Middle Earth
New Zealand Quest
November 7 – 20, 2004

ONE PLACE TO RULE THEM ALL!

Rudyard Kipling found what he called the “eighth wonder of the world” in New Zealand. James Michener described these islands as “probably the most beautiful place on earth.” And now, the rest of the world has finally discovered it, thanks to director Peter Jackson’s amazing film trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy masterpiece.
     Few countries in the world encompass such contrasts in geography and culture as New Zealand. It is surrounded on all sides by a vast undersea topography of submerged ridges, troughs, rises, swells and plateaus that have pushed together over eons to shape this group of mountainous islands. New Zealand is a land of majestic snow-capped peaks, unexplored rainforests, pristine lakes, turquoise ocean bays, wooded isles, glaciers, fjords, geysers and volcanoes. Perhaps most important of all, it is the land of the Maori, the indigenous Polynesian inhabitants who have made these islands their home for at least 12 centuries.
     Like most of the South Pacific, New Zealand was the last habitable part of the world to be reached by Europeans, as seafarers faced vast expanses of ocean to cross. Most Europeans didn’t seem much interested in these far-flung shores even after discovery, and it would be more than 240 years before the country saw colony settlements by the British, when prospectors discovered alluvial gold here in 1885. New Zealand was given Dominion Status in the British Empire in 1907, and granted autonomy in 1931; independence, however was not formally proclaimed until 1947.
     New Zealand is, therefore, a relatively young country which bears the unmistakable stamp of the British, with stately manors, grand public buildings and beautifully manicured gardens. You will think that a little piece of England has been dropped right into the midst of another world characterized by surreal storybook beauty.
     For 12 wonderful days in November (during New Zealand’s spring), Toto Tours will show you the best that New Zealand has to offer. We take you from its “veddy” British towns, to a wild and remote southern island, to the peaceful and majestic beauty of fjordland, to the capital of adventure activities, to a traditional Maori “hangi,”and even some of the locations used in filming The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Join Toto in Middle Earth to see the one tourist destination that rules them all.

ITINERARY

Sunday, November 7, 2004
Departure from the U.S.

Your quest for Middle Earth begins today as you set out from your home and board a series of flights bound for Christchurch, New Zealand.

Monday, November 8, 2004
Phantom Day

Crossing the International Date Line, you lose an entire day in the air, which you’ll recover again on the return trip home.

Tuesday, November 9, 2004
Arrival in Christchurch

Please time your arrival in Christchurch for as early as possible today. You will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. This afternoon our group gathers for the first time at 3pm for a guided walking tour of Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island. Beautiful old buildings, broad avenues, majestic trees, and the vast Hagley Park provide some of the city’s attractive features. Along the way we pass a number of landmarks of Peter Jackson's movie Heavenly Creatures (starring Kate Winslet), which was filmed in and around Christchurch. This evening Toto Tours hosts a Welcome Dinner, at which time we'll have a Council to discuss the adventures to come and share personal introductions among the members of our fellowship.     (Dinner)

Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Oamaru / Vanished World / Dunedin

After breakfast, transfer by motorcoach southward along the coast to the Scottish city of Dunedin. Along the way visit the the historic city of Oamaru with its unique Victorian buildings hewn from white limestone. They do, indeed, shine by the sea.
     Enjoy a trip back in time to a vanished world with a guided walk along an amazing fossil trail that showcases unique marine mammal fossils (dolphins and whales) and lava formations dating back 500 million years. You will also see some historic Maori drawings on rocks. Further south we stop at the mystical Moeraki Boulders—huge round stones that lie like devil's marbles on the beach.
     This evening, take a short guided tour of Larnach Castle, the only one in New Zealand, built by a cattle baron in the 1870s. Enjoy dinner in the castle’s ballroom. Overnight at the Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Thursday, November 11, 2004
Marine Adventures on the Otago Peninsula

Relax and enjoy some personal time after breakfast this morning. At 10:30 we drive out to a protected area of the Otago Peninsula where we tour a Marine Studies Center and take a guided beach walk to roll back the tides and discover the rich and diverse marine life of the Southern Ocean. After a light lunch at the Albatross Colony Visitors Center Cafe (not included), enjoy a one-hour cruise in the harbor and (in suitable weather and sea conditions) out to the open sea.
     Experience excellent views of the exciting diversity of wildlife which abounds on Taiaroa Head, the only mainland nesting place for rare Royal Albatross in the world. It is also home to fur seals and eight other nesting bird species. Back on land our naturalist guide takes us on a walking tour to watch Yellow Eyed Penguin, an endangered species, in their natural habitat. From special blinds we are able to observe these rare birds without disturbing them as they come back ashore in the late afternoon from their feeding grounds at sea. In early evening we return to Dunedin, and the remainder of the evening is free at your leisure.     (Breakfast)

Friday, November 12, 2004
Dunedin to Stewart Island via The Catlins

Situated off the beaten track, The Catlins are a major highlight of the Southern Scenic Route. Today we travel by coach through this remote and untouched area to the town of Bluff, the southernmost point on the South Island. Enroute we stretch our legs with a walk through native rainforest to a lovely waterfall. The spectacular scenery along our journey includes sweeping beaches, rugged coastline, formidable cliffs, lighthouses, rivers, waterfalls, lakes and estuaries.
     From Bluff we cross Foveaux Strait on a one-hour ferry ride to Stewart Island. Called “heavenly glow” by the Maoris, this island is a must for visitors seeking the peace and contentment of nature. Overnight at the South Seas Hotel in the center of Oban.     (Breakfast)

Saturday, November 13, 2004
Stewart Island / Ulva Island Exploration

After breakfast you can take an optional 1.5 hour tour of the island. Touristy attractions are noticeably absent, for the most part, so the allure is all about the relaxed pace and nature. Long, meandering paths cover much of this island, making it a walker’s paradise.
     This afternoon enjoy a walking excursion with a local nature guide on Ulva Island to experience the New Zealand Bush as it has been for centuries but is hard to find nowadays. It is a nature trip you will never forget! We return to the hotel with time to walk the beautiful beaches and revel in the tranquility of this magical place.      (Breakfast)

Sunday, November 14, 2004
Stewart Island to Te Anau

We make an early start today, dictated by the ferry schedule. The ferry departs at 8am and arrives in Bluff an hour later. From there we transfer by motorcoach through some of the most wild and dramatic scenery in New Zealand—Fjordland, one of the largest national parks in the world. Te Anau is internationally renowned as the “Sightseeing and Walking Capital of the World,” as it is located close to several of the country’s main southern walking tracks. After checking into our hotel, take a tour across the lake to explore the limestone caves of Te Anau, famous for the glow worms that light up the cavern ceilings. Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the day is free.     (Breakfast)

Monday, November 15, 2004
Doubtful Sound / Queenstown

A highlight of this tour will be today's full day excursion by coach and boat to the magnificent Doubtful Sound. From our hotel we drive to Lake Manapouri, which we cross by boat to an underground power plant, a masterpiece of engineering which we visit by means of a coach trip through a 1.5 mile long tunnel. Continue by coach across Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound. Take a 3-hour boat cruise to the open sea, where it is very likely we will encounter dolphins and fur seas. Returning to Te Anau this afternoon we commence the scenic, 2-hour drive to our beautiful hotel in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Middle Earth / Dart River

Today is an unforgettable nature experience, as we go right into Middle Earth. The Dart River Valley was an important location for many scenes in the film trilogy. We transfer to Glenorchy, where we take an exciting jetboat ride up Dart River. The best, though, is yet to come. We will be serenaded by bird songs and cascading waterfalls as we float serenely down the river in inflatable canoes. The Rockburn Chasm, a narrow gorge with deep crystal blue waters, will be the day’s highlight and where we have lunch. Return to Queenstown by coach and enjoy a leisurely free evening.     (Breakfast / Lunch)

Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Adventure Day in Queenstown

Today is a full free day in the Queenstown area. In addition to sightseeing, relaxing, or souvenir shopping around town, the area offers many incredible adventure options. We'll help you organize just the right optional adventure for you, whether your tastes run from the easy to the extreme.

• Easy: a day walk on the famous Routeburn Track in the wilderness sanctuary of Mount Aspiring National Park.
• Moderate: The Shotover River Triple Challenge, by Jetboat, Helicopter, and Raft.
• Extreme: Bungy Jumping from 140 to 444 feet, or hang gliding / parachuting options.

Within a radius of only a few kilometers, New Zealanders' ingenuity and mechanical wizardry have combined with the stunning landscape to provide a range of adventure activities unrivalled in such a concentrated area anywhere else in the world!     (Breakfast)

Thursday, November 18, 2004
Queenstown to Rotorua

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Rotorua (airfare not included). Upon arrival, travel by motorcoach to the Waimangu Thermal Valley, a 10.5 mile rift in the mountains created by an old volcanic eruption. We take a walk through the valley to a lake, returning by shuttle bus. Continue on to see the thermal area of Whakarewarewa, with its geysers and boiling mud pools. Visit a Kiwi House to see this distinctive New Zealand bird up close. You can also watch Maori carvers at work on native timber and greenstone, and sieze the opportunity to purchase a truly authentic souvenir!
     Our visit here culminates with a cultural experience that has us meeting the indigenous people of Aotearoa, the Maori, and learning about their unique culture. The day ends with a “hangi dinner” (similar to a luau) and a performance of the Haka, the Maori war dance.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Friday, November 19, 2004
Rotorua to Auckland via Hobbiton

Travel from Rotorua to where the whole story of Middle Earth began—Hobbiton, filmed on the Alexander Farm outside ot the little rural town of Matamata. The Hobbiton movie set has been returned to its natural state, but some structures and Hobbit holes are still visible and the view across to the Kaimai Mountains is great.
     This afternoon we continue on to Auckland for our final evening together. Tonight Toto Tours hosts a Farewell Dinner in the revolving restaurant of the 1,000-ft. Skytower, the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest building.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Saturday, November 20, 2004
Departure

The tour ends officially after breakfast this morning. Arrange your return flight home for any convenient time today. Toto Tours provides one group coach transfer to the airport timed for the convenience of the majority of flight departures. Our outfitters will be happy to assist with additional touring options if you would like to extend your stay on the North Island.     (Breakfast)