Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Christchurch, New Zealand and embark the Orion for your upcoming New Zealand Golf cruise.
Day 2: Wellington
Wellington, the Capital of New Zealand, is located in the center of at the southern end of the North Island, dominated by Wellington harbour and hills. It is the world's most southern capital and the only capital in the "Roaring Forties" latitudes.
With a population of around 170,000 Wellington has a relaxed, cosmopolitan style about it and with a city center just 2 kilometres in diameter is a convenient twenty minutes walk from one side to the other.
The city is home to an astonishing number of art galleries, libraries, museums and schools of drama, music, dance and ballet yet with over 300 eateries has more restaurants, bars and cafes per head than New York! A vibrant city, there is always plenty to do for young and old.
Day 3: Marlborough Sounds Maritime Park
Maori legend describes the entire South Island as Maui's Waka (canoe), wrecked on a reef during a fishing expedition, the shattered bow of the canoe became the Sounds. For centuries, Marlborough has offered safe harbour to travellers. First to Maori traders and war parties; then to European explorers, such as Captain James Cook and Dumont D'Urville; and now Orion guests seeking new landscapes and rejuvenating experiences.
This relaxed sojourn will provide opportunistic Zodiac exploration and landings, including historic Ship Cove (Endeavour Inlet) where Captain James Cook was based for a period during his 1770 voyage, and Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary. Motuara Island Bird Sanctuary is predator free making it a bird-lovers paradise with blue penguins, kereru, bellbirds, yellow-crowned parakeets (kakariki), South Island saddleback, bellbirds and South Island robins encountered along the trail during your guided walk to the top for the amazing view across Cook Strait to the North Island.
Guided walks with your Expedition Team today include a walk to the waterfall where Captain James Cook replenished his fresh water supplies in 1770 and also in the sanctuary on Motuara Island for bird watching.
Day 4: At Sea
Enjoy the numerous amenities onboard while your ship cruises to Napier.
Day 5-6: Napier, Hawkes Bay
Enjoying a sunny Mediterranean-style climate, Hawke’s Bay is famous for its wineries, orchards and artisan food producers. Lavender gardens, orchards and olive plantations thrive under the Hawke's Bay sun. The regional feature is the town of Napier, famous for its concentration of buildings in the styles of the 1930s - Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission, and above all Art Deco. Almost leveled by an earthquake in 1931, Napier rebuilt and today has one of the most outstanding collections of 1930's architecture to be seen anywhere in the world. This is a living film set where you can step back in time to an elegant era.
To take advantage of the intriguing Art Deco architecture that makes Napier so special, a guided Art Deco walk will be included for all Orion guests.
Optional Expeditions:
Napier Gannet Safari - Duration: 4 ½ hours. Cost: $125 per person
Napier Big Picture Wine Experience - Duration: Half day - morning. Cost: $60 per person
Day 7-8: Whangaroa
There are few better cruising areas in the world than this remarkable coastline with its stunning natural beauty. Through the headlands and into the open waters, there are many secluded bays and waters with a world famous reputation for big game fishing with plentiful tuna, marlin and sharks.
Day 9: Auckland, New Zealand / Disembark
In the Maori language Auckland is known as Tamaki Makau Rau, the city of 100 lovers, having earned the name because it was a place desired by all and conquered by many. The setting is spectacular, the city being nestled upon three harbours - the Waitemata, the Manukau and the Kaipara. Don't miss the chance to dine out in Auckland as the city has perfected the style of cuisine called "Pacific Rim", blending Asian and Pacific flavours. Seafood features prominently on restaurant menus so be sure to try New Zealand green lipped mussels and succulent Clevedon Coast oysters - all matched with an excellent New Zealand wine. Disembark this morning for your continued journey home.
Dates & Prices
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The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
1 day ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.