This trip listed in the 2010 National Geographic Top 50 Tours of a Lifetime!

New Zealand – The Best! February 4 - 17, 2014 $4795 There is a $1000 difference in airfares between Air Pacific and Air New Zealand if your seat is booked before July. Air Pacific's flight from LAX to Auckland is around $1200 while Air New Zealand's is $2200! As the month's inch closer to departure, Air Pacific's fare increases to almost the same as Air New Zealand's. So there is a HUGE advantage for everyone if you book early for our New Zealand trip. The sooner we have the minimum of five the sooner we can advise you to all go ahead and book your flights. Jane at Jane's Travel in Phoenix (480 755-1388) can assist with ALL of your flights Currently Air Pacific $1280 round trip LAX - Auckland Fiji extension prior to NZ trip -  $645 per person A Maori Welcome

New Zealand has been described as “The world in a shoebox” as it has pieces of most all the geographic features of the world squished into two long islands.  This makes for a very stimulating vacation and Canyon Calling ensures that you see the whole country – from volcanoes and beaches to glaciers and alps.  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 hiking a glacier that tumbles into a rain forest, sea-kayaking turquoise waters to golden sand beaches, and sailing in the Bay of Islands.  There’s even an optional quiet prelude on Fiji’s Beachcomber Island. 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.  One traveler said “God practiced and practiced and when he finally got it right, he made New Zealand.”  A trip to “Godzone” is the most special of experiences.

This trip exceeded my expectations by 10. Cheryl provided context and just enough structure to help us bond as a team. Her insider’s perspective is definitely the way to see NZ and was an excellent experience. - Jeanne L, NM

This may have been my first trip with Canyon Calling but it certainly won’t be my last. Why did I wait so long? I will cherish these memories and all the friends we met along the way. - Jan N, KY

I feel you put your heart and soul into making this a great trip for everyone. I appreciated that we did so many different things including sailing and lugeing which were new to me. - Shirley L. MO.

I always feel so great after your trips – excited about where I’ve been, what I’ve done, challenges I’ve met. I experience a country in a way not offered by other companies – via stories, people, food and places off the beaten path. You have my deepest gratitude. - Joy O, MN

The beauty of New Zealand is unsurpassed and your sharing the passion you have for your country is the icing on the cake. Looking forward to the next trip with Canyon Calling. - Deb S, Australia

Thank you for a most remarkable trip. It would not have been possible to have a better time. Thank you for following your passion and being a role model for women. - Charleen T, WA

Cheryl’s knowledge and love for her native land is palpable. This is a trip I’ll talk about for the rest of my life. New Zealand’s beauty is only half the story. The other half is the people who live life as it should be – in the moment and full of laughter. - Linette H, AZ

Our sisterhood of the “traveling ice cream cones” was a generous, fun-loving group. What an adventure - through the most beautiful land I’ve ever experienced. - Becky B, Canada

 

B (breakfast) L (lunch) D (dinner)

Tuesday Feb 4
Meet-up at Auckland Airport, International Terminal arrival hall 1.30pm.  We’ll meet those of you arriving from Fiji on Air Pacific FJ411 scheduled to arrive at 12.50pm.  Driving through the beautiful city of Auckland you’ll see why it’s called the “City of Sails.”   It’s a three-hour drive north to the seaside community of Paihia where we’ll check into our apartments for a three-night stay.  D

Wednesday
Journey to the top of New Zealand!   Drive to Kaitaia to meet our bus for the trip along 90-Mile Beach.  We take a break to climb up a sand dune and enjoy a fun toboggan ride down.  At Cape Reinga we’ll see the broiling waters where the two oceans meet – a top photo spot.  Our evening meal back in Paihia will be fresh fish and chips – a local favorite.  This is an especially scenic day.  B, D.

Thursday
We are the only tour company to incorporate Waitangi Day celebrations into our schedule!  On this, New Zealand’s national day we’ll stroll down to the harbor to see the Maori wakas (war canoes) paddle across the harbor – quite a sight!  It’s a treat to mingle with the Maoris as they get ready for this annual celebration.  Today we’ll 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.  Often we’ll see dolphins.  Stop in at the tiny community of Russell, where musket holes in historic buildings tell tales of less tranquil times.  Before dinner we’ll visit the park where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the Maori people and European settlers.  B, L, D.
           
Friday
We retrace our route south down through Auckland City and across to the gorgeous Coromandel Peninsula.  We’ll stop to walk up to the square kauri tree, one of the few spared the saws of a bygone era. It’s an hour’s easy stroll down to Cathedral Cove for swimming and relaxing on the most beautiful beach in New Zealand.  The hike back up is wonderfully scenic and there’ll be lots of stops for photos.   Check into our motel in the seaside town of Tairua and it’s a short stroll into town for dinner. B, D.

Saturday
Drive south through coastal communities in the Bay of Plenty and arrive in Rotorua in time for a concert at a local Maori village.  On our walk through this community we’ll see how well the steaming hot pools are utilized by the tribe.  Pohutu geyser often erupts while we are there!  After lunch we’ll drive south and see boiling mud pools in this volcanically active region.  Outside of Taupo enjoy a great soak in the best hot springs in NZ, set divinely in native bush.  Our stop at Huka Falls is a dramatic photo opportunity and hopefully there will be a clear view of the three volcanoes across Lake Taupo.  There is time for an hour’s shopping in Taupo and then it’s a short drive to Turangi for the evening where a barbecue dinner is prepared by our hosts.  B, D.

Sunday
After breakfast we’ll meet our guides and climb into wetsuits and paddle off on a great white water rafting adventure.  We raft grade 3 rapids on the Tongariro River running through idyllic native forest.  After lunch we’ll drive across to Napier, the art deco city rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1931.  Another hour ‘s drive south and we are welcomed onto a local Maori marae (homeland) in a moving, traditional ceremony.  The dinner the tribe prepares for us includes delicious local seafood.  We sleep comfortably and communally in the whare where everyone is invited to speak.  Our stay on the marae is a tour highlight. B, D.

Monday
After breakfast it’s a heartfelt farewell to the people of the marae.  Drive south to the capital city of Wellington.  It may remind you of San Francisco with its scenic harbor and houses clinging to steep hills.  Friends of Cheryl welcome us to lunch in their home.    After a short tour of Wellington you’ll have time to explore Te Papa, the National Museum of NZ.  At 6pm we’ll drive our van onto the Picton Ferry Board for a three-hour ride across Cook Strait to the South Island.  This is a wonderfully scenic trip with great views of Wellington from the harbor as well as gorgeous views of the Marlborough Sounds.  Accommodation is at a motel in Picton.  B

Tuesday
An early start today for a scenic drive across to Nelson then onto Marehau.  Sea-kayak the emerald seas and golden beaches of Abel Tasman National Park.  Kayak on crystal clear water around the shoreline and across to an island.  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!  Change into dry clothes before driving to Murchison for the evening. B, L.

Wednesday
Our first hour today follows the river through scenic Buller Gorge.  Our road south is squeezed between the Southern Alps and a stunning coastline.  At Punakiki, walk out to limestone pancake formations and if we’re in luck, the sea will send blowholes into the air.  Lunch in Hokitika where you may want to buy NZ greenstone.  If you’d like to see a real live Kiwi bird you can visit the Kiwi House.  You’ll have an hour in Franz Josef to shop or soak in hot pools.  Dinner is “Blue Ice” pizza!  Our motel at Fox offers fabulous views of Mt Cook as the sun is setting. B, D.

Thursday
Lake Matheson at 6am has a stunning reflection of Mount Cook and you will be treated to great photos.  Breakfast near the lake.  Nowhere in the world at this latitude have glaciers advanced so close to the sea.   We’ll climb the fast moving and ever-changing Fox Glacier, walking beside walls of blue ice.  This is a high-energy crampon hike, climbing and descending ice steps.  After lunch in Fox we’ll travel through Haast Pass to the dry side of the island.  Then it’s a short hop over the Crown Range and spectacular views as we wind down into historic Arrowtown for dinner.  One last 20-minute ride brings us to Queenstown and our motor lodge for a three-night stay.  B, L, D.

Friday
Sleep-in!  At 11am 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 and a shearing demonstration.  Lunch is a fabulous barbecue buffet at the homestead.  On our return trip you may want to join a piano sing-a-long on board.  Back in Queenstown we’ll walk to the gondola and ride up to the most amazing view of the city.   Then we ride another shorter gondola up to the start of our luge ride – fun to be a kid again!  You’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to shop and make bookings for activities you have planned for your day off tomorrow.  B, L.

Saturday
Day off!! Queenstown is the launching point for trips to world re-known Milford Sound by bus or plane.  This activity is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and includes a launch trip where you can photograph waterfalls, fur seals and fabulous scenery.  Queenstown has a host of activities for travelers – tandem paragliding, jet boat rides on the Shotover River, horse back rides, white water rafting, wine tours, strolling historic Arrowtown and you can even jump off Kawerau bridge, the original bungy site!  B.

Sunday
Our drive north to Rangiora ensures that we see a huge amount of the famous South Island scenery today.  We’ll pass through the vast high country sheep stations of Mackenzie Country.  We’ll visit Bendigo Station and learn the importance of this farm and how its history shaped the economy of the South Island.  The scenic highlight will be views of Mt Cook towering above the powder blue glacial waters of Lake Pukaki.  Lunch at Lake Tekapo, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and see the memorial to the beloved sheep dog.  Drive to a sheep farm stay for the evening.  Pete is our host and we’ll pull on gumboots and he’ll give us a short tour of their farm.  He and Gaye will serve a beautiful meal including pavlova dessert!  This farewell dinner is a perfect time to reflect on all that we have seen and done in our two weeks traveling through Aotearoa. B, D.