With our emphasis on active vacations and the outdoors, Alyson Adventures' trips draw people who are energetic and outgoing, who enjoy interacting with life and with each other. The majority of people on a typical trip are traveling alone but there are usually several couples as well. Single travelers don't need to pay a single supplement as we'll match you with a roommate if you'd like the double-occupancy price. A majority of the group will most likely fall in the 30-to-55 age range but there will almost certainly be some who are older and quite possibly a few in their twenties.

2: Island-Hopping In A Kayak

The next morning, we head for nearby Abel Tasman National Park. No one who visits this breathtaking park forgets the scenery that awaits. We've planned a day of sea-kayaking in the clear waters of Tasman Bay.

If you've never kayaked before, don't worry. We use stable two-person sea kayaks, and fifteen minutes of instruction is all you'll need to learn how to paddle and steer.

Soon you'll glide past wind-sculpted islands onto the golden beach of a sparkling lagoon. Catch a few minutes of sun on the sand, with the lingering tang of salt on your tongue before you stop for your lunch. Then cool off with a swim in the clear sea while you haul your kayak back into the water. Don't be surprised if you see a dolphin flash through the surf this afternoon as your kayak ripples through the gentle waves.

Today's kayaking is included in the trip price and most of the group will be out on the water. But the hiking trails of Abel Tasman also are spectacular, winding through the native beech forests to rock canyons and picturesque waterfalls. Avid hikers have the option of choosing this activity instead and will have many appealing trails to choose from.

3: Wine Country

Blenheim (pronounced "blennum") lies in the heart of New Zealand's famed Marlborough wine country. Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, one of the country's top wines, comes from here, as do many others. We'll stop at a Marlborough winery for a wine-tasting and a vineyard tour. Afterwards, we’ll have lunch at a beautifully-sited restaurant fronting the South Pacific further down the east coast at a hamlet called Kekerengu.

A few acres of sheep -- well, actually more than a few acres -- and we reach the scenic peninsula of Kaikoura. The name Kaikoura means "eat crayfish". That is, indeed, high on our agenda. This seaside town is justly famous for the spiny lobsters known locally as crayfish. But the real draw for us is the abundance of sea mammals.

Huge schools of squid live in the deep trenches off Kaikoura; these attract sperm whales, the largest toothed animals on earth. Whale watches are a popular activity here. Giant squid also live off the shores of Kaikoura, though they are seldom sighted and nobody's yet been eaten by one.

A two-hour hike along the jagged peninsula takes us past a seal colony, along the rocky coast, through sea caves, then back along the clifftop. (This hike cannot be done at high tide, so if tidal times are wrong today, we'll try the next day.) Back in town, there's plenty more to explore. Visit Kaikoura's best-known land site, the Fyffe House. Sitting on a stack of whale bones, it provides a glimpse of a long-past era when harpoonists balanced in frail boats as they hunted for whales.

And then... if you're up to it: Kaikoura's best! Try a tasty dinner of crayfish at one of Kaikoura's best seafood restaurants.

4: Acrobats Of The Sea

Most visitors to Kaikoura are content to admire the sea life from the dry deck of a boat. Not us! We'll put on wetsuits, take a short boat ride into the bay, and listen to some background about the dusky dolphins that call this water their home. And then, we snorkel with the dolphins.

You slide off the boat. Dorsal fins flash in the distance, but underwater, all you see is the filtered sunlight. Then you remember your instructions: the dolphins are curious. But you must tell them you're here! So you start making noises. Hoooot! Hoooot! Kaa-Kaa-Kaa! Immediately a graceful grey body slides right under your nose, then another, and another. Hoooot! Hoooot! Now one wants to play, and circles around under you. You circle too, trying to catch up, but there's no question who's better at this game.

Those who'd rather stay on the boat can sip hot chocolate as they watch a great performance by the acrobats of the sea - and their new playmates. Dusky dolphins are the most playful of all dolphin species. Scientists don't yet understand why they love to skip and somersault through the air, but that doesn't stop the show.

5: English Gardens

A day and a half in Christchurch, the South Island's largest city, gives us a glimpse of the most English of New Zealand cities. Our hotel is just a few blocks from Hagley Park, the sprawling expanse of greenery that dominates the western edge of town. The Botanic Gardens are a special treat here. Just enjoying the scents of a hundred varieties of roses could fill a sweet hour. Hire a punt and float along the serpentine Avon River, watching for trout as you wend through the park.

In the evening, enjoy a tasty buffet of New Zealand cuisine, then walk through the Willowbank wildlife reserve. This is an opportunity to see some of New Zealand's distinctive wildlife, most especially that elusive nocturnal bird: the Kiwi.

6: City Tour and a Volcano as Well

This morning save some time for a stroll in town. There is a walking tour or you can do it yourself.

Drop in at the landmark Christchurch Cathedral, then wander through the arts market outside. Take a gondola ride up to the peak of Port Hills, 1500 feet above sea level, for spectacular views of the Harbor, the Southern Alps, and the Canterbury Plains. Visit the Antarctic Center, departure point for expeditions to the South Pole. Then there’s Mona Vale, a historic mansion and garden; a tour to Akaroa, a dormant volcano on the coastline with two magnificent bays; and the National Marae, a ceremonial Maori meeting place.

7: The High Alpine Road

Yes, New Zealand does have Alps: Today we leave the sheep behind (don't worry -- we'll see them again) as we cross the Southern Alps, by way of dramatic Arthur's Pass. Several scenic stops along the way include a short hike at Castle Hill rocks, a short caving experience at Stream Cave, and up at the pass itself an enjoyable 45-minute hike up a zig-zag trail, past rocky ravines and Mountain Beech forest, to the spectacular 131 meter Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall.

We descend from the mountains and stop for lunch on the shores of the Tasman Sea, in the old town of Hokitika. Originally settled during the gold rush of the 1860s, Hokitika has undergone several transformations since those heady days. Today, one big local industry is carving jade (locally known as greenstone). You can watch the artisans at work in several shops. Another workshop produces handcrafted gold jewelry from the small nuggets that are still found locally. This is our best New Zealand souvenir shopping stop.

If there was ever any doubt that the South Island is lightly inhabited, these roads prove it. Even on the major west-coast road, traffic is so light that most bridges can only handle cars in one direction at a time -- and still there's never a wait. (Even more interesting is the bridge -- still on the main road -- where a one-lane bridge handles not only traffic from both directions, but also a railroad track!) In fact, the only delay is caused by cows in the road.

We arrive in the tiny village of Franz Joseph Glacier, at the base of the largest of these rivers of ice. Tonight or tomorrow night, we can take a quiet walk that takes us through moss-covered forest, just a short distance from our hotel. After dinner, the trail sparkles with that distinctive New Zealand creature, the glow worm. Then, away from the trees and the lights of the city, the jeweled sky comes alive, and we gaze up at the glow worms of the Milky Way, and the four corners of the Southern Cross.

8: Glacier World

At the glacial terminus, a steady torrent of water gushes from a sub-surface river. A picturesque 45-minute hike, against a glistening mountain backdrop, takes us to the edge of the ice. There, we fit on crampons, pick up a pointed walking stick, and begin exploring an icy world on our glacier hike.

Those looking for a shorter day on the ice can take the half-day tour, then turn back after a relatively easy 90-minute walk on the glacier. For others committed to a day of icy adventure, an all-day excursion takes us past towering pinnacles of cerulean teel-blue ice and over shimmering crevasses. We may wander into crystal caves that were formed only last week, and will be gone tomorrow.

From a distance, the glaciers simply look like large, two-dimensional sheets of ice. Close up, they become an eerie ice world, full of tunnels disappearing into the glacier, serpentine rivers of chilled water, fantastic ice structures, and yawning crevasses. Occasional creaks and crunches remind us that as the glacier moves -- some of the world’s fastest, at speeds of up to 2 or 3 feet a day -- new crevasses and formations continually appear and disappear. Our experienced local guides swing their ice axes to cut steps in the rock, and guide us to routes where we can see the many faces of the glacier.

For a special thrill, take a helicopter ride through the glacial valleys, or let a plane deposit you right atop a glacier.

Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are among the few spots in the world where a glacier advances to a temperate rainforest. After a day on the glacier, those who want to explore the green world below can choose from several short hikes.

9: A Mountain Jewel

Even if you aren't normally an early riser, this is a great morning to get up early and go for a hike to take in the grandeur of this unique setting. After breakfast, we leave the glaciers, and drive down the west coast, across Haast Pass and into Wanaka, with stops enroute to see primordial swamps and forests, waterfalls, and vistas of huge glacially-formed lakes, including Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea.

In 2004, our two nights in the mountain village of Wanaka didn't feel like nearly enough for the wealth of activities you can choose from in this quiet mountain village, so in 2005 we’ll stay three nights. Perched on Lake Wanaka, with Mount Aspiring National Park rising behind it, Wanaka offers sports on land, sea, and in the air.

We'll arrive in time for a quick hike above our hotel to view the layout of the town, then we’ll settle in for one of Andy and Graeme’s famous BBQ dinners. Afterwards, take a walk along the lakefront and through the quaint downtown, stopping at Kai Waka Pai or Cafe Paradiso for a nightcap.

10: Jump, Slide, Rappel: The Art of Canyoning

What will be your favorite activity on Wild Kiwi? Many travelers give that title to a sport you may never have heard of: Canyoning (sometimes known in North America as canyoneering).

Don a wetsuit, then hike down to a crystal stream that over the millennia has carved its way deep into the bedrock. Now, you'll simply follow this stream and canyon as they wind through the rocks and trees.

First obstacle: The stream drops fifteen feet, through a narrow trough, into a pool of water below. There's no obvious way to get down until your instructor demonstrates. It's quite simple: sit at the top, and just slide down.

The next drop-off has no such slide, so you try another technique: Rappelling (known Down Under as "abseiling"), in which you slide down a rope, using a belay plate to control your speed. Then another pool, and a more basic technique: This time you simply jump into the pool of water ten feet below. Bend your knees as you hit, the guide explains, and it goes without a hitch.

Those are the three basic canyoning techniques: slide, rappel, jump. Soon you've got the hang of them -- or so you think. But in the natural environment of the canyon, every situation offers its own peculiarities.

The next water slide looks to be about 25 feet, and just about straight down. No problem, it's a deep pool of water, explains your guide, and you soon discover he's right.

Working along the edge of the canyon, you spot a giant boulder lodged between the canyon walls ahead. A rope runs from your wall to the other side. Moments later, securely clipped to a carabiner, you're sliding along the rope, 100 feet of air gaping below you, and onto the boulder. Hot tea is served on the boulder, but only half the group is able to relax and enjoy it -- the others are firmly gripping the safety rope.

Ready for the next step? You've got to descend those 100 feet. There happens to be a small waterfall in your path, but the guide hasn't noticed it, and you're too polite to say anything. So, before you can say "call me a cab," you're clipped into the rappel rope and splashing down through that waterfall. As with other rappels, the guide has a second safety line attached to you. You can control your descent with the belay plate; but if you mess up, the guide will still have you.

If you're not participating in canyoning, you can sign up for one of many other activities offered. Biking, wine tours, or even a full day of paragliding lessons on Mt. Iron, overlooking the lake, at a site known for its steady winds. New designs have made it easier to learn this once-dangerous sport.

Your first glides will be short distances, from the bottom of the hill to a grassy paddock. Soon, as your instructor communicates through a radio in your helmet, you'll increase the distances. By the end of the day, you could easily find yourself flying solo, right from the summit.

11: Up Close with Sheep

Today we will tour one of New Zealand’s famous sheep farms -- what North Americans would call a vast ranch. There are less than four million people in New Zealand, but over forty million sheep! We’ll visit the Glendhu Sheep Station, recently used as one of the sites for the Eco-challenge, located around the bay on Lake Wanaka. Originally started in the 19th century, the station is still family-owned and operated. Specially trained dogs are able to herd and direct all the sheep within miles of the headquarters at the sound of a whistle. We’ll watch them herd and single out a sheep or two for shearing, then have lunch or tea at the original homestead.

An option for today is a unique eco-rafting experience, one that is less challenging than our rafting option in a few days in Queenstown. Spend four hours in a rubber raft with local legend Lewis, experiencing a bit of everything: birdwatching, brewing herbal tea from leaves we've just picked, listening to the history of New Zealand, then shooting a few Class-II and (briefly) Class-III rapids.

New Zealand had its own gold rush, some 15 years after the '49ers of the United States swarmed to California, and the sandy beach alongside the river where we're rafting holds a higher concentration of gold flakes than any other river in the world. In fact, commercial dredgers would be lining the banks if that weren't strictly forbidden. We, however, are allowed to carry away whatever we can turn up by the centuries-old method of panning for gold, and with a few minutes practice, each of us ends up with a small bag of sand that sparkles in the sunlight as the rays reflect on the yellow dust.

12: A Long Rubber Band

Early risers watch a sunrise illuminating the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park before enjoying our last breakfast in Wanaka. Today's drive across historic Cadrona Pass brings us to a stunning perch on the Crown Range Saddle high above the Kawarau River valley overlooking Lake Wakatipu.

Once we've descended from the Crown Range Saddle, we'll swing down the Kawarau River to our next adrenaline-rush activity: the most anticipated and talked-about Wild Kiwi event and also the briefest. The bungee jump lasts perhaps 30 seconds from the heart-stopping moment you step into thin air, until you've stopped bobbing up and down sufficiently to be hauled into the pick-up raft. But the adrenaline will keep pumping for hours.

It's all deceptively easy. Walk onto the Kawarau suspension bridge, present your ticket, and sit down on the platform. The jumpmaster wraps a towel around both your ankles, ties a sturdy sling to it, and clips you to the bottom of a bungee cord (essentially a very long rubber band, but if they called it that, nobody would sign up). Stand up, walk to the edge -- and now it's up to you.

What's your style? A graceful swan dive is the classic exit. A camera captures the critical moment, and just within our group, we see quite a range. One steps off upright, his hands pressed in front of him as if in prayer; another scrunches up in sheer terror. Our 64-year-old steps off as nonchalantly as if going out to buy a loaf of bread. Two guys admit to having been firmly instructed by their mothers not to jump: one does it anyway; the other obeys Mom. (Our advice for future travelers: Don't tell Mom your plans until after the trip. That way, you can have fun without being disobedient.)

Bungee jumping got its start right here at the Kawarau Suspension Bridge, outside Queenstown. A.J. Hackett no longer offers a free jump to anyone who will take the plunge nude; too many people accepted that promotional offer. But the 140-foot bungee jump is free for participants in our tour.

However -- to answer the most frequently-asked question about Wild Kiwi -- no, you don't have to make the jump. It's free -- but it's optional.

Our day is not yet over! Following the rivers out of the mountains, we pass into the acclaimed adventure capital of the Southern Hemisphere, Queenstown, our home for the next three nights. From our Queenstown base, you can plan your final adventures in New Zealand.

A good introduction to Queenstown is the gondola ride to the top of Bob's Peak, 1400 feet above town. Sip a drink at the restaurant as you watch bungee jumpers hurl themselves from The Ledge, a precarious platform jutting into space, or paragliders sail above the lake. Back in town, you'll also want to stroll onto the peninsula and the Queenstown Garden. And this evening, you'll discover that Queenstown's highlights extend into the culinary realm, as well.

13: Whitewater!

We've got several activities scheduled in Queenstown, but you have virtually unlimited options that you can try instead during our two full days here.

If you're a whitewater fan, this afternoon is a good time for whitewater rafting. Based on river conditions and water levels, we'll head for one of two nearby rivers. The wild and untamed Shotover River takes us through six rapids, then we raft through 500 feet of darkness as we pass through the Oxenbridge Tunnel, an historic diversion tunnel built by goldminers. Or we'll raft the Kawarau, the largest commercially rafted river in New Zealand. Here we pass under the Chard vineyards, and through four sets of rapids. We'll paddle under the bungee jumpers on the Kawarau bridge, culminating in the unforgettable Dog Leg Rapids. On the Kawarau, there are sometimes opportunities for cliff jumping, and to swim through smaller rapids.

This evening, a few of us will go out on the town and see what Queenstown has to offer. With its adventure activities during the summer and world-class skiing in the winter, there’s a lot to look at and plenty of night clubs to visit. What an end to an exciting day!

14: Biking, Hiking, Rock Climbing and More

After two weeks in New Zealand, you'll have some ideas about how to spend your last day. There are plenty of choices.

Bungee jumping started in Queenstown, and every year some nut in Queenstown comes up with a new adrenaline sport. A few of these we're happy to skip. (If you want to roll down the mountain inside a giant inflatable ball, please reserve it yourself.) But there's one that we really like: Riversurfing.

Never heard of it? Okay, imagine yourself whitewater rafting, with an enormous wave coming up. Now imagine yourself in the same spot, but without the raft. There -- you've got the general idea.

Riversurfing has one thing in common with bungee jumping: The first time you hear about it, you think somebody's pulling your leg. But they're not. Armed with a meter-long boogie board, short fins, helmet, and 45 minutes of instruction, you'll hop into the Kawarau River. For a while, you flow placidly along, admiring the rugged cliffs that tower above you. For variety, try riding your boogieboard like a horse; the balance takes a bit of practice, but soon you'll feel like a wet John Wayne.

Then come the first rapids. Putting your instruction to good use, you change your boogieboard grip to a more stable position, and ride out the waves. Not so hard. You do a full body twist, and come up smiling. What's all the fuss?

Another stretch of calm water, then you see the Class-III rapids ahead. Now the adrenaline starts to flow! Keep left, the guide motions. Before you know it, you've gotten through the churning whitewater. Still not hard. Your instructor motions you to the side, and explains: Try it again, but this time, catch the wave and surf it! A backward eddy carries you upstream to the rapids, and you stand on a rock, then plunge in and try again. Aim 45 degrees upstream, catch the eddy behind that rock, paddle like hell to the rapids, and then catch the wave! On your second try, you succeed, and ride the wave for perhaps five seconds, foam swirling past as you surf in place.

More scenic flatwater. A bridge appears ahead -- something seems to be falling from it -- hey, it's the bridge where you bungee-jumped a couple of days ago! You paddle over to the side and watch a jumper.

And then . . . here come the Class-IV rapids. Your guide motions you ashore, and from a nearby bluff, you preview what's to come. See that wave there, he says, motioning to a pile of water that would seem able to sink the Titanic. That's the one you need to watch. Actually, it would be hard to miss. Minutes later, you're in it, trying to remember your instructions. Attack that wave. Weight the board, and dive down into it. You do your best, but the monster simply slaps you back. Yet somehow, anyway, you pass on through, and soon you're cruising on smoother waters.

Some good news about these particular rapids: If you feel they're too much for you, you can walk around them. Some even better news: Those who wish can walk back and run them again.

If you've ever watched rock climbers scaling a cliff, you may have assumed the sport requires phenomenal strength. Yes, certain overhanging cliffs are easiest if you can do a few dozen chin-ups without breaking into a sweat. But most climbing is more dependent on technique and judgment, and after a day of rock climbing, you'll find yourself scurrying up cliffs that you once would have thought would stymie Spiderman himself.

For a day on land, we recommend a hike to the top of Ben Lomond, the mountain overlooking Queenstown and the lake. You can start by taking the gondola, or hike from town, and can go all the way to the summit, or merely to the pass. Depending on your choices, this can range from an easy to a moderately strenuous hike, well rewarded with grand views of the Remarkables.

Those who want excitement without sweating today can jet-boat within inches of jagged overhanging rocks on one of the famed Shotover Jet boats. These remarkable boats, powered by jet rather than propeller, can go through water a mere four inches deep, and the pilots take great delight in blasting full speed toward a looming boulder, then turning a full 180-degrees within a single boat length. Or take a calmer boat ride: the restored steamship TSS Earnslaw makes several trips across the lake each day.

Pan for gold in nearby Arrowtown, once a thriving settlement, and the nearby ghost towns of Macetown and Bendigo. You could get there by bus -- but we recommend mountain biking. The dirt road to Macetown takes you across 40 fords, perfect for a hot day.

Horseback riding is available on Doonholme Deer farm, where both new and experienced riders are welcomed -- though we recommend that beginners stick to a half-day ride. The trails take you into 800 acres of rolling countryside, with spectacular mountain views that seem to be ubiquitous in Queenstown.

Those who developed a taste for canyoning in Wanaka can experience a new canyon near Queenstown. Splash through waist-deep water and jump into a pool below. The waterslide here has a special twist: As you push off from the top, you can't see even the bottom. You'll just have to trust your guide that it's all going to work out. (One reassuring fact: your guide slides down first.)

Or, weather conditions permitting, take a day trip to Milford Sound. Rudyard Kipling described this deep fjord as "the eighth wonder of the world." A winding trip through dark forest takes you to the tip of the glacier-carved inlet, where you board a boat to ride past cascading waterfalls and Mitre Peak, rising a full mile high from the water. The boat draws so close to a thundering waterfall that you could fill a wineglass with the spray. In fact, one waterlogged guest has done exactly that. Southern fur seals eye us carefully as they sunbathe on a rock.

Perhaps you thought we were exaggerating when we called Queenstown "the adventure capital of the Southern Hemisphere." But by now, it has earned the title.

This evening, we’ll come together and celebrate one last time as we end our two week vacation together at our closing dinner at one of Queenstown’s finest restaurants.

15: Departure Day

The hardest thing about our trips is saying goodbye to a wonderful group of new friends. As we make our way home from Queenstown, however, there's one thing you can be sure of: active vacations like this one draw a special type of person. We depart knowing that many of us will see one another yet again.