NEW ZEALAND WALK October 31 to November 10, 2021
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
NEW ZEALAND WALK
October 31 to November 10, 2021
FACULTY LEADER
Rob Dunbar
Rob Dunbar, whose research interests span Earth science, climate change, oceanography, glaciology and
conservation science, heads a Stanford research group that works on past, present and future climate
change as well as its impacts on oceanic environments and mountain belts around the globe. He works
regularly with the U.S. government and the United Nations to help develop and implement solutions to
environmental and resource problems.
Rob first travelled to New Zealand in 1982, passing through on his way to and from Antarctica for a
research project. New Zealand captured his attention and heart because of its natural beauty,
egalitarian society, and fiercely independent people. He has since traveled to New Zealand over 40 times
and lived there in 1988 and ’89, working at Victoria University of Wellington, where he studied climate
change and New Zealand geology. He currently holds an adjunct faculty position in Earth sciences at
Victoria University of Wellington, chairs the international advisory board for the New Zealand Antarctic
Science Platform and recently joined the strategic planning board for GNS Science, a New Zealand
Crown Research Institute. Rob has hiked most of the major tracks in New Zealand and has also enjoyed
skiing, caving, exploring and fishing on both islands.
During our walk, he will lecture on the geology, tectonics, wildlife and climate of New Zealand, as well as
recent and catastrophic earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. He’ll also speak about Maori culture and
history and New Zealand’s stewardship of nature, the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.
— At Stanford: William M. Keck Professor of Earth Sciences; Bass University Fellow in Undergraduate
Education; senior fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment
— Recipient of the Richard W. Lyman Award for exceptional volunteer service to the university
— BS, geology, University of Texas at Austin
— PhD, oceanography, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego
ITINERARY
Sunday, October 31
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND
Arrive in Queenstown and begin our adventure with lunch before a pleasant two-mile nature walk that
descends through native bush abounding with birdlife to Bob’s Cove and its excellent lookout point.
From here we can see much of Lake Wakatipu and the distant Remarkables mountain range. This
evening join fellow walkers for a welcome reception and dinner. HOTEL ST. MORITZ (B,L,D)
STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY | (650) 725-1093 | TRAVELSTUDY@ALUMNI.STANFORD.EDU
FRANCES C. ARRILLAGA ALUMNI CENTER | 326 GALVEZ STREET | STANFORD, CA 94305NEW ZEALAND WALKS
October 31 to November 10, 2021
Monday, November 1
QUEENSTOWN
This morning embark on the scenic drive from Queenstown to the Routeburn Shelter to begin a full-day,
10-mile hike on the Routeburn Track. Our walk takes us into a beautiful ancient beech forest festooned
with mosses, lichens and ferns, as well as waterfalls and a river gorge, with lake and mountain views
throughout. HOTEL ST. MORITZ (B,L,D)
Tuesday, November 2
QUEENSTOWN / TE ANAU
Enjoy the morning and lunch at leisure in Queenstown, exploring the natural beauty and unique energy
of the city, before embarking on the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Te Anau, arriving in the early evening.
DISTINCTION TE ANAU HOTEL & VILLAS (B,D)
Wednesday, November 3
TE ANAU
Today’s 10-mile walk on the Kepler Track begins with a scenic 15-minute helicopter flight from Te Anau
to Luxmore Hut, our starting point. From the bush line, we can take in sweeping panoramas of the Te
Anau basin and several mountain ranges, then it’s all downhill from there, as we make our way to Brod
Bay, passing limestone bluffs en route. At the end of our walk, take a short boat ride from Brod Bay back
to Te Anau. DISTINCTION TE ANAU HOTEL & VILLAS (B,L)
Thursday, November 4
TE ANAU
We start with a picturesque two-hour drive to Milford Sound, where we take a water taxi from the boat
terminal to Sandfly Point, the start of our relatively flat, seven-mile Milford Track walk. After our walk
enjoy a one-and-a-half-hour cruise on Milford Sound. Return to Te Anau this afternoon via helicopter,
from which we are treated to breathtaking views of some of the highest and most-photographed
mountains of Fiordland National Park (contingent on weather). Views of Mitre Peak and Milford Sound
unfold as our flight path follows the Milford Track and over Mackinnon Pass before landing back in Te
Anau. DISTINCTION TE ANAU HOTEL & VILLAS (B,L,D)
Friday, November 5
TE ANAU / NELSON / KAITERITERI
This morning board a private charter flight from Te Anau to Nelson. Upon arrival enjoy lunch in town
before continuing to Kaiteriteri, located just south of Abel Tasman National Park, and checking in to our
lodgings. Before dinner take some time to enjoy the amenities of our eco-resort: Get a treatment or
enjoy the sauna at the spa, swim in the pool, sunbathe on the beach or go on a bike ride. KIMI ORA ECO
RESORT (B,L,D)
Saturday, November 6
KAITERITERI / ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK
We spend today in Abel Tasman National Park, world-famous for its golden sand beaches, turquoise
waters, estuaries in their original, untouched state, lush bush and excellent walking tracks. Our six-mile
walk covers the park’s most diverse sea- and landscapes. We travel to and into the park by water taxi,
then walk from Torrent Bay to Medlands Beach through beautiful regenerating forest alive with birds
and past spectacular, extraordinarily colorful estuaries and landforms. KIMI ORA ECO RESORT (B,L,D)
STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY | (650) 725-1093 | TRAVELSTUDY@ALUMNI.STANFORD.EDU
FRANCES C. ARRILLAGA ALUMNI CENTER | 326 GALVEZ STREET | STANFORD, CA 94305NEW ZEALAND WALKS
October 31 to November 10, 2021
Sunday, November 7
KAITERITERI / MOUNT ARTHUR
We drive to the Flora car park in Kahurangi National Park, due west of Abel Tasman National Park, to
embark on a half-day, five-mile walk to and from Mount Arthur Hut. The walk follows the ridge toward
Mount Arthur, winding through beech forest and groves of candelabra-like mountain neinei (a species of
grass tree). Following our walk we return to our accommodation and spend the rest of the afternoon at
leisure, once again having some time to enjoy the resort’s many amenities. KIMI ORA ECO RESORT
(B,L,D)
Monday, November 8
KAITERITERI / BLENHEIM
This morning we drive for approximately two hours across the top of South Island to the Marlborough
region, stopping en route at a privately owned sheep farm. A farmer will demonstrate for us typical,
everyday farming chores, from working highly trained dogs to shearing one of his sheep. Continuing our
drive, we stop for a light lunch before checking in to our lodgings. MARLBOROUGH VINTNERS HOTEL
(B,L,D)
Tuesday, November 9
BLENHEIM / MOTUARA ISLAND / QUEEN CHARLOTTE TRACK
Take a short drive to Picton, then board a private water taxi and journey to tiny Motuara Island, where
we enjoy a one-hour walk around the island. Continue by water taxi to Ship Cove to begin our walk
along the Queen Charlotte Track, covering 10 spectacular miles of the 43-mile-long route and ending at
Endeavour Inlet. The Queen Charlotte Track has rapidly become known as the finest and most diverse
coastal track in New Zealand. The bush is a mixture of stunning podocarp (a conifer) and beech forest
dotted with punga ferns and other native New Zealand foliage. Return to Picton by private water taxi
and drive back to our hotel. This evening gather for a farewell reception followed by dinner.
MARLBOROUGH VINTNERS HOTEL (B,L,D)
Wednesday, November 10
BLENHEIM
After breakfast transfer to the Blenheim Airport to board outbound flights. (B)
Walks
Our walks are led by experienced guides and range from six to 11 miles a day, or about four to six hours,
over rough and varied terrain. Participants should plan to walk with the group the entire day and be
prepared for long ascents and descents. Please note that several of the daily excursions might be
described as hikes rather than walks.
INFORMATION
Covid-19 and Travel
With travel requirements and local Covid-19 conditions changing weekly, travel protocols for specific
destinations will be shared with confirmed travelers closer to departure. To read more about
Travel/Study’s approach to ensuring traveler health and safety, visit our Covid-19 Travel page.
STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY | (650) 725-1093 | TRAVELSTUDY@ALUMNI.STANFORD.EDU
FRANCES C. ARRILLAGA ALUMNI CENTER | 326 GALVEZ STREET | STANFORD, CA 94305NEW ZEALAND WALKS
October 31 to November 10, 2021
Size
This trip requires a minimum of 20 participants and is limited to 26. Travel/Study is committed to
providing a low-density experience on all programs and will implement protocols to do so, including
social distancing on transportation, as well as during lectures, meals and excursions. Single
accommodations are limited—please call for availability.
Cost*
$12,595 per person, double occupancy
$13,995 per person, single occupancy
*Stanford Alumni Association nonmembers add $300 per person
Included
● 10 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations
● 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 9 dinners
● Welcome and farewell receptions
● Gratuities to guides and drivers for all group activities
● All walks and tours described in the itinerary
● Transfers and baggage handling on program arrival and departure days
● Internal flights in New Zealand (helicopter flights on 11/3 and 11/4; charter flight from Te Anau
to Nelson on 11/5); note that flights are weather-dependent and contingency plans will be
enacted if necessary
● On-tour quarantine-related trip-cancellation, -interruption and -delay insurance coverage
● General medical, accident and evacuation insurance
● Educational program with lecture series and predeparture materials, including an education
resource list and travel information
● Services of our professional tour manager to assist you throughout the program
Not Included
● Your personal flights to and from the program
● Passport and visa fees
● Immunization costs
● Meals and beverages other than those specified as included
● Independent and private transfers
● Nonquarantine-related trip-cancellation, -interruption and -delay insurance coverage
● Baggage insurance
● Excess-baggage charges (note that flights included in this program have strict luggage weight
limitations of one checked bag (45 lbs.) and one carry-on bag (15 lbs.) and excess luggage cannot
be accommodated even for a fee)
● Personal items such as internet access, telephone calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup
services
Air Arrangements
You are responsible for booking and purchasing airfare to the start location and from the end location of
the program. These air purchases are NOT included in the program cost. To assist you in making these
independent arrangements, we will send you details with your confirmation materials on when to arrive
and depart.
STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY | (650) 725-1093 | TRAVELSTUDY@ALUMNI.STANFORD.EDU
FRANCES C. ARRILLAGA ALUMNI CENTER | 326 GALVEZ STREET | STANFORD, CA 94305NEW ZEALAND WALKS
October 31 to November 10, 2021
What to Expect
We consider this walking program to be moderately strenuous and physically demanding. This trip
should be considered only by people for whom walking in this spectacular part of the world and being in
nature are the main goals. Participants must be physically fit, active and in good health and must be able
to navigate walking routes that are often rugged, uneven and steep without assistance. Due to the
terrain, on some days there are elevation gains and losses of approximately 2,400 feet over stretches
that may last from one to one-and-a-half hours. Sturdy, well-fitting, waterproof, broken-in hiking boots
with ankle support are essential. Participants will need to carry a light day pack with rain gear, extra
layers, sunscreen, a packed lunch and a water supply. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older
on this program.
Extensions
Please contact our office if you’re interested in extending your time in New Zealand. We’re happy
to assist you with planning pre-trip or post-trip itineraries to any of New Zealand’s captivating
destinations on either the North or South Island.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Eligibility
We encourage membership in the Stanford Alumni Association, as the program cost for nonmembers is
$300 more than the members' price. A person traveling as a guest paid for by a current member will not
be charged the nonmember fee. To purchase a membership, call (650) 725-0692 or visit
alumni.stanford.edu/goto/membership.
Deposit, Payments and Cancellations
A $1,000-per-person deposit is required to reserve space on this program. Final payment is due 90 days
prior to program start. Deposits and any payments are fully refundable until 90 days prior to program
start. After that date, refunds can be made only if the program is sold out and your place is resold, in
which case a $1,000-per-person cancellation fee will apply.
Insurance
Stanford Travel/Study provides all travelers who are U.S. or Canadian citizens with minimal medical,
accident and evacuation coverage, as well as on-tour quarantine-related trip-cancellation, -interruption
and -delay insurance coverage, under our group-travel insurance policy. Our group policy is intended to
provide minimal levels of protection while you are traveling on this program. You may choose to
subscribe to optional nonquarantine-related trip-cancellation, -interruption and -delay insurance
coverage and/or baggage insurance. Information offering such insurance will be included in your
confirmation materials. The product offered includes special benefits if you purchase your insurance
within 14 days of receiving your welcome email.
Responsibility
The Stanford Alumni Association, Stanford University and our operators act only as agents for the
passenger with respect to transportation and exercise every care possible in doing so. However, we can
assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity in connection with the service
of any automobile, motorcoach, launch or any other conveyance used in carrying out this program or for
STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY | (650) 725-1093 | TRAVELSTUDY@ALUMNI.STANFORD.EDU
FRANCES C. ARRILLAGA ALUMNI CENTER | 326 GALVEZ STREET | STANFORD, CA 94305NEW ZEALAND WALKS
October 31 to November 10, 2021
the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the
arrangements of the program. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due
to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, force majeure or
other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as
tour rates include arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to make such alterations
to this published itinerary as may be deemed necessary. We reserve the right to cancel any program
prior to departure, in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our
part. We also reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the program.
No refund will be made for an unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient
time to avoid penalties. Baggage is carried at the owner's risk entirely. The airlines concerned are not to
be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not on board their
plane or conveyance. Neither the Stanford Alumni Association, nor Stanford University, nor our
operators accept liability for any carrier's cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a
nonrefundable ticket in connection with the tour. Program price is based on rates in effect at the time
the brochure is published and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange
rates, tariffs or fuel charges. As a condition of participation, all confirmed participants are required to
sign an Assumption of Risk.
California Seller of Travel Program Registration #2048 523-50
STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY | (650) 725-1093 | TRAVELSTUDY@ALUMNI.STANFORD.EDU
FRANCES C. ARRILLAGA ALUMNI CENTER | 326 GALVEZ STREET | STANFORD, CA 94305You can also read
