New Zealand is Lord
of Rings country - home to some of the most beautiful scenery on
earth. Throw in the friendliest, most welcoming people you could
ever meet plus great activities and you have the classic lifetime
trip. Highlights include walking on a glacier that tumbles into a
rain forest, sea-kayaking turquoise waters to golden sand beaches,
sailing in the Bay of Islands and jet boating through the Southern
Alps World Heritage area. However nothing is more memorable than
our stay on the Maori tribal homeland. We are greeted with
ceremony and warmth, treated with generosity and kindness and we
leave as family. New Zealanders will open their homes and their
hearts to you. Canyon Calling ensures you experience all of New
Zealand including the beauty of the volcanoes, beaches, geysers
and Alps. A trip to “Godzone” with Canyon Calling and your New
Zealand Guide is the most special of experiences.
Thur
Feb 19
Fly from Los Angeles on Air Pacific flight 811 departing 10.30pm
and lose Friday to the International Date Line.
Sat
Feb 21
Arrive Nadi, Fiji, 5:15am. Connect with Air Pacific Flight 411 at
10:00am and arrive Auckland 2:00pm. A Canyon Calling rep will meet
you and bus you to the domestic terminal and help you connect with
Air New Zealand flight 539 at 4:00pm arriving Christchurch at
5:20pm. Your Kiwi Guide will meet you in the arrivals hall in
Christchurch and the trip begins. Transfer to our lodging, a
beautiful historic home, where an early dinner will be served.
Most will want to turn in early to sleep off jet lag.
Sun Feb 22
Breatkfast at our lodge before driving to the center of
Christchurch to see the Cathedral and the Suffragette
Memorial (women’s right to vote was the first in the
world!). Then we'll head south across the Canterbury Plains
to Lake Tekapo to visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and see
the beloved memorial to the high county sheep dog. The
highlight of the day will hopefully be views of Mt Cook,
New Zealand’s highest mountain, across the glacial
waters of Lake Pukaki. Driving through Mackenzie country
into Otago we’ll see our first high country sheep stations.
Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital is
our home for three nights. After checking into our Motor Lodge
there’ll be time to explore the town and make bookings for
activities you have planned for your day off on Thursday. Dine at
a pub in Queenstown.
Mon
Feb 23
Our all day expedition begins with a scenic ride to
Glenorchy where we’re outfitted for our expedition. We
board a jet boat and experience a thrilling and very
scenic ride up the Dart River. The views of the
Alps and glaciers in this World Heritage were the backdrop for
Lord of the Rings filming. We inflate our kayaks or
“duckies” then paddle in twos down the glacial river. At
Rockburn Chasm, just off the main river the water is bright
turquoise and paddling through this wonderland is very memorable.
Dinner this evening is the Taste of NZ buffet at
the top of the gondola.
Tue
Feb 24
Day off!! Queenstown is the launching point for trips to
world re-known Milford Sound by bus or plane. Queenstown has
a host of activities for travelers – tandem paragliding, horse
riding, wine tours, historic Arrowtown, Lake Te Anau to see
glowworm caves, luging and you can even jump off Kawerau bridge,
the original bungy site! Dinner on your own this evening.
Wed
Feb 25
At 10am we’ll sail on the historic steam ship Earnslaw
across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Farm where we’ll see a sheep-dog
round-up a flock of sheep and also a shearing demonstration. After
a BBQ lunch at the historic homestead, join in a piano sing-a-long
on our way back to Queenstown. Depart Queenstown at 1pm to
Wanaka and north towards the Southern Alps past deserted, scenic
lakes. Travel over the Haast Pass to Westland and north to
Fox. Our motel affords magical views of the sun
setting on Mt Cook.
Thur
Feb 26
Lake Matheson at 6am offers a stunning
reflection of Mount Cook and anyone up for an early walk
will be treated to great photos. Breakfast near the lake.
Drive over the hill to Franz Josef. Nowhere in the world at
this latitude have glaciers advanced so close to the sea.
We’ll climb the fast-moving and ever-changing Franz
Josef Glacier. See incredible ice formations and
walk beside walls of blue ice. Our road north is squeezed
between the Southern Alps and a stunning coastline, often compared
with California’s Big Sur. At Hokitika we’ll shop for the
best greenstone in NZ and in Punakiki we’ll
walk out to the limestone pancake formations. Overnight
in Westport.
Fri
Feb 27
An early start today for a scenic drive through farm country to
Motueka. This is our day for sea-kayaking
the emerald seas and golden beaches of Abel Tasman
National Park. Kayak on crystal clear water
around the shoreline and across to islands. Relax on the
beach and swim while lunch is prepared. If there’s an
afternoon sea breeze, we’ll hoist our sails and take the easy
way back! There’s more great scenery driving to Nelson for
the evening.
Sat
Feb 28
A short drive to Picton this morning to catch the Inter-Island
Ferry to the North Island. Lunch on your own on
board. This scenic trip through the Marlborough Sounds and
across Cook Strait brings us to the capital city. Wellington
may remind you of San Francisco with its scenic harbor
and houses clinging to steep hills. After a short tour of
Wellington we’ll explore Te Papa, the National Museum
of New Zealand. Drive north to Turangi for the evening.
Sun
March 1
Early start for a short hop to the trailhead of the Tongariro
Crossing. Known as “the finest one-day
hike in NZ” this 8–10 hour hike takes us around the
conical volcano Ngauruhoe and across craters of dormant Mt.
Tongariro. Look upon amazing views of emerald lakes and
gaping vents from previous eruptions. The hike is
challenging but the views are so spectacular you’ll find the
challenge worth the effort – promise! Soak
in our hot pool while a BBQ dinner is prepared beside the
pool. Lodging in Taupo.
Mon
March 2
Our first stop today is at thundering Huka Falls,
a wonderful photo opportunity.
See boiling mud pools at a thermal reserve, walk to small geysers
and silica terraces. Drive to the Rangitaki River for a
wonderful white water rafting trip on mostly
grade 3 rapids with a float section through idyllic native forest.
Drive to Omarumutu Marae, a Maori homeland near
Opotiki. We are welcomed onto the marae in a moving,
traditional ceremony. We sleep comfortably and communally in the
whare. Children will perform a small concert for us. Our
stay on the marae is a highlight of the tour.
Tue
March 3
Drive north through coastal communities and kiwi-fruit
farms in the Bay of Plenty, named by Captain James Cook.
Check into our motel at Tairua in the Coromandel. Then
it’s a short drive up the coast and a hike down to Cathedral
Cove for swimming and relaxing on the
most beautiful beach in New Zealand. We’ll dine beside the
water in this relaxing seaside community.
Wed
March 4
This morning we’ll drive through Auckland, the City of Sails and
onto Pakiri Beach, our destination for horse riding.
Ride through the dunes and pohutukawa glades to this gorgeous,
deserted coast. Riding along the beach and into the shallows
is an exhilarating experience. Drive north to Paihia for a
two-night stay at our own apartments. Visit the park where
the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the
Maori people and European settlers. Dinner in Paihia.
Thur
March 5
Journey to the top of New Zealand! At Cape Reinga
we’ll see the broiling waters where the two oceans meet.
Traveling in an air-conditioned dune-rider we’ll travel 90-Mile
Beach taking a break to toboggan down sand dunes and
stroll on the beach. A cool forest walk will bring us to giant
Kauri trees and our evening meal will be at an ocean-side
fresh fish restaurant.
Fri March 6
Enjoy a wonderfully relaxing sail in the Bay of Islands
on a 50’ yacht. You can take the helm or
sit back and relax. We’ll lunch at an unspoiled anchorage
and swim in crystal clear waters. Maybe we’ll see
dolphins. Stop in at the tiny community of Russell,
New Zealand’s first town. Gravestones and musket
holes in historic buildings tell tales of less tranquil times in
New Zealand history. Drive south to Waipu to a
beautiful country lodge. This is an idyllic setting
for our farewell dinner and an opportunity to reflect on our
journey through Aotearoa.
Sat
March 7
Sleep in before our short journey back to Auckland. Lunch in
a private home with an opportunity to swim or Jacuzzi before
heading to the International airport to catch Air Pacific flight
412, departing 3:30pm. Arrive Nadi 5:20pm, depart Nadi 10:50pm.
Sat
March 7
STILL! Arrive LAX 1:05pm. This is the day you lost on the
flight over! Allow two hours to clear through immigration,
baggage and customs when booking connecting flights to your
hometown.
