Journeys: Kulturreise durch Neuseeland

Ankunft zu jeder Zeit möglich.
Bitte organisiere dir selbst ein Transportmittel zu dem Hotel, in dem du auf die Gruppe triffst. Unser National Geographic Expedition Leader wird abends ein Begrüßungstreffen organisieren.

Auckland ist eine fantastische Stadt mit unzähligen Sehenswürdigkeiten und Aktivitäten. Wenn du noch mehr Zeit haben möchtest, um auf eigene Faust auf Erkundungstour zu gehen, empfehlen wir dir, Übernachtungen vor dem Trip zu buchen.

Befahre den Hauraki Gulf Marine Park mit einem Forschungsboot. In enger Zusammenarbeit mit der Naturschutzbehörde und lokalen Universitäten verbindet die Crew aus Biologen und Umweltschützern die Ausflüge zu Walen, Delfinen und Seevögeln mit wichtiger Meeresforschung. Nach unserer Bootsfahrt kannst du im Einzelgespräch mit Mitgliedern unserer erfahrenen Crew mehr über die Meeresbewohner und Naturschutzbemühungen erfahren. Nachmittag zur freien Verfügung, um die Stadt zu erkunden.

Fahrt nach Rotorua mit Ausflug in die Waitomo Caves. Hier machen wir eine Bootsfahrt durch die Höhle, die von Tausende von flackernden Glühwürmchen an den Wänden erhellt wird.

Besuche heute Abend das Maori-Dorf Tamaki und genieße einen privaten Empfang bei einem „Kaumātua“ (ein Ältester in der Māori-Gesellschaft). Danach erwartet dich eine extravagante Darbietung lokaler Mythen und Legenden im Rahmen eines Abendessens mit traditionellen Hangi-Gerichten.
Rotorua sits over an active geothermal zone with bubbling mud pits and multi-coloured pools in different areas around the town. This is a fascinating region with Maori history and culture tied directly to the geothermal aspects of the land.

Begin your full-day excursion with a walk through the 800-year-old podocarp trees in Whirinaki Rainforest, learning the history of the forest and spotting endemic birds and medicinal plants. Then head to the Maori-owned Kohutapu Lodge, our base for exploring New Zealand's indigenous culture. Watch as a hangi lunch is prepared the traditional way-—buried in an underground pit—and enjoy the resulting feast with your Maori hosts. After lunch see ancient rock carvings and learn about their spiritual significance to the Maori people, both past and present. Return to Rotorua for an optional evening meal or a well-deserved soak in the hot springs.

This morning, spend some time learning about New Zealand's most iconic species-the kiwi. Enjoy a private tour at the National Kiwi Hatchery with an expert guide and learn how the chicks are reared and cared for in this incredible conservation effort protecting the endangered kiwi. In the afternoon, catch a flight to Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island.
With free time in Rotorua this morning, opt to relax in one of the hot pools fed by water coming directly from the natural springs.

Board the TranzAlpine train—one of the world's most scenic rail routes—for a breathtaking journey through verdant plains, beech forests, and majestic, misty mountains. Disembark at Arthur's Pass—the highest pass in the Southern Alps - and choose to grab a coffee and spend some time exploring this alpine area. Descend into the Canterbury Plains for a sheep shearing experience. On arrival, dig into a bbq lunch prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Then spend the afternoon with the sheepdogs learning about how the dogs work in tandem with their human owners to care for the local farms. Watch a sheep shearing demonstration and hear from the locals about the their life and work in this fascinating industry. Return to Christchurch later in the afternoon, with time to explore on your own and take dinner at your leisure.

Enjoy a morning at leisure in Christchurch. Choose to stroll the Christchurch Botanic Gardens or wander the city. In the afternoon, head west to Tekapo at the base of Aoraki/Mt Cook. This evening after dinner, join local experts for an exclusive astronomy experience in one of the worlds official Dark Sky Parks in Tekapo. Expect breathtaking perspectives of the stars, planets, and distant galaxies. You'll have the rare opportunity to capture stunning celestial images with expert guidance, while experienced guides take you on a journey through the Southern Skies.

Set off this morning for the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. Sir Edmund Hillary, New Zealand's most famous explorer, made some of his very first ascents here at the south face of Aoraki/Mt Cook which set the foundation for his world-changing summit of Everest with Tenzing Norgay in 1953. In a July 1954 issue of National Geographic Hillary was quoted as saying “We are there. Nothing above us, a world below.” Spend time at the visitor centre that honors Sir Edmund Hillary and his achievements in the exploration of so many fascinating parts of the planet. Later in the afternoon, embark on your own explorations with a guided trek along the Kea Point track. This 1.8 mile trail offers views to Mount Sefton, Hooker Valley, Mueller Glacier Lake and Aoraki/Mt Cook.

Set off this morning heading further west towards Wanaka. Enjoy some free exploration time in Wanaka and grab some lunch at leisure. This afternoon, join your National Geographic Expedition Leader for a brief orientation of Arrowtown before enjoying some time to explore this historic mining town. Choose to go on a walking tour starting at the Lakes District Museum. Then stroll around the historic miner's cottages, old churches, and explore the Chinese Settlement to learn about the gold mining past that shaped Arrowtown. In late afternoon, head to Queenstown and enjoy dinner at leisure.

Discover the glacially carved wilderness of Fiordland National Park on a cruise. Glide past shimmering waterfalls and towering cliffs, and look out for bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and little blue penguins with our naturalist guides. Travel back to shore, head to Queenstown for the night.

Enjoy a day at leisure in Queenstown to explore the myriad things that make this southern city so famous. Choose to cruise lake Wakatipu on a historic steamer; experience a thrilling jet boat ride; or visit a local winery to sample the region's award-winning vintages. Choose to join your National Geographic Expedition Leader and fellow travelers for a delicious farewell dinner on this final evening in New Zealand.

Abreise zu jeder Zeit möglich.
Wenn du dir mehr Zeit wünschst, um Queenstown zu erkunden, empfehlen wir dir, zusätzliche Übernachtungen nach dem Trip bei deinem Reisebüro zu buchen, wenn du an den unzähligen adrenalingeladenen Aktivitäten in der Stadt interessiert bist, die als die „Abenteuerhauptstadt der Welt“ bekannt ist. Zu den möglichen Aktivitäten gehören Jetbootfahren, Mountainbiken.