GEOTOURS NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 13 – 25, 2018 Trip Cost = $2290 - includes hotels, private transportation, many entries/activities, some meals
Optional 2-day extension to Rotorua, North Island = +$295 (land costs)
Airline tix are purchased by the participants and GeoTours will advise; round-trip airfare from LAX is about $1400-1500
Sat 1/13/18 – Depart USA
Depart USA; most flights leave in the evening
Sun 1/14/18 – In flight
Lose a day crossing the International Date Line
Mon 1/15/18 – Arrive Christchurch, New Zealand
Arrive in the morning in Christchurch, “the most English city outside of England”
Afternoon free to enjoy Christchurch
1 night at Southwark Apartments in Christchurch city center
Tue 1/16/18 – Christchurch to Dunedin (4.5 hours driving time)
Morning in Christchurch, perhaps to visit the flower-filled Botanic Gardens
Option to take a leisurely boat trip on the Avon River
Christchurch is still rebuilding from a devastating earthquake of 2011
Leaving Christchurch we travel south towards Dunedin
Explore Moeraki Boulders, like giant bowling balls on the beach
Dunedin is called “Edinburgh of the South” due to its Scottish influence
2 nights in Dunedin at Beechwood Boutique Accommodations
Wed 1/17/18 – Dunedin & Otago Peninsula (1.5 hours total driving time)
Full day in Dunedin
Walking tour of Dunedin
See the beautiful train station and Octagon, the heart of Dunedin
Cadbury’s Chocolate Factory – interesting and delicious!
Otago Peninsula – see rare yellow-eyed penguins in their native habitat
Optional tour of Speight’s Brewery, source of a very popular beer
Thu 1/18/18- Dunedin to Te Anau (4 hours driving time)
Near Dunedin, do a short hike to Tunnel Beach with beautiful sandstone cliffs and
sea stacks
Cross the South Island to Te Anau, on a deep, glacially carved lake
Pleasant walkway along the shore
Afternoon cinema viewing of “Shadowland”
Spectacular film about Fiordland National Park
Optional evening boat trip across the lake to the enigmatic Glowworm Caves
1 night in Te Anau at Shakespeare House B & B
Fri 1/19/18 Te Anau to Queenstown, with Milford Sound Cruise (7 hrs. driving)
Spectacular drive through glacial valleys in Fiordland National Park
Cruise by boat through magnificent Milford Sound
Deep fjord with waterfalls plummeting to the sea
Weather permitting, additional stops within the national park for views
Short hikes to cascading rivers and wildflowers
Continue to Queenstown for 2 nights at Lakeview Holiday Park
MILFORD
SOUND
Sat 1/20/18 Queenstown Free time in Queenstown, the top resort town and adventure capital of New Zealand
Optional activities (not included in program cost) include:
Golfing, whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, jet boating, or a relaxing boat trip on Lake Wakatipu
In the late afternoon take a gondola ride to the peak overlooking Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu
Enjoy a delicious dinner at the summit restaurant with glorious views
Sun 1/21/18 Queenstown to Fox Glacier (4 hours driving time)
Travel through Mt. Aspiring National Park with a hike through pristine forest to waterfalls
Reach Fox Glacier Village in Westland National Park
Go to some excellent viewpoints to see the glacier
1 night in Fox Glacier Village at Mt. Cook View Motel
Mon 1/22/18 Fox Glacier to Westport (4 hours driving time)
Sunrise walk along Lake Matheson (or previous day if weather is good)
Lake Matheson is famous for its reflections of Mt. Cook, NZ’s highest peak
Option to do a professionally guided helicopter ride & hike on Fox Glacier ($300)
Drive north along the coast with stop at viewpoint to see Franz Josef Glacier
Paparoa National Park - fascinating limestone geology, including the famous “pancake rocks” above crashing surf
1 night in Westport at Buller’s Court
Tue 1/23/18 Westport to Nelson (3 hours driving time)
Optional morning excursion (6 hours, including 4 hours driving) to Oparara Basin
Beautiful caves, limestone arches, underground streams
Afternoon drive to Nelson
2 nights in Nelson at Admiral’s Motor Inn
Wed 1/24/18 Abel Tasman National Park (2 hours total driving time)
Cruise along the beautiful coastline of Abel Tasman National Park
Magnificent hidden beaches amidst hills and forest
Option to hike the most scenic part of the trail (2 miles)
Option to go sea kayaking at Abel Tasman
Thu 1/25/18 Return to USA, or extend NZ travel to Rotorua, North Island
Fly home (arrive USA same day, 1/25/18), or fly to Rotorua for 2 nights (+$295)
Stopover in Rotorua might not add much to the cost of your flights
Rotorua is the cultural heart of New Zealand and the center of geothermal activity
Two nights in Rotorua at Fenton Court Motel
Fri 1/26/18 Rotorua
Visit marvelous Wai-o-Tapu geothermal area, with the multi-colored Champagne Pool
Learn about Maori culture at Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village
Guided tour, cultural demonstrations, music & dance performance
Afternoon free for optional activities
Zorbing - a New Zealand invention of rolling down a hill inside of a huge inflated plastic ball
Whitewater Rafting on Kaituna River – goes down a 22’-high waterfall! Agrodome – informative and entertaining sheep show
Sat 1/27/18 Depart Rotorua to USA
Morning free for optional activities in Rotorua
Probably depart in the late afternoon from Rotorua airport; arrive the same day (1/27/18) in the USA
GEOTOURS NEW ZEALAND INFORMATION Group Leaders
Matt and Suzan Ebiner will be the leaders of this tour. Matt Ebiner has previously led Study Abroad groups to New Zealand and is familiar with the
places on this itinerary.
Group Size
The maximum group size is 10 persons (plus the Ebiners).
Transportation
We will have a private vehicle, a 12-passenger van that Suzan and Matt Ebiner will drive.
Flights
Participants will purchase their own airline tickets and GeoTours will recommend the best flights.
Without doing the Rotorua extension the routing will be: (airfare around $1420 as of 3/18/17)
Jan 13, 2018 – LAX-CHC (arrives Christchurch Jan 15)
Jan 25, 2018 – NSN-LAX (departs Nelson and arrives Los Angeles the same day, Jan 25)
If doing the Rotorua extension the routing will be: (airfare around $1460 as of 3/18/17)
Jan 13, 2018 – LAX-CHC (arrives Christchurch Jan 15)
Jan 25, 2018 – NSN-ROT (Nelson to Rotorua)
Jan 27, 2018 – ROT-LAX (departs Rotorua and arrives Los Angeles the same day, Jan 27)
The best airline for all of these flights is Air New Zealand. Specific details will be provided to all participants. The fares above are likely to change.
Money Matters
New Zealand is a fairly expensive country, with lots of pricey outdoor activity options (see below). Restaurants tend to be more expensive than in the
USA ($10-20 for a main dish), but we will have plenty of opportunities to stop at supermarkets to get picnic items for lunches or other meals. Some of
the hotels do not serve breakfast but they have kitchenettes where you can prepare your own.
Included Entries/Activities
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Moeraki Boulders
Dunedin – Walking Tour of the city center
Dunedin – Cadbury World (chocolate factory)
Yellow-Eyed Penguins at Penguin Place
Dunedin – Tunnel Beach
Te Anau – Shadowlands film
Milford Sound cruise
Queenstown Gondola & Buffet Dinner
Fiordland National Park and Mt. Aspiring National Park hikes
Lake Matheson walk
Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier viewpoints
Hike to terminus of Fox or Franz Josef Glacier
Pancake Rocks at Paparoa National Park
Oparara Basin Caves and Underground Streams (time permitting)
Abel Tasman National Park Boat Cruise and Hike
Other short hikes and walks
Included Entries/Activities for Rotorua Extension
Wai-o-tapu Geothermal Area
Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village
Optional Activities (cost in US Dollars)
Speight’s Brewery (Dunedin) - $20
Glowworm Caves with boat trip on Lake Te Anau = $60
Queenstown – Bungee Jumping = $100
Queenstown – Jet Boating = $100
Queenstown – Whitewater Rafting = $160
Queenstown – Golfing (green fees and club rental) = $100
Fox or Franz Josef Glacier – Heli-Hiking
- Helicopter ride lands on glacier, than hike on the glacier = $300
Sea Kayaking at Abel Tasman - $100
Optional Activities for Rotorua Extension
Zorbing = $18 (one time down the hill)
Whitewater Rafting - Kaituna River = $62
Agrodome = $25
Pace
We will be traveling about 1400 miles around the South Island over 10 days, with several days
consisting of 4 hours of driving. We will have frequent stops at viewpoints, restrooms, snacks, for
hikes, and for photos. There are many walking, hiking, and adventure opportunities, so New Zealand
is best for those who love nature, the outdoors, photography, and active travel.
ROTORUA
QUEENSTOWN
FIORDLAND
NAT’L PARK
SOUTHERN ALPS
SPECIAL DISCOUNTS!
Sign up with your deposit by April 15 and receive a $75 discount
Or sign up April 16 - June 30 and receive a $50 discount
Sign up with a trip roommate and each of you gets $25 off
GeoTours alumni receive an additional discount of $25
multiplied by the number of GeoTours trips they have done
($75 maximum alumni discount)
GeoTours New Zealand Registration Form: January 13 – 25, 2018 - $2290 (land costs without airfare)
2-day extension to Rotorua (North Island) January 25 – 27, 2018 = +$295 (land costs without airfare)
International airfare is not included and must be purchased by participant (about $1400-1500 round-trip from LAX)
CONTACT: Matt & Suzan Ebiner, Trip Leaders, (310) 686-8171, [email protected]
REGISTRATION/PAYMENT PROCEDURE
1. Attach a $400 payment (made payable to GeoTours LLC) to this form and mail to GeoTours at the address below or
submit payment online through www.venmo.com or www.paypal.com, payable to [email protected] or 310-686-
8171. You can also make an online bank transfer if you are a customer of Chase (through QuickPay) or Wells Fargo
(Sure Pay) to [email protected] or 310-686-8171 (GeoTours phone #).
2. Second payment of $500 is due on August 31
3. Final payment is due on November 1. If signing up after November 1 then
full payment is due with registration.
4. Payments made after December 1 will be assessed a $50 late fee.
GeoTours
1547 E. Puente Street
Covina, CA 91724
DO YOU PLAN TO DO THE ROTORUA EXTENSION JANUARY 25 – 27? +$295 YES NO
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION (Please print clearly and use your precise name as it appears on your passport)
First Name ___________________________ _______________ Last Name ____________________ __________ Gender: _______
Address _______________________ ________________ ______ City, State _______________ _______________ Zip ______ _____
Are you a US citizen? Yes ___No, I am a citizen of ______________ Passport # _____ ___________ Expiration _____ ________
Email Address ______________________________________________________________ Date of Birth _________ _________
Home Phone ( ______ ) __________________________________ Cell Phone (_______) _________ ______________________ _
ACCOMMODATION REQUEST The program price is based on double occupancy. If you sign up without a roommate we will try to match you with
someone of the same sex, but this is not guaranteed. If available, a single room incurs a supplement of +$600.
Please check one: Sharing a Twin room (2 beds) ______ Sharing a Double room (1 large bed) _____ Single Room _____
Name of preferred roommate (if any) ________________________________________________________________________ _
EMERGENCY CONTACT
Name ___________________________________________________________ Relationship _____________________________
Address _____________________________________________ City, State ______________________________ Zip __________ _
Home Phone ( _____ ) _________________Cell ( _____ ) ____________________Email Address __________________________ _
Cancellations
To cancel your participation in the tour, you must inform GeoTours in writing. Cancellation date is the day when GeoTours has received your written cancellation notice
Date of Cancellation Cancellation Penalty (in addition to any non-recoverable costs already paid by GeoTours)
On or before April 30, 2017 $100
May 1 – June 30, 2017 $200
July 1 – August 31, 2017 $400
Sept 1 – October 31, 2017 $600
Nov 1 – December 31, 2017 $1000
After January 1, 2018 No Refund
Responsibility The program participant agrees that GeoTours LLC assumes no liability whatsoever for loss of property, injury, accident, illness, death, irregularity and delays during the
duration of the tour. In addition, the program participant agrees to hold GeoTours LLC harmless for damage and delay due to equipment problems, quarantine, declared or
undeclared war and insurrection, terrorist and criminal activity, revolt, civil disturbance, hostility, military action, strikes, labor unrest, any “act of God” or nature and for any
act of any third party. The participant, by registering for this tour, agrees that GeoTours LLC is not responsible for delay, rerouting, omission and additional expense
resulting from the passenger’s improper travel documents such as passport, visa and health document. Any losses and expenses related to such circumstances are within the responsibility of the program participants and not of GeoTours LLC. GeoTours LLC is not responsible for acts of any government authority. GeoTours LLC reserves the
right to adjust itinerary and contents and to substitute accommodation providers as deemed necessary. GeoTours LLC reserves the right to accept or decline any person as a
program participant as well as to refuse to retain any participant’s membership in the program. Participants that do not participate in an activity or entry, or who leave the
tour early or arrive late, will not be entitled to any refund. By registering for this tour, the participant agrees to all such terms and conditions.
I have carefully read and agree to the regulations above.
Participant Signature Date Travel arrangements by GeoTours LLC, CST # 2099683-40; www.geotours.us
1547 E. Puente Street, Covina, CA 91724; Phone: (310) 686-8171; Email: [email protected]
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