TRACKING NATURE S PREMIER WONDERLAND. October 26 to November 7, a program of the stanford alumni association

Transcription

1 S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y TRACKING NATURE S PREMIER WONDERLAND October 26 to November 7, 2019 a program of the stanford alumni association

2 Few places on earth can take one s breath away day after day like New Zealand. And few trips there combine the country s famous Great Walks with a study of its spectacular terrain as masterfully as this one does. We ll cover segments of six of New Zealand s 10 Great Walks, including the Milford Track and the Queen Charlotte Track, marked by rugged mountain peaks, sparkling sounds, dense rain forests and pristine coastlines. Our faculty leader is Stephan Graham, dean of Stanford s School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences, who will help us make sense of this land so alive with earthquake faults, volcanoes and everchanging dramatic landscapes. Grab those hiking boots and come tracking with us! BRETT S. THOMPSON, 83, DIRECTOR, STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY Highlights FLY into remote, otherwise inaccessible locations via our exclusive charter aircraft and helicopter flights, giving us more time to explore our stunning destinations on foot. COVER: ABEL TASMEN NATIONAL PARK MARVEL at the diversity of landscapes we ll view along New Zealand s storied hiking tracks from glaciated peaks to cobalt-blue fjords framed by thick rain forests. HEAR echoes of the past at Ship Cove, where native Maori and Europeans set eyes on each other for the first time when Captain Cook dropped anchor there in KEPLER TRACK

3 Dr. Graham provided enormous insight with respect to the geology. We were the fortunate recipients of his dozens of research expeditions conducted over several decades. D A V I D P R E S S, MONGOLIA, 2018 Faculty Leader STEPHAN GRAHAM, MS 74, PHD 76, who joined the Stanford faculty in 1980, was appointed dean of the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences in November Besides teaching several earth sciences courses, he conducts field research with his grad students around the globe, including New Zealand since His research interests include sedimentary geology, tectonics and sedimentation, and petroleum geology. About New Zealand, he says, Its geology and topography volcanoes, big faults and big earthquakes, geologically young mountain ranges and magnificent rocky shorelines are a mirror image of California and a wonderful backdrop for geologic studies. And, of course, it s like being in Tolkien s Middle-earth! Among the topics Dr. Graham will discuss during our walk are the impact of climate change on New Zealand; how New Zealand once hosted dinosaurs, yet was home only to birds when humans first arrived; the recent 2011 Christchurch and 2016 Kaikoura earthquakes; the discovery of the lost continent of Zealandia; and New Zealand s natural energy systems. Chester Naramore Dean of the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences, since 2017; associate dean for academic affairs, and ; Welton Joseph and Maud L Anphere Crook Professor, since 2005 all Stanford University Recipient, Dean s Discretionary Award for Distinguished Service, 2016, and Outstanding Teacher Award, School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences, 1987, Stanford University Recipient, Pettijohn Medal, Society for Sedimentary Geology, 2017, and the Grover E. Murray Memorial Distinguished Educator Award, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 2007 MS, 1974, and PhD, 1976 both geology, Stanford University S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y MILFORD TRACK BRIDGE SIGN UP ONLINE: alumni.stanford.edu/trip?kiwiwalk2019 OR BY PHONE: (650)

4 Tasman Sea Routeburn Track NORTH ISLA Abel Tasman Coast Track Kaiteriteri Mount Arthur Motuara Is Nelson Blenheim Queen Charlotte Track S o u t h Milford Track Queenstown Te Anau Lake Wakatipu Kepler Track SOUTH ISLAND s e r n A l p N EW Z EALAND Pa c i f i c O c e a Itinerary SATURDAY TO MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 TO 28 U.S. / QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND Depart the U.S. on overnight flights to New Zealand, crossing the international date line en route, and arrive in Queenstown on Monday morning. Begin our adventure today with a pleasant two-mile nature walk that descends through native bush abounding with birdlife to Bob s Cove and its excellent lookout point. From here, we can see much of Lake Wakatipu and the distant Remarkables mountain range. This evening join fellow travelers for a welcome reception and dinner. HOTEL ST. MORITZ (10/28: B,L,D) TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29 QUEENSTOWN Embark on the scenic drive from Queenstown to the Routeburn Shelter this morning to begin a full-day, 10-mile hike on the Routeburn Track. Our walk today takes us into a beautiful ancient beech forest festooned with mosses, lichens, ferns, waterfalls and a river gorge, with lake and mountain views throughout. HOTEL ST. MORITZ (B,L,D) WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30 QUEENSTOWN / TE ANAU Enjoy the morning and lunch at leisure in Queenstown exploring the natural beauty and unique energy of the region before embarking on the two-and-a-halfhour drive to Te Anau, arriving in the early evening. DISTINCTION TE ANAU (B,D) THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31 TE ANAU Today s walk on the Kepler Track begins with a scenic helicopter flight, a 15-minute ride from Te Anau to Luxmore Hut, the starting point for our 10-mile walk. It s all downhill from the bush line, where we can take in sweeping panoramas of the Te Anau basin and several mountain ranges along our route before making our way down to Brod Bay, passing limestone bluffs en route. At the end of our walk, take a short boat ride from Brod Bay back to Te Anau. DISTINCTION TE ANAU (B,L) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1 TE ANAU We start with a scenic two-hour drive to Milford Sound where we take a water taxi from the Milford Sound boat terminal to Sandfly Point, the start of our relatively flat, seven-mile Milford Track walk. After our walk, enjoy a one-and-a-half-hour cruise on Milford Sound. Return to Te Anau this afternoon via helicopter, from which we are treated to breathtaking views of some of the highest and most-photographed mountains of Fiordland National Park. Views of Mitre Peak and Milford Sound unfold as we follow the Milford Track by air and copter over McKinnon Pass before landing at Lake Erskine and continuing by road to Te Anau. DISTINCTION TE ANAU (B,L,D) SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2 TE ANAU / NELSON / KAITERITERI This morning board a private charter flight from Te Anau to Nelson. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch in town before continuing to Kaiteriteri, located just south of Abel Tasman National Park, and checking in to our beach chalet lodgings. Before dinner, take some time to enjoy the amenities of our eco-resort, such as getting a treatment or enjoying the sauna at the spa, swimming in the pool, sunbathing on the beach or going on a bike ride. KIMI ORA ECO RESORT (B,L,D)

5 ND land n ROUTEBURN TRACK SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3 KAITERITERI / ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK We spend today in Abel Tasman National Park, worldfamous for its golden-sand beaches, turquoise waters, estuaries in their original untouched state, lush bush and excellent walking tracks. Our six-mile walk covers the park s most diverse sea and landscapes. We travel to and into the park by water taxi and then walk from Torrent Bay to Medlands Beach through beautiful regenerating forest alive with birds and past spectacular views of extraordinarily colorful estuaries and landforms. KIMI ORA ECO RESORT (B,L,D) MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4 KAITERITERI / MOUNT ARTHUR We drive to Flora Car Park in Kahurangi National Park due west of Abel Tasman National Park to embark on a half-day, five-mile walk to and from Mount Arthur Hut. The walk follows the ridge toward Mount Arthur, winding through beech forest and groves of candelabra-like mountain neinei (a species of grass tree). Following our walk we return to our resort hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure, once again having some time to enjoy the resort s several amenities. KIMI ORA ECO RESORT (B,L,D) TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 KAITERITERI / BLENHEIM This morning we drive for approximately two hours across the top of South Island to Blenheim, stopping en route at a privately owned New Zealand sheep farm. A farmer will demonstrate for us typical everyday farming chores, from working highly trained dogs to shearing one of his sheep. Continuing our drive, we stop for a light lunch before reaching Blenheim and checking in to our lodgings. MARLBOROUGH VINTNERS HOTEL (B,L,D) WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 BLENHEIM / MOTUARA ISLAND Take a short drive to Picton where we board a private water taxi and journey to tiny Motuara Island where we enjoy a one-hour walk around the island. Continue by water taxi to Ship Cove to begin our walk along the 43-mile-long Queen Charlotte Track, starting at Ship Cove and ending at Endeavour Inlet covering 10 spectacular miles of the track. The Queen Charlotte Track has rapidly become known as the finest and most diverse coastal track in New Zealand. The bush is a mixture of stunning podocarp (a conifer) and beech forest dotted with punga ferns and other New Zealand native foliage. Return to Picton by private water taxi and drive back to our hotel. This evening, gather for a farewell reception followed by dinner. MARLBOROUGH VINTNERS HOTEL (B,L,D) THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7 BLENHEIM / U.S After breakfast, transfer to the Blenheim airport to board outbound flights, crossing the international date line once again and arriving back in the U.S. on the same day. (B)

6 MITRE PEAK Trip Information DATES October 26 to November 7, 2019 (13 days) SIZE 26 participants (single accommodations are limited; please call for availability). COST* $11,995 per person, double occupancy $12,995 per person, single occupancy *Stanford Alumni Association nonmembers add $300 per person INCLUDED 10 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 9 dinners Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions Gratuities to porters, guides and drivers for all group activities All walks and tours as described in the itinerary Transfers and baggage handling on program arrival and departure days Internal flights in New Zealand (helicopter flights on 10/31 and 11/1; charter flight from Te Anau to Nelson on 11/2) Minimal medical, accident and evacuation insurance Educational program with lecture series and predeparture materials, including recommended reading list, a selected book, map and travel information Services of our professional tour manager to assist you throughout the program NOT INCLUDED International and domestic airfare Passport and visa fees Immunization costs Meals and beverages other than those specified as included Independent and private transfers Trip-cancellation/ interruption and baggage insurance Excess-baggage charges Personal items such as internet access, telephone and fax calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup services AIR ARRANGEMENTS You are responsible for booking and purchasing airfare to the start location and from the end location of the program. These air purchases are NOT included in the program cost. To assist you in making these independent arrangements, we will send you details with your confirmation materials on when to arrive and depart. WHAT TO EXPECT The primary focus of this trip is walking. This trip should be considered only by people for whom walking in this spectacular part of the world and being in nature are the main goal. Participants must be physically fit, active and in good health. On our walks, you ll need to be able to carry a light daypack with rain gear, extra layers, a camera, sunscreen and a water bottle; on some days you may need to carry your own lunch. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this program. WALKS Our walks are led by experienced hiking guides and range from six to 11 miles a day, or about four to six hours, over rough and varied terrain. Participants should plan to walk with the group the entire day and need to be capable of walking both uphill and downhill. Be prepared for long ascents and descents that may last from one to one-and-a-half hours on some days, with a maximum of 2,400 feet of elevation gain/loss in any one day. You must be able to navigate rocky paths without the assistance of tour staff. Please note that several of the daily excursions might be described by some participants as hikes rather than walks. EXTENSIONS Please contact our office if you re interested in extending your time in New Zealand. We re happy to assist you with planning pre-trip or post-trip itineraries to any of New Zealand s captivating destinations on either the North or South Island.

7 MILFORD SOUND Terms & Conditions Deposit & Final Payment A $1,000-per-person deposit is required to reserve space for this program. Sign up online at alumni. stanford.edu/trip?kiwiwalk2019 or call the Travel/Study office at (650) Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. As a condition of participation, all confirmed participants are required to sign a Release of Liability. Cancellations & Refunds Deposits and any payments are refundable, less a $500-per-person cancellation fee, until 120 days prior to departure. After that date, refunds can be made only if the program is sold out and your place(s) can be resold, in which case a $1,000-perperson cancellation fee will apply. Insurance Stanford Travel/Study provides all travelers who are U.S. or Canadian citizens with minimal medical, accident and evacuation coverage under our group-travel insurance policy. Our group policy is intended to provide minimal levels of protection while you are traveling on this program. You may choose to subscribe to optional tripcancellation and baggage insurance. Information offering such insurance will be provided to travelers with their welcome materials. The product offered includes special benefits if you purchase your policy within 14 days of written confirmation of your participation on the trip. Eligibility We encourage membership in the Stanford Alumni Association as the program cost for nonmembers is $300 more than the members price. A person traveling as a guest paid for by a current member will not be charged the nonmember fee. For more information or to purchase a membership, visit alumni.stanford/ goto/membership or call (650) Responsibility The Stanford Alumni Association, Stanford University and our operators act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation and exercise every care possible in doing so. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity in connection with the service of any automobile, motor coach, launch or any other conveyance used in carrying out this program or for the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the program. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, force majeure or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger as tour rates provide arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to make such alterations to this published itinerary as may be deemed necessary. The right is reserved to cancel any program prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the program. No refund will be made for an unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk entirely. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time that passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. Neither the Stanford Alumni Association, Stanford University nor our operators accept liability for any carrier s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket in connection with the tour. Program price is based on rates in effect in November 2018 and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges. TELEPHONE (650) travelstudy@alumni.stanford.edu California Seller of Travel Program Registration # COPYRIGHT 2018 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED ON RECYCLED, FSC-CERTIFIED PAPER IN THE U.S.

8 Stanford Travel/Study Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center 326 Galvez Street Stanford, CA (650) Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Stanford Alumni Association TRACKING NATURE S PREMIER WONDERLAND October 26 to November 7, 2019 Everything was taken care of for us, our guides were delightful and attentive, the locations and trails were awe-inspiring, the hotels ranged from very nice to outstanding and the camaraderie among fellow travelers was excellent. LESLIE EVANS, 71, PATH TO ROME WALK, 2018 S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y QUEEN CHARLOTTE SOUND