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 NEW TRIP!  February 22 - March 8, 2009 (North & South Islands) Plan your arrival in Auckland for February 22, 2009 at the latest Plan your departure from Queenstown for March 9, 2009  February 27 - March 8, 2009 (South Island) Plan your arrival in Nelson for February 26, 2009 Plan your departure from Queenstown for March 9, 2009 Printable Version of itinerary  New Zealand (Aotearoa, or "Land of the Long White Cloud" in the language of the native Maori) has long been a "dream destination" for hikers and lovers of wild landscapes. Our New Zealand adventure is designed specifically to immerse you in the finest highland landscapes New Zealand has to offer! You'll have an opportunity to experience some of the the best mountain trails on both the North and the South Islands of this southern Pacific nation. From the hot springs, geysers, and volcanic landscapes of the North Island to the golden beaches, rugged mountains and far-ranging vistas of the South, this is a journey you'll long remember. |
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Day 1 Dinner included Overnight in Rotorua This morning, depart Auckland by vehicle bound for Rotorua in the North Island's "Bay of Plenty" region. The town of Rotorua is situated on the south shore of Lake Rotorua (a caldera lake) at the center of a world class geothermal wonderland. Rotorua is also an important center for Maori culture. Upon arrival, you can stroll across the grounds of Government Gardens to the shore of Lake Rotorua and make your way northeastward along the lakeshore to the Maori community of Ohinemutu built on thermal ground. If you have a specific interest in New Zealand's geysers, you can visit, on your own, the Whakarewarewa Thermal area which includes the lovely Pohutu Geyser. The Whakarewarewa Thermal area is part of the Te Puia complex (named after a 14th century Maori fortress) which also houses the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Overnight at a comfortable hotel in central Rotorua.
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Day 3 Breakfast, lunch and dinner included Overnight in Tongariro National Park Depart Rotorua this morning bound for Tongariro National Park. En route, enjoy a choice of hikes in the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, a ten-mile-long rift pockmarked by seven explosion craters that was created by the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera. Today, the valley is filled with hot springs including the now extinct Waimangu Geyser which was at one time the world's largest geyser with eruptions that reached one thousand feet in height! Continue to Tongariro, stopping for a visit at the thundering Huka Falls, and enjoy lunch in Taupo. After lunch, an enjoyable walk around Lake Rotopounamu, a crater lake surrounded by lovely forest, will introduce you to the landscapes of the Tongariro National Park. Overnight at a lovely hotel in the heart of the national park. |
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Day 4 Breakfast, lunch and dinner included Overnight in Tongariro National Park Travel to Tongariro National Park, a volcanic wonderland in the center of the North Island that was named a World Heritage Site in 1990. In addition to its geological values, Tongariro National Park is also an important cultural landscape with many of its features having religious and cultural significance to the Maori people. Some of the most striking natural features of Tongariro include the beautiful, cone-shaped stratovolcano of Ngauruhoe along with the Tongariro and Ruapehu volcanoes, the latter capped with a lake in its summit crater. Today, hike the famous "Tongariro Crossing," one of the nine "Great Walks" of New Zealand! This hike takes you across the national park via the saddle between Ngauruhoe and Tongariro volcanoes and, weather permitting, is one of the most spectacular mountain hikes in New Zealand. Very strong hikers may also be able to include a side trip to the summit of the Ngauruhoe volcano (weather and volcanic conditions permitting). Overnight once again in Tongariro National Park. |
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Day 5 Breakfast, lunch and dinner included Overnight in Tongariro National Park Continue your exploration of Tongariro National Park with a selection of additional hikes which may include a hike to the Tama Lakes or the completion of the Waihononu Traverse. Enjoy a third night in the national park. |
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 5 Abel Tasman coastline. (Courtesy HNZ) |
Day 6 Breakfast, lunch and dinner included Overnight in Abel Tasman National Park This morning we'll depart Tongariro National Park to catch a flight to the city of Nelson, situated of the shore of Tasman Bay at the north end of the South Island. Upon arrival, travel by vehicle to the coastal town of Kaiteriteri where we'll board a water taxi for a trip along the scenic coastline of Abel Tasman National Park, known for its golden sands and granite headlands, to Torrent Bay in the heart of the park where we'll overnight in a comfortable lodge. TEN DAY SOUTH ISLAND OPTION BEGINS THIS DAY (with dinner and lodging in Abel Tasman National Park). |
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Day 7 Breakfast, lunch and dinner included Overnight in Abel Tasman National Park (Awaroa area) This morning, hike north from Torrent Bay along the Abel Tasman Coast Track, another one of New Zealand's "Great Walks." The track passes through stands of pine trees and crosses the Falls River on a suspension bridge before dropping back to the sea at Bark Bay. Cross its estuary and ascend into a stand of manuka trees. The track returns to the sea again before crossing the Tonga saddle to arrive at Awaroa Inlet where you'll find your accommodations for the evening.
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Day 9 Breakfast, lunch and dinner included Overnight in Nelson Lakes National Park Continue along the crest of the Roberts Range for a splendid, view-saturated "sky walk" amidst one of New Zealand's finest alpine landscapes! Arrive at the shore of gorgeous Lake Angelus. If you still have energy, you can opt for a side trip to the top of nearby Mount Angelus. Overnight in a backcountry camp or refuge. |
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Day 10 Breakfast, lunch and dinner included Overnight in Christchurch Descend from the Angelus Basin via the cascading Hukere Stream which leads you down into the Travers Valley and the shores of Lake Rotoiti. Travel by vehicle to Nelson for a late afternoon flight to Christchurch, principal city of New Zealand's South Island. Upon arrival, enjoy dinner followed by a pleasant stay in a centrally-located Christchurch hotel. |
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Day 11 Breakfast and lunch included Overnight in Christchurch Today, you can opt to explore the sights of Christchurch on your own, or enjoy a hike along the nearby Crater Rim Walkway which extends along the curve of the Port Hills, remnants of the extinct Lyttelton Volcano. After the hike, there'll be time for a cold drink at one of the cafes at Sumner Beach! Enjoy a second evening in Christchurch.
Day 12 |
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 5 Sealy Tarn. (Courtesy HNZ)  5 Mueller Ridge. (Courtesy HNZ) |
Day 13 Breakfast, lunch and dinner included Overnight in Mount Cook National Park Begin your exploration of New Zealand's Southern Alps with a hike to the shallow Sealy Tarns tucked on a narrow, grassy ledge about 1,700 feet above the floor of the Hooker Valley. From the tarns you can survey outstanding alpine scenery that may remind you of Alaska or the Swiss Alps! Energetic hikers can continue beyond the tarns climbing through tussock lands to reach the vantage point of the Mueller Hut near the crest of the Sealy Range. Expansive views are the reward for the effort! Enjoy a second evening in Mount Cook National Park. |
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Day 14 Breakfast, lunch and dinner included Overnight in Mount Cook National Park More hikes await in the mountains of Mount Cook National Park! Ascend the trail that switchbacks up the side of Mount Sebastopol to reach the Red Tarns set in a small cirque. The tarns are named after the red waterweed (Potamogeton cheesemanii) which is more commonly found at lower elevations. The sight of Mount Cook and her surrounding entourage of peaks reflected in the still waters of the Red Tarns is stunning! If you desire, continue beyond the Red Tarns toward Mount Sebastopol. From the ridgeline above the tarns views toward the Mackenzie Basin and the Tasman River Valley open up before you. Return to Mount Cook village for a third evening.
Day 15 |
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Other Details about this Trip Dates: February 22 - March 8, 2009 Trip Leaders: John Osaki and New Zealand guides Price: $6,645 Single room for entire trip: $1,050 Lodging: 13 nights in hotels and inns; 2 nights at backcountry camp or mountain refuge. Meals: 15 breakfasts, 14 lunches, 14 dinners included Trip Begins with vehicle transfer from Auckland to Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand. Or, you may meet the group in Rotorua on the afternoon of February 22. Trip Ends at hotel in Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand on the evening of March 8. Planning your arrival: We suggest you plan your arrival in Auckland, New Zealand for February 21, or the morning of February 22 (before 9:00 AM) at the latest. If you prefer, you can also arrange to fly directly to Rotorua (connecting in Auckland) on February 22, and join the group there. Dates: February 27 - March 8, 2009 Trip Leaders: John Osaki and New Zealand guides Price: $4,895 Single room for entire trip: $575 Lodging: 8 nights in hotels and inns; 2 nights at backcountry camp or mountain refuge. Meals: 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners included Trip Begins at afternoon pickup in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand on February 27. Trip Ends at hotel in Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand on the evening of March 8. Planning your arrival: We suggest you plan your arrival in Nelson, New Zealand for February 27 or earlier, but no later than 3 PM on February 27. Connecting flights to Nelson are available from Auckland.
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Printable Version of itinerary
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More Adventuring
in New Zealand If you'd like to extend your hiking vacation in New Zealand, you might want to consider adding a 3-day tramp along the Routeburn Track or a 5-day tramp along the Milford Track. Both tracks are in the Fiordland region of the South Island and easily accessible from Queenstown. Only one company, based in New Zealand, is legally permitted to operate commercial guided trips along these very popular hiking tracks. We can help you book one of these trips so you can extend your New Zealand adventure at the conclusion of your Walking Softly "Hiking New Zealand" trip. |
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© Walking
Softly Adventures, Inc., PO Box 86250, Portland, OR 97286 |
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