Terra Incognita Ecotours.
Join us on an ecotour that makes a difference to you and the places we visit.
Call us toll-free at 1-877-GO-EXPLORE.

Terra Incognita \"ter-a-in-kag-net-a"\ [L] (1616): unknown territory: an unexplored country.

New Zealand

15 days in the Land of Kiwi, Takahe, Keas and more

12 days on South island - optional 4 day extension to North Island

Fiordland Crested Penguin, South Island, New Zealand

North and South Island exploration
27 November – 8 December 2010 - South Island only - $6,850 per person
8 - 11 December 2010 - North Island extension - $2,200 per person

$8,600 per person for North and South Island combination
Single Supplement is $1,299

Join us as we embark on a unique journey exploring both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

This unique, custom designed adventure especially created for us will include incredible wildlife, scenery and culture. We will witness newly-hatched penguins, the flightless kiwi, keas and takahe, spectacular marine life, Maori culture, high altitude sheep farming, majestic fjords, seals, dolphins, rainforest, glaciers and so much more. This two week ecotour promises to be a fantastic and awe-inspiring experience.

This is an Ecotour that will make a difference to you, and to the areas we visit. We will donate to the important work of the Tiritiri Matangi conservation project.

Call 1-877-GO EXPLORE (877-463-9756) to reserve your space today!

Highlights

Our program gives you the chance to experience both the North and South Island – you experience the diversity of the environment and wildlife, from the rainforests of the south to the geothermal centre of the north.

We include the TranzAlpine train, considered one of the top six train journeys in the world.

We have arranged for a private lecture from the Wilderness Lodge owner Dr Gerry McSweeney.

Doubtful Sound Overnight cruise v’s Milford Sound day cruise. No comparison! While many have heard of Milford Sound because it is more accessible, Doubtful Sound is three times longer and has a surface area 10 times larger than Milford Sound. The fiord remains pristine and has spectacular towering cliffs clothed in luxuriant rainforest. You will not see other boats or tourists.

Marlborough Sounds - off the beaten track - the ‘Falcons for Grapes’ project is an excellent example of where industry and conversation are working hand in hand. We have arranged for a private talk with the project team members to see how they are making it possible.

Maud Island in the Marlborough Sounds is a private cruise - not available to the public - and we have special consent from New Zealand Department of Conservation for access.

Our insight into the Maori culture is enhanced because we are privately guided by Jim Schuster. He offers a unique aspect of the Maori culture, a genuine experience away from the regular tourist itinerary.

In Rotorua we learn about how New Zealand has harnessed the unique geothermal energy for electricity.

On this ecotour we spend two nights at the Millennium Hotel in Christchurch, Arthur’s Pass Wilderness Lodge, Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge, Novotel Lakeside in Queenstown, and the Marlborough Vintners Hotel, plus we include one overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound. If you extend to include the North Island we stay one night at the Copthorne Hotel in Wellington, and end with two nights at the Hyatt Regency Auckland.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Saturday. Arrival to Christchurch, New Zealand.
After our overnight flight we connect with ongoing flight to Christchurch, New Zealand. We will arrive in Christchurch and transfer immediately to the Millennium Hotel. Enjoy a Welcome dinner and tour briefing this evening.
Overnight at the Millennium Hotel (D)

Day 2: Sunday. Christchurch, New Zealand.
We have a free day today to explore the charming city of Christchurch and to recover from long plane flights. The Arts Centre has an outdoor market, the Musuem is open and the Botanic Gardens is an absolute must to wander the trails. Dinner is on your own this evening to explore local restaurants.
Overnight at the Millennium Hotel (B)

Day 3: Monday. Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass
This morning we travel by TranzAlpine scenic rail to Arthur’s Pass in the southern Alps, this breathtaking journey is considered one of the top train journeys in the World. From your carriage you will see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps, where we disembark at Arthur’s Pass.

At Arthur’s Pass Wilderness Lodge we are hosted at dinner this evening by Dr. Gerry McSweeney, lodge owner and ecologist.
Overnight at Arthur’s Pass Wilderness Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 4: Tuesday. Arthur’s Pass
Today we spend the whole day exploring the high altitude sheep farm and can choose to take part in seasonal farm activities and learn about high country farming and conservation in this unique area.
Overnight at Arthur’s Pass Wilderness Lodge (B,L,D)

Doubtful Sound, New Zealand

Day 5: Wednesday. Arthur’s Pass to Lake Moeraki
Today we travel by coach down the ‘Wild West Coast’ of the South Island to take in two major attractions in a country full of natural wonders – Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. While many glaciers world-wide have been retreating, these glaciers still flow almost to sea level, making them unique relics of the last Ice Age. There are several good glacier viewpoints that can be accessed with little walking. Other walks require a little worthwhile footslogging. If you wish (at additional cost) you can take a scenic helicopter flight over the glaciers, even landing on one of the glaciers - local conditions permitting. We end our day at Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge surrounded by World Heritage listed rainforest and recipient of an “Enviro-Gold” award for its contributions to conservation.
Overnight at Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge (B,L,D)

Lake Moeraki, New Zealand

Day 6: Thursday. Lake Moeraki
This morning we take a guided walk through the rainforest to a remote beach, home to the Fiordland Crested Penguin, which should be busy nesting at this time of year. We may be lucky to also view the Fur seals and perhaps the rare Hector’s dolphin, and we will learn how the lodge works towards protecting this special environment.
Overnight at Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 7: Friday. Lake Moeraki to Queenstown
We continue south traversing the thick temperate rainforests of Haast Pass, past the reflective waters of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea and over the Crown Range into Queenstown. Our guide will stop the coach on the way at hidden short walks to stunning waterfalls and blue pools that others drive past – you will find it hard to believe the road is so close! We will stop for a lunch break in scenic Wanaka and you will have time to wander the stores and explore local restaurants - perhaps even eat lakeside. Then we continue a short distance on to Queenstown where we spend the evening at the Novotel Lakeside Hotel. This evening you can explore the local dining scene, with many options to choose from, inexpensive fish and chips to fine dining.
Overnight at Novotel Lakeside Hotel (B)

Day 8: Saturday. Queenstown to Doubtful Sound
With over 10 times the surface area of Milford Sound, immerse yourself in Doubtful Sound’s breathtaking beauty, towering peaks and bush-clad islands. We drive from Queenstown, take a short ferry ride across island-studded Lake Manaouri and a coach ride on the remote sub-alpine route over Wlimot Pass before boarding the Fiordland Navigator at Deep Cove.

There is plenty of time on your overnight cruise to soak up the stunning surrounds and to discover the hidden arms of Doubtful Sound. Bottlenose dolphins often ride the bow waves, fur seals bask on the rocks and at times rare penguins make an appearance. The ship will anchor at a chosen mooring for the night giving you an opportunity to kayak around the shoreline, go exploring in the tender craft with our nature guide or simply relax on deck with a cocktail.
Overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound (B,L,D)

Day 9: Sunday. Doubtful Sound to Queenstown
Our Captain wakes us before dawn cruising off the main channel into a narrow side arm cutting the engines. Sitting becalmed between two towering cliff-faces, the only sound to be heard is the mewl of soaring sea-birds and the distant splash of waterfalls finding their way into the Sound while the sun rises silhouetting the surrounding peaks. Enjoy breakfast in this tranquil wilderness before our return journey. We pause on the way up Wilmot Pass to stretch our legs and take in the panorama from above and cruise across Lake Manapouri. . We will stop for a short break in Te Anau where you can grab a bite to eat, then we drive through the lush farmlands of Central Otago and realise the extent of Lake Wakatupu as we drive in our coach along the eastern arm of the lake on the return to Queenstown. Dinner is on your own this evening to allow you to explore the sights and sounds of Queenstown.
Overnight at Novotel Lakeside Hotel (B)

Fiordland Crested Penguin, South Island, New Zealand

Day 10: Monday. Queenstown to Blenheim
After breakfast we head to the airport for our flight to Blenheim, New Zealand’s gourmet paradise, and the gateway to the stunning Marlborough Sounds, an extensive network of sea-drowned valleys. Our first leg is the flight back to Christchurch, and then we take a scenic drive up the east coast, stopping to explore the seaside town of Kaikoura along the way, and conveniently we should be arriving around lunchtime!
Later in the afternoon we start driving through the vineyards found on the Wairau Plains, and this is the area where for the first time in 150 years the endemic New Zealand Falcon has returned to the area to breed. Rarer than the Kiwi we will learn more about this iconic species and the wine industry "Falcons for Grapes" project that is turning its fortunes around. Home to world renowned Sauvignon Blanc, we sample some tonight with dinner this evening.
Overnight at Marlborough Vintners Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 11: Tuesday. Marlborough Sound
This morning is at leisure to explore the vineyard and surrounds, maybe take one of the mountain bikes for a ride around the area, and early this afternoon we will have another opportunity to spend some time on the water as we cruise on the Marlborough Sounds discovering Greenshell Mussel farms and Maud Island. Indeed Maud Island is an important nature reserve to which only scientists and conservationists have access, it is a haven for New Zealand native wildlife, some of which are unique to the island and some are rare and in danger of extinction in mainland areas where non-native pests threaten their survival.
Overnight at Marlborough Vintners Hotel (B,D)

Day 12: Wednesday. Blenheim/home
This morning enjoy a relaxed breakfast, before we head to the airport and your flights home.
(B)

Extension to North Island

Day 1: Wednesday. Blenheim to Wellington
Today we fly across Cook Strait to Wellington and can explore the fabulous Te Papa Museum located on the waterfront very close to the hotel - be sure to tour the 'Awesome Forces' exhibition. Later we visit Karori Wildlife sanctuary and learn about their efforts to protect New Zealand's endangered species, reversing a decline that has lasted for at least 700 years, the Karori Sanctuary Trust has an extraordinary 500-year vision to restore a corner of New Zealand as closely as possible to the way it was before humans arrived. You can have an early dinner at the waterfront, or wait until after our tour of Karori Sanctuary, as this evening we take a nocturnal tour in search of the elusive and famed nocturnal flightless Kiwi.
Overnight at Copthorne Hotel (B)

Day 2: Thursday. Wellington/Rotorua and Auckland
Today we fly to Rotorua, New Zealand’s geothermal centre. Here we join Jim Schuster, renowned Maori guide, discovering Rotorua’s Maori culture and history. This evening we drive on to Auckland, the “City of Sails.” This evening dinner is on your own with a wide variety of restaurants to choose from.
Overnight at Hyatt Regency (B,L)

Day 3: Friday. Auckland
Visit Tiritiri Matangi, one of the most important conservation projects in New Zealand today join our private guide as we tour this 220 hectare island. Once stripped by farming, Tiritiri Matangi has been restored and is now a sanctuary for many endangered species. This evening we enjoy a farewell diner overlooking the beautiful waterfront, as we say goodbye to this beautiful country.
Overnight at Hyatt Regency (B,L,D)

Day 4: Saturday. Auckland/home
This morning enjoy a relaxed breakfast, before we head to the airport and our flights home.
(B)

Included: Accompanied throughout by English-speaking local guides; all transportation within New Zealand; all accommodations; meals as specified; and complete pre-departure information.

Not included: International round-trip airfare; airport departure taxes; gratuities, alcoholic drinks; insurance fees; visas and passport fees; medications; items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, etc.

International Air Travel - International air is not included in the price of your trip, but we would be happy to have you work with AirTreks, our preferred preferred provider of international air arrangements. We recommend our customers work directly with AirTreks as they coordinate your international flights directly with Ecotours and enable you to arrive at your destination at the times specified for your tour. Please contact AirTreks at ecotours@airtreks.com for more information on international air travel, a no obligation cost estimate of your international flights and complete international air itinerary planning.

Make sure to mention Terra Incognita Ecotours when you contact AirTreks to receive preferred pricing, and recommended travel itineraries specifically developed for your tour.

Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand

Travel Information

Thanks for choosing New Zealand with Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc. It is our pleasure to help you plan for your upcoming ecotour. To ensure that your travel arrangements are made to your satisfaction, please take a few minutes to read through this information.

What you need to have with you on your trip:
Passport: If you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you will need a passport, valid for six months from the date of completion of your trip.

It is always a good idea to make a photocopy of your airline tickets and of the pages of your passport that have the number, your photograph and other pertinent information. Keep the copies separate from the originals.

Visas: Please consult the New Zealand consulate or embassy nearest you for visa requirements to enter New Zealand. If a visa is required, you are responsible for obtaining it.

Documents for children under the age of 18, not traveling with both parents: The U.S. government is increasingly requiring that minors under 18 years of age traveling alone, with grandparents, or with one parent/legal guardian only, carry a notarized document signed by both parents or by the parent/legal guardian not traveling with the child. We suggest you obtain such a document (noting the age of the child, relationship to traveling adult(s), dates of travel, and destination) to avoid potential problems. For example, in the case of divorce, the parent with legal custody must sign the permit, and the accompanying adult must carry proof of this fact. In addition, if the child’s surname differs from that of either parent, you may want to carry the child’s birth certificate.

Emergency Contact number while on your ecotour:
Call COLLECT (813) 289-1049

Security: There are currently no security problems in New Zealand. Please feel free to check with the US State Department for any updates or change in conditions.

Endangered Takahe, Tiritiri Matangi, New Zealand

Practical Information

Currency: Rates effective October 2009. The currency of New Zealand is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) and 1 USD = 1.35 NZD

Major credit cards are widely accepted throughout New Zealand, we suggest you change some currency into small denomination New Zealand dollars for smaller purchases such as refreshments or other miscellaneous expenses.

Health: All information we obtain regarding health precautions is received from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta at 404.332.4559 or www.cdc.gov.

Please note that Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc., as a travel company, is in no way authorized to prescribe any inoculations or medications. We recommend that you consult your personal physician or a travel clinic specialist for medical advice, showing him or her the brochure that indicates the places you will be visiting. Your physician is most familiar with your personal medical history and is best qualified to determine your particular needs. It is always advisable to have physical and dental check-ups before you leave.

Swimming: There will be several opportunities to swim during the ecotour. You should bring a swimsuit if you intend to swim, and for added protection from the sun you may wish to wear a T-shirt while swimming.

Time Difference: New Zealand is eighteen hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

Weather: New Zealand has a largely temperate climate. While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as -10 C in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine. Because New Zealand lies in the Southern Hemisphere, the average temperature decreases as you travel south. The north of New Zealand is subtropical and the south temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February (summer), and the coldest June, July and August (winter). In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20 - 30ºC and in winter between 10 - 15ºC. Importantly, rain is possible at any time, even though we travel in the New Zealand summer season (northern latitude Winter) and no matter the location, the mornings and evenings are cooler and nights can be cold.