Escorted Tour

Chatham Islands Spring

The way it used to be

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

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!

“More than met expectations. Absolutely loved it” – Jack & Anne

“I enjoyed the opportunity to visit a very different part of New Zealand” – Graham & Kay

“I really enjoyed the trip – both relaxing and active” – Margaret

Your travel itinerary

A Typical Week on the Chatham Islands includes...

A visit to the beautiful Admiral Garden’s, Craft and Art Studio hosted by Val Snr and Lois Croon
Tour to the incredible hexagonal shaped Basalt Columns
Visit the farm at the end of Waitangi West road, including a picnic lunch with the farm manager
Moriori Rock Carvings (Petroglyphs) - High level of fitness required
Visit Wharekauri, Splattered Rock (the amazing volcanic formation on the beach), KMP endemic & NZ native plants nursery and heritage listed Punga Hut
Awatotara Reserve to see the Parea Wood Pigeon and endemic plants
Owenga Harbour and Village
Visit the statue of Tommy Solomon
Comb Blind Jims at Te Whanga Lagoon and search the shoreline for fossilised sharks’ teeth
Spend a day at Kaingaroa via the Ocean Mail Wetlands Reserve
Hapupu National Reserve - Moriori Tree Carvings (Dendroglyphs)
Walk to the only accessible seal colony
Visit the site of Broughton Landing 1791 (early whaling village)
See the Sunderland Flying Boat which is being restored.
Visit Kopinga Marae
Cliff walk to Tikitiki Hill.
Town walk to include the Museum, Craft Shop, Waitangi Store
Henga Reserve Bush walk opportunities.

All these activities will help you appreciate the size, beauty and culture of the Chatham Islands. Most are weather dependent, will vary from day-to- day and subject to change! Every endeavour will be made to schedule all the activities. There are great photo opportunities!

Inclusions

Return air travel on Air Chathams
Seven nights accommodation
Airport transfers on Chatham Islands
All meals including continental breakfast / picnic lunches / buffet dinners
All sightseeing and entry fees as per itinerary
A 90 page ‘Discover the Chatham Islands’ booklet and map on arrival
Daily guided tours
Pukekohe Travel escort subject to 20 passengers travelling

Cost

Cost Per Person * Auckland - Auckland	Twin Share	Single
Standard twin / double	$ 5,012	$5,712
Executive- double/twin	$5,353
Single (no private facilities)		$4,683

*This is a cash price. Credit cards will incur a 1.5% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment

Exclusions

Optional Pitt Island excursion
Optional fishing trip
Items of a personal nature
Travel Insurance (Highly recommended)

Booking Conditions

A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required along with your completed booking form to secure your place
Full payment (45 days prior to departure)
Both deposit and final payment are non refundable – substitute travellers are acceptable

Cancellations

• Both deposit and final payment are non refundable – substitute travellers are acceptable

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for visiting the Chatham Islands due to their isolation and changeable weather
Your travel insurance will cover you for any flight delays due to weather
Air Chathams, PukekoheTravel and Hotel Chathams accepts no responsibility for additional costs incurred or for time lost on the island as a result of flight delays
A surcharge may apply due to age and / or pre-existing medical conditions
New Zealand Credit Cards do not cover travel to the Chatham Islands

General Information

Cloth ing 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 have no reception
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 (additional cost)
There is a four-bed hospital on the island and a resident doctor on duty. You are covered by the NZ Health system
Baggage allowance is 23kg + 7kg hand luggage. Excess charges will apply
There is NO public transport on the island

Meals

• All meals are provided – continental breakfast, picnic lunches and dinner at the hotel

Fish to Buy

• Fish can be bought from the island Fish Factory (subject to availability)

•Please pack a chilly bag. If you would like to bring fish home.

Health and Fitness

To ensure the tour is enjoyable for the whole group, a good standard of fitness is required with the ability to walk for 10 minutes over various terrains without rest stops
It is excepted that you will arrive on tour fit, healthy and ready to travel.

Accommodation

Hotel Chathams

Hotel Chathams is situated on the waterfront in the main township of Waitangi. The hotel has spacious upstairs executive rooms and standard, ground floor, waterfront rooms - all with ensuites, tea and coffee making facilities and sky television. Single rooms have shared facilities and do not have sea views. Hotel facilities include a restaurant and bar, tea / coffee making, free laundry and pre-pay internet. Meals are at the hotel (unless otherwise specified) with local seafood and picnic lunches provided on days away from the hotel. Sightseeing tours depart from the hotel which is also the only Pub on the island and a great place to meet the locals!

Optional Extras

Fishing on Chatham Islands $200 per person

Spend up to 3 hours fishing for cod on your rope line.
Fish caught will be made up for you to take home. Please pack a chilly bag
NB: All fishing trips are weather dependent and subject to availability of the fishing boat and skipper.

Optional Day Tour to Pitt Island $475per person

$475 per person*

Regularly listed as one of the tour highlights.
Fly to Pitt Island where you will be taken by 4WD around the many highlights of the island – majestic cliffs, rugged scenery, bush reserves, fertile farmland and a natural way of life. Lunch is at Flower Pot Bay Lodge.
Own expense - paid for on the island.
NB: Pitt Island trips and scheduled tours are weather dependent and subject to pilot availability

*Optional tours are paid for at the hotel once confimred.

Pitt Island and Fishing Trips

Priority will be given to Pitt Island and fishing trips, but both are subject to weather conditions and skipper/pilot availability.
Sightseeing on these days may be forfeited, but where possible, included on another day
Limited spaces on each tour
Blue Cod can be plentiful (quotas similar to the mainland apply and must be adhered to)
Fishing equipment is supplied on the boat
A pair of gloves are recommended (gardening ones are ok)
Fish caught will be made up for you to take home (subject to Hotel Chathams catch limits). The hotel specialises in local seafood meals
Shore fishing can be done at no extra cost – bring your own gear

Terms and Conditions

For full terms and conditions please visit our website Terms and Conditions or please ask our tour consultant for a copy.

Note: Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change