NEW ZEALAND CULTURAL & ECOLOGICAL ADVENTURE
December 28, 2016 – January 15, 2017
Tour Leaders: Dennis & Marcia Yockers
Lake Pukaki, NZ
Overview
New Zealand (Aotearoa - Land of the long, white cloud) is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the
world, and this tour will capture many of the incredible highlights travelers can experience on the North and
South Islands. The terrain, ecosystems, wildlife, culture, and activities in New Zealand (NZ) astonish visitors and
inspire many to return year after year. From the pristine sandy coves and beaches of Abel Tasman, to the
mineral blue Emerald Lakes within volcanic craters of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, to the little homes and
gardens of Hobbiton, to the wonders of Te Papa Museum, to the whale watching in Kaikoura, to the spas and
geothermal activity in Rotorua, to the waterfalls and underwater observatory in Milford Sound, to the rich
Maori culture and foods, to the profound urban settings of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, & Queenstown,
to the many wineries of the Marlborough region, there is a lot to see and do on this adventure. This tour will
also include a “short” excursion through Hobbiton, which is featured in both The Lord of the Rings trilogy & The
Hobbit. Whether you want to learn more about the unique Maori culture, hike up and around an active
volcano, or even relax on the beach, this tour has a broad spectrum of adventure and wellness activities for
almost all abilities! As they say in NZ, “Kia ora!” or “be well/healthy”.
Tour Itinerary
Dec. 28 (Wednesday) - 30: Depart from Home
Your adventure takes off with a flight across the Pacific & the International Dateline, skipping a day
ahead (if departing from U.S.). Arrive in amazing Auckland, NZ on Dec. 30th and coach bus transfer
from the airport to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax, walk the city, and/or catch up on
sleep if needed. In the evening, gather for a group dinner and brief orientation. Overnight in Auckland.
Meals included: Dinner at hotel on Dec. 30th
Dec. 31: Auckland
Auckland, the “City of Sails,” has a mix of many Polynesian cultures from the Pacific
islands. Get a glimpse of Auckland with spectacular views atop Mt. Eden. From
there, the afternoon and evening are yours. You could explore Auckland Domain
(including Winter Gardens), the Auckland Museum, Rangitoto Island Reserve,
Waiheke Island, MOTAT, SkyJump, SCUBA dive, and more… Late eve, gather
with the group to celebrate New Year’s with exciting Auckland fireworks near the
Sky Tower! Overnight in Auckland. Meals included: Breakfast at hotel
Sky Tower
Jan. 1: Auckland  Hobbiton Tour  Rotorua
Depart Auckland early morning and be transported to “Middle
Earth” by way of exploring the land of Hobbiton. Featured in the
first movie of LOTR trilogy and The Hobbit, this homestead movie
set still remains for visitors to experience. Enjoy a group lunch and
drinks like hobbits would at the Green Dragon. After lunch, head to
Rotorua and immerse in the rich Maori culture of NZ. Overnight in
Rotorua. Meals included: Lunch at Hobbiton
Hobbiton, The Shire
Jan. 2: Rotorua (Haka dance & Hangi meal)
Today, take in this Maori epicenter on your own & how you wish! You could visit Te Puia with erupting
geysers, bubbling mud pools, and host to the National Carving School and National Weaving School.
You could also experience local spas, Agroventures, hike or mountain bike the Redwoods, whitewater
raft, relish the downtown cafes, ride Skyline & luge, and more… Early eve, the group will visit Tamaki
Maori Village, a journey back in time with cultural legends, traditional Maori entertainment (Haka
dance & song), and a Hangi meal (“lifted from
the Earth Oven”). Overnight in Rotorua. Meals
included: Dinner at Tamaki Maori Village
Jan. 3: Rotorua  Tongariro National Park
Leave Rotorua very early, take in a quick stop at Huka
Falls, and arrive in Tongariro National Park (TNP). The
Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a well-known scenic hike
Learning the Haka at Tamaki Maori Village
and has become a Dual World Heritage Site. This optional
trek will require a higher fitness level with 5-7 hours (11.8 mi) of hiking, some steep climbs, trekking
along active volcanos, and navigation from 3,600 ft. up to 6,900 ft. above sea level. In the eve, gather
around dinner to share your adventures. Overnight in Tongariro. Meals included: Dinner at hotel
The Emerald Lakes along the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Overnight in Wellington. Meals included: None
Jan. 4: TNP  Wellington
A little R&R (sleeping/relaxing on the bus) may be
essential this morning. Dotted with grazing white
sheep, the rolling countryside will give way to
Wellington, NZ’s capital city. Take the rest of the
day off to explore how you wish. You can sightsee
and visit the Beehive, the historic St. Paul’s
Church, and the gov’t building (largest wooden
building in the Southern Hemisphere). Or, visit the
National Museum – Te Papa, a favorite site
dedicated to art, history, and Maori culture.
Jan. 5: Wellington
You get a day in Wellington to discover more on your own. Revel in some
activities & sites listed above or you could visit Zealandia - a nature lover’s
sanctuary by the city, take a cruise to Kapiti Island to hike a world renowned
sanctuary for NZ’s most beautiful and endangered native birds, or for
astronomy lovers, there’s the Space Place. Per capita, this city embodies
more cafes, bars, and restaurants than New York City. Plus, the theatre district
spans the entire central city! Overnight in Wellington. Meals included: None
Jan. 6: Wellington  Picton  Abel Tasman The Weta Cave, Wellington
Board the Interislander ferry and cruise across Cook Strait to
experience what Wine Spectator called “the most beautiful ferry ride
in the world.” Arrive in Picton and ride coach along the northern
shores of the South Island. It is here where many NZers (and tourists)
go to get away, the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park (I.E.
Kayaking at Abel Tasman NP
“Paradise”). Enjoy a group dinner near the beach at Kaiteriteri.
Overnight in Kaiteriteri. Meals included: Dinner in Kaiteriteri
Jan. 7: Abel Tasman
Start the day with the sunrise on the beach – it’s a must see! This day is fully yours. You can choose to
mountain bike, hike or relax at your leisure. Pack a lunch or head back to Kaiteriteri for some local
foods. Enjoy more fun with kayaking, swimming, cruising, shopping, and/or hiking the rest of the day.
It’s up to you! Overnight in Kaiteriteri. Meals included: None
Jan. 8: Abel Tasman/Nelson
Stick around to enjoy more adventure (kayaking/hiking) in Abel Tasman or head south to Nelson with
part of the group to rent bicycles and/or walk to explore the area (wine tours, biking trails, beach
cruising, swimming, shopping, kite flying, etc.). Overnight in Kaiteriteri. Meals included: None
Jan. 9: Abel Tasman  Kaikoura  Christchurch
From here, we’ll travel southeast to the marine rich area of Kaikoura.
The group will embark on a boat tour to satisfy marine bird and mammal
enthusiasts, experience stunning geologic features along the seashore,
and enjoy the beauty of the South Pacific. After lunch, we’ll end up in the
popular city of Christchurch, the “World’s gateway to Antarctica” and the
most English of NZ cities. Group dinner and overnight in Christchurch.
Meals included: Dinner in Christchurch
Delicious foods of New Zealand
Jan. 10: Christchurch
Free day in Christchurch - a vibrant city in transition after the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. The
Antarctic Center and Canterbury Museum are popular, but if gardens and heritage attractions interest
you then the city’s botanical garden, urban park, and city center are great for walks. If you like cycling,
bird watching, farmers’ markets, fishing, kayaking, scenic flights, or golf, Christchurch and the
Canterbury Region has all of these as well. Overnight in Christchurch. Meals included: None
Jan. 11: Christchurch  Mt. Cook
Onwards to Mt. Cook National Park (Aoraki - the Cloud Piercer), a world heritage landscape where
permanent ice fields and glaciers blanket the ragged peaks and it was here NZer Sir Edmund Hillary
honed his skills before attempting Everest. The afternoon is free to hike the nearby terrain. Overnight
at Mt. Cook Village. Meals included: None
Jan. 12: Mt. Cook  Twizel  Queenstown
Morning hiking, learning, or relaxing in the Park. After
lunch in Twizel, embrace elegant views southbound. You’ll
stop at Kawarau River suspension bridge, near the LOTR
filming location Pillars of the Kings with optional extra
bungee jumping. Arrive in Queenstown, the adventure
capital of the world! The evening is yours! Overnight in
Queenstown. Meals included: Lunch in Twizel
Mt. Cook (Aoraki) piercing the clouds
Jan. 13: Queenstown (and/or Milford Sound)
Explore Queenstown, seek out other adventures, or join your Tour Leaders on the excursion to Milford
Sound (extra). In Milford Sound, you’d embark on a scenic cruise that brings you through the deep
fjord surrounded by sheer mountains rising almost
4,000 feet and hundreds of waterfalls with a stop at
the Discovery Center & Underwater Observatory,
and then return to Queenstown. Overnight in
Queenstown. Meals included: None
Jan. 14: Queenstown
The tour is coming to a close, and this may be your
last chance to enjoy some of the best that NZ has
Cruise Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park
to offer. Your Tour Leaders will give you suggestions,
but it’s really up to you. In the evening, return to the hotel to share food & drink, tales of adventure,
and photos at the tour’s farewell dinner. Overnight in Queenstown. Meals included: Farewell dinner
Jan. 15 (Sunday): Queenstown  Auckland  Home
Morning coach bus transfer to airport. Depart Queenstown and fly to Auckland. Depart Auckland on
Jan. 15th and arrive home on Jan. 15th (if arriving in the U.S.). Meals included: Breakfast at hotel
COST: $3,984.00 pp (USD)
MY OWN ROOM: $950 pp (additional USD)
GROUP SIZE: 12-18 participants
INCLUDED: The cost includes all accommodations (comfortable lodging), all meals listed in itinerary,
all group activities listed in itinerary, all in-country transfers (coach bus & flight from Queenstown to
Auckland), and 1-2 UWSP Adventure Tours Tour Leaders (depending on group size).
NOT INCLUDED: Roundtrip airfare to NZ, extra/non-group activities, meals not included in itinerary,
extra purchases (such as souvenirs, alcoholic beverages, and lodging sundries), coach bus drivers’ &
guides’ tips, extra transfers (taxi, bike rental, etc. on free times), laundry service, and travel insurance.
PLEASE NOTE: The cost is per person with double occupancy accommodations. Single rooms (“my
own room”) are limited. Due to some variables (weather, etc.), some activities/accommodations may
change prior to or during the tour. Plan to spend an extra $300-$600 USD for meals not included. This
tour will accommodate most fitness/health levels; however, it is suggested that all participants have at
least a moderate/fair level of fitness and health. Our goal is to ensure a fun and safe wellness
adventure for everyone aboard.
TOUR LEADERS: Dennis (952-807-7553, dyockers@uwsp.edu) & Marcia (952-807-4167) Yockers
CONTACT: Trevor Roark (715-340-8186, adventure.tours@uwsp.edu)
REGISTRATION: Register online with a check or via credit card OR print registration form, complete, &
mail along with $300 (pp) nonrefundable deposit.
WEBSITE: www.uwspadventuretours.com