New Zealand / Australia

Destinations	New Zealand South Island – Queenstown, Christchurch, Southern Alps, Milford Sound, Mt. Cook
Program Themes	Adventure Indigenous cultures of New Zealand Survival skills – Alpine Mountaineering Conservation Ecology Navigation (Ship and Orienteering) Environmental Policy Coral, Coastal and Alpine Ecosystems
Program Length	16 Days
Accommodations	Hotels Snow cave on W. Snow Fields Sea vessel in Fiordland sounds Reef HQ Aquarium Island at Great Barrier Reef
Travel Timeframe	June, July, August 2011
Trip Highlights	Experience winter on the South Island as you learn alpine survival skills, overnight in a snow cave, and hike a glacier. See how this rugged landscape has shaped and prepared New Zealanders to experience the ultimate alpine challenge, Mt. Everest, from a living climber and at the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre on Mt. Cook.

Enjoy a traditional Maori welcome from a local New Zealand Kapa Haka School group.
Explore Christchurch, New Zealand’s “garden city,” built with a wealth of public parks and green spaces.
Meet an inspiring Kiwi (New Zealander) climber. Mark Inglis, or one of his representatives who assisted him in his successful climb on Everest, will share the story of his historic 2006 summit.

Trek through an enchanting rainforest to witness the ecologic diversity of New Zealand’s South Island.
Discover Franz Josef Glacier, one of the few glaciers to be found in a temperate rainforest.
Explore the breathtaking glacial landscape in all its shapes and hues as you hike the awe-inspiring Fox Glacier.

Hike around Lake Matheson and learn to identify local birds.
Explore the breathtaking glacial landscape in all its shapes and hues as you hike the awe-inspiring Fox Glacier.
Participate in team exploration via an orienteering challenge through Queenstown.
Meet with a local representative from the City Council to discuss the environmental initiatives Queenstown is taking to preserve its top resource—its pristine natural surroundings.
Learn how to survive alpine conditions at Wairau Snow Farm.
Put your new survival skills to the test as you overnight in a snow cave!
Enjoy stunning snow fields during a cross-country skiing lesson.

Feel a burst of adrenaline with a thrilling, high-speed ride by jet boat down the famous Shotover River.
Meet your crew and board your vessel for a boating exploration through Fiordland National Park.
Breathe in the rugged beauty of Fiordland, where waterfalls crash over sheer cliff faces, Mitre Peak looms in the distance, and the deep silence is broken only by occasional birdsong.
Explore many of the fjord’s nooks and crannies, taking in waterfalls, rainforest, and mountains and keeping your eyes peeled for penguins, seals, and dolphins.
Cruise to the open sea with your nature guide, and explore the shorelines in a sea kayak.
Let the sea rock you to sleep before your cruise comes to an end in the morning.

Hoist the sails and try your hand at sailing the iconic Sydney Harbor!
Discover the intriguing details of the Sydney Opera House!
Explore the Rocks area and learn its history as well as who may remain on a guided ghost seeking adventure.
Get close to koalas and kangaroos at the Taronga Zoo.
Take part in an environmental sustainability project at the site of the 2000 Olympics.
Learn Surf LifeSaving on an iconic Sydney beach!

Spend two days in the waters surrounding the Great Barrier Reef, studying alongside experts and enjoying the underwater experience of a lifetime!
Begin an intensive study program with scientists from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences, and observe their current research projects.
Perform your own experiments and challenge yourself to understand the reef's history, it's species, and how it's managed.
Take Snorkeling Safety 101—you will be fitted with the gear to be a marine researcher for a day, plus receive a lesson on snorkeling and water safety.
Enjoy the ultimate sleepover in an aquarium at Reef HQ: once the lights go out, you'll explore the staff-only areas and visit the turtle hospital.
Bunk in an Orpheus Island's research station with marine biology students from James Cook University.
Snorkel the Fringing Reef off of Orpheus Island and collect data: you may be observing fish feeding behavior, identifying different types of coral, or recording other observations.
Review your data, learn how scientists analyze it, and review your findings as a group back at Reef HQ.

* Trip itinerary subject to change.