New Zealand
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The Land of the Long White Cloud
The Maori call New Zealand “Aotearoa” which means the land of the long white cloud. It’s a fitting name for a country with such extraordinary natural beauty. Soaring snow-capped peaks, lush forests, alpine grasslands, vast lakes and sounds, deep fjords and rich oceans combine for unparalleled scenery and a wide variety of habitats. Lying nearly 1500 miles from Australia in the southwestern Pacific, the islands of New Zealand are some of the most isolated in the world. So isolated in fact, that the only native land mammals are three species of bats. Reptiles and amphibians are present, but also in small numbers. Birds, on the other hand, flourished on these islands and the absence of mammals allowed birds to evolve many unique traits including many flightless species. When humans finally reached this archipelago they extinguished many of the native species including the giant Moas. They also brought with them many invasive species of mammals and birds which have predated upon and out competed the native species. As a result, many of New Zealand’s endemic birds are highly endangered and some are found only on predator-free off shore islands. EcoQuest Travel is proud to offer a once in a lifetime birding and wildlife adventure to New Zealand. We are traveling in November to take advantage of the spring weather in New Zealand.
Although this trip will concentrate on the endemic birds of New Zealand, we will also search for other wildlife like the prehistoric Tuatara and the incredible variety of marine mammals found in the surrounding waters. We will search for three of the five species of kiwi snuffling about on forest floors and sandy beaches. We will witness spectacular flocks of albatrosses, shearwaters and petrels off the rugged coasts – indeed our trip includes several boat trips to see pelagic species. We will find inquisitive Keas in the mountains of the South Island and listen for the haunting calls of the Kokako in the forests of the North Island. We hope to see three species of penguins – Little Blue and, both endemic species, the Yellow-eyed and Fiordland Crested. Our visits to island sanctuaries will yield many of the endemics like the giant flightless Takahe, the diminutive Stitchbird and the beautiful Saddleback. We will also get a chance to experience the geothermal splendor of Rotorua and visit a glow worm cave.
Our trip to New Zealand is a long one, but we feel the length is justified given the depth and breadth of our tour. It is a very complete tour that encompasses all of the important bird areas making our trip to New Zealand unique. EcoQuest Travel is proud to invite you to join us as we seek out the birds and wildlife of New Zealand – land of the long white cloud.
21-Day Natural History Trip Itinerary
with Optional 3-Day Hauraki Gulf Pre-Extension
NEW ZEALAND
Birds & Wildlife in the Land of the Long White Cloud
Days 1, 2 & 3: Flights from the US to Auckland, New Zealand
Day 3: Arrival in Auckland, The Forests and Coasts North Of Auckland
Day 4: Tiritiri Matangi Island
Day 5: Miranda Wildlife Sanctuary and on to Rotorua
Day 6: Pureora Forest Park and Tongariro National Park
Day 7: Kapiti Island & Little Spotted Kiwi Search
Day 8 : Kapiti to Wellington and Matiu Somes Island
Day 9: Ferry to the South Island
Day 10: Marlborough and Queen Charlotte Sounds an on to Kaikoura
Day 11: Kaikoura Pelagic
Day 12: Canterbury Plains and Across Arthur’s Pass
Day 13: The Wild West Coast & the Quest for the Okarito Brown Kiwi
Day 14: Haast Pass and the MacKenzie Basin
Day 15: Lake Pukaki in the Shadow of Mount Cook
Day 16: The Southern Coast and Taiaroa Head
Day 17: To Stewart Island & Southern Brown Kiwi Search
Day 18: Stewart Island Pelagic & Ulva Island
Day 19: Stewart Island to Fiordland National Park & Glow Worm Cave
Day 20: Fiordland
Day 21: To Dunedin; Flight to Auckland; Flights to the US and Home
KIWI HAURAKI GULF
Trip Pre-Extension
Days 1, 2 & 3: Flights from the US to Auckland, New Zealand
Day 3: Arrival in Auckland; Australasian Gannet Colonies & Kiwi Search
Day 1: Birding Coastal Sites
Day 2: Hauraki Gulf Pelagic
Day 3: The Main Tour Begins
Please note that EcoQuest Travel will make every effort to adhere to this itinerary, but dates, times, activities and prices are subject to change depending on scheduling and availability.
New Zealand | freeworldmaps.com
