Let's explore the wonderland of New Zealand focusing on its unique nature, historic towns and culture. In the first part of this journey, on the North island, we will road trip to the northern coastline and Cape Reinga. Then we will move to the south, passing through and exploring Tongariro National Park and other interesting destinations.
At Wellington we will use a ferry to get to the South Island and continue roar-tripping. Please see the uploaded maps for the exact locations on the route. Hotel accommodations will be at the places shown on the map.
While moving between our locations we will have opportunity to explore the following high-rated National Parks: Abel Tasman, Arthur's Pass, Aoraki/Mount Cook, and Fiordland. Please see the uploaded maps for the exact locations on the route.
This general itinerary for this this trip is open for being discussed and modified. Any comments are welcome )
This trip is subject to health and safety restrictions imposed by the country. As of end of 2023 New Zealand is open for tourism, and we hope it stays the same toward 2025. Here is a page with the US Embassy in New Zealand: https://nz.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Summer weather in the areas on our route should be mild with day average temperatures 75-77 degree F (63 degree at night). See updates of weather forecasts at: https://bit.ly/33nMAIN
Trip's preliminary summary:
- 11days/10nights trip for a small group of 6 explorers.
- The starting point is Auckland and ending point is Christchurch.
- Level of activities: Easy to Intermediate.
- Hotel accommodations at Auckland, Dargaville, Rotorua, Hastings, Wellington, Haast, Bluff, Christchurch.
Clothes and gear recommended:
- good hiking shoes,
- warm jacket for evenings, be ready to layer up,
- day backpack,
- hiking poles if you used to them,
- consider hydration bladder for hikes,
- sunglasses,
- sunscreen,
- hat,
- for personal protection: mask, carry-on sanitizer, gloves (by your choice.)
Tentative cost: $1600. Final calculation is to be made 5 months before the start.
What's included:
- 10-night stay in 2-people occupancy non-smoking room (two beds in room),
- Breakfasts in hotels,
- Transportation by minivan covering approx. 2300 mi of road-tripping total,
- Park entrance fees,
- Organized hikes in all days.
What is NOT included:
- Getting to Auckland, getting back from Christchurch.
- Meals, snacks, water.
Sunrise: 6:30am. Sunset: 6:10pm. Every day we want to start off from the hotel at 7 am or 7:30am, or 8am as the latest. If you are a night owl, please try to adjust yourself for an earlier getup during the trip - the purpose of it is to use more of daylight for activities.
If you see that the event is full/no tickets available, do not hesitate to contact the organizer about your interest as spots can become available.
Also, please check on the photo-album from our past trips (in About section) and our future trips to U.S. National Parks and National Parks in Europe and Asia for 2024-2025. Thanks!
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ATTN. There will be a Zoom meeting on this trip and a WhatsApp group chat will be formed for the group to communicate and prepare for the trip. Please be available to connect by WhatsApp (provide the organizer with your WhatsApp contact info to be included in the chat.) Regular messaging will not work out for this trip, sorry.
ATTN. The $10 payment through Eventbrite is for reserving a spot in this small group event (it counts in toward the whole payment for the trip.) After you reserved your spot, you will be contacted by the organizer about a Zoom meeting with the group and joining a WhatsApp group chat. Meeting your future groupmates in a Zoom and being able to communicate by WhatsApp are mandatory steps to become a part of this trip and make the full payment. If any of these cannot be done/mind changed, the $10 reservation payment will be refunded in full though the initial means of payment, minus fees paid to Eventbrite/third parties. The outline of the trip will be communicated during a Zoom meeting and in WhatsApp group chat. The detailed, hour-by-hour, itinerary will be provided to the confirmed participants of the trip.
