New Zealand adventure holiday
Highlights
Auckland | Tiri Tiri Matangi Reserve | Rotorua | Huka Falls | Tongariro National Park | Tongariro Crossing | Wellington | Cook Strait | Marlborough | Abel Tasman National Park | Motueka | Buller River | Punakaiki | Fox Glacier | Okaroto | Wanaka | Matukitiki | Milford Sound | Inner Sound | Queenstown | Mount Cook National Park | Christchurch | Canterbury Plains | Optional activities include a scenic flight over Tongariro Crossing, helicopter ride and walk over Fox Glacier and bungee jumping in Queenstown |Description of New Zealand adventure holiday
Starting in Auckland, travelling through the North Island and snaking down through the South Island in almost a full loop, this three-week small-group guided holiday reveals New Zealand in all its glorious variety. By far the best way to appreciate its natural wonders is on foot and by boat so this is an active trip, which maximises the time spent in the outdoors. You’ll need a good level of fitness to make the most of the jam-packed itinerary. There are five half days and three full days of walking through beautiful national parks, including hiking on the Fox Glacier and tackling the Tongariro Crossing. Dubbed one of the greatest one-day walks in New Zealand, this route goes through rugged volcanic desert, past craters and glacial valleys with incredible views.You won’t just be walking though. Cruising around Milford Sound searching for dolphins and seals and jetboating through Mount Aspiring National Park are two standout activities. During your time here, you’ll also come to understand New Zealand’s unique heritage, meeting Maoris in Rotorua and visiting the New Zealand National Museum in Wellington. Sleep soundly after all that fresh air in comfortable hotels and lodges, most with ensuite facilities, and enjoy a single night on a cruise boat, too.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.com
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Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.
Conservation:We are involved in conservation efforts for the Black Stilt (or Kaki in Maori ) which is one of New Zealand’s most endangered birds. We donate to the Department of Conservation who run the Kaki recovery programme near the town of Twizel in the Mackenzie Basin. Here the birds are bred and rehabilitated in to the wild after a number of months. Our entry into National Parks such as Tongariro, Mt. Aspiring, Mt. Cook and Abel Tasman also contribute to the upkeep of these incredibly beautiful places and the wildlife which inhabits them.
UK Office:
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK Offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.
The Impacts of this Trip
Community:
Although this trip is largely nature based, we are keen to integrate history and culture of the indigenous Maori community. In Rotoura we visit a Maori bathhouse and museum which helps clients to understand the history of the region. Afterwards we go to the Marae (ceremonial ground) where our Maori hosts welcome us and induct us into some of their customs before delivering a traditional concert and hangi (traditional meal). This is all operated by the local Iwi, who distribute all earnings amongst their community.
Group Size:
This small group tour has a maximum of 16 participants, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.
Conservation:We are involved in conservation efforts for the Black Stilt (or Kaki in Maori ) which is one of New Zealand’s most endangered birds. We donate to the Department of Conservation who run the Kaki recovery programme near the town of Twizel in the Mackenzie Basin. Here the birds are bred and rehabilitated in to the wild after a number of months. Our entry into National Parks such as Tongariro, Mt. Aspiring, Mt. Cook and Abel Tasman also contribute to the upkeep of these incredibly beautiful places and the wildlife which inhabits them.
UK Office:
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK Offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.
The Impacts of this Trip
Community:
Although this trip is largely nature based, we are keen to integrate history and culture of the indigenous Maori community. In Rotoura we visit a Maori bathhouse and museum which helps clients to understand the history of the region. Afterwards we go to the Marae (ceremonial ground) where our Maori hosts welcome us and induct us into some of their customs before delivering a traditional concert and hangi (traditional meal). This is all operated by the local Iwi, who distribute all earnings amongst their community.
Group Size:
This small group tour has a maximum of 16 participants, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.
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