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.
Sat Feb 21
Fly from Los Angeles on Qantas flight 26 departing 8.30pm or Air New Zealand flight 1 departing at 8pm and lose Sunday to the International Date Line.
Mon Feb 23
Qantas 6.10am arrival or Air New Zealand 6am arrival in Auckland. A Canyon Calling guide will meet you and bus you to the domestic terminal and help you connect with your flight direct to Christchurch Qantas flight 2759 9am or Air NZ Flight 509 at 9am. Your Kiwi Guide will meet you in the arrivals hall in Christchurch and the trip begins. Drive to the center of Christchurch and see the Cathedral and the Suffragette Memorial (women’s right to vote was the first in the world!) and a light lunch at the Arts Center. Transfer to our lodging, a beautiful historic home. Most will want to sleep off jet-lag. Dine at our lodging.
Tue Feb 24
Drive south across the Canterbury Plains. Lunch at Lake Tekapo, 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.
Wed Feb 25
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.
Thur Feb 26
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.
Fri Feb 27
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.
Sat Feb 28
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.
Sun March 1
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.
Mon March 2
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.
Tue March 3
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.
Wed March 4
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.
Thu March 5
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.
Fri March 6
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.
Sat March 7
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.
Sun March 8
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.
Mon March 9
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 for flights to the US.
Mon March 9
STILL! Arrive LAX. 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.
