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The Trip

New Zealand is a country of spectacular variety. Lush rainforests, impressive glaciers, active volcanoes and geothermal areas, steep-cut fjords, high plateaus, rushing rivers and waterfalls, and countless miles of island-dotted coastline all await our exploration.

Kiwis, as New Zealanders call themselves, offer visitors a friendly reception. Kiwis are also passionate conservationists; more than one-third of the country is protected in national parks and conservation reserves managed by the government. Marine mammals in the seas surrounding New Zealand are fully protected.

Accompanied by knowledgeable naturalist guides, we will day hike in national parks, forested valleys, the golden-sand beaches of the Tasman Sea, and the 1,000-year-old kahikatea (white pine) rainforest. We will have the opportunity to walk on a glacier and hike portions of New Zealand's famous track system. You may also choose to take an easy kayak trip in a tranquil lagoon in search of unique wildlife. We will spend two evenings at a lovely lodge near the Tasman Sea, tour the famous Glow Worm Caves, and take an evening nature cruise and overnight aboard a ship in remote Doubtful Sound.

Itinerary

Day 1: We will meet at 10:00 a.m. on February 12 at the Nelson airport, or earlier in town if you have arrived before today. We start with a bus ride through horticultural lands to a lodge at the edge of Abel Tasman National Park. There will be a stop for lunch (not included in the trip price). We get to our lodge in time to relax or hike the nearby trails before our welcome dinner, the first included meal of the trip. Overnight in Kaiteriteri.

Day 2: We'll hike the trails in Abel Tasman National Park. We will hike along the granite-edged coastline by soft-sand beaches. Weather permitting; we will enjoy a guided sea kayak trip suitable for beginners and experienced kayakers alike. If you choose not to kayak, you may explore the beach or hike some more. As we hike and kayak we should see many birds, including the native kereru. Our three-hour walk is on fairly level ground and about five miles long. Overnight in Kaiteriteri.

Day 3: After breakfast we'll depart for Paparoa National Park, approximately a six-hour drive away. With the Arthur Range as a backdrop, we will head south through farmlands to Murchison and down Buller Gorge to Westport's coast. Here we have the chance to view a nearby fur seal colony. Coastal flora includes nikau palms. We will stop for the night at Punakaiki, famed for its geological formations, limestone "pancake" rocks, and blowholes. We will walk the Pancake Rocks Coastal Trail and may have time for another short walk, in scenic Paparoa National Park. Overnight in Punakaiki.

Day 4: Following breakfast we'll take a short, three-mile hike through native forest in Paparoa National Park. Our route includes a section of the Inland Pack Track. Here, we'll enjoy river valleys, narrow gorges and caves, and a swinging bridge. Bird life is profuse and includes the bellbird, fantail, grey warbler, rifleman, and tui. In the afternoon we will continue our four-hour drive south down the coast through Greymouth, making a stop at Hokitika, home of New Zealand greenstone jade. We'll continue to Franz Josef, next to Westland National Park, where we'll stay for two nights.

Day 5: We'll explore the Okarito Lagoon, which lies just south of Waitangi Roto Nature Reserve, a 1,000-year-old kahikatea rainforest. At Okarito Lagoon we will enjoy an easy morning of kayaking and search for bird life such as royal spoonbills, wood pigeons, and rare white herons. If you do not want to kayak, there are several different easy scenic hiking trails. In the afternoon we'll explore Franz Josef Glacier, taking a guided hike into its blue ice caves, crevasses, and pinnacles. We'll overnight in the town of Franz Joseph.

Day 6: Early in the morning we'll stop briefly to view Fox Glacier, as reflected in the waters of Lake Matheson. We'll continue south through Westland National Park to Haast Pass, where we may be able to stop at the Department of Conservation Visitor Center (depending on timing, they may be closed) then continue through the mountains and rivers of Mt. Aspiring National Park, where we'll have many hiking options. We will pass Makorara and drive alongside Lake Wanaka to our accommodations in Wanaka, where we will stay for two evenings. Half the day will be on the bus, the other half hiking.

Day 7: We'll explore Mt. Aspiring National Park, the second largest national park in the country, renowned for its rugged, mountainous beauty and unspoiled wilderness. Following the Matukituki River, we will hike seven miles round-trip, with 1,500 feet of elevation gain, through native mountain-beech forests to a waterfall-crowned valley at the base of Rob Roy Glacier. There are many birds here, and flowers such as ranunculus and New Zealand edelweiss. We'll overnight at Wanaka.

Day 8: We'll head up the Cardrona Valley today, past high-country stations and over the Crown Range. The golden tussock land of the Crown Range leads to the leafy village of Arrowtown, where gold mining history comes alive beside the Arrow River. Here we'll have time to tour the town and eat lunch. Later we'll drive alongside Lake Wakatipu to Kingston, and through rolling farmlands to Te Anau Township, on the shores of Lake Te Anau. Overnight in Te Anau.

Day 9: We'll drive along Milford Road, enjoying a panorama of high mountains and deep valleys studded with waterfalls and mirror-like lakes. We'll then hike through diverse mountain-beech forests along the Routeburn Track to Key Summit (seven miles, 2,000 feet elevation gain) covered with tannin-tinged tarns and alpine bogs. Here, in the heart of Fiordland World Heritage Park the views are spectacular. The summit derives its name from the fact that three river systems -- Hollyford, Greenstone/Clutha, and Eglinton/Waiau -- drain from this point westward, eastward, and southward. Overnight in Te Anau.

Day 10: Today, we'll take a two- to three-hour hike on the Rainbow Reach Trail through peaceful beech forests and along the rushing Waiau River. Then a two-hour ride takes us to where we'll boat across Lake Manapouri to West Arm, where we'll take a different bus that will drive over Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove on Doubtful Sound. Here we'll board the "Fiordland Navigator" for an overnight cruise. A naturalist guide will be on board, and we will have the use of kayaks.

Day 11: We'll wake to the silence of Doubtful Sound. The early morning reflections on the sound are a photographer's dream! We cruise back down the sound to disembark at Deep Cove at 10 a.m., and then return over Wilmot Pass and across the lake to arrive at Manapouri by noon. Our coach will transport us back to Queenstown airport with a stop for lunch, our final meal. Here our sojourn ends mid-afternoon. (Note: Do not book onward flights from Queenstown any earlier than 4 p.m.) The bus will let us off either at the airport or downtown, as you desire.

Your safety is our number one concern. While we make every attempt to fulfill this itinerary, it is subject to change based on weather, closings, or other factors.

Getting There

The trip begins in Nelson, while most international flights arrive in Auckland. Allow for this inter-island flight when booking your travel. You will have to change terminals for the domestic flight, but it's very close -- only about a 5-minute walk. Note that you will "lose" a day when traveling west across the International Dateline from the United States to New Zealand. This means if you leave the U.S. on February 9, you will arrive in New Zealand on February 11. On the other hand, you may well return to the U.S. before you leave New Zealand! Note also that the trip ends in a different city: Queenstown. It's easy to fly directly from there to Auckland.

Consider booking your inter-island flights (Auckland to Nelson, and return from Queenstown) when you book your international itinerary. Generally, there is little or no additional cost when the flights are booked together. Do not plan on being at the Queenstown airport before 2:30 p.m. on our last day. We will be bussing from Doubtful Sound to Queenstown, and there could easily be traffic delays.

Accommodations and Food

We will stay in lodges, local hotels, and a ship (on one night). Rooms are double-occupancy; a roommate will be provided for solo travelers. We will travel in an air-conditioned minibus. All meals (starting with dinner on day 1, and ending with lunch on day 11) are included in the cost of the trip. Generally, the lodge will provide breakfast. For lunch and dinner we will have a mix of dining at local cafes and restaurants or picnicking/cooking for ourselves. While the leaders will do most of any cooking, help is always appreciated. Many restaurants offer some vegetarian dishes and will attempt to satisfy special dietary needs. However, there may be occasions when vegetarian or special dietary meals are not available. You should inform the leader of any dietary restrictions when completing your application.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is suitable for both the very active traveler and those seeking a more relaxed vacation. It is open to all ages, so long as you are in reasonably good health, get regular exercise, enjoy the wilderness, and enjoy blending hikes with natural, cultural, and historical touring. Sea kayaking is included, but there are attractive alternative activities for those who don't want to kayak.

New Zealand weather is unpredictable. It can rain at any time, which makes for slippery trails. Expect temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to the mid-80s. We will be exploring lowland to alpine regions.

Equipment and Clothing

Besides a pack, well broken-in, but not broken down, boots are essential. If you plan on getting new boots, wear them for at least two months before this trip to break them in and help prevent getting blisters. Waterproof or Gore-Tex boots are best. Complete rainwear is also necessary -- we will be hiking in rainforest, and it gets its name legitimately. If you are used to hiking with Walking Poles, you will appreciate having them along. The leader will provide additional details on equipment at a later date.

References

Books:

• King, Michael, The Penguin History of New Zealand. 2003.
• Moon, Geoff, The Reed Field Guide to New Zealand Birds. Reed Books, 1992.
• Dougherty, Ia, Heart of Gold: The People and Places of Otago.
• Coates, Glen, The Rise and Fall of the Southern Alps. Canterbury University Press, 2002.

Maps:

• Fiordland Parkmap 273-03, 1:255,000, Department of Conservation
• Mount Aspiring Parkmap 273-02, 1:150,000, Department of Conservation

Websites:

• http://www.natureandco.co.nz/
• http://www.lakewanaka.co.nz/Wanaka_Welcome.html
• http://www.kiwizone.org/south/04Glaciers.htm

Conservation

Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources, both locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers, aided by a salaried staff, encouraging grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants toward environmentally understanding parallel concerns at home and abroad.

After Maori and European settlers introduced non-native mammals, many of New Zealand's indigenous species became extinct or threatened. The Australian bushtail possum, introduced in the 1900s, is the most serious threat to the environment. The possum has no natural enemies and can now be found throughout the country. It is causing serious destruction to vegetation, especially fuchsia forests at high altitude. European goats, meanwhile, strip vegetation and cause erosion.

In general, New Zealanders favor vigorous protection of endangered and threatened plants and animals. The Department of Conservation is very active in relocating endangered species to islands and areas that have been cleared of pests. Rigorous standards for camping and hiking are in place in all national parks and reserves in an effort to lessen impacts on the environment and to maintain high water quality. All coastline is in public ownership.

Trip Price

This trip requires a $200 per-person deposit. An additional payment of $300 per person is due six months prior to trip departure. International trip prices are subject to change and are based on double-occupancy or group accommodations as described above. Single rooms may not be available or may cost more than the listed price. If you have any questions regarding double occupancy, please contact the trip leader.

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

The Sierra Club accurately and fairly budgets and prices our trips. However, unforeseen costs such as devaluation of the dollar compared to other currencies and fuel surcharges assessed by our international providers may necessitate adjustment in trip price. We will make every effort to mitigate and absorb these fees. If a price increase is necessary, however, you will have 14 days after announcement to cancel without penalty.

Staff

Leader:

Margie Tomenko has been a Sierra Club member for more than 20 years, and has led trips for more than 15 years. New Zealand holds a magic for her because of all the diverse terrain and outdoor opportunities in such a small area -- hiking, kayaking, glacier walks, and more! The Kiwis (as New Zealanders call themselves) are friendly, the islands are beautiful, the food is great, and the languages is English (well, sort of!). One of her favorite hobbies is scuba diving, so she truly enjoys viewing wildlife both above and below the water! We won't be doing any diving this trip. She is very excited to share this fascinating place with you. "It is so incredible to go from beaches to glaciers so quickly!" If you have questions, or just want to chat about New Zealand, please feel free to contact her.

E-mail: sierraclubmargie@comcast.net

Assistant Leader:

Mary Menconi has led Sierra Club trips to Italy, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, the Everglades, the High Sierra, and other destinations. Mary's interest in travel was sparked in her late teens when she spent a year in a small town in Germany. Since then she has lived in Arizona, Utah, and New Hampshire and now resides in her native California. She enjoys visiting new places to learn about their natural and human history. Trained as an agronomist, Mary has a particular interest in plants and she is looking forward to exploring New Zealand's wild landscapes.

E-mail: marymenconi@gmail.com

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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback