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Located 800 km due east of Christchurch the Chatham Islands are home to rare birds and unique plant species. 750 islanders live here and it is the ancestral home of the Moriori people. Weather on the Chathams is temperate and changeable. We take into consideration the weather conditions and the daily itinerary listed below may alter accordingly. Suitable clothing for changeable weather is advisable. Comfortable walking shoes are essential and a reasonable level of fitness is required.
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Click above to download
Itinerary in PDF Format
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The flight to the Chathams is approximately 2 hours, traveling in a “Convair“ fixed wing passenger aircraft. The interior of the aircraft is spacious and comfortable, though somewhat noisy (ear plugs are provided). On the island you will be touring in a 20 seater bus, with air conditioning and PA system. The roads are often dusty and bumpy. Visiting the Chathams is an adventure!! Visitors to the Islands never forget their experience - the scenery, the people, the peace, the nature, the solitude.
Day 1: Wednesday, 10 November –Welcome to the Chatham Islands
This morning we are transferred to Wellington Airport where we gather to join our Air Chathams flight to the Chatham Islands. Refreshments will be served on our two hour flight. Upon arrival on the island you will be met by your hosts at the airport and transferred to your accommodation at Chatham Hotel located in the main village of Waitangi. You will have the opportunity once you have
settled in to your room to explore the village, visit the Chatham Island Museum, browse the Chatham Cottage Gift Shop, and take a wander down to the wharf. We dine in tonight at the hotel.
(Don't forget to put your watches forward - the Chathams are 45 minutes ahead of New Zealand mainland time.)
Day 2: Thursday, 11 November - South East , Henga & Rock Carvings
This morning we learn about the unique history and culture of the Chathams when we visit Kopinga Marae, the stunning new meeting house of the Moriori people. After morning tea we visit the south east corner of the island. At Manukau we view the statue of Tommy Solomon, the last full-blooded Moriori. We have lunch today at Te Matarae the farming property of Pat Smith, former Mayor of the Chathams. Adjoining his enchanting property is a private reserve that you can wander through. This afternoon we take a drive up to Henga Scenic Reserve where you can take a walk through remnant coastal forest, which opens out onto rolling sand dunes dropping down to the sea. Finally today we visit a remarkable archeological site. Early Moriori rock carvings – known as petroglyphs—can be seen on the walls of a cave on the shores of Te Whanga Lagoon. We dine in again this evening at the Hotel Chathams.
Day 3: Friday, 12 November —North to Wharekauri, Cape Young & Nikau Reserve
Today we make our way north to Wharekauri where we will explore some interesting geological formations and enjoy a great coastal walk. Our picnic lunch today is at Cape Young—the northern most tip of Chatham Island. This afternoon we take a walk in Nikau Reserve, a lovely piece of remnant bush, which, as its name suggests, is dotted with nikau palms.
Day 4: Saturday, 13 November— Kaingaroa and North-East
Our travels take us to the north eastern corner of the island today where we take a board walked wander through the wetland area at Ocean Mail Scenic Reserve and at Hapupu Historic Reserve, discover another unique archeological site. Carved into the bark of kopi (karaka) trees within the reserve are Moriori tree carvings – known as dendroglyphs. They are among the little evidence of pre-contact Moriori culture remaining on the island. We enjoy a picnic lunch here before continuing on to Point Munning where we take a short walk to visit a local seal colony. We also visit Broughton Landing—an old Mission and Whaling Station, and we will be able to view the remains of a wrecked Sunderland Flying Boat, which hit rocks while taxiing in Te Whanga Lagoon in 1959. Finally this afternoon we visit the friendly fishing village of Kaingaroa, where local hospitality is deployed to provide us with a bountiful seafood buffet dinner at the Kaingaroa Sports Club.
Day 5: Sunday, 14 November —North West, Basalt Columns & Admiral Farm
This morning we get rid of any remaining cobwebs with a cliff walk on nearby Tikitiki Hill before we join a church service at the little historic Anglican Church at Te One. With a picnic lunch we make our way up the western coastline, where we stop to take a look at the basalt columns- a series of fascinatingly shaped volcanic rock formations on the shoreline. This afternoon we make our way out to Waitangi West Beach where you can take a stroll along the beach and may catch a glimpse of the endangered Chatham Island oystercatcher (torea). Dinner this evening is a barbecue at Admiral Farm, a fourth generation Chathams property with a gorgeous garden featuring the eerie skeletons of dead kopi trees and great drifts of the stunning Chatham Island forget-me-not, which will be in full flower at this time of the year.
Day 6: Monday, 15 November —Travelling home
We depart our hotel for the airport this morning, checking in for our flight back to “New Zealand”. Upon arrival back in Wellington you will be met by our coaches to transfer you back to your home town.
Tour Schedule
Price Per Person:
Double or twin share .....................................$2975.00 per person
Single room with shared bathroom .................$2925.00 per person
Single room with ensuite ...............................$3335.00 per person
Cost of Tour Includes:
Tour fully escorted
Transfers to and from Wellington Airport
Return airfares with Air Chathams
5 nights accommodation at Hotel Chatham
All meals: breakfasts, lunches and dinners
Daily tours around the island
Entry to all attractions and sites visited
Optional extras:
Pitt Island full day tour............. $325.00 per person
Fishing trip half day ..................$110.00 per person
Please note that both of these options are weather dependant and therefore can only be arranged when you get to the island. Choosing one of the above options would mean foregoing the scheduled activities for that day.
Deposit required to confirm your booking:………$675.00 non refundable
Balance payable by:..........……………………………… 10 September
Deposit required to confirm your booking :......... $675.00 (non refundable)
Balance payable by ...........................................10 September 2010
Payable to:
TRANZIT COACHLINES WAIRARAPA LTD
PO BOX 116
MASTERTON
Click here to download Booking Form in PDF format
Phone 0800 TRANTOUR (0800 872 6868)
ali@tranzit.co.nz
Please read “Terms and Conditions ” of the Tour provider (Henga Lodge)
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