North Island Kokako

One of the many endemic specialties you’ll see in New Zealand!

New Zealand is on many a birder’s bucket list, with its spectacular scenery, towering mountains and fascinating birds. The avifauna of this beautiful country has evolved in isolation for 80 millions years, the result being some wonderful endemic birds like the Kea, Wrybill, Tomtit and New Zealand Fernbird, found nowhere else in the world. We’ll find and enjoy most of New Zealand endemic and native birds, including several families unique to New Zealand - Kiwis, New Zealand parrots, New Zealand wrens, New Zealand wattlebirds, the stitchbird, and the New Zealand creepers.

Of course, unique landbirds are only part of the picture - there are 25 or more species of tubenoses (albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels and storm-petrels) possible on the several pelagic excursions we will enjoy. In fact, one species - the “extinct” New Zealand Storm-petrel, was rediscovered by our guide Brent Stephenson (and fellow guides at Wrybill Tours) in 2003!

This is a fast-paced birding trip and our itinerary will cover a lot of ground in our 2 weeks in country, including both the North and South Islands, as well as Stewart Island.  New Zealand is 990 miles long and well travel most of its length!

Dates: January 27 - February 9 - WAITING LIST ONLY

Cost: $7,500 single; $750 doubles discount; $1,000 deposit due upon registration.

Group size: Max 8 people and 2 guides

Guides: Chip Darmstadt and Brent Stephenson (Wrybill Tours)

Accessibility: While no strenuous hiking is expected, we will spend plenty of time walking on park trails and roads. Total walking for a day may total 3 or more miles.

What’s included:

• All accommodations during the tour, from Day 1 through to Day 13. Accommodation on Day 0 in

  Auckland can be organized at extra cost.

• All transport within New Zealand from the pick-up point to the drop-off point (unless at times or

  from places other than specified), travel through the country, ferries, and boat charters

• Meals as stated in the daily itinerary (excepting any on-the-go airport meals).

• All Guide services and additional tour fees eg. kiwi tours, Department of Conservation concessions,

  Albatross Encounter pelagic, etc.

What’s not included:

• Airfare to and from New Zealand (and from Invercargill to Auckland)

• Transportation to/from airports in the US

• Cancellation (trip) insurance

• Alcoholic beverages, snacks and other incidentals

• Extra hotel services, such as laundry

• Guide gratuities