New Zealand by Land and Sea - North to South

31 December 2008 - 19 January 2009

Clipper OdysseyThe 118-passenger 'Clipper Odyssey' provides superior onboard comfort while sailing to remote and off-the-beaten-path destinations. All of A&K's 'Odyssey' voyages are accompanied by destination experts and lecturers individually selected for each sailing, so that you know the stories behind all that you see. Staterooms are spacious and comfortable and all have an ocean view (some with a balcony). Each room includes a private bathroom, sitting area with sofa, in-room music system and television. An INMARSAT telecommunications system permits email access and an infirmary is staffed with an accredited physician on every voyage. After your daily adventures, relax in one of the lounges, visit the bridge with the ship’s officer, take a dip in the pool, work-out in the fitness room or pamper yourself with a massage. The intimate onboard atmosphere and expert hospitality, delivered by a well-trained crew of 73, ensures an unforgettable experience as ‘Clipper Odyssey’ makes her way through remote and culturally interesting waters. Onboard the ship all meals, drinks (except premium brand) and gratuities are included. New Zealand by Land and Sea ItineraryAotearoa ‘the land of the long white cloud’ is a country of outstanding contrasts, from North Island’s fascinating thermal and volcanic regions, to the rugged mountains and majestic fjords of the South Island. Alongside this you will encounter fascinating wildlife and a harmonious culture stemming from Maori and European settlers.31 December – London/Auckland, New ZealandDepart from London Heathrow for Auckland via Los Angeles, crossing the International Dateline in-flight. 2 January - AucklandUpon arrival, transfer to the Langham Hotel in Auckland. The remainder of the day is free to relax and see some of the sights of Auckland. 3 January – Auckland/Embark Clipper OdysseyAfter breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Auckland. This afternoon, board the Clipper Odyssey and settle in for the first evening on board.4 January - TaurangaToday, enjoy a full-day tour to the thermal town of Rotorua, including a stop at Rainbow Springs Nature Park and an exclusive visit to Whakarewarewa (a living Maori thermal village). Enjoy a traditional hangi lunch, learn how to weave flax and enjoy a Maori concert. As we return to the ship, take a nature walk through the impressive Redwood Forest. 5 January - Whakatane/White Island Today, visit volcanic White Island by local excursion boats. White Island is an active volcano estimated to be between 150 - 200 000 years old. There is virtually no vegetation on the island, instead yellow and white sulphur crystals grow around the edges of hissing, steaming fumaroles. The main crater has a spectacular lake and many steaming vents.6 January - NapierToday’s visit to Napier will offer a contrast of culture. The city has one of the most outstanding collections of 1930s architecture in the world. Enjoy an Art Deco walking tour with morning tea at the Hawkes Bay Club. This afternoon, you can enjoy a birding tour to view the gannet colonies at Cape Kidnappers or visit a local vineyard for a food and wine tour. 7 January – WellingtonToday, arrive in the capital city of Wellington. Visit the parliament buildings including the unusual ‘beehive’ building and travel up to the Botanic Gardens by historic cable car. Also visit Stansborough - setting for some of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ films. This afternoon, we visit Te Papa, the innovative and interactive national museum on Wellington’s waterfront.8 January - Queen Charlotte SoundToday is an expedition day as we explore scenic Queen Charlotte Sound, part of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds - a collection of forested river valleys flooded by the sea. Visit Ships Cove and Motuara Island, a bird sanctuary home to blue penguins, saddlebacks, bellbirds, and keruru. Conditions permitting, you may enjoy a kayaking excursion on Ngakuta Bay. This afternoon, visit the spectacular Marlborough wine region for a stop at Blenheim and Montana Brancott winery for a vineyard tour and wine-tasting.9 January - KaikouraThis morning, enjoy a guided whale-watching expedition in the nutrient-rich waters off the Kaikoura shore. Look out for sperm whales, dusky dolphins, sea birds and the occasional migratory species of whale. This afternoon, enjoy a heritage tour of Kaikoura.10 January - Lyttleton/ChristchurchToday, Clipper Odyssey docks in Lyttleton where you will depart for a full-day excursion to Christchurch and the surrounding areas. Christchurch has an English feel to it and you will find trams running through the streets, punting on the Avon River and beautiful parks and gardens. Join a local historian for a private tour of Christ’s College and an introduction to Christchurch. Visit the unique Canterbury Museum then explore the crafts and food stands at the Arts Centre. Drive onto Flaxton Farm for a private farm tour and sheep-shearing demonstration, followed by a country barbecue lunch. Finally, enjoy a guided tour of the famed gardens in Christchurch before returning to the ship.11 January - AkaroaAkaroa sits at the edge of a beautiful harbour inside the eroded crater of an extinct volcano. Originally a French settlement, the town is elegant and full of character; the streets have French names and local restaurants serve French cuisine. This morning, conditions permitting, you will have the opportunity to swim with Hector’s Dolphins off the shore of Akaroa. This afternoon, take a guided walking tour of this small town, highlighted by local artist’s shops and studios.12 January - DunedinCharming Dunedin has a long-term historical connection with its Scottish roots and affiliation with Edinburgh. You will glimpse this captivating heritage with a visit to the beautifully preserved city centre and Lanarch Castle. Later, visit the Marine Studies Centre for a view of unique New Zealand aquatic life, and then onto the Royal Albatross colony at Taiaroa Headland to view these spectacular birds with a wingspan of over ten feet.13 January – Muttonbird and Stewart IslandsRise early and join our naturalists on deck, as the ship passes the vast bird colonies at Muttonbird Island. Today, we will spend a full day at Stewart Island, New Zealand’s southernmost inhabited outpost. Here we will visit the tiny village of Oban and enjoy fascinating guided nature hikes at Ulva Island to view such birds as the red-crowned oystercatcher, indigenous weka, bellbird, kakariki and kereru. 14 - 15 January - Fiordland Expedition CruisingWe will spend two full days exploring Fiordland National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was created some 14,000 years ago when retreating glaciers carved out an extraordinary coastline with plunging fiords, mist-shrouded mountains, cascading waterfalls and vast beech forests. Among our planned expedition stops are Dusky and Doubtful Sound, Seal Rocks and Bradshaw Sound. 16 January - Milford SoundToday, we explore Milford Sound by Zodiac and nature hikes. Enjoy breathtaking scenery as cascading waterfalls spill from soaring vertical cliffs, ancient rainforest clings to the surrounding mountains and granite peaks are reflected in the deep blue water of the sound. This afternoon, view the underwater community of Milford Sound at the Underwater Observation Station. Clipper Odyssey remains at anchor overnight.17 January - Milford Sound/QueenstownAfter breakfast, disembark Clipper Odyssey and depart for the scenic drive to Queenstown, stopping en route for an alfresco lunch in this stunning alpine setting. Overnight at the Novotel Queenstown Lakeside Hotel.18 January – Queenstown/London

Day at leisure to enjoy all that Queenstown has to offer. Afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to London via Auckland and Los Angeles, arriving the following day.

The price includes international flights, all transfers and sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary, and full board in an A-Deck Mid Ship Cabin on Clipper Odyssey.

Room supplements (per person per night) from

Prices are per person per CRUISE from: Main Deck Forward Cabin £236; Main Deck Mid Ship Cabin £470; Lido Deck Mid Ship Cabin £936; Bridge Deck Deluxe Cabin £1370; Bridge Balcony Suite £1890; Bridge Owners Suite £2836.