2019 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

JON SPARKS

MICHAEL RUCKER

Our unique Kiwi adventure weaves together the best hikes on the North Island’s Te Araroa Trail plus visits to sacred Maori sites.

Te Araroa: New Zealand from Top to Bottom HIKING THE NORTH ISLAND

The Te Araroa (Maori for “long pathway”) is a spectacular hiking trail that stretches from the North Island to the South Island of New Zealand. With our phenomenal Trip Leader Jon Imhoof, we hike the best sections on the North Island (watch for the South Island trip in 2020!), from Moturua Island, with its Maori archaeological sites, through remote villages and mystical kauri forests to the Tutukaka Coast. On the central plateau, we hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a World Heritage Site of remarkable volcanic scenery, and travel the sacred Wanganui River by waka (canoe). This unique adventure is full of fantastic hikes, great food, world-class wine, craft beer, and easy-going Kiwi culture. Days 1-4 Kerikeri / Cape Reinga / Bay of Islands / Russell Forest Flying to Kerikeri, our first hike on the Te Araroa Trail brings us to the Cape Reinga Lighthouse, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific in a spectacular swirl of currents. On Moturua Island, we hike along sheltered bays and visit Maori archaeological sites. Our trail leads us through stunning native bush in the primeval Russell Forest, with its majestic kauri trees, and then down the Tutukaka Coast.

Days 5-8 Poor Knights Islands / Mangawahi Cliffs / Auckland We boat to Poor Knights Islands, a pristine marine reserve, for a day of sea kayaking, cave exploration, and a chance to spot dolphins and whales. Back on the mainland, we hike the Mangawahi Cliffs Walkway, nestled between the Pacific and rolling farmland, and follow an ancient Maori path through coastal forests. The Te Araroa Trail brings us right into delightful Auckland, the City of Sails, with a trip out to Waiheke Island, home to wineries and artists. Days 9-11 Rotorua / Tongariro Alpine Crossing In Rotorua, we watch a spine- tingling haka war dance and visit the Maori who live in the unique geothermal landscapes of Whakarewarewa. As we hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, we are immersed in a world of emerald lakes, lava flows, and breathtaking volcanic scenery. Days 12-14 Wanganui River / Wellington A jet- boat brings us to the start of our hike through dramatic river gorges in Wanganui National Park, and we drift down the beautiful Wanganui 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.

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, spectacular haka warrior dance in Rotorua • Tongariro Alpine Crossing, with its volcanic scenery and emerald lakes • Boat through the pristine marine reserve of the Poor Knights Islands, with kayaking and cave exploration DETAILS • 14-day trip begins in Kerikeri and ends in Wellington

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

DATES Nov 25-Dec 8, 2018 Nov 9-22, 2019 Feb 23-Mar 8, 2019 Feb 1-14, 2020

TRIP COST FALL 2018 / SPRING 2019 $7795 (10-12 members) $8295 (6-9 members) Single supplement: $1500

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Varied hikes of 3-6 hours, some sections on rough or rocky trails FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR PACIFIC TRIPS, VISIT WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM/TRIPS/PACIFIC 106