Pukekohe Travel is excited about its acquisition of Seymour Tours and its greater association with the Chatham Islands. Seymour Tours has organised tours to this special part of New Zealand for the past 14 years and Pukekohe Travel has taken regular annual tours to the island for the past seven years and has built up a strong rapport with the locals.

 The islands are 870 km east of the mainland, windswept and 45 minutes ahead of New Zealand time, but the Chatham Islands are a special place to visit.

The locals are genuine, friendly and welcoming. Their isolation; changeable, moody climate; and a history that goes back to the Moriori, gives them a strong community spirit, a sense of independence and self-sufficiency that allows them to be at ease with their lot.Visitors enjoy the island as is – trees that lean one way, rugged landscapes containing an array of volcanic peaks, original forest remnants, rolling farmland, sandy beaches, seas full of fish and spectacular ever-changing scenery.
With the Black Robin now thriving (once the world’s rarest bird), the magnificent Chatham Island’s Forget-Me-Nots, hospitality, meals and opportunity to fish for cod and grouper – this is a place to visit before you die!

We have regular Fishing and Tramping departures for 9 / 10 persons

Typical 8 Day    Sat / Sat Itinerary
Day 1
An early afternoon departure from the Mainland onboard Air Chatham’s turbo prop Convair. Refreshments will be served during the 2 hour 15 minute flight. The interior of the plane is spacious and comfortable. On arrival mid afternoon you will be met by your Hosts and taken to your accommodation. A buffet dinner tonight will be at either the Kaingaroa Sports and Social Club or at the Hotel

Day 2
Morning fishing trip - the included 1/2 day boat fishing trip is very “Chatham Islands” - a great experience. You will have loads of fun and can expect to catch blue cod and groper on your “rope” line (gloves are recommended). For those who do not want to fish, you may enjoy a cliff walk to Tikitiki Hill or attend a local church service. Afternoon tour to the incredible Basalt Columns where you will also see seabirds including oyster catchers. Visit the Port Hutt fishing village and Waitangi West - A good photo opportunity. A BBQ will be held tonight at “Admiral’s Farm”

Day 3
An optional Pitt Island Tour will be departing this morning (weather permitting). Depart for Kopinga Marae and enjoy morning tea while hearing about the Moriori people (the first human inhabitants of the Island around 400-600 years ago). Drive through Owenga Village and on to the Rangi ika Reserve for lunch. Walk on the Reserve where many Chatham Islands endemic plants can be seen. Visit Tommy Solomon Statue (the last full blooded Moriori). Travel on to the most Eastern point of the Chatham Islands (Millenium Site) for views of Pitt Island.
A member of DOC will give a presentation on their work on the islands.

Day 4
Travel to Kaingaroa via the Ocean Mail Reserve, Torotoro Memorial - home of the Moriori Tree Carvings (Dendroglyphs). Lunch at Hapupu National Reserve, take a short walk to the only accessible seal colony, Kaingaroa town and the site of Broughton Landing 1791 (early whaling village). This full day tour will help you appreciate the size, beauty and culture of the Chatham Islands

Day 5
Walk in the Henga Reserve with coastal views of Petre Bay and see the Moriori Rock Carvings (Petroglyphs)

Day 6
Depart for Wharekauri, visiting Blind Jims at Te Whanga Lagoon and search the shoreline for fossilised sharks teeth and see the limestone deposits characteristic of open-ocean conditions and of Palaeocene to early Oligocene age (58-35 million years).   Continue on to Cape Young and Nikau Scenic Reserve

Day 7
A morning to visit the Museum, Art Gallery and Craft Shop before travelling down the South Coast. You will see spectacular coastal scenery and some of the island’s finest sheep and cattle farms. Visit Tuku Reserve and spot the endemic Parea Wood Pigeon. Return to the hotel for fish and chips and a free afternoon

Day 8
This morning you will be transferred to the airport in time for a mid morning flight home arriving on the mainland around lunchtime

TYPICAL SIX DAY ITINERARY
As above with the exception of Day 6 and Day 7.

Travellers Rest cost per person*
8 Day
Twin / double.................. $ 3,390               Single supplement    $599
6 Day
Twin / double.................. $2,740                Single supplement    $429

Hotel Chathams cost per person*
8 Day
Standard double/twin.... $3,265                Single supplement    $569                          
Single (share facilities). $3,090
Executive double/twin ... $3,791                Single supplement    $699
6 Day
Standard double/twin.... $2,615                 Single supplement   $407
Single (share facilities). $2,489
Executive double/twin ... $2,990                Single supplement    $499
* This is a cash / cheque price. All Credit Cards will incur a 2% surcharge
* Itinerary and costs subject to schedule changes, airline surcharges and possible GST increases

 Includes
• Return air travel on Air Chathams
• Accommodation
• All transfers
• All meals
• All sightseeing as per itinerary
• One half-day boat fishing trip
• Services of a local guide
• Evening talk by member of DOC staff

 Excludes
• Travel insurance (This is highly recommended)
• Optional Pitt Island excursion 
• Extra fishing trips
• Items of a personal nature 

 OPTIONAL - DAY TOUR TO PITT ISLAND
$325 per person (Weather dependent)

There will be an opportunity to fly (20 minutes) to Pitt Island where you will be taken by 4WD around the many highlights – with its majestic cliffs, rugged scenery, bush reserves and natural way of life, Pitt Island is recognized as the jewel in the Chathams’ crown. Pitt Island is home to some of the world’s rarest birds and plants and is the first inhabited place in the world to witness each new day. 

A place where the days are governed by wind and tide rather than the clock, some say that travelling to Pitt is like stepping back in time, in the very best sense.  

Includes return airport transfers; flight to Pitt in a five seater aircraft; 4WD transport on Pitt Island and lunch at a local home. 

Please indicate your interest on the booking form as this trip is always popular

Hotel Chathams
Hotel Chathams is situated on the waterfront in the main township of Waitangi. 
All meals are at the hotel (unless otherwise specified) and all sightseeing tours depart from here. It is also the only Pub on the island – a great place to meet the locals!
Facilities include a restaurant and bar, tea/coffee making facilities in the guest lounge and laundry.
The hotel has upstairs executive rooms and downstairs double / twin rooms all with ensuites, tea and coffee making facilities, sky television and all rooms look out over the bay.
Single rooms have shared facilities and do not have sea views. There is no single supplement for these rooms. 
The hotel was refurbished in 2008 when the executive rooms were added.

THE TRAVELLERS REST
An upmarket, beautifully restored house is situated 50m uphill from the hotel with views overlooking Petre Bay.
There are two double rooms, one twin room and one garden unit (no sea view) all with ensuites. Rooms have tea and coffee making facilities, TV and video. There is a guest lounge, verandah and laundry. 
Single supplement applicable.

Individual arrangements available all year round - please ask

Fishing Packages
Eight Days / Seven nights

ACCOMMODATION AT THE LOOKOUT
The Lookout is a five minute walk from the main facilities in Waitangi township (Store, Hotel etc) with stunning views overlooking Petre Bay. The house sleeps 9 – 10, has two toilets and two showers, is fully furnished with all linen, towels and kitchen facilities supplied and has a balcony with BBQ. A very tidy and comfortable place to stay.

Cost Per Person (min five persons) $2,450

 Includes
• Return airfares
• Seven nights shared accommodation 
 Sleeps 9 -10 / fully self-catering

• Dinner on first and last evening
• Airport transfers on Chatham Islands
• Five half days Fishing / Diving
• Use of van (8 or 12 seater)
• Dive tanks
• Weight belts

Optional Extras
• Shark Cage Diving - Starts at $400 per person (Minimum five people, full day)
• Pitt Island Tour $325 per person (minimum five people, full day)
• Daily Scenic Tours $85 per person

Dates Available 2011 ex Auckland
27 Jan – 03 Feb               24 Feb – 04 March

Ask for dates ex Christchurch & Wellington

Tramping Packages
Eight Days / Seven nights

Accommodation at the Beachouse
The Beachouse – a recent renovated house tucked behind the sand dunes, is a five minute drive or 15 minute walk along the beach to Waitangi settlement and Hotel Chathams. The house has four bedrooms (sleeps 8-9), two toilets, full kitchen facilities, linen and towels supplied and a large front lawn with BBQ.

Cost Per Person (min five persons) $2,450

Includes
• Return airfares ex Auckland
• Seven nights shared accommodation
• Sleeps 8-9 / fully self-catering
• Four days guided tramping with transport to and from walks
• One full-day touring the island
• Half-day fishing
• Dinner on first and last evening
• Airport transfers on Chathams

Dates Available ex Auckland
03 Feb – 10 Feb       17 Feb – 24 Feb       03 Mar – 10 Mar

Ask for dates ex Christchurch & Wellington

GENERAL INFORMATION
Booking Conditions
• A non-refundable deposit of $300 per person is required along with your completed booking form
• Full payment (56 days prior to departure)
• Both deposit and final payment are non refundable – substitute travellers are acceptable

 Travel Insurance
• QBE Travel Insurance
• Travel insurance is highly recommended, due to the isolation of the area
• A surcharge may apply due to age and / or pre-existing medical conditions                            

                                8 Days            6 Days
54 – 65 years ...... $58................ $54
60 – 65 years....... $71................ $65
66 – 69 years....... $98................ $92
70 – 75 years....... $144.............. $134
76 – 80 years....... $208.............. $177
81+        years....... $263.............. $238

Pitt Island
Pitt Island and Fishing Trips will be given priority, but are weather dependent. Sightseeing on these days may be forfeited, but where possible, will be included on another day

Church
There is a local church service on Sunday and visitors are welcome.

Meals
All meals are provided – continental breakfast, picnic lunches and dinner at the hotel, BBQ at Admiral Farm, seafood buffet either at Kaingaroa or the hotel

Fishing
• Shore fishing can be done at no extra cost – bring your own gear
• The included fishing trip is suitable for 10 persons at a time for approximately three hours
• Cod and groper can be plentiful (quotas similar to the mainland apply and must be adhered to)
• A pair of gloves are recommended (gardening ones are ok)
• Fishing equipment is supplied
• An indication of fishing numbers is required
• Fish caught, will firstly be used by the hotel so everyone has the opportunity to sample the local fish even though they do not go fishing (packages of fish not used by the hotel will be made up for you to take home). The hotel specializes in local seafood meals

Fish to Buy
• Fish can also be bought on the island at excellent prices. Blue Cod, Groper (Hapuka), Tarakihi, Blue Nose, Trumpeter and Crayfish can all be bought for the freezer (subject to availability)

Snorkelling/Diving
• Snorkelling can be done in the Chathams – bring your own gear including a wetsuit
• Diving trips can also be organised at an extra charge – weight belts and tanks are available for hire
 
Clothing and General Information
• Casual clothing is recommended. The climate is temperate although exposed, so layers are recommended  along with a warm water-proof jacket. Be prepared for four seasons in one day!
• Comfortable walking shoes are adequate for the daily walks / sightseeing
• Sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended
• Mobile phones do not have contact with the mainland
• EFTPOS and credit card facilities are available at the Hotel. Bank and the General Store. Cash is also available from the hotel
• Internet is available at the Hotel – albeit intermittent
• There is a four-bed hospital on the island and a resident doctor on duty
• Baggage allowance is 20kg

Overall Impression
This is a soft adventure holiday. The fascinating appeal of the Chatham Islands is the ruggedness, the friendliness of the locals and the general beauty of ‘A LAND APART’ Remember to be open-minded and flexible!