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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 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. 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 her finally got it right, he made New Zealand.” A trip to “Godzone” is the most special of experiences.
This tour substitutes the Milford Sound Trip for the Tongariro Crossing volcano hike, but you can choose to do the hike on your day off and we can provide a guide. |
What an adventure. What a welcome. What a country and people. NZ is by far, the most beautiful land I’ve ever experienced. Our sisterhood of the traveling ice cream cones was a generous, fun-loving group. Merci mon amie. C’etait FORMIDABLE! Je me souviens, toujours. Becky B, New Brunswick.
What a gift – To be with a lovely group of women of different ages, backgrounds and personalities with a strong, capable leader, made this once-in-a-long-lifetime trip, icing on the cake of my life. Anita Z, FL
The activities, sites, lodging, meals and commentary were all extraordinary. Your patience with our quirks, your skilled driving and your “Kiwiness” all added to the experience. It may be a struggle to choose other countries over a return trip to New Zealand. Mary E, OR
Your spirit and passion carry from you into everything that you do. Thank you for all of your efforts into making this vacation a highlight of my life. Paula M, MO
New Zealand is amazing in its grandeur, color, geography and people who are SO welcoming. The marae visit was very, very special. Thank you for making it all happen. Artis S, OR
I’m thankful that your spirit has created and provided such a wonderful safe environment to celebrate the joy of adventure. New Zealand turned out to be a trip beyond anything I’d imagined. It was a celebration of the wonderful spirit of women – compassion, empathy, tolerance and inclusivity. Linda N, Edmonton
Sun Feb 20
Fly from Los Angeles on Air Pacific flight 811 departing 9.30pm and lose Saturday to the International Date Line.
Tuesday 22nd
Arrive Fiji 5.15am. Connect with Air Pacific FJ411 departing 10am and arrive Auckland at 1pm. Transfer to the domestic terminal and connect with your Jetstar Flt 253 departing 4.40pm to Christchurch arriving 6pm. Tour begins. Your Kiwi Guide will meet you in the arrivals hall in Christchurch and transfer to our lodging, a beautiful historic home.
Wednesday
Breakfast at our lodge before driving into the center of Christchurch to see the Cathedral and the Arts Center. 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. Lunch at Lake Tekapo. 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. Dine at a pub in Queenstown.
Thursday
Today we travel by bus to world re-known Milford Sound. This is an all-day trip on a luxury bus designed for maximum viewing of the stunning scenery. You’ll pass through lush farmland, dense rainforest, Lake Te Anau, the Homer Tunnel and spectacular Eglinton Valley. Photo stops are included. “Sound” is another name for fjord, an inland sea carved by glaciers. Nowhere else in this Fiordland World Heritage Area do the mountains stand so tall, straight out of the sea. You’ll board a launch and motor up the sound to the ocean, past majestic Miter Peak and waterfalls hundreds of feet tall. You’ll see seals and hopefully a pod or two of dolphins. Whether it’s a misty, brooding day or one of sunshine, the trip on the Sound will stay in your memories. Back in Queenstown, dinner is on your own this evening.
Friday
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. A bus picks us up off the river and returns us to Glenorchy for a well-earned pub stop! Dinner in Queenstown.
Saturday
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.
Sunday
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. This is a high energy crampon hike, climbing and descending ice steps for two hours. Or, you can soak in nearby hot pools, beautifully serene in the rainforest. Late lunch in Franz Josef. 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. Accommodation and dinner in Westport.
Monday
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 and onto Picton for the evening.
Tuesday
We’ll catch the 6.30am Inter-Island Ferry to the North Island. Breakfast 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. Lunch in a local home then drive north to Turangi where we are welcomed onto a local Maori marae (homeland) in a moving, traditional ceremony. The tribe prepares dinner and children may dance and sing for us. We sleep comfortably and communally in the whare. Our stay on the marae is a highlight of the tour.
Wednesday
Day off in Taupo! This is the top North Island vacation destination and fun to explore – whether a boat trip on the lake, shopping in town. This is also an opportunity to hike the Tongariro Crossing and we can arrange a guide for you. We’ll all meet up again at 6pm and soak at a hot pool resort while a BBQ dinner is prepared beside the pool. Lodging in Taupo, the city on the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake.
Thursday
Our first stop today is at thundering Huka Falls, a wonderful photo op. Traveling north we’ll see boiling mud pools at a thermal reserve, walk to small geysers and silica terraces. Meet our guides at Murapara for a wonderful white water rafting trip on the mostly grade 3 rapids of the Rangitaiki River. We raft through pristine rainforest and there’s even an opportunity to float a ways in the crystal clear water. Our afternoon drive takes us 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. We’ll dine in this relaxing seaside community.
Friday
After breakfast it’s a short drive up the coast and a hike down to Cathedral Cove, the most beautiful beach in New Zealand. Spend a couple of hours swimming and relaxing before hiking back up to the van. Drive through Auckland, the city of sails and New Zealand’s largest city and spend the night in the beautiful seaside town of Orewa. Dinner tonight is with a Kiwi family.
Saturday
After breakfast, it’s a short drive to beautiful white sand, 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.
Sunday
Journey to the top of New Zealand! At Cape Reinga we’ll see the broiling waters where the two oceans meet – a wonderful photographic opportunity. Traveling in an air-conditioned bus we’ll travel 90-Mile Beach taking a break to toboggan down sand dunes and stroll on the beach. Our evening meal will be at an ocean-side fresh fish restaurant.
Monday
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. Our farewell dinner in Paihia is an opportunity to reflect on our journey through Aotearoa.
Tuesday
Sleep in before our short journey back to Auckland. Tour ends at the airport at 11.30am. Fly Air Pacific 410 departing 2.30pm. Arrive Fiji 5.20pm. Connect with Air Pacific 810 departing 10.50pm.
Tuesday
STILL! Arrive LAX 2.05pm. This is the day lost on the flight over! Allow two hours to clear through immigration, baggage and customs when booking connecting flights to your hometown.
