The Spirit of Enderby offers a unique expedition to the special region of the New Zealand wilderness. Visit the remote ice-carved mountains, verdant forests and winding fiords of Fiordland, this incredible region will inspire your dream for responsible travel. Travel the calm waters of Fiordland and Stewart Island in solitude, away from the crowds, on the lookout for marine life, elusive birds, and stunning vistas. These islands and region represent a priceless ecosystem and showcase the work that the New Zealand Government's Department of Conversation has and is undertaking to protect, preserve and re-introduce New Zealand's amazing wildlife, this is a once in a lifetime expedition to explore remote parts of New Zealand.
Highlights
Explore Campbell Island, New Zealand’s southernmost Subantarctic territory
Visit Carnley Harbor a spectacular harbor rich in human history
Zodiac cruise along the coast of Adams Island and Victoria Passage
Admire Stewart Island's stunning scenery of untouched bushland
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Meet at an Invercargill central city hotel and be transferred to the Port of Bluff for embarkation. The captain and expedition team are waiting to greet you on arrival at the ship. Explore the Spirit of Enderby and join the captain on the bridge or fellow travelers on deck as you set sail.
As you make your way through the Southern Ocean you can expect some of the best pelagic birding on this leg of the journey with great views during the crossing which may include Wandering Albatross, Royal Albatross, Light-mantled Sooty Albatross, Campbell Island Albatross and Little Shearwater.
Explore Campbell Island, New Zealand’s southernmost Subantarctic territory. With a number of options which enables you to explore the island including an extended walk to Northwest Bay. There is also an easier walk to the Col Lyall Saddle. All of these options allow you the opportunity and time to enjoy the Southern Royal Albatross which nest here in large numbers. Visit areas of the island which contain outstanding examples of the megaherbs for which the island is renowned. Birds you may see include Teal, Snipe, Rockhopper Penguins and Antarctic Tern.
This very large sheltered harbor is rich in human history, arrive mid-morning entering the harbor through the eastern entrance which is guarded on both sides by dramatic cliffs and rugged tussock covered hills. Your activities here today are totally weather dependent. If the weather is fine there is an opportunity to climb to the South West Cape and visit the Shy Mollymawk colony. Above the colony, see Gibson’s Wandering Albatross breeding. Alternatively, there is an opportunity to Zodiac cruise along the coast of Adams Island, Western Harbour and Victoria Passage. Visit Camp Cove, the Tagua Bay coastwatcher’s station, and lookout, or Epigwatt where the remains of the ‘Grafton’ which was wrecked here in 1864 can be seen.
Enderby Island is one of the most beautiful islands in this group, this northernmost island in the archipelago is an outstanding wildlife and birding location and is relatively easy to land on and walk around. Land at Sandy Bay, one of three breeding areas in the Auckland Islands, for the Hookers or New Zealand Sea Lion. During your day ashore there are several walking options, and time to spend just sitting and enjoying the wildlife. Birds that you might encounter include Southern Royal Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, Auckland Island Shag, Auckland Island Flightless Teal, Auckland Island Tomtit, Bellbird, Red-crowned Parakeet, Yellow-eyed Penguin and Light-mantled Sooty Albatross.
The closest Subantarctic Islands to New Zealand, comprising of two main islands and a group of five islands called the Western Chain; they are uninhabited and enjoy the highest protection as Nature Reserves. Zodiac cruising along the sheltered eastern side of the main island we should see the endemic Snares Crested Penguin, Snares Island Tomtit, and Fernbirds.
Day 7: Stewart Island | Paterson Inlet/Ulva Island
New Zealand’s third island is a wonderfully tranquil place; the scenery of untouched bushland is stunning. Explore Ulva Island which is rich in history and wildlife, being a predator-free island from 1997 the birdsong and wildlife is some of the best. In Paterson Inlet, you have time at Boulder Bay and West End Beach, or just enjoy some time around Post Office Bay and Sydney Cove. Wildlife you may get to see while walking the tracks include Stewart Island Robin, Stewart Island Weka, South Island Kaka, Kereru (wood pigeon), Mohua (yellowhead), Red Crowned Parakeet, Fantail, Bellbird, and Tui. There are many more species that may also be seen. In the afternoon visit the historic Norwegian whaling station in Prices Inlet and Kaipipi Bay.
This is an area rich in history, majestic scenery and abundant in wildlife. Captain Cook and his crew landed here on HMS Resolution in 1773, the first Europeans to visit Fiordland, spending five weeks in Dusky Sound, historically this region is very important and shaped the future of New Zealand. From the middle of the 19th Century, this unexplored interior Fiordland coastline attracted the attention of those in search of hidden greenstone or New Zealand jade. Fiordland’s West Coast is only accessible by sea, making it the most remote region of New Zealand’s mainland, its isolation has been beneficial because its beauty remains unspoiled and its historic sites undisturbed. Waterfalls, streams, rivers, and fiords are enveloped with misty veils that come and go. A rugged terrain, the thickly forested floors are covered with ferns, lichens, and mosses. Bottlenose Dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins, and Little Penguins are all resident in the fiords; during your time here look out for them. Your schedule gives you the flexibility to visit as much as possible; areas to visit during our time in Fiordland include Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sounds and Acheron Passage, Astronomer’s Point and Pickersgill Harbour.
Day 11: Invercargill | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Arrive at the Port of Bluff early in the morning. After breakfast, disembark and board your complimentary coach transfer to either a central city point or to the airport.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$5,995
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Main Deck Triple
One cabin located on the Main Deck, with two lower bunk beds, one upper bunk bed, outside porthole, wash basin, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and shared bathrooms on same deck.
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Main deck
Thirteen cabins located on the Main Deck, with two lower bunk beds, outside porthole, wash basin, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and shared bathrooms on same deck.
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Superior
Four cabins located on the Middle Deck,with one lower and one upper bunk, side-facing windows, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
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Superior Plus
Eight cabins located on the Upper and Middle Decks,with two lower bunk beds, side-facing windows, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space. and private bath facilities.
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Mini Suite
Two cabins located on the Upper Deck, with one double bed in separate room, side-facing windows, separate lounge area with a single bed, desk and chair, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
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Heritage Suite
One cabin located on the Upper Deck, with one double bed in separate room, forward- and side-facing windows, separate lounge area with a single pull-out bed, desk and table area, wardrobe with hanging space, and private bath facilities.
Notes
- Travel Insurance is mandatory for all passengers aboard the Spirit of Enderby.
- Single clients are matched with a sharer of the same sex in a twin-share cabin. Payment of a single supplement guarantees a single cabin. The single supplement is 1.8 times the price of the voyage with the exception of the suites which are double the single rate.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours 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
2 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
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
