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13 Night Coastal New Zealand Auckland to Milford Sound Cruise and Land Tour from Auckland

Ship: National Geographic Orion
Cruise Line: Lindblad Expeditions
Sailed:  Sunday, Jan 7, 2024 from Auckland, New Zealand
Ended: Saturday, Jan 20, 2024
The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Sunday, Jan 7, 2024 departure of the National Geographic Orion. If Lindblad Expeditions modified this itinerary for weather or operational reasons after departing , the modified schedule would not be reflected here.
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Day by Day Summary and Map

Day 1 - Sunday - Jan 7, 2024
Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand      
Depart on an overnight flight, crossing the International Dateline, and arrive in Auckland, where we check in to our hotel. Join us for a welcome briefing this evening to meet your fellow travelers.
Day 2 - Monday - Jan 8, 2024
Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand      
Cruise Begins      
Auckland, New Zealand      
Have breakfast at the hotel before joining a tour of this vibrant city center. We'll stop for lunch midday before embarking National Geographic Orion in the late afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Tuesday - Jan 9, 2024
Waitangi, New Zealand      
The Bay of Islands is an area encompassing more than 140 subtropical islands, boasting an abundance of wildlife and fascinating history. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a place of immeasurable cultural, spiritual, and historical significance, and learn of the historical events for which these grounds are remembered. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Wednesday - Jan 10, 2024
Great Barrier Island, New Zealand
Great Barrier Island, New Zealand      
Day 5 - Thursday - Jan 11, 2024
Coastal Navigation, United States
Coastal Navigation, United States      
Stretch your legs today as we explore Great Barrier Island on exploratory walks and hikes. As we continue south along the North Island's verdant coast, we let nature guide us as your captain and expedition leader choose our next site for exploration. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Friday - Jan 12, 2024
Gisborne, New Zealand      
Discover rural life at a 110-year-old New Zealand homestead and witness the daily process of sheep herding and sheering. Take in the greenery of a local arboretum, and cap the day off with a winery tour and tasting. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Saturday - Jan 13, 2024
Napier, New Zealand
Napier, New Zealand      
Spend the morning getting to know Napier, the Art Deco capital of New Zealand. Choose to discover the city's unique architecture on an art tour or leave the city behind and join us on a Gannet Safari Tour where we'll have close encounters at a large Australasian gannet colony. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Sunday - Jan 14, 2024
Captain's Choice, United States
Captain's Choice, United States      
Today will be exploratory in nature as we discover the many hidden islands and treasures on the northern side of New Zealand's South Island. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Monday - Jan 15, 2024
Kaikoura, New Zealand
Kaikoura, New Zealand      
In Maori, Kaikoura translates to "meal of crayfish". The region's abundance of crayfish and nutrient-rich marine system draw impressive quantities of whales, dolphins, and fur seals to its waters. Today, we'll venture out in search of various resident and migratory marine mammals as well as the impressive albatross. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Tuesday - Jan 16, 2024
Dunedin, New Zealand
Dunedin, New Zealand      
Known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture and boasting the world's only mainland albatross colony, Dunedin sits on the verdant southeast coast of New Zealand's South Island. Discover the world's smallest penguin, the little blue penguin, and its endangered cousin, the yellow-eyed penguin, on an excursion to the beaches of the Otago Peninsula. Visit the fragrant Dunedin Botanic Gardens, and explore the Otago Museum's exhibits on nature, culture and science. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Wednesday - Jan 17, 2024
Stewart Island, New Zealand
Stewart Island, New Zealand      
Ulva Island, New Zealand      
Stewart Island, known in Maori as Te Punga o Te Waka a Maui, is positioned firmly at the heart of Maori mythology. Today, we'll explore the island's rare native birdlife as well as it's well preserved podocarp forest. In the afternoon, discover Stewart Island's nearby neighbor, Ulva Island, where we'll hike with naturalists to discover its unspoiled rainforest. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - Thursday - Jan 18, 2024
Dusky Sound, New Zealand
Dusky Sound, New Zealand      
Day 13 - Friday - Jan 19, 2024
Cruising Doubtful Sound
Cruising Doubtful Sound      
Over the course of two days, we will explore Fiordland National Park, home to fourteen individual fjords. Here we'll discover hundreds-meter-high waterfalls, snowcapped peaks, and we'll hope for a glimpse of Doubtful Sound's resident bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and penguins. (B,L,D)
Day 14 - Saturday - Jan 20, 2024
Milford Sound Marina, New Zealand, New Zealand
Milford Sound Marina, New Zealand, New Zealand      
Cruise Ends      
Bus Travel      
Queenstown, New Zealand      
Have breakfast aboard the ship before disembarking and transferring to Queenstown for flights home. (B)