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SOUTHERN FIORD DISCOVERY

TRIP CODE

NZHESF

DEPARTURE

01/07/2021, 07/07/2021, 30/07/2021, 05/08/2021, 20/08/2021, 1/09/2021, 23/08/2021

DURATION

7 Days

LOCATIONS INTRODUCTION New Zealand and the Fiordland National Park Experience grand scale scenery, untamed wilderness, deep forests and ice-carved mountains on this 7 day exploration of the Southern Fiords. Only accessible by sea, the Southern Fiords of New Zealand are some of the most remote areas of New Zealand's mainland. As you cruise through the magnificent fiords, what awaits are waterfalls, streams, rivers and fiords shrouded by mountain peaks and sheltered valleys. The relative isolation of the Southern Fiords has been beneficial in ensuring they have remained unspoiled. This isolation has made the unique wildlife of the region prosper, indeed, Bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and Fiordland Crested Penguins all call these fiords home.

This voyage will explore some of the most beautiful and unique parts of New Zealand.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: Te Anau, Preservation Inlet

Make your way to the designated meeting point in Te Anau then take in the grand views and awe- inspiring scenery as you enjoy a spectacular helicopter transfer to join Heritage Explorer in Preservation Inlet (times and meeting point will be confirmed with your voyage documents). The captain and expedition leader will be waiting to welcome you aboard Heritage Explorer and show you to your cabin. Settle into life aboard before we set sail along Long Sound and enjoy your first impressions of the fiords and the unrestrained landscape of Southern Fiordland. ***Note: Some voyages will operate the itinerary in reverse.***

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NZHESF DAY 2: Preservation Inlet DEPARTURE Today is dedicated to exploring Preservation Inlet, 01/07/2021, 07/07/2021, rich in history we will delve into the gold mining 30/07/2021, 05/08/2021, and forestry attempts that once made this now 20/08/2021, 1/09/2021, quiet waterway a bustling hub of activity. The 23/08/2021 area’s natural bounty saw more than 2,500 gold miners and saw millers ﬂock to the region in the DURATION late 1890s, this early settler history at mining towns Cromarty and Te Oneroa, now reclaimed by 7 Days nature, can still be observed, none more spectacularly than at the failed Tarawera Mine and LOCATIONS Smelter, where the ruins of the smelter’s three- storey chimney were restored in 2015. Among the New Zealand and the Fiordland activity Preservation Inlet can also lay claim to National Park having New Zealand’s ﬁrst whaling station at Cuttle Cove and the location of one of the country’s most remote lighthouses at Puysegur Point, which began operation in 1879 perched some 40-feet above the south island’s most south- western point. Here a great coastal walk, formerly a telegraph track built to connect the lighthouse, leads to the old landing shed at Otago Retreat.

DAY 3: Chalky Inlet

The entrance to Chalky Inlet is guarded by the impressive limestone cliffs of Chalky Island, the inspiration behind Captain Cook’s naming of the fiord. One of several important predator free islands in the inlet including Great Island and Passage Islands, Chalky Island is home to some of New Zealand’s most critically endangered bird species including the Little Spotted Kiwi and Kakapo, and endemic Te Kakahua Skink, discovered in 2002. The protected harbours at North and South Port offer much to explore as the centres of the human history in the inlet with North Port the final resting place of the rusting hulk of purposely grounded GSS Stella while South Port reveals an industrial past with the remnants of once prolific sawmilling activity. Sailing to the head of the fiord the surrounding mountains envelope us with their majesty.

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NZHESF DAY 4: Dusky Sound - Day 4 to 5 DEPARTURE Over the following two days we plan to leisurely 01/07/2021, 07/07/2021, expedition cruise through Dusky Sound visiting the 30/07/2021, 05/08/2021, some of the most significant historical and 20/08/2021, 1/09/2021, conservation sites in New Zealand as well as 23/08/2021 marvelling at the majestic scenery as we sail deep into the heart of Fiordland. A navigation through DURATION Acheron Passage, which separates Resolution Island from the mainland, is sure to be one of the 7 Days highlights or our time in Fiordland. Predator-free Anchor Island homes half of the world’s population LOCATIONS of Kakapo and Little Spotted Kiwi and is also the location of historic Luncheon Cove and a number New Zealand and the Fiordland of New Zealand firsts including New Zealand’s first National Park sealing gang, the building of New Zealand’s first European homestead and first European designed ship, the 16-metre Providence built here and launched in 1795. On nearby on Pigeon Island learn the history of Richard Henry and his pioneering live transfer of birds to island refuges – an international first in wildlife conservation. While his attempts were unsuccessful due to stoats swimming over to the island, it is heartening to learn the island is now pest free and a sanctuary for native birdlife, with Henry’s vision fulfilled.

DAY 6: Dagg and Doubtful Sound

Flanked by towering cliffs and stretching inland for 13 picturesque kilometres, we hope to explore Dagg Sound before heading north to experience some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Fiordland – Doubtful Sound, or the sound of silence as it’s also known. Spanning some staggering 40- kilometres and holding the title as New Zealand’s deepest fiord, Doubtful Sound with its cloud- scraping wilderness cloaked mountains, sheer stone cliffs, waterfalls, inlets, quiet coves and wildlife presents nature on a scale so grand it’s off the chart. Photographic opportunities abound and our time spent here could include ship cruising Blanket Bay, the Shelter Islands, Pandora River, Deas Cove and Open Bay. Tonight we will find a sheltered anchorage in one of the many side arms that branch off the main fiord and enjoy a farewell dinner.

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NZHESF DAY 7: Doubtful Sound, Te Anau DEPARTURE This morning we navigate to the very head of 01/07/2021, 07/07/2021, Doubtful Sound in Deep Cove home to several 30/07/2021, 05/08/2021, waterfalls including Helena and Lady Alice Falls. 20/08/2021, 1/09/2021, After a ﬁnal breakfast and farewells, head ashore 23/08/2021 where a transfer to Te Anau, via the picturesque Wilmot Pass, the road constructed as part of the DURATION Manapouri hydro scheme, awaits. In case of unexpected delays, we ask you not to book any 7 Days onward travel from Te Anau until after 3pm this afternoon. During our voyage, circumstances may LOCATIONS make it necessary or desirable to deviate from the proposed itinerary. This can include poor weather New Zealand and the Fiordland and opportunities for making unplanned National Park excursions. Your Expedition Leader will keep you fully informed. Voyages are planned and scheduled pending ﬁnal regulatory approval.

INCLUSIONS & DETAILS

Accommodation Cabin on board ship

All accommodation on board All meals whilst on board Pre and post cruise coach transfer All shore excursions and activities by zodiac Landing fees Inclusions Guiding and lectures by experienced expedition guide EXLCUISONS Domestic/International ﬂights Items of a personal nature Travel or medical insurance Visa and reciprocity fees (if applicable)

Diﬃculty Rating 2 (light adventure)

Available upon request, please contact us for more Single Surcharge information

Please note this itinerary may be subject to change Notes depending on weather and sea conditions.

Price Dependent upon Departure date, seasonality and availability.

SUSTAINABILITY

Being environmentally accountable is a crucial part of our organisation. Chimu is currently striving towards using less paper, taking several initiatives to do so and tracking our

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NZHESF progress along the way. Our goal: A paperless organisation. For this reason, all DEPARTURE information given to you will be sent electronically. We encourage those who choose to travel with us to support our aspirations and actions and ask that you reconsider printing 01/07/2021, 07/07/2021, out documentation. To view these documents, you can download them to your iPad or 30/07/2021, 05/08/2021, portable computer before and during your trip. 20/08/2021, 1/09/2021, 23/08/2021 Chimu is passionate and dedicated to sustainability measures and understands the crucial DURATION part sustainability plays within the tourism industry.

We use local guides and office staff to both maximise local employment opportunities and 7 Days minimise carbon footprint. Local guides also ensure you benefit from the intimate LOCATIONS knowledge, passion and culture of the country you’re visiting. Our guides are all highly qualified (most with university degrees) or equip with many years of experience and are New Zealand and the Fiordland paid above the standard wage. Whether it be our knowledgeable local guides, locally National Park produced meals or the transport on tour, we do not use imported goods when local products are available. We aim to minimise our impact on the environment and give as much back as possible to the communities we work in.

While visiting the many national parks, heritage sites, museums and landmarks our travellers are encouraged to explore whilst remaining culturally aware and sensitive. We further encourage you to buy appropriate souvenirs and discourage the buying of anything wrongfully made or taken from the environment i.e. shells and endangered species products. Information on how you can be environmentally conscious, and travel responsibly will be made available in our Travellers Guides and provided during your travels by guides and staﬀ.

For more information on our sustainability policies, including how we are striving towards being a paperless organisation, click HERE