2017 Hosted Trip - Best of New Zealand

Hosted Trip New Zealand

Hosted by Mike & Kristene Fitzgerald March 16 - 26, 2017

Featuring Hawke’s Bay, Christchurch, and Queenstown

We Share Your Passion

Take Your Travel Experience Further: The Frontiers Hosted Group Difference Unparalleled Service and Knowledge Every Step of the Way

If you were to spin the globe and place a finger on nearly any continent, chances are Frontiers has created a customized and unforgettable experience for a client there.

We can help you chase Atlantic salmon on the Kola Peninsula in Russia or confirm the exclusive penthouse suite in Paris. If saltwater flats fishing in the Seychelles or a month long excursion in New Zealand is more your style – we have you covered.

Our destination specialists know the private trout streams in Chile, spring creeks in the American West and how to pick the best hotel across Asia. We share your passion for the ultimate travel experience.

With hosted group departures, we take it a step further. We not only customize your journey, we are right there with you every step of the way. Hosted trip participants receive the same level of detail in their pretrip documents and final itineraries as all clients. Plus, they receive first-hand knowledge from years of our time spent in the field. We are there to answer questions about where to go for dinner, the best places to shop, and suggest the best time of day to capture the perfect photograph.

You will explore the world with like-minded travelers and create memories that turn into stories for generations to come.

Covering five of the seven continents, we have hosted clients on trout fishing trips in Montana, Argentina, Chile, Spain and New Zealand; saltwater fishing trips to Christmas Island, Bahamas, Belize and Mexico; followed Africa’s majestic animal populations on a photographic safari and participated in the occasional cast and blast in Alaska. If fly fishing and wingshooting are not high on your list, we also offer an array of exclusive leisure activities each year. Past trips included The Galapagos Islands, India, Myanmar (Burma), Chile, Egypt and the Asian Subcontinent.

All of our trips are hosted by industry experts and Frontiers staff. Collectively, this group has gathered thousands of passport stamps and will ensure that you have one of the best travel experiences of your life.

Mike & Kristene Fitzgerald

As son of the Frontiers founders, Mike was brought up in the outdoor travel business. He has handled a number of sporting programs for Frontiers through the years. Today as President, Mike works closely with the Senior Management Team and the Department Heads and is quite involved with our South Pacific programs. He is passionate about the outdoors and conservation, and New Zealand is one of his favorite countries.

Kristene has been with Frontiers for 10 years and she is one of our Senior Destination Specialists handling our sales and marketing in the South Pacific, United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain and Slovenia. She is one of our certified divers on staff and she has extensive knowledge about New Zealand and Australia.

Mike and Kristene have hosted groups in Montana, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Africa and Belize. They look forward to joining you in New Zealand.

Mike & Kristene at Doubtful Sound, NZ

New Zealand Cape Kidnappers, Hawke’s Bay March 16 - 19 Otahuna Lodge, Christchurch March 19 - 22 Matakauri Lodge, Queenstown March 22 - 26

Trip Highlights • Hawke’s Bay presents an eclectic mix of visual and sensual experiences. The region is New Zealand’s leading producer of red wines and has the greatest concentration of Art Deco architecture. Whether you enjoy hiking, golf on one of the world’s best seaside courses, birding while studying the kiwi and gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers or relaxing with exceptional wines and cuisine, Hawke’s Bay is a must visit!

• Christchurch is an entertaining mixture of refined lifestyle and cultural excitement. Nowhere in New Zealand is changing and developing as post-earthquake Christchurch. Known as the “Garden City,” Christchurch and the Canterbury region are spectacularly beautiful with wineries, wildlife and many fun sights to see.

• Queenstown is famous for its spectacular alpine scenery. Its lakeside location provides a beautiful setting and is the playground for adventure! It offers a variety of activities, yet also presents a wonderful haven in which to relax. The Central Otago region outside of town produces the best Pinot Noir in New Zealand.

Itinerary Thursday, March 16

On arrival in Auckland you will be met by your guide and transferred by private vehicle to the Domestic terminal to check in for your connecting flight to Napier.

Fly AUCKLAND to HAWKE’S BAY. On arrival into Napier you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to The Farm at Cape Kidnappers. This is a transfer of approximately 45 minutes.

On arrival enjoy lunch at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers The remainder of your day is at your leisure at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers. We recommend you enjoy some of the following optional activities: • Walking Trails & Nature Walks: Take a short stroll along Trigg Road which overlooks some truly amazing views of Ocean Beach and Bare Island. For a longer walk, head out to the Kanuka Block and enjoy beautiful native bush and inspirational views of the Pacific Ocean. After all, Cape Kidnappers boasts some of the most inspiring trails in the North Island.

• Mountain Biking: For the more adventurous, mountain bikes are available for your use. There is fun to be had around the farm or just for a casual ride out along Trigg Road for the breathtaking views at Ocean Beach.

• Spa at Cape Kidnappers: The spa is located on the hillside above the lodge with amazing views across the valley towards the sea or over the pine forest to snow covered Mount Ruapehu.

Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner in the Loggia at the Farm at Cape Kidnappers.

MARCH 16 -18 ACCOMMODATION: The Farm at Cape Kidnappers: Ridge Suite, double occupancy including breakfast, pre dinner drinks and dinner

Friday, March 17

Following breakfast at the lodge you will embark on a Full Day Best of the Bay Tour.

Spend some time on a real life working sheep station. Learn how to shear a sheep, work the sheep yards and control dogs with a mere whistle. Meet farm owner Oscar whose family has been farming Hawke’s Bay for generations and get a real insight into farming life and the farming industry in New Zealand. Enjoy a delicious morning tea at the farm.

Next enjoy lunch at Terrôir Restaurant at Craggy Range Winery. Terroir has a French country theme and specializes in rotisserie and wood-fired oven cooking, complimented with the vineyard’s own wines. Enjoy the rustic feel of the restaurant and views of Te Mata Peak, the lake and vineyards. Master of Wine Steve Smith will join you for lunch and explain more about Craggy Range and its history. He has had a distinguished academic, research and commercial career in the wine business since 1980 and was the first specialist viticulturist in the world to hold a Master of Wine.

Following lunch you will be transferred up to Te Mata Peak for amazing views over the region and a great photo opportunity.

Cape Kidnappers

The Farm is located on the North Island in the Hawke’s Bay, one of New Zealand’s most important and loveliest wine districts and favourite vacation spots. It has lived up to expectations as another iconic, ‘not to be missed’ experience. Cape Kidnappers is set on a 5,000-acre sheep and cattle farm which rolls along cliffs that plunge dramatically to the sea. www.capekidnappers.com

Finish the day with a visit to Clearview Estate Winery for a tour and wine tasting of their prestige release wines. You will have a chance to meet co-owner and wine maker Tim Turvey. He and his wife opened Clearview in 1991, and today they export to 10 countries and produce 120,000 bottles of award-winning wine. On conclusion of the day, you will be transferred back to The Farm at Cape Kidnappers.

Tonight board your 4WD vehicles to enjoy pre dinner drinks & canapes at Black Reef where you can enjoy a close up look at the gannet colony or just enjoy the breathtaking views.

From here you will be transferred to the Club House to enjoy a BBQ Dinner. The chef will prepare your favorite piece of meat, which will be served along with various salads and side dishes buffet style.

At the conclusion of the evening you will be transferred back to the lodge.

Saturday, March 18

This morning enjoy a Kiwi Discovery Walk at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers.

Experience a very special activity with Kiwi expert Dr. John McLennan and his team. Enjoy an exclusive guided walk on the property in search of the New Zealand Kiwi bird. You will help the guides use their radio tracking and monitoring devices to locate these unique, nocturnal birds. This gives you the chance to get up-close and learn more about one of New Zealand’s most endangered and rare birds.

Afternoon at leisure.

We recommend you enjoy some of the following optional activities: • Golf at Cape Kidnappers: A simply stunning Tom Doak designed golf course, this is the sister course to Kauri Cliffs in the Bay of Islands. Opened in 2004, the course is 6588m long and has a par of 71. The goal in designing the course was to create interesting holes you wouldn’t find anywhere else. That wasn’t hard to do at Cape Kidnappers, because the site is not like anywhere else in golf. It’s an overwhelming experience to stand up on the cliffs, 140 meters above sea level, and look out across the waves far below in Hawke’s Bay. • Property Tour by Can-Am: Your guide will take you to the furthermost reaches of the property with views south towards Ocean Beach and Bare Island. With an experienced guide you will be taken through the old creek bed, across expansive farmland and down to historic Rangaika Beach in a Can-Am Motorcycle.

Tonight enjoy dinner in the Wine Cellar at the lodge.

Otahuna Lodge

This magnificently restored lodge is only 20 minutes from Christchurch and boasts the turnof-the-century gardens and one of New Zealand’s most important historic homes. The homestead is one of the best examples of unspoiled Queen Anne architecture existing in Australasia and it was originally built in 1895. Otahuna specialises in glorious food and we highly recommend a garden tour and cooking class with the chef! Otahuna is an excellent base to visit Akaroa on a day trip or explore the city with a guide.

www.otahuna.co.nz

Sunday, March 19

Today you will be transferred by private vehicle to Napier Airport to check in for your flight to Christchurch. This is a transfer of approximately 45 minutes.

Fly HAWKE’S BAY to CHRISTCHURCH. On arrival into Christchurch you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to Otahuna Lodge. This is a transfer of approximately 30 minutes.

This afternoon enjoy a guided garden tour at Otahuna Lodge.

Garden lovers and botanists will enjoy a privately guided tour of the estate’s garden. Every season offers an interesting variety in Otahuna’s gardens, from the daffodil paddocks in September through to the spectacular oranges and golds of autumn foliage in May. Even in winter, evergreen trees bright red berries attract rare New Zealand wood pigeons.

Enjoy a delicious dinner at the lodge tonight.

MARCH 19 - 21 ACCOMMODATION: Otahuna Lodge: Suite, Double Occupancy including breakfast, pre dinner drinks and dinner with wine pairing.

Monday, March 20

This morning you will be met by your local guide to enjoy a guided day trip to Akaroa. This exquisite seaside town, which once prospered as a French whaling station, is still rich with French, Maori and English culture.

You will be driven around the base of the Port Hills and Bank’s Peninsula, where from the hilltop you will have wonderful views out over Akaroa Harbour.

You will drive down from the crater of this extinct volcano and follow the shores around to the French influenced village of Akaroa.

Here you will board your two hour private harbour cruise. Enjoy the views as your skipper keeps a watchful eye out for rare Hector Dolphins, New Zealand Fur Seals and Little Blue Penguins.

On return to dock you will have time to explore the quaint village with its colonial architecture, galleries and craft stores before enjoying lunch at The Little Bistro, renowned for its fine cuisine and outstanding wine list.

After lunch you will be driven out to Fishermans Bay, a garden of significance and part of the New Zealand Gardens Trust. Enjoy walking the garden and enjoy the stunning views out over the Pacific Ocean.

On conclusion of the day you will be transferred back to Otahuna Lodge.

This evening enjoy a casual dinner around the Otahuna pool.

Tuesday, March 21

This morning depart the lodge to enjoy a Waipara Valley Wine Tour.

You will be met at your accommodation this morning and driven north via a short tour of Christchurch, to discover the boutique wine region of Waipara Valley, just under sixty minutes north of the city. Sheltered from the cool coastal breeze off the Pacific Ocean, the Waipara Valley produces some very interesting small volume wines. This is the fastest growing wine region in New Zealand with around 80 vineyards covering more than 1,200 hectares of plantings.

The day will include visits to some of the regions finest family owned wineries including Pyramid Valley, Mountford and Black Estate. You will enjoy meeting some of the personalities who have helped to create such special wines.

You will then enjoy a final tasting and Lunch at Pegasus Bay Winery before returning to Otahuna in the afternoon.

Tonight enjoy dinner at the lodge.

Wednesday, March 22

Today you will be transferred to Christchurch Airport to check in for your flight to Queenstown. This is a transfer of approximately 30 minutes.

Fly CHRISTCHURCH to QUEENSTOWN. On arrival into Queenstown you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to Matakauri Lodge. This is a transfer of approximately 20 minutes.

Upon arrival you will enjoy lunch at Matakauri Lodge.

The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure to relax and enjoy your new surroundings. We recommend you enjoy the following optional activity: Spa Treatments at Matakauri Lodge: Located on the edge of a pine forest, with uninterrupted views to Lake Wakatipu and towering Cecil Peak, the spa offers a private experience in an unrivalled natural environment. For a complete wellness experience you are welcome to wrap up your spa treatment with relaxation time in the adjacent sauna, Jacuzzi and heated swimming pool.

Tonight enjoy dinner outside on the Terrace at Matakauri Lodge.

MARCH 22 - 25 ACCOMMODATION: Matakauri Lodge: Deluxe Suite, Double Occupancy including breakfast, pre dinner drinks and dinner.

Matakauri Lodge

Situated on the banks of stunning Lake Wakatipu, this boutique lodge offers luxury accommodation, fine dining, superb service and spectacular panoramic views. Nestled in native bush only a few minutes outside of Queenstown, Matakauri Lodge is one of the world’s most private and serene vacation retreats with just eleven suites, each with private terraces looking out to a dramatic Queenstown lakeside, with mountain views. Matakauri Lodge is the youngest sister property to Kauri Cliffs and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers in the North Island.

www.matakauri.co.nz

Thursday, March 23

This morning you will be transferred to the helipad where you will lift off to enjoy a Milford Sound helicopter excursion with glacier landing.

The icon of Mitre Peak beckons you as your helicopter lifts off to begin your journey into Milford Sound. Get up and close with some of the most spectacular mountains and glaciers in the Southern Alps before landing at Milford. Experience the Sound up close and personal with great photo opportunities of Mitre Peak and the Bowen falls. Upon departing Milford via the Harrison Valley take in the beautiful blue green icefalls, true rivers of ice, as we land you exclusively upon Ngapunatoru Plateau of Mt Tutoko. Return to Queenstown via isolated valleys with impressive views to make this special trip truly memorable.

On arrival back into Queenstown you will land close to Amisfield Bistro for lunch. Amisfield Bistro is located within an iconic stone building with stunning views of snow covered mountains and the beautiful Lake Hayes.

Choose from the daily changing menu or indulge in Amisfield’s famous shared dining experience, ‘Trust the Chef Menu’ where you will be served a selection of dishes designed to be shared at the table.

At the conclusion of your excursion you will be transferred by private vehicle back to Matakauri Lodge where the remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. You may like to enjoy one of the following optional activities: • Catch the canyons with Shotover Jet: The World’s most exciting jet boat ride. This is a thrilling thirty minute jetboat ride you’ll never forget! The Shotover Canyon walls tower over you as your driver skillfully whips the boat past rocky outcrops, and skims around crags and boulders!

• Golf at The Hills Private Golf Club: The Hills is New Zealand’s most exclusive golf club. This remarkable golf course nestled in the Southern Alps started as a ‘pitch and putt’ in the backyard and is now a world class championship golf course. Playing in a setting such as The Hills is a dream come true for any avid golfer.

• Tandem Paragliding: Take the Skyline Gondola cable car ride to Bob’s Peak where you will have spectacular views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. Your flight takes you over a pine forest, practically skimming the top of the tall pine tree. The ground then drops dramatically away exposing you to 2500 feet of breath-taking views beneath you. (Weight restrictions apply for this activity. Maximum weight is 112kg (or 242lbs) depending on weather conditions.)

• Historic Arrowtown: Enjoy a visit to the nearby historic gold mining village of Arrowtown, purveying a combination of historic buildings and quiet charm. The growing café culture means there are great cafés and restaurants to choose from for a delicious meal. Being an artistic town, there is artwork ranging from traditional to contemporary on exhibit in the many homestead studios surrounding Arrowtown.

• Heli-Golf: A hole in one at 4,500 feet! This is New Zealand’s most picturesque golf hole and a must do experience for all golfers. Nestled at 4500 feet in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, this par 3 unique golf experience overlooking Queenstown has four tee boxes for the altitude golfer to attempt their hole in one. Players will fly in, drive, chip, and putt out on the top!

• Kawarau Bridge Bungy and Zip Ride: Take a leap or watch others jump off the bridge where it all began. A.J. Hackett, a New Zealander who became a worldwide cult hero after jumping off the Eiffel Tower on a Bungy rope, was the first person to develop Bungy jumping commercially. This activity takes you to the Kawarau Bridge, where Hackett first set up shop to take the plunge 141 feet (43 meters) into the canyon below! You’ll soon understand why this site is the most popular Bungy spot in the world. Located at the Bungy Bridge is also the Kawarau Zipride, where we highly recommend the Superman ride!

• Cycling and Sightseeing in the Queenstown Region: Enjoy magic views of the high Remarkables and Crown Range mountains while riding the rural landscapes on part of the national cycle way. The Arrowtown to Gibbston trail is one of the most spectacular rides within the Queenstown trail network. The cycle way starts in the picturesque historic village of Arrowtown then winds its way on a wide gentle purpose built cycle path following and crossing the Arrow River on spectacular suspension bridge, under passes and under highways. The gem at the end is crossing the historic suspension bridge where New Zealand’s first commercial Bungy jumping business operates.

• Queenstown Garden Walk: Discover the hidden splendor of some of the district’s finest private country gardens set in the area’s grand alpine scenery. Relax and chat with friendly local gardeners as they show you through their treasured private gardens. You have a selection of gardens to choose from depending on the time of season such as spring bulbs, peony flowers, perennials and rose blooming. Nestled in the heart of rural Wakatipu, the gardeners draw their inspiration from the spectacular alpine landscape – ever changing with the distinctive seasons.

This evening you will be transferred into town to enjoy a casual Dinner at Madam Woo. Specializing in authentic Malaysian and Chinese street food, Madam Woo provides diners with a bustling atmosphere with a real Colonial Asian feel.

Friday March 24

Today enjoy a personalized winery excursion in the Southern Lakes Region.

Visit the Gibbston Valley burgeoning wine region, the Southernmost wine producing region in the world. Extreme conditions have led to pioneering winemaking, consistently superb wines, and worldwide recognition.

Today your guide will share wonderful insights into the history of the industry and the challenges facing local winemakers all while visiting Peregrine Winery. The quest for quality in all aspects is the hallmark of Peregrine, highlighted by the global acclaim for their wines, the high international architectural praise for the beautiful wing spanned winery and the excellence in customer service. Set majestically in the rugged mountainous beauty of Central Otago, this privately owned producer is committed to enhancing the environment with their organically certified estates and winery. In its short history it has been an impressive high achiever, with its wines winning numerous prestigious awards and trophies around the world.

Next enjoy lunch and wine tasting at Mount Edward Winery. Duncan Forsyth will be your host who is part of the small bunch of dedicated people growing and making Central Otago wine. After working with many of the region’s top estates, plus working in Oregon, Germany and California, Duncan then put roots down in the late 1990’s planting the Morrison Vineyard on Wanaka Road near Cromwell. In late 2003 he teamed up with John Buchanan with the pair taking on Mount Edward in 2004.

The team is fully committed to an organic approach. The vineyards grow grapes on several estate vineyards across the best sub regions in Central Otago. Whilst in limited quantities Mount Edward have a unique range of pinot noirs, single vineyard designates and an eclectic mix of small batch white varieties. The first Mount Edward vineyard, “The Drumlin,” is situated on the steep hillside slope next to the winery and is testament to both hard work and vision, the 30 degree slope a reminder that nothing great can come easily.

At the conclusion of your excursion you will be transferred back to Matakauri Lodge where the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

Enjoy dinner at the lodge.

Saturday, March 25

This morning you will be transferred to Glenorchy to enjoy a Dart River jet boat excursion.

Experience a spectacular jet boat journey through the Dart River, surrounded by breathtaking snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and glacial valleys frozen in time. Enjoy an easy guided walk through ancient native forest and learn about the unique flora and fauna, as well as the fascinating Maori and colonial history of the area. You will also journey by 4WD coach via a scenic back-road route, while hearing stories about the surrounding countryside and stopping to view the beautiful scenery.

At the conclusion of your excursion enjoy a casual lunch at a local café in Glenorchy.

Following lunch enjoy an afternoon of Guided Hiking on the Routeburn Track.

The Routeburn is one of New Zealand’s most famous alpine walks with stunning vistas of sweeping valleys below and majestic peaks above. As you walk up the wide smooth track to Routeburn Flats your guide will point out the unique flora and birdlife of the Routeburn Valley.

At the conclusion of the hike you will be transferred back to Matakauri Lodge.

Enjoy a farewell dinner at Matakauri Lodge.

Sunday March 26

Today you will be transferred by private vehicle to Queenstown Airport to check in for your flight to Auckland. This is a transfer of approximately 20 minutes.

Check out is at 11.00 a.m., however the lodge will be happy to store your luggage for you until your departure.

Fly QUEENSTOWN to AUCKLAND. DEPART AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

Costs

Cost of land arrangements: $17,560 per person based on double occupancy ACCOMMODATION: March 16 – 19: The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, double occupancy accommodation in a Ridge suite including breakfast, pre-

dinner drinks and dinner (excluding beverages).

March 19 – 22: Otahuna Lodge, double occupancy accommodation including breakfast, pre-dinner drinks and dinner with wine pairing.

March 22 – 26: Matakauri Lodge, double occupancy accommodation in deluxe suite including breakfast, pre-dinner drinks and dinner (excluding beverages) OTHER INCLUSIONS: March 16: Lunch at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers March 17: Full Day Best of the Bay Tour including Farm Tour, wine Tasting, winery lunch and wine matching

Pre-dinner drinks at Black Reef including Gannet Safari Guide

Clubhouse BBQ dinner (excluding drinks) March 18: Kiwi Discovery Walk

Lunch at The Farm at Cape Kidnappers March 19: Lunch at Otahuna Lodge.

Guided Garden Tour at Otahuna Lodge March 20: Guided day trip to Akaroa including private boat cruise and lunch (excluding beverages) March 21: Waipara Valley Wine Tour including lunch (lunch excluding beverages) March 22: Lunch at Matakauri Lodge March 23: Milford sound Helicopter Excursion with Glacier Landing.

Lunch at Amisfield Bistro including one glass of wine and dessert

Dinner at Madam Woo (excluding beverages) March 24: Personalized winery excursion in the Southern Lakes region including lunch and wine March 25: Dart River Jet Boat Excursion including Café lunch (including soft drinks)

Guided hiking on the Routeburn Track Exclusions: airfare, drinks except where indicated, all recommended optional activities, gratuities and any items of a personal nature such as room service, laundry, telephone calls, spa treatments and deviations to the itinerary.

Deposit: A 30% deposit will be due to secure a reservation with the balance due 90 days prior to departure. Deposits and final payments are non-refundable unless a client replacement can be found. Travel insurance is highly recommended. All costs are based on a minimum group size of 12 participants; should the group fall below 12, a small group supplement may apply.