2020 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

Te Araroa: New Zealand from Top to Bottom SPECTACULAR HIKES ON THE NORTH ISLAND

The Te Araroa (Maori for “long pathway”) is a beautiful hiking trail that stretches from New Zealand’s North Island to its South Island. Our journey takes you to the very best sections of the trail on the North Island. We hike at Cape Reinga, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific, on Moturua Island, with its Maori archaeological sites, and into remote villages and mystical kauri forests to the Tutukaka Coast. When we reach the island’s central plateau, we’ll hike into the remarkable

world of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a World Heritage Site of wild volcanic scenery, and wrap up with a day to paddle the Whanganui River the traditional way—by waka (Maori canoe). Coming in 2021: Te Araroa: The South Island! Days 1-5 Kerikeri / Cape Reinga / Moturua Island / Russell Forest Flying to Kerikeri, we visit historic Russell, the first European settlement in New Zealand, then head out to Moturua Island to hike amid Maori archaeological sites. We’ll visit the award-winning Waitangi Treaty Grounds for a Maori performance, then hike along the Kerikeri River to the spectacular cascade of Rainbow Falls. The Te Araroa Trail at Cape Reinga Lighthouse brings us down to sweeping Twilight Beach, and the next day we’ll hike into the primeval Russell Forest, with its majestic kauri trees. Days 6-8 Poor Knights Islands / Mangawhai Heads / Matakana Wine Country We boat out to the marine reserve of the Poor Knights Islands for a memorable day of sea kayaking, cave exploration, and swimming. Back on the mainland, we enjoy spectacular coastal views as we hike the Te Araroa

MATT WILLIAMS-ELLIS

Trail across the Mangawhai Heads, nestled between the Pacific and rolling farmland, and explore Matakana wine country. Days 9-11 Auckland / Tongariro Alpine Crossing After a walking tour of harborside Auckland, we hike through the limestone bluffs of Mangaokewa Gorge, then make the spectacular Tongariro Alpine Crossing, bringing us into a world of emerald lakes, lava flows, and breathtaking volcanic scenery. Days 12-14 Whanganui River / Wellington A jet-boat brings us to the start of our hike through dramatic river gorges in Whanganui National Park, and we drift down the beautiful Whanganui River by waka (traditional Maori canoe). Our last hike on the Te Araroa Trail brings us on foot into Wellington, New Zealand’s urban jewel, with a visit to its famous museum, the Te Papa, full of Maori treasures. Depart on Day 14 via Wellington.

HIGHLIGHTS • Exhilarating hikes in spectacular coastal, mountain, and volcanic environments • Cape Reinga Lighthouse, the northernmost point of the Te Araroa Trail • Ancient Maori sites of Moturua Island, award-winning Waiangi Treaty Grounds • Tongariro Alpine Crossing, with its volcanic scenery and emerald lakes • The pristine marine reserve of the Poor Knights Islands, with sea kayaking and cave exploration DETAILS • 14-day trip begins in Kerikeri and ends in Wellington

On the North Island, we bring you spectacular hikes, breathtaking coastal landscapes, Maori culture, farm-to-table meals, and the wine country of Matakana. PHOTO: MORITZ WOLF

• 13 nights hotels and historic inns • All meals included except 1 dinner

DATES Nov 9-22, 2019 Feb 1-14, 2020 Nov 21-Dec 4

Jan 16-29, 2021 Feb 20-Mar 5

TRIP COST FALL 2019 / SPRING 2020 $7895 (10-12 members) $8295 (8-9 members) $8595 (6-7 members) Single supplement: $1500

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 Varied hikes of 3-6 hours, some sections on rough or rocky trails

QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL PACIFIC@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 110