Australia and New Zealand
36° 51′ S 174° 45′ E
Coastal New Zealand: Scenic Fjords, Māori History, and Abundant Wildlife
Highlights
Glide into three phenomenal fjords: the legendary Milford Sound; Doubtful Sound, New Zealand’s deepest; and the lesser-known Dusky Sound
Delve into the rich culture of the Māori on a visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Look for little blue penguins on the beaches of the Otago Peninsula, and hike the rainforests of Stewart and Ulva islands to spot rare birdlife
Go whale watching on a whale-watching vessel in the nutrient-rich seas off Kaikoura and search for giant sperm whales and playful dusky dolphins
New Zealand’s celebrated wines and culinary specialties add to the many pleasures of this expedition
Day by Day
Multiple routes available
Some departures follow a modified itinerary. Please refer to departure dates for exact routing of your departure.
2023 (Southbound)
Auckland, New Zealand
Milford Sound, New Zealand
Days 1-3
U.S. / Auckland, New Zealand
Depart on an overnight flight, crossing the International Date Line, and arrive in Auckland, where we check in to our hotel. Join us for a welcome briefing this evening to meet your fellow travelers.
Days 1-3
U.S. / Auckland, New ZealandDepart on an overnight flight, crossing the International Date Line, and arrive in Auckland, where we check in to our hotel. Join us for a welcome briefing this evening to meet your fellow travelers.
Day 4
Auckland / Embark Ship
Have breakfast at the hotel before joining a tour of this vibrant city center. We'll stop for lunch midday before embarking National Geographic Orion in the late afternoon.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Auckland / Embark ShipHave breakfast at the hotel before joining a tour of this vibrant city center. We'll stop for lunch midday before embarking National Geographic Orion in the late afternoon.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is an area encompassing more than 140 subtropical islands, boasting an abundance of wildlife and fascinating history. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a place of cultural, spiritual, and historical significance, and learn of the historical events for which these grounds are remembered.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Bay of IslandsThe Bay of Islands is an area encompassing more than 140 subtropical islands, boasting an abundance of wildlife and fascinating history. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a place of cultural, spiritual, and historical significance, and learn of the historical events for which these grounds are remembered.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 6-7
Great Barrier Island / Coastal New Zealand
Stretch your legs today as we get to know Great Barrier Island on exploratory walks and hikes. As we continue south along the North Island’s verdant coast, we let nature guide us as your captain and expedition leader choose our next site for exploration.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 6-7
Great Barrier Island / Coastal New ZealandStretch your legs today as we get to know Great Barrier Island on exploratory walks and hikes. As we continue south along the North Island’s verdant coast, we let nature guide us as your captain and expedition leader choose our next site for exploration.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
Gisborne
Today we delve into the cultural riches of Gisborne, where the first Europeans went ashore in New Zealand in 1769. The city’s warm, sun-filled climate reflects its disposition and complements its rich soils, bountiful islands, miles of sandy beaches, and resource-rich oceans. Discover rural life at a 110-year-old New Zealand homestead and witness the daily process of sheep herding and sheering. Take in the greenery of a local arboretum, and cap the day off with a winery tour and tasting.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
GisborneToday we delve into the cultural riches of Gisborne, where the first Europeans went ashore in New Zealand in 1769. The city’s warm, sun-filled climate reflects its disposition and complements its rich soils, bountiful islands, miles of sandy beaches, and resource-rich oceans. Discover rural life at a 110-year-old New Zealand homestead and witness the daily process of sheep herding and sheering. Take in the greenery of a local arboretum, and cap the day off with a winery tour and tasting.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9
Napier
Spend the morning getting to know Napier, the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. Choose to discover the city’s unique architecture on an art tour, or leave the city behind and join us on a gannet safari tour where we have close encounters at a large Australasian gannet colony.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9
NapierSpend the morning getting to know Napier, the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. Choose to discover the city’s unique architecture on an art tour, or leave the city behind and join us on a gannet safari tour where we have close encounters at a large Australasian gannet colony.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10
New Zealand’s South Island
Today is exploratory in nature as we discover the many hidden islands and treasures on the northern side of New Zealand’s South Island.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10
New Zealand’s South IslandToday is exploratory in nature as we discover the many hidden islands and treasures on the northern side of New Zealand’s South Island.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11
Kaikoura
In Māori, Kaikoura translates to ‘meal of crayfish.’ The region’s abundance of crayfish and nutrient-rich marine system draw impressive quantities of whales, dolphins, and fur seals to its waters. Today we’ll venture out on a whale watching boat in search of various resident and migratory marine mammals as well as the impressive albatross.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11
KaikouraIn Māori, Kaikoura translates to ‘meal of crayfish.’ The region’s abundance of crayfish and nutrient-rich marine system draw impressive quantities of whales, dolphins, and fur seals to its waters. Today we’ll venture out on a whale watching boat in search of various resident and migratory marine mammals as well as the impressive albatross.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12
Dunedin
Known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture and boasting the world’s only mainland albatross colony, Dunedin sits on the verdant southeast coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Discover the world’s smallest penguin, the little blue penguin, and its endangered cousin, the yellow-eyed penguin, when we explore the beaches of the Otago Peninsula. Visit the fragrant Dunedin Botanic Gardens, and survey the Otago Museum’s exhibits on nature, culture and science.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12
DunedinKnown for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture and boasting the world’s only mainland albatross colony, Dunedin sits on the verdant southeast coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Discover the world’s smallest penguin, the little blue penguin, and its endangered cousin, the yellow-eyed penguin, when we explore the beaches of the Otago Peninsula. Visit the fragrant Dunedin Botanic Gardens, and survey the Otago Museum’s exhibits on nature, culture and science.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13
Stewart Island
Stewart Island, known in Māori as Te Punga o Te Waka a Maui, is positioned firmly at the heart of Māori mythology. Today we explore the island’s rare native birdlife as well as its well-preserved podocarp forest. In the afternoon, discover Stewart Island’s nearby neighbor, Ulva Island, where we hike with naturalists to discover its unspoiled rainforest.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13
Stewart IslandStewart Island, known in Māori as Te Punga o Te Waka a Maui, is positioned firmly at the heart of Māori mythology. Today we explore the island’s rare native birdlife as well as its well-preserved podocarp forest. In the afternoon, discover Stewart Island’s nearby neighbor, Ulva Island, where we hike with naturalists to discover its unspoiled rainforest.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 14-15
Dusky Sound and Doubtful Sound
Over the course of two days, we explore Fiordland National Park, home to fourteen individual fiords. Here we discover towering waterfalls and snowcapped peaks.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 14-15
Dusky Sound and Doubtful SoundOver the course of two days, we explore Fiordland National Park, home to fourteen individual fiords. Here we discover towering waterfalls and snowcapped peaks.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16
Milford Sound / Disembark Ship / Queenstown
Enjoy breakfast aboard National Geographic Orion before disembarking and transferring to Queenstown for flights home.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 16
Milford Sound / Disembark Ship / QueenstownEnjoy breakfast aboard National Geographic Orion before disembarking and transferring to Queenstown for flights home.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Dates & Rates
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New Zealand’s natural beauty beckons with soaring peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and swathes of white-sand beaches. Traveling through scenic fjords, bays, and sounds, witness plunging waterfalls and sparkling waters rich with marine life. New Zealand boasts flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world. It is home to the world’s smallest penguin, a colony of 20,000 gannets, and the magnificent royal albatross with a 10-foot wingspan.
From
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/ per person
Does not include flight
AIR INCLUDED UP TO $5,000
View our brochure for more details
Talk to an Expedition Specialist
+1.800.397.3348From
$23,330
/ per person
View our brochure for more details
From
$23,330
/ per person
AIR INCLUDED UP TO $5,000
View our brochure for more details