Last update = December 7th, 2022
| March 6th, 2023 Depart for New Zealand, Visit Hollywood  Depart on your overnight flight, subject to final flight schedule. Flight will arrive 2 days later. During the layover in Los Angeles, your group will have a charter bus waiting to take you on a tour of Hollywood. |
| March 7th, 2023 In flight |
| March 8th, 2023 Arrive in Christchurch, New Zealand  Prior to your arrival, you enjoy your breakfast on plane. Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand. Transfer to Christchurch. Check in will not be guaranteed before 1pm. We may be able to check in earlier but will depend on availability. Start your day with freshening up at your hotel and prepare for your time in Christchurch. Christchurch is known for its English heritage. The Avon River cuts through the center of the city bordered by cycling paths and green public parks. Settle in for the rest of the day and enjoy all that this coastal town has to offer. Enjoy a relaxing day and become acclimated with this beautiful city. |
| March 9th, 2023 Visit Christchurch & Summer Beach  After your delicious breakfast depart for exploration through Christchurch. Christchurch is the perfect jumping-off point to delve into southern New Zealand. It’s the perfect gateway destination. Over the past few years, the city’s urban life has truly revitalized: you’ll spot vibrant street art, innovative cuisine, and beautifully manicured parks. After your adventure through the city, head towards Sumner Beach for some relaxation and some time to soak up the sunshine. |
| March 10th, 2023 Visit Mt. Cook National Park Guided Hike Hike Hooker Valley  After breakfast at your hotel, you will travel south to Mount Cook National Park. The drive is almost as scenic as your destination. State Highway 80 (leading to Mt. Cook Village) travels beside the shores of Lake Pukaki, providing excellent views even from the window of a motor coach. This area is often considered some of the best climbing in all Australasia. Both experienced mountaineers and novice hikers will find plenty to enjoy. Glacier-carved lakes stud the park and the formidable Tasman Glacier slowly carves the sides of the valley. This alpine area features permanent snow fields, craggy mountain peaks, and nature’s best landscaper: glaciers. Embark on a guided mountain walk where you’ll see grassland, alpine lakes, and incredible glacier views. Local wildlife like the kea—the world’s only true alpine parrot—make for great photos. Beware! The kea is uniquely attracted to people and might pull some interesting pranks on you if you’re not careful. The park lies far from city lights making it an ideal area for stargazing. In fact, it forms most of New Zealand’s only International Dark Sky Reserve area. With light pollution effecting the world around us in unpredictable ways it’s more important than ever to preserve nature’s dark skies. Stay overnight in the surrounding area. |
| March 11th, 2023 Transfer to Queenstown Admission to Skyline Gondola  Rise early and enjoy a delicious breakfast before check-out and departure for Queenstown. This popular destination is known for its alpine resorts and thrilling adventure sports. Arrive and check in to your new hotel. After settling in, prepare for an exciting climb the Skyline Gondola. It lays its claim to the title of “steepest cable car in the southern hemisphere!” Ride 450 meters above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu to the top of Bob’s Peak. Stop for a delicious lunch and then enjoy activities at the summit on your own, such as the luge. Return to Queenstown for dinner and overnight accommodations. |
| March 12th, 2023 Milford Sound Cruise  Gather for breakfast at your Queenstown hotel before departing for a full-day excursion to Milford Sound. Cruise the full length of the fiord on board any cruise, all with excellent wildlife viewing. During the Milford Sound Cruise, you will get a delicious meal aboard, along with getting close to New Zealand fur seals basking on the rocks, you’ll see massive rock faces rising hundreds of meters out of the sea and waterfalls cascade from ancient rainforest high in the mountains. |
| March 13th, 2023 Visit Wanaka Area Guided Hike of Roy’s Peak Track [If we have time] Visit Criffel Station Farm [If we have time] Visit Puzzling World  Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing for nearby Wanaka. This resort town lies on southern end of its namesake lake. The current town was founded here during the gold rush of the 19th century but it has been a popular stopping point for Maori hunting groups during the summertime for hundreds of years. Trek the Roy’s Peak Track to reach the summit for remarkable views of the surrounding peaks and lakes. Pack plenty of water! The view from the summit is truly unforgettable. It is a tough uphill climb but the view that awaits you is more than enough of a reward. Return to the base of the track and depart for Criffel Station Farm for a farm tour. The farm is an authentic, family-run working deer farm. Meet their friendly farm animals (alpacas, sheep) and visit with the vast herds of deer. You’ll enjoy more views of New Zealand’s high country while receiving important information about sustainability and the history of the land. After a snack, depart for Wanaka’s Puzzling World. This attraction was originally a single storey maze in 1973 but has evolved to become a wild array of visual and interactive elements. Today it is home to the Sculptllusion Gallery, the Leaning Tower of Wanaka, several optical illusion rooms, and a 3D maze! It is a great way to relax after a thrilling day of hiking and exploration. Bend your mind just a little after you’ve spent the morning exercising your body. Return to Queenstown for dinner and overnight accommodations. Return to Queenstown for your flight back to Auckland. After checking into your hotel for the night, enjoy a dinner on your last night in New Zealand. |
| March 14th, 2023 Transfer to Auckland Transfer to Fiji, Yatule Visit Natadola Beach Welcome Ceremony (Sevusevu Ceremony)  Enjoy breakfast at your hotel then depart for Auckland airport. Upon arrival in Fiji at Nadi Airport, you will depart for your hotel and check in to your local accommodations. This South Pacific archipelago is made up of more than 300 islands. It is no surprise that tourism is the major local industry. One visit to these islands will leave a lasting impression. Between its rugged landscapes, picturesque beaches, and beautiful lagoons, there is something here for everyone. From here you will head to your Base House for the week in rural Momi Bay. Gather for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture. Later today, you’ll have a chance to swim and relax at beautiful Natadola Beach. This evening you’ll participate in a formal sevusevu ceremony and begin learning the intricacies of cultural practices in Fiji. Wearing your new sulu (a kilt-like garment worn by women and men since the 19th century), get to know the local staff over a bowl of kava. |
| March 15th, 2023 Sigatoka River Safari Adventure Tour  The emphasis of the world-famous Sigatoka River Safari is to enable all our guests to interact and engage with the Fijian people as they truly are. You will know that what you are seeing is the “real deal” as the 15 villages we work with, deep in the Fijian interior allow you to get a glimpse of life as it used to be. The awe-inspiring Sigatoka River is the longest river on the island of Viti Levu, running from the hills of the Navosa Province right down to the sand dunes in Kulukulu, on the famous Coral Coast. See first-hand the natural beauty of the river and interior, all from the comfort of the safari jet boat. |
| March 16th, 2023 Dive Day 1 Coral Coast Cultural tour (Non-divers)  The Dive group will head out on your first dive day departing at 5:00am with a packed breakfast. After your dive and lunch you will return by 1:30 to the hotel. Non-divers: Coral Coast Cultural tour You will visit Nadi, an Indian temple and the largest temple in Fiji. Then, you will depart for the legendary Vesiseisei village, reputed to be the first landing place of the ancient Fijian on their epic sea voyage from the African continent centuries ago. Afterward, you will explore the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, where different varieties of orchids can be found. Next the group departs for the thermal pool at Tifajet Sabeto. Here students will taste test the national drink, Kava, with some storytelling and then a light lunch before meeting back up with the group. |
| March 17th, 2023 Jewel of Fiji Day Tour  A Fijian Warrior will escort you to the village meeting house (bure). Experience an age-old custom and tradition with a customary welcome yaqona (kava) ceremony which will be performed for you. This sacred ceremony is only performed to visiting high chiefs or very important visitors. · History of the village established by lone Englishman, John Humphrey Danford in the early 1800s · War dance performances by the young men of the village · Native root crops, fruits, vegetables, herbal medicine and kava plants · Join in the “taralala & tuboto” (Snake Dance) · Village handicraft souvenir shopping · Witness the unearthing of your lovo lunch (cooked underground) · Women weaving Fijian mats · Village kindergarten · Women folk dances · Coconut by-products · Tapa painting · Farewell song – “Isa Lei” |
| March 18th, 2023 Dive Day 2 Cultural & History tour (Non-divers)  The Dive group will head out on your first dive day departing at 5:00am with a packed breakfast. After your dive and lunch you will return by 1:30 to the hotel. Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before setting out for another day of exploring Fiji’s Islands. Some of the best dive sites for seeing sea life up close are within easy reach. An experienced guide will assist you with your excursion. Best dive sites, according to several diving conglomerates: · Bligh Waters · Great Astrolabe Reef · Beqa Barrier Reef · Shark Reef Marine Reserve · Somosomo Strait, Taveuni · Yasawa Islands · And much, much more! As a part of each program, students reflect on their experiences with local leaders and the issues and challenges they engaged with and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds at home. Non-divers: Cultural & History tour: Sigatoka sand dunes where archaeologists have uncovered the remains of the Lapita people that settled there a century ago and are reputed for their fine arts, especially pottery making and design. Next you’ll visit is to the Nakabuta pottery village to witness how pottery is still made by hand. Afterward, next visit head to Tavuni Hill Fort the only Tongan fort in Fiji where a Tongan prince that was banished form the island kingdom came and settled in Fiji. Their descendant still reside in nearby villagers. You will be able to see the Sigatoka market, where farmers cone in to sell their fresh farm produce from the rich Sigatoka valley also known as the salad bowl of Fiji, and later head back to Yatule for lunch & dinner. |
| March 19th, 2023 Visit Viti Levu Cooking class Kayaking and swimming in Natadola bay Zip lining  Gather for an early 7am breakfast at Yatule before leaving at 8:15 am for ziplining in Cannibal Momi in Tau. Afterwards head to Yatule for a cooking class to learn about the Fiji’s diverse cuisine. Group will have a half day of kayaking and swimming in the Natadola Bay, and a game of volleyball with the staff. Group will have lunch and dinner in Yatule. |
| March 20th, 2023 Navo Secret Cave Tour Departure Santa Monica  Your visit also includes a guided tour of a cannibal cave where you will learn more about the fascinating history of Fiji and the tribal groups that have called these islands home for hundreds of years. The islands have a complicated history that includes colonization, slavery, indentured servitude, and rebellions. It is important to the local people that their traditions are honored and respected. At 1:30 we will head to the rejuvenation center for a foot soak and back massage. Here you will get a voucher for food and have some time to enjoy the facilities which include luggage storage and wifi before leaving for the airport around 6pm. Check out and transfer to the airport for your flight home. During your layover in Los Angeles, you will be able to explore the Santa Monica beach and pier on your own. |