New Zealand January 13 – January 25, 2020
ANZA-BORREGO DESERT NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION PRESENTS A GUIDED TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND JANUARY 13 – JANUARY 25, 2020
Join Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association and geologist Don Barrie on a grand tour of New Zealand’s natural wonders: mountains, lakes, beaches, forests, waterfalls, glaciers, fjords, geysers, hot springs, and geologic formations. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the ABDNHA. Early registration discount is available. Registration form is available at www.geotours.us/tour/abdnha-newzealand-2020
LAND COST = $3390 - includes lodging in a double or twin-shared room at hotels/motels, private tour bus, many entries and activities, domestic flight Rotorua to Christchurch, Professor Don Barrie as group leader, GeoTours guide, some breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner.
AIRFARE is additional, and costs approximately $1600 round-trip from Los Angeles. It is not necessary to depart from LAX.
CONTACT: INCLUDED ENTRIES/ACTIVITIES Rotorua Skyline Gondola and lunch DON BARRIE Wai-o-tapu Geothermal Area [email protected] Whakarerewa Maori Village 619-208-6507 Domestic flight, Rotorua – Christchurch Christchurch city walk & Botanic Gardens MATT EBINER Lake Tekapo & Omarama Clay Cliffs [email protected] Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park 310-686-8171 “Shadowland” film, Te Anau Fiordland National Park - Milford Sound cruise Queenstown Skyline Gondola and lunch Mt. Aspiring National Park – Thunder Creek Falls Fox Glacier & Franz Josef Glacier Westland National Park - Lake Matheson Paparoa National Park - Pancake Rocks Nelson Lakes National Park – Lake Rotoiti Abel Tasman National Park - Boat Cruise & hike Many short walks/hikes and viewpoint/geology stops
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS BY: GEOTOURS LLC WWW.GEOTOURS.US/TOUR/ABDNHA -NEWZEALAND-2020 [email protected] MILFORD SOUND MT. ASPIRING NAT’L PARK
ABDNHA NEW ZEALAND TOUR – JANUARY 13 – 25, 2020 CHRISTCHURCH
TRIP COST = $3390 (lodging, private bus, entries/activities, domestic flight Rotorua-Christchurch, some breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner) AIRFARE = $1600 - approximate cost for round-trip from Los Angeles
Monday 1/13/20 Depart USA Depart from Los Angeles (probably late evening) to Rotorua, New Zealand. Option to go to New Zealand a day or two early if you prefer.
Tuesday 1/14/20 In flight Lose a day crossing the International Date Line
Wed 1/15/20 Arrive Rotorua, New Zealand Probably arrive in Rotorua in the morning. Rotorua is the cultural heart of New Zealand and a center of geothermal activity. Ride up the Rotorua Gondola to enjoy a sumptuous lunch with beautiful views over Lake Rotorua. Two nights in Rotorua at Sudima Hotel, with an excellent location next to the Polynesian Spa.
Thu 1/16/20 Rotorua Visit marvelous Wai-o-Tapu geothermal area, with the multi-colored Champagne Pool, Lady Knox Geyser, and other colorful formations. Learn about Maori culture at Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village, with a guided tour, and music and dance performance. Afternoon is free for optional activities, such as a visit to Hobbiton (Lord of the Rings filming location), whitewater rafting, or a soak at the Polynesian Spa.
Fri 1/17/20 Fly Rotorua to Christchurch, then drive to Lake Tekapo Morning flight (included in trip price) from Rotorua to Christchurch, “the most English city outside of England”. Christchurch city walk to see damage from the devastating 2011 earthquake, the beautiful botanical gardens, and option to take a boat ride on the River Avon. Travel along the east side of the Southern Alps to beautiful Lake Tekapo, fed by glacial meltwater. One night at Lake Tekapo
Sat 1/18/20 Lake Tekapo to Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park to Omarama Optional morning 3-mile hike at Lake Tekapo. Continue to Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park with New Zealand’s highest peak, magnificent mountain scenery, and glacial features. Weather permitting, hike up to 4 hours round-trip to Hooker Lake, located below towering Mt. Cook. One night at Omarama.
Sun 1/19/20 Omarama to Te Anau Visit the Clay Cliffs of Omarama, a badlands landscape of eroded spires and cliffs. Continue to Te Anau, located on a deep, glacially carved lake. Enjoy an afternoon cinema viewing of “Shadowland”, a spectacular film about Fiordland National Park. Optional boat trip across the lake to the enigmatic Glowworm Caves. Two nights in Te Anau at Bella Vista Motel.
Mon 1/20/20 Milford Sound Cruise and Fiordland National Park Spectacular drive through glacial valleys in Fiordland National Park. Cruise by boat through magnificent Milford Sound, a deep fjord with waterfalls plummeting to the sea. Make additional stops within the national park (weather permitting) for short walks/hikes to see cascading rivers and lush temperate rainforest. Night #2 in Te Anau.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS BY: GEOTOURS LLC WWW.GEOTOURS.US/TOUR/ABDNHA-NEWZEALAND-2020 [email protected] Tue 1/21/20 Te Anau to Fox Glacier Travel to Queenstown, located on glacially-carved Lake Wakatipu. Take the Skyline Gondola to a peak overlooking Queenstown and the lake. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the summit restaurant with glorious views. Continue through Mt. Aspiring National Park with stops to walk through pristine forest to waterfalls. Continue to Fox Glacier in Westland National Park. Night walk in the forest to see glowworms. Two nights in Fox Glacier Village at Bella Vista Motel.
Wed 1/22/20 Fox Glacier & Franz Josef Glacier Walk along Lake Matheson, famous for its reflections of Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman, New Zealand’s two highest peaks. Walk to the terminus of Fox Glacier. Option to do a helicopter ride & professionally guided hike on Fox Glacier ($320; only goes in good weather). Visit Franz Josef Glacier and see various glacial landforms. Night #2 at Fox Glacier Village.
Thu 1/23/20 Fox Glacier to Nelson Lakes National Park See the fascinating limestone geology at Paparoa National Park, including the famous “pancake rocks” above crashing surf. Continue to Nelson Lakes National Park for one night at Alpine Lodge in St. Arnaud, located on beautiful Lake Rotoiti.
Fri 1/24/20 Abel Tasman National Park Boat cruise along the beautiful coastline of Abel Tasman National Park with an option to hike the most scenic part of the trail (4 miles). See magnificent hidden beaches amidst hills and forest. Farewell dinner in Nelson. One night at Harbourside Lodge in Nelson.
Sat 1/25/20 Return to USA Fly home from Nelson, arrive in the USA the same day, 1/25/20
REGISTRATION FOR THIS TOUR AND MORE INFO CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.GEOTOURS.US/TOUR/ABDNHA-NEWZEALAND-2020
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS BY GEOTOURS LLC; [email protected] A B D N H A
NEW ZEALAND 2020
FRANZ JOSEF ROTORUA GLACIER
GENERAL INFORMATION – ABDNHA NEW ZEALAND TOUR 2020 Tour Dates Depart Los Angeles in the evening, Monday, January 13, 2020 on Air New Zealand (or can leave earlier) Arrive Rotorua in the morning, Wednesday, January 15, 2020; option to arrive later in the day Depart Nelson, Saturday, January 25, 2020; arrive Los Angeles the same day, Saturday, January 25, 2020
Land Cost $3390, including lodging, transport within NZ, Rotorua-Christchurch flight, many entries/activities, some breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association.
Airfare Additional cost of approximately $1600 for round-trip Los Angeles – Rotorua; Nelson – Los Angeles on Air New Zealand. GeoTours will provide information on recommended flights. Participants can spend extra days in New Zealand or the South Pacific.
Discounts Early registration discount of $100 if you register with your $400 deposit before April 30, 2019; $50 discount May 1 – May 31, 2019. Additional discount of $50 for members of ABDNHA registering for the tour before April 30, 2019. Additional discount of $50 for those who traveled on the 2019 ABDNHA Iceland tour.
Registration Procedure Open to all ages; it is not necessary to be a member of Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, but registration through March 31 is only open to ABDNHA members and their roommates. Register online at WWW.GEOTOURS.US/TOUR/ABDNHA-NEWZEALAND-2020 or complete and sign a hard copy of the registration form, also available on the website above. You must submit your $400 deposit within 7 days of registration to GeoTours LLC by US mail or with an online payment
Leader/Guide & Group Size San Diego Mesa College geology professor Don Barrie will lead the group GeoTours guide (Matt Ebiner) will accompany, direct, and guide the tour. Group size will be a minimum 12 people, plus Professor Barrie, Guide Matt, and a New Zealand driver. Maximum size is 24 people.
Accommodations & Transportation Price is based on sharing a room; if you don’t have a preferred roommate we will try match you with a roommate. Lodging is at hotels and motels with private bathrooms. Single room supplement is +$690. Private tour bus (30+ seats).
Pace/Physical Effort This trip has a moderate pace and participants should be able to walk up to 6 miles on the longest day. It is possible to opt out of a walk. The average bus travel time is 4 hours per day, but a couple of days have 7 hours on the bus. The weather is mild in January (average high usually in the 60s and 70sF), lows in the 40s and 50s. Rain is likely 2 or 3 days per week.
Any Questions? Please contact: Mesa geology professor Don Barrie - [email protected]; 619-208-6507 GeoTours guide Matt Ebiner – [email protected]; 310-686-8171
ABDNHA New Zealand Tour: January 13-25, 2020 - LAND COST = $3390 (Includes lodging, private transportation, entries/activities, International Airfare extra)
REGISTRATION/PAYMENT PROCEDURE – REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 23, 2019. 1. Register online at WWW.GEOTOURS.US/TOUR/ABDNHA-NEWZEALAND-2020 or complete this form and submit it to GeoTours. 2. Attach a $400 payment (made payable to GeoTours LLC) to this form and mail to GeoTours at the address below or submit payment online through www.venmo.com or www.paypal.com, payable to [email protected] or 310-686-8171. You can also make an online ZELLE bank transfer with most online bank accounts to [email protected] or 310-686-8171 (GeoTours phone #). 3. Second payment of $500 is due on June 30, 2019. SPECIAL DISCOUNTS! 4. Third payment of $600 is due on August 31, 2019. Sign up before April 30, 2019 with your 5. Final payment is due October 31, 2019. deposit and receive a $100 discount. 6. Payments made after November 30, 2019 will be assessed a $100 late fee. Sign up May 1 - May 31, 2019 and receive a $50 discount Payments should be made payable to GeoTours LLC and sent to: Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History GeoTours CONTACTS: Association members receive an additional 1547 E. Puente Street Matt Ebiner, GeoTours Trip Leader discount of $50 if signing up before April Covina, CA 91724 [email protected]; 310-686-8171 30, 2019. Don Barrie, Geologist & Group Leader Additional discount of $50 if you traveled [email protected]; 619-208-6507 on the ABDNHA 2019 Iceland tour.
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION - Please print clearly and use your precise name as it appears on your passport
First Name Last Name Gender:
Address City, State Zip
Are you a US citizen? Yes ___No, I am a citizen of ______Passport # Passport Expiration
Email Address Phone (______) Date of Birth
Are you a member of Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association? ______
ACCOMMODATION REQUEST - The program price is based on double occupancy. If you sign up without a roommate we will try to match you with a roommate, but this is not guaranteed. A single room incurs a supplement of +$690.
Please check one: Sharing a Twin room (2 beds) ______Sharing a Double room (1 large bed; if available) _____ Single Room _____
Name of preferred roommate (if any)
EMERGENCY CONTACT: Name Relationship ______
Address City, State Zip
Home Phone ( _____ ) ______Cell ( _____ ) Email Address
CANCELLATIONS To cancel your participation, you need to inform GeoTours in writing or by email. Cancellation date is the date when GeoTours receives your written notice Date of Cancellation Cancellation Penalty Date of Cancellation Cancellation Penalty On or before April 30, 2019 $100 August 1 – September 30, 2019 $500 May 1 –31, 2019 $200 October 1 – November 30, 2019 $600 June 1 – July 31, 2019 $400 After December 1, 2019 No Refund
Responsibility The program participant agrees that GeoTours LLC and Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA) assume no liability whatsoever for loss of property, injury, accident, illness, death, irregularity and delays during the duration of the tour. In addition, the program participant agrees to hold GeoTours LLC and ABDNHA harmless for damage and delay due to equipment problems, quarantine, declared or undeclared war and insurrection, terrorist and criminal activity, revolt, civil disturbance, hostility, military action, strikes, labor unrest, any “act of God” or nature and for any act of any third party. The participant, by registering for this tour, agrees that GeoTours LLC and ABDNHA are not responsible for delay, rerouting, omission and additional expense resulting from the passenger’s improper travel documents such as passport, visa and health document. Any losses and expenses related to such circumstances are within the responsibility of the program participants and not of GeoTours LLC. GeoTours LLC and ABDNHA are not responsible for acts of any government authority. GeoTours LLC and ABDNHA reserve the right to adjust itinerary and contents and to substitute accommodation providers as deemed necessary. GeoTours LLC and ABDNHA reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a program participant as well as to refuse to retain any participant’s membership in the program. Participants that do not participate in an activity or entry, or who leave the tour early or arrive late, will not be entitled to any refund. By registering for this tour, the participant agrees to all such terms and conditions.
I have carefully read and agree to the regulations above.
Participant Signature ______Date Travel arrangements by GeoTours LLC, CST # 2099683-40 1547 E. Puente Street, Covina, CA 91724 Phone: (310) 686-8171; Email: [email protected]; Website: WWW.GEOTOURS.US/TOUR/ABDNHA-NEWZEALAND-2020