Circumnavigation of New Zealand

 **UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY AT REDUCED RATE DUE TO CANCELLATION**

An in-depth exploration of New Zealand over Christmas & New Year aboard the MS Caledonian Sky
– 15th December 2017 to 8th January 2018

New Zealand’s 27 regions stretch more than 1600 kilometres across two main islands and offer the traveller a journey of breathtaking natural wonder. With vast open spaces filled with stunning rugged landscapes and a temperate climate, New Zealand is a land of rare natural beauty and contrasts and deserves more than a fleeting visit. We believe our circumnavigation of the country offers the best of all worlds and has been devised on the basis that most travellers from the UK will only tour New Zealand once. Therefore the trip should be as comprehensive and as full of contrasts as possible. Certainly our circumnavigation qualifies on all these important demands.

With this perfectly suited small ship, the coastal cruise around the North and South Island will drop anchor in the remote bays, navigate channels, fjords and rivers and call into harbours both large and small. With the added advantage of Zodiac landing craft and an expert expedition team you will be able to land in otherwise inaccessible places making the most of New Zealand’s extraordinary natural attractions.

Itinerary

Day 1 – London to Hong Kong. Fly by scheduled flight.

Day 2 – Hong Kong. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to a central hotel for an overnight night stay. Remainder of day and evening is at leisure.

Day 3 – Hong Kong. Enjoy a relaxing morning before our guided tour of Hong Kong including Victoria Peak and Stanley Market. Continue to the airport for our scheduled overnight flight to Auckland.

Day 4 – Auckland, New Zealand. Arrive and transfer to the Crowne Plaza Hotel (or similar) for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner tonight at the hotel.

Day 5 – Auckland. A morning tour will include the city’s highlights. We will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before being transferred to the MS Caledonian Sky.

Day 6 – Bay of Islands. This morning we visit the Waitangi Treaty house and continue to Kerikeri where the Maori first welcomed missionaries in 1819 and see the oldest buildings of New Zealand dating from the 1820s. Enjoy some free time to explore the charming historic town of Russell.

Day 7 – At sea. We spend the day cruising off this remote area of New Zealand.

Day 8 – New Plymouth. Today we explore the western port of New Plymouth. A tour will visit the highlights of the town including the spectacular Te Rewa Bridge and Pukekura Park, one of the premier botanical gardens in New Zealand. Alternatively drive to Mount Egmont and join one of the walking trails. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore further.

Day 9 – Ship Cove. Sail through the Marlborough Sounds and arrive in the early morning at Resolution Bay on South Island where keen walkers can enjoy a hike over to Ship Cove along the Queen Charlotte Track enjoying fantastic views. Alternatively alight a little later at Ship Cove where Captain James Cook spent much of his time in New Zealand. During the afternoon we cruise around to Tasman Bay and will moor overnight in Nelson.

Day 10 – Nelson. There will be a choice of excursions today. Either choose to disembark after breakfast to visit Abel Tasman. This marine reserve offers some marvellously scenic coastal walks and cruises with excellent wildlife opportunities. Alternatively enjoy a morning exploring Nelson which has for many years attracted resident artists. We sail at lunch time and arrive later in the afternoon to a remote harbour in Golden Bay which is well off the usual cruise ship route.

Day 11 – Christmas Day at sea. Spend a relaxing Christmas Day afloat.

Days 12 to 14 – Fiordland. We have three days to explore the incredible wilderness of fjords in the South West corner of the South Island. This is an area rich in history, majestic scenery and abundant wildlife. It is only accessible by sea, making it the most remote region of New Zealand. Our schedule may include Milford Sound, Astronomers Point, Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound but final itinerary decisions will be made by the Captain and Expedition Leader based on weather conditions.

Day 15 – Ulva and Stewart Islands. New Zealand’s third island is well off the usual beaten tourist track. It is a wonderfully tranquil place, the scenery of untouched bushland is stunning. We will enjoy a morning on the small Ulva Island where we will use Zodiacs to go ashore for a choice of walks with our local guides. This afternoon we land at Oban on Stewart Island and have the chance to wander amongst the shops and see the museum or join a drive to some of the beauty.

Day 16 – Dunedin. Arrive this morning in Dunedin and enjoy a guided tour including the gracious 19th century buildings and the beautiful botanical gardens. Alternatively choose to drive to the Otago Peninsula to visit Penguin Place where we learn about the breeding and conservation programme of the rare yellow eyed penguins as well as the Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head. This afternoon is free for independent exploration or maybe choose to join the optional excursion on the Taieri Gorge Railway.

Day 17 – Akaroa. We spend a full day in Akaroa and there will be a choice of excursions including a dolphin watching trip or a guided historic walk in Akaroa and through the native bush of the Garden of Tane. We also hope to offer a chance to visit a working farm in the countryside outside the town. Ring in the New Year on board this evening.

Day 18 – Lyttelton for Christchurch. At breakfast we arrive in the port city of Lyttelton our base for our day in Christchurch. Choose either to spend time in this most English of cities where we enjoy a morning overview of the city. We will view the Southern Alps from the Port Hills, ride a restored tram and tour the Canterbury Museum with its acclaimed Antarctic collection. The afternoon is free for independent exploration. Alternatively, join an optional full day tour on the Tranz Alpine Express Train to Arthur’s Pass in the heart of the Southern Alps.

Day 19 – Kaikoura. Today we are in Kaikoura, a famous whale watching area due to its nutrient rich waters. After breakfast, there will be opportunities to join a whale watching cruise. Spend the afternoon exploring the town independently, join one of the nature walks or maybe take a trip on one of the bird watching cruises.

Day 20 – Wellington. Enjoy a full day in the nation’s capital. From our central berth we will explore Wellington on a morning guided walk. Return to the vessel for lunch and enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city at your own pace.

Day 21 – Napier. After a morning at sea, arrive in Napier and join a tour of this beautiful city including a short walking tour of its charming Art Deco buildings as well as a visit to a local vineyard to sample the local wines. Alternatively drive to the gannetry at Cape Kidnappers where you can get amazingly close to the birds.

Day 22 – White Island. Weather permitting there will be an excursion to explore the active volcano on White Island, identifiable by the plume of steam continually spouting from its crater. This call is well off the usual cruise routes and we will use the Zodiacs to reach the island and then take a guided walk to the crater.

Day 23 – Tauranga for Rotorua. From our berth in Tauranga we will drive to the famous thermal springs at Rotorua. Marvel at the incredible palette of vibrant hues displayed in the pools, lakes and craters, and enjoy the melodic sounds of birds singing in the native forest. From here we visit a local Maori Marae where we will enjoy a traditional Maori welcome and lunch before returning to the ship in the late afternoon.

Day 24 – Auckland to London. Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for your scheduled indirect flight to London.

Day 25 – London. Arrive this morning.

Vessel details

The MS Caledonian Sky is one of the finest small ships in the world. She accommodates a maximum of 114 passengers in 57 spacious outside suites. All suites have outside views and many have private balconies, walk-in wardrobes and some feature tub baths. The spacious and finely decorated public rooms include a large lounge and an elegant bar where a pianist plays periodically throughout the day. The travel library is the perfect place to relax with a book as is the Club Lounge on the Panorama Deck. Outside there is a rear Lido Deck where meals are served in warm weather under shade and on the top deck there is a further observation and Sun Deck with bar service. There is also a small gymnasium and hairdressers on board. With only one sitting and a maximum of just over 100 passengers, the cuisine will be of a consistent superior quality. The atmosphere on board is warm and convivial and more akin to a private yacht or country hotel in which you can learn more about the wonders of nature and the culture of places you are visiting in the company of like-minded people and a knowledgeable expedition team.

NB: All special offers detailed are subject to availability. Offers are available for new, direct bookings only and not in conjunction with any other offer or discount.  Zodiacs will be used during this voyage. Booking conditions apply to all reservations. Travel insurance, visa and optional excursions are not included in the price.