www.studenteducationaladventures.com New Zealand – South Island A week without walls (8 days)

South Island – A week without walls Educational Tour of New Zealand (8 days) Departs anytime (2021-2022)

World-class national parks, dynamic Māori culture, and sporting prowess that is the envy of the world - New Zealand can be as relaxed or as action-packed as you want. The country is also a leader in social justice and environmental issues, making it a highly appealing and safe destination for students with a wide range of interests. Fast-paced and thought-provoking, this 8-day trip is specifically designed for students wishing to explore the best New Zealand has to offer. All programs and activities on this trip are designed to be of specific interest to young enquiring minds and will include an exploration of the country’s most beautiful towns, beginning with Christchurch and the southern hemisphere’s epicentre of adrenaline activity - Queenstown. Excursions to magnificent glaciers, fiords as well as landscapes of cinematic renown are other stops on this highly memorable journey. As the trip is intended to be of educational value in nature, the itinerary will include an analysis of indigenous culture as well as activities to provide insight into the country’s social justice issues and progressive government. The trip will entail ample opportunities to enjoy the delights of New Zealand's great outdoors including jet boating, luge rides, thermal pools and sea kayaking.

Billy Penfold Director

www.studenteducationaladventures.com New Zealand – South Island A week without walls (8 days)

Day 1 Arrive Christchurch (City tour, old earthquake zone, New Regent Street)

On arrival in New Zealand’s capital city, we will be greeted by our tour leader at Christchurch International Airport. With no time to lose, we will board our bus and travel to the city’s downtown precinct. En route our tour leader will discuss with us our itinerary and provide us with a thorough rundown of all the things, we need to know when travelling through New Zealand. As cities go, Christchurch is a widely spread municipality, particularly famous for its number of churches, hence the city’s name, and the laid-out

grid system interspersed with old colonial buildings. We will set out on a walking tour to explore this city and its historic buildings, many recently restored, but not however the old Christchurch Cathedral. This building remains a landmark of the town, although was partially destroyed in the 2011 earthquake that devastated the city and killed scores of its residents. We will visit the city's earthquake museum to learn more details about the earthquake and see a collection of personal relics and scientific explanations. The extraordinary response of the emergency services, international rescue teams and volunteers who all helped during this crisis shows the human spirit at its best. This evening we take a walk along New Regent Street, a delightful thoroughfare featuring with pastel-coloured Spanish Mission heritage buildings, a historic old tram line and boutique shops and cafes. (meals: dinner) Day 2 Christchurch Hanmer Springs (Antarctica Centre, mountain bike ride* thermal hot pools)

Owing to its southernmost geographical position on the planet, New Zealand is one of the main access ports to Antarctica, having a very long history with the icy continent as well as being one of seven countries that have territorial claims. Our visit to the International Antarctic Centre will afford us a fully immersive Antarctic experience that will include wrapping up and entering a storm room where temperatures are -18°C. We will also take a 4D virtual cinema buggy tour on the ice shelf complete with wind, spray and special effects that will chill us to the bone. Here we advance our knowledge of global warming and its adverse effects of this region that

holds 90% of the world's freshwater. Whilst here we will also study accounts from explorers including Robert F Scott, Ernest Shackleton and Douglas Mawson who were the first people in recorded history to accurately explore the fragile continent. From the ice of Antarctica, we drive two hours northbound to the picturesque alpine village of Hanmer Springs. This region is world-famous for its thermal hot pools and stunning mountain landscapes. A fun and physical activity awaits us as we will head out to Hanmer Forest, where we board sturdy mountain bikes to explore this sublime wilderness. Ideal for cyclists of all skill levels, we will set off on our adventure, swerving through thriving spruce, larch and willow trees while enjoying magnificent vistas at every turn. What better way to finish off the day than by relaxing in the thermal hot pools. There is a wide range of pools to choose from including rock pools, sulphur pools and jet/bubble pools all at various temperatures. There is also a lazy pool, water slides and activity pool. (meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner) * Our forest mountain bike activity can be replaced with white-water rafting. Please contact us for full details. Day 3 Hanmer Glacier excursion (Lewis Pass, Greenstone carving, glowworm tunnels) Today we take a scenic drive across the New Zealand Alps en route to the rugged West Coast. Our journey will wind through the Lewis Pass (elevation 907 metres) and untouched beechwood forests. Travelling along the coastline, areas of which are a natural reserve, we will pass through the small town of Hokitika and stop at a Greenstone (Pounamu) factory. Here we will learn about this precious stone that is highly valued amongst the Maori culture, only found in this corner of the world. The greenstone is a national treasure and

www.studenteducationaladventures.com New Zealand – South Island A week without walls (8 days)

protected by the Treaty of Waitangi. We will watch experts carve beautiful decorative pieces and learn about the history and culture of this special stone. In the afternoon we will visit the small town of Franz Josef on the banks of the Waiho River where we have time to explore the Tatare Tunnels to see glowworms. Once an old gold mining tunnel built some 120 years ago, a 10-minute walk through the small tunnel complex with flashlights will take us to the section that will reveal stunning glow worms towards the back of the tunnel. (meals: breakfast, dinner)

Day 4 Franz Josef Queenstown (Franz Joseph Glacier walk*)

We enter Westland Tai Poutini National Park and walk up onto the fringes of Franz Josef Glacier. Franz Josef's cloak of ice once flowed from the mountains right to the sea. Following a millennium of gradual retreat, the glacier is now some 20 kilometres inland yet still exhibits a cyclic pattern of advance and retreat, driven by differences between the volume of ‘meltwater’. We will have the opportunity to walk up to the base of the glacier, escorted by our specialist local guides. Aside from the spectacular views, our glacier excursion will be of great appeal to students interested in environmental issues, who will glean a firsthand appreciation of the

implications of climate change during this special activity. A full afternoon’s travel will bring us to Queenstown. Stunning in its location in a valley surrounded by wild rivers and epic mountain scenery, the town is a mecca for adventurous types, drawn here to experience its many sports and activities. This evening we visit the thriving esplanade area on the lakefront – a gathering place for travellers from all over the world, where buskers show their talents mixed amongst a multitude of snack stalls, local musicians, restaurants and beautiful scenic views in all directions. (meals: breakfast) * There is the option to take a spectacular scenic helicopter ride up onto the glacier where we will enjoy a snow landing and several unique glacial formations. Please contact us for full details. Day 5 Queenstown (Jet boat ride, cable car, luge activity, fear factory)

After breakfast, our morning begins with a jet boat ride through the Kawarau Gorge or Skippers Canyon as our high-powered jet boats do 360-degree spins and abrupt turns pushing up our excitement levels beyond belief. It will feel like a rollercoaster ride - complete with spray, lots of it! Following the river experience, we head up into the sky, by taking a cable car ride to Bob’s Peak. This 450-metre gondola ride is the steepest in the southern hemisphere and from the top, we will see the distant mountains of Coronet Peak and The Remarkables with Queenstown directly below. How

do we get down the mountain? – by way of a luge. With helmets on, seat belts tightly secured and gravity on our side, we will wind our way down the hill in go-carts. During the descent, we will have to navigate steep corners, tunnels and dips in the track. While it certainly is not a race, we will be able to choose our cruising speed depending on our driving skills. Still not scared? This may change as we visit a haunted hotel. Here we will encounter live actors, special effects and the ‘unknown’ as we navigate our way through the dark. Our group will be broken up into smaller teams and should any team shout out ‘I chicken out’ their team will be eliminated and ejected from the old hotel and must wait for the others to complete their journey. Tonight, we wander around the central shopping streets where we may pick up any last-minute keepsakes for family and friends back home before dinner. (meals: breakfast, dinner)

www.studenteducationaladventures.com New Zealand – South Island A week without walls (8 days)

Day 6 Queenstown Doubtful Sound (Boat cruise)

A new adventure awaits us today as we travel to Fiordland National Park located in the very remote southwest corner of the country. Here we will venture out to explore Doubtful Sound. Humbling in size and beauty and carved by glaciers, Doubtful Sound is called 'place of silence' in the Maori language - something we will appreciate as we explore its sublime waterways by private vessel. More beauty awaits below the surface which is home to bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and penguins and more impressively humpback, minke and sperm

whales which we may view during our time here. Later, we will also enjoy a kayaking activity as we paddle near (but not too close!) to dramatic waterfalls. Tonight, we will cruise to a secluded part of the bay where we will anchor and spend the night. Dinner will be aboard our private boat. (meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner) Day 7 Doubtful Sound Queenstown (Arrowtown gold mining, Queenstown exploration)

We will farewell this serene region, returning to the dock from where we will meet our awaiting bus to visit Lake Manapouri, the site of Manapouri hydro station and learn about the importance of this hydro system. Here we will discuss several environmental issues that had to be taken into consideration before construction began in 1964. Crossing the lake, we board our coach for the drive back to Queenstown stopping to visit the historic gold rush village of Arrowtown. Back in the 1860s, there were over 7,000 gold miners in pursuit of their fortunes living

here. The small village is located on the banks of the Arrow River. The main street is lined with well-preserved 19th Century heritage buildings. We will explore the village on foot before walking to the old Chinese settlement site and visit the small local museum to learn about the gold rush era giving us insights into another slice of New Zealand history. This afternoon we have time to explore Queenstown centre on foot or there is the option to finish the day with a walk up Queenstown Hill to enjoy the sunset as the natural light fades and the neon lights light up the lakefront area. (meals: breakfast, dinner) Day 8 Depart Queenstown Home (Steamship lake cruise)

Shaped like a cartoon lightning bolt, Lake Wakatipu is the terminus of no less than five rivers. Whilst there are several ways to experience the lake, it is best enjoyed aboard the classic TSS Earnslaw steamboat, a beautifully preserved vessel constructed in 1912. If the water looks clean, that’s because it is. Scientists have rated it as 99.9% pure so you’re better filling your water bottle from the lake than buying bottled water. Whilst the lake may look like an ideal place for a dip on a scorching day, only the hardiest among us will attempt this (we won’t

stop you) with temperatures hovering around 11°C year-round. Our trip will take us across the lake to a high-country farm where our guide will explain the history and events that the beloved ship has seen in her lifetime. From here we will transit to Queenstown International Airport for our flight home. Our local guide will take care of all our onward travel arrangements and wave us farewell. (meals: breakfast)

www.studenteducationaladventures.com New Zealand – South Island A week without walls (8 days)

Summary Grading Moderate; Students will be required to be in good health to get the most of this trip whilst anyone of reasonable fitness will be able to take part. There are no real physical difficulties however students will be expected to walk every day. You will also be expected to be able to ride a bike and be fit enough for any hiking activity. It will be necessary for you to carry your own luggage throughout the trip but only for short distances.

Accommodation Student accommodation is on a twin/triple share basis. Teacher accommodation is on a single room basis. Hotels hold a 3-star equivalent rating.

Transport Modern air-conditioned bus, boat.

Group Size Minimum group size 20-24 students & 3 staff members (No maximum number). ▲ Smaller group sizes can be quoted upon application

South Island – A week without walls (8 days) Educational Tour of New Zealand # Please contact Student Educational Adventures for a competitive flight quote for flights from your country. Inclusions • All accommodation, transport, activities, entrance

costs and other programs as described in the itinerary Professional Student Educational Adventures tour

leader throughout trip & additional specialist guides Community project sourcing and arrangements Extensive destination-specific risk management and

assessments Meals (along with drinking water) as listed in the daily

itinerary 24 hours IN COUNTRY support from Student

Educational Adventures staff Pre-departure support, briefings and planning

meetings for students and parents All equipment including extensive medical supplies Parental & student advice for vaccinations &

equipment etc. Tips for local guides & drivers Exclusions • International flights to/from New Zealand • Helicopter flight at Franz Josef Glacier • 6 lunches & 2 dinners • Travel insurance • New Zealand visa if required

Specific Trip Activities CHRISTCHURCH Christchurch city tour/earthquake zone Antarctic Centre visit

HANMER SPRINGS Mountain bike ride Thermal hot pools FRANZ JOSEF Greenstone workshop (Hokitika) Glowworn caves Franz Josef Glacier expedition

QUEENSTOWN Jetboat ride Gondola & luge (2 rides) Steamboat lake cruise Goldmining town exploration

DOUBTFUL SOUND Doubtful Sound overnight cruise Kayaking experience

www.studenteducationaladventures.com New Zealand – South Island A week without walls (8 days)

7 things to check before choosing a student travel company

Choosing the right travel company is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your students. As you compare different school travel providers, you’ll need to weigh up everything from staffing arrangements to overall trip cost – and, of course, educational value.

To help you choose with confidence, we’ve created a checklist of seven essential factors to consider when you’re assessing travel companies. You’ll be pleased to know that these factors are a feature of every trip we run.

1. Does your travel provider have a truly local presence?

You might not know it, but many school travel companies have no local presence in the countries they send your students to. Behind the façade, these providers are marketing companies who outsource their trips to in-country operators – often importing a foreign manager at your schools’ expense. Value for money aside, running trips in this way has far-reaching consequences in an emergency, when access to language skills and local knowledge are vital.

To make sure you’re getting a genuinely local experience, it’s important to choose a bonafide in-country travel company who has a real local presence in the country you’re travelling to. For example, we use our own in-country supervisors and tour leaders to manage the school trips we run. As local experts, they travel with you and your students throughout your entire trip and are responsible for every aspect of your students’ wellbeing.

2. Is your school trip really of value to your students?

A trip abroad with friends will appeal to any young person, and many will relish the chance to explore a world away from home. But to be of real and enduring educational value, a school trip should challenge students beyond the kinds of basic touristic experiences they might just as easily have on a family holiday.

To this end, your school travel provider should provide a customised itinerary that shows the quality and depth of engagement. We tailor each of our itineraries to push students beyond a surface-level exchange and maximise their time in-country so they’re learning the whole time they’re travelling. Our activity-rich programs are big on cross-cultural interaction, team-building and authentic local experiences. We also include community service projects wherever possible, which make our trips not only highly educational but life-changing, too.

3. Is the person leading your students up to the task?

The best people to lead you through a country are the folk who live there. But on top of having expert local knowledge, the people leading your students should also be expertly trained to deal with young student travellers. A tour leader who’s up to the task can teach across the full range of personalities, interests and abilities found among every student group.

For this reason, we make sure our tour leaders have at least three years’ experience leading student groups before they go in-field with yours. And they’re more than just guides – they’re also teachers, translators and troubleshooters. Our tour leaders will welcome you warmly when your group arrive, manage all of your trip logistics, and work responsibly to make sure you and your students always stay healthy and safe.

4. How safe is your travel provider, really?

While some travel companies offer a 24-hour call centre, there’s no substitute for having local people by your side and looking after you where you are. Local staff know the lay of the land, how to access the best medical attention in times of crisis and which dialect or language to speak when you need it most. This is especially important outside of major cities, where major providers’ services can be limited.

www.studenteducationaladventures.com New Zealand – South Island A week without walls (8 days)

Our in-country staff and tour leaders not only access the best international providers (such as SOS, Global Rescue and Columbia Asia), but also complement these with expert knowledge of the nearest and most appropriate medical attention within every local area. So, if a worst-case scenario happens – when you need to communicate with non-English speaking doctors; when a comprehensive first aid kit won’t do the job; or when the phone number of an international medical provider just isn’t sufficient – you can be sure your student group is in the best of hands, no matter where they are.

5. How authentic are your service-learning programs?

Today, having students raise money for their overseas trip is a common way for schools to give back to the places they visit. However, exchanging skills – and smiles – with local communities can leave a positive legacy that’s even more powerful.

Fundraising, while well-intentioned, can be in vain if it’s not done in consultation with local communities. To make sure your impact isn’t simply an add-on, choose a school travel company that facilitates projects that solve real community problems and which help build local capacity.

Take our community service projects, for instance. We develop them through extensive cooperation with local people’s committees, NGOs and women’s organisations to ensure your students’ altruism has a lasting impact. All our service components are meticulously planned, designed to be meaningful and transparent, and, most importantly, provide tangible long-term benefits for communities.

6. Does the program you’re being offered match your students’ learning needs?

No two school groups are the same, which is why no two school trips should follow the same itinerary. Check that the travel company you choose offers a customised program that’s flexibly designed to match your students’ unique interests. In our experience, nothing inhibits a successful trip more than ‘off the shelf’ programs with generic activities.

For this reason, each trip we run is tailored to your school’s curriculum and your students’ distinct learning needs. We also like to involve students in co-designing their itinerary. Prior to their trip, we run a series of student-initiated activities to promote agency and collaboration, setting them up for success once they’re overseas.

7. Is the tour priced competitively?

A foreign travel experience for your students needn’t cost the earth. And while variations in destinations, flights and trip durations add complexity to the task of pricing your trip, the school travel company you choose should offer you that transparency, without question.

Alongside integrity in pricing sit sound educational outcomes. If your trip provider can’t quantify how your students will benefit from the trip, then you might ask whether they’re the right fit for you and your school.

Because we operate entirely in-country, with exclusively local staff, our overheads are significantly lower compared to those of other travel companies. With us, your money goes directly toward creating your tour, rather than to overseas administration costs or third-party suppliers.