Strabo Photo Tour Collection

New Zealand: A Special Photographic Trip

New Zealand…

Nowhere in the world can one find such a land as New Zealand for sheer beauty and scale. Volcanoes, glaciers, high mountains, fiords, tussocklands, and geothermal springs — the country is a treasure trove of natural wonders. Our trip will encompass the two main islands of New Zealand, North and South Island. The North Island has a temperate climate, with beautiful coastal areas, intense geothermal activity, and Maori culture. The South Island has some of the most dramatic scenery in the world, with towering peaks, glaciers, majestic fiords, and pristine lakes. We’ll spend most of our time here. Our trip has been timed to coincide with New Zealand’s glorious springtime, a period of breathtaking beauty and life.

Itinerary

January 10 - January 11: U.S. - New Zealand

Leave the U.S. today for New Zealand, flying across the Pacific. A day is lost en route as you cross the International Date Line. Flights need to be booked landing in Auckland (North Island), and return from Dunedin (South Island). (meals on plane)

January 12: Auckland / Muriwai Cliffs (North Island)

Arrive in the morning at Auckland International Airport and transfer to the hotel, where we will leave our bags and have a little time to freshen up before starting out. Then we’ll head to the Muriwai Cliffs in the western flank of the Waitakere Ranges. The sedimentary cliffs and stacks lead to sweeping sands to the north. On top of the stacks, thousands of gannets breed each summer. With prevailing westerlies bringing successive cloud formations off the ocean, the landscape is wild and dramatic. We’ll have lunch at the hotel and have the remainder of the day to rest and relax. Overnight HOTEL GRAND CHANCELLOR. (l, d)

January 13 - January 14: Auckland – Rotorua

Leaving Auckland for Rotorua, we will stop along the way to photograph the lush green pasture land of the Hauraki Plains. Our principle spots of interest upon arrival in Rotorua are the public gardens and geothermal areas. We’ll have time to photograph the thousands of black swans on Lake Rotorua and the Gothic bathhouse, a mosaic of form, texture and color, complete with croquet lawn in front.

Rotorua has been inhabited by the native Maoris since the 14th century. The Maori used the healing benefits of the geothermal springs in the area, hundreds of years before their benefit was known in the west. This afternoon we visit the Whakarewarewa geothermal area, with its geysers, mud pools and Maori tradition. The area is a center for Maori culture, and in the evening those who are interested will have an opportunity to take in a Maori concert and hangi.

The next day we will make an early start to allow us as much time as possible at the geothermal areas. Rotorua is known for its intense geothermal activity — spectacular geysers, steaming cliffs, hot springs, and bubbling pools of mud. Steam seems to come out of every hole in the ground. In the morning, we’ll make a trip south of the city to visit two of the most scenic and spectacular geothermal wonderlands. Twenty minutes away is the Waimangu Valley, a rift created in 1886, and still a cauldron of activity today. We’ll make an hour’s walk through the area to Lake Rotomohana. After lunch we’ll continue to Orakei Korako, a series of terraces covered with multicolored algae and a startlingly different, yet equally spectacular thermal region. In the late afternoon, we’ll drive back to Rotorua. Overnight RYDGES HOTEL. (b, l, d both days)

January 15: Rotorua – Christchurch (South Island)

After an early morning flight to Christchurch, on the South Island, we’ll have the day free to explore New Zealand’s “garden city.” We’ll have lunch on our own today. Overnight COPTHORNE DURHAMSTREET. (b, d)

January 16 - January 17: Christchurch – Twizel - Mount Cook National Park

A half-day’s drive south of Christchurch will take us through the flat Canterbury Plains, which extend to the foothills of the Southern Alps. This is an area of sheep and crop farms, seen best in the morning light, and we’ll make stops along the way to photograph. After crossing over foothills, we will reach Burke’s Pass and enter the vast intermontane basin of Mackenzie Country. Here three large, turquoise blue lakes stand out in the brown, arid tussock land. The snow-capped Ben Ohau Range towers above all. It is a landscape full of beauty and photographic opportunity. We’ll have lunch in the Burke’s Pass area, and then continue to Lake Tekapo, where there will be time to walk and photograph at leisure. From here it is a short drive to the town of Twizel.

The next morning, we will drive west to Mount Cook National Park, home of New Zealand’s tallest peak, which reaches to over 12,300 feet in elevation. The park is spectacular, with snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes, river valleys, and forests. New Zealand’s three tallest peaks, the other two being Mount Tasman and Mount Dampier, are all in the vicinity. More than three hundred species of endemic plants have been identified, and the bird life is prolific — including the kea, a parrot-sized bird that likes to steal your food and untie your shoelaces.

We’ll have the day to enjoy and photograph the sheer majesty and grandeur of the place, the alpine vegetation, and the results of the glaciations of the Mueller and Hooker Glaciers. We will devote the morning to a two-and-a half-hour walk to the moraine of Hooker Valley, where we’ll have magnificent views of the glaciers. We’ll have a picnic lunch at the park and use the afternoon for additional hikes and photography, or an optional flight over Mount Cook National Park can be arranged, at an additional charge. Overnight MACKENZIE COUNTRY INN. (b, l, d both days)

January 18: Twizel – Queenstown

This morning, we’ll leave early and drive south from Twizel over the Lindis Pass to the gold country of Central Otago where we’ll stop at some of the most historic and appealing early goldfields, the first being Bendigo Diggings in the Dunstan Range. After lunch at the Gibbston Valley Winery we will continue the short distance to Queenstown, via the early goldmining settlement of Arrowtown. Overnight at the KINGSGATE TERRACES HOTEL. (b, l, d)

January 19 - January 20: Queenstown – Lake Wakatipu – Bob’s Cove – Shotover Canyon

Queenstown lies on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, the second largest of the southern glacial lakes. In the background is the remarkable mountain range. From Queenstown, we make a short drive to Bob's Cove, renowned for its scenic seclusion and forests. A relaxed visit to this area will allow us to capture the essence of this part of New Zealand. In the afternoon we'll make a four-wheel drive excursion to the rugged Shotover Canyon, a valley unsurpassed for its spectacular rock tors and bluffs. We'll have the rest of the afternoon here to take advantage of many photographic opportunities.

The next day will be free for exploring Queenstown on your own. You can stroll through the waterfront area, visit the Government Tourist Gardens, which should be spectacular at this time of year, and take a ride on the Skyline Gondola. Lunch and dinner will be on your own today. Overnight at the KINGSGATE TERRACES HOTEL. (b, l, d; b)

January 21 - January 22: Queenstown – Fiordland National Park

Garston Sheep Farm – Te Anau – Milford Sound
After travelling south alongside Lake Wakatipu the road follows the upper Mataura Valley. In this valley are located several high country sheep stations, the backbone of the New Zealand wool industry. This morning experience the workings of such a station – enjoy watching the mustering, shearing, and the renowned sheep-dogs at work. This is no tourist farm, but a family owned and run working farm. We shall also explore by coach the wonderful tussock lands of the upper Nevis Valley at the back of the farm, as we are guided by the farmer. Lunch in the woolshed before continuing to Te Anau.

The next morning we drive through to Milford Sound, one will marvel at the silence and majesty of the region. A 10-mile-long glacial valley flooded by the sea, Milford Sound is regarded as one of the most beautiful fiords in the world — certainly the most famous. Kipling described it as the eighth wonder of the world. Majestic mountains rise vertically from the water’s edge to over a mile high, while thread-like waterfalls plunge from hidden valleys into the ebony waters below. We’ll enjoy a one hour 45 minute cruise along the length of the fiord.

Returning to land, we slowly retrace our way through the Cleddau and Hollyford Valleys, taking every opportunity to discover the intricacies and secrets of this area, with plenty of time for photography. Dinner will be on your own tonight. Overnight DISTINCTION LUXMORE, Te Anau. (b,l,d; b,l)

January 23: Dunedin – Otago Harbour

Leaving the magnificent fiordland, we’ll drive across southern New Zealand to the coastal town of Dunedin, taking a break en route in Gore. Wide streets, attractive old-style architecture, and many parks and gardens have drawn people here, and Gore is the region’s second-largest town. This afternoon continue north of the city to the renowned Moeraki Boulders, returning to Dunedin early evening. Overnight SOUTHERN CROSS HOTEL DUNEDIN. (b,l,d)

January 24: Dunedin – Auckland – USA

The morning will be free for further photography of Dunedin’s historic buildings or to visit the Otago Museum. In the mid-afternoon, we’ll go to the airport for our flight to Auckland, where you will connect with your international flight home. (b)

Accommodations

WHAT TO EXPECT: Trip Focus, Activities, and Accommodations. This trip is designed to show you New Zealand’s natural wonders. We use local guides in each place, who have a wealth of information to share. Where possible, we favor lodges and smaller hotels and motels located close to natural areas, rather than larger tourist hotels located in shopping or resort areas. Accommodations are not always luxurious, but they are comfortable and clean. Meals consist of hearty buffet-style breakfasts and lunches, and either buffet dinners or set menus, usually with a choice of two or more entrees and desserts.

Guides

Please contact us for more details.

Food & Drink

Please contact us for more details.

Notes

*The trip price is based upon the prevailing exchange rate between US and NZ dollars, and is subject to change (positive or negative), should there be a wide fluctuation.

Pricing Info

Tour land cost: $5,695 US Dollars based upon minimum of 8 paying participants. There is a small group surcharge of $300 if 6-7 paying participants. All our program prices are based on double occupancy unless noted in exceptions.

Single room supplement: $895; single rooms are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. We try to accommodate travelers who request single accommodations, as well as travelers who are looking for a roommate. If a single room is requested, or if we are unable to find a suitable roommate, you will be required to pay the supplement.

Note: The land costs on international tours is based upon current exchange rates. Although the rate has been relatively stable, should it change, there may need to be an adjustment in the land cost.

General Tour Info (includes, excludes and other details)