2026 New Zealand

New Zealand is a densely packed land of vast beauty, with diverse geographic regions that we will experience as we travel across the North and South Islands over 15 days.

Our tour begins in Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand and home to almost one third of the country’s population. On our journey south we will see a volcanic plateau, precious rainforests, dense forests, lovely waterfalls, spouting geysers, boiling mud, picturesque fjords, rugged mountains, and jagged shoreline. In addition, we will learn about the Maori culture, predator-free conservation areas, sheep farms, and Kiwi conservation, taste the distinctive New Zealand wines, and visit Hobbiton and Te Papa Museum.

Designed to be a more physically active program, voluntary activities include biking, kayaking, hiking, and riding a gondola. The program ends in Queenstown. Maximum group size is 24 and with such an enticing itinerary, we expect the program to fill quickly. 

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Sky Tower visit with dinner 
• Bike tour of Waiheke Island
• Lunch and wine tasting at a vineyard on Waiheke Island  
• Visit to the Film Set of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings
• Geothermal Polynesian Pools 
• Guided tour of Kiwi conservation facility 
• Agrodome Farm Tour 
• Maori Cultural Evening and Dinner
• Te Papa Museum guided tour 
• Cable Car Ride
• Zealandia Eco–Sanctuary Twilight Tour
• Lunch and wine tasting at Allan Scott winery 
• Kayak and hike in Abel Tasman National Park 
• TranzAlpine Train Journey 
• Walking Tour of Christchurch
• Tekapo Star Gazing and hot pools 
• Hooker Valley Walk
• Kayaking in Doubtful Sound
• Special Kiwi lunch in Te Anau 
• Queenstown Skyline Gondola Ride and buffet dinner 

Our tour operator is also working on a possible optional Sydney extension — stay tuned!

This tour filled quickly. To join the waitlist at no obligation, send us an email.

This tour starts in Auckland and ends in Queenstown. You can view – and print or download if you wish – the most up-to-date itinerary here.

You’ll get the most out of study travel if you research what to do during your free time. This allows you to reap the benefits of group travel, while also customizing the tour to your interests and activity level. Read more about How to Be an Independent Group Traveler.

 Dave and Pat Van Wylen are veteran group travel leaders, having led both St. Olaf student and Alumni & Family Travel programs. With students, they have led semester abroad programs in Asia (1998), the Middle East (2008), and Australia (2013). Dave taught three January interims in Peru (Peruvian Medical Experience), six interims of Cardiac Surgery and Research at Emory University in Atlanta, plus a summer Tanzania Global Health experience. Pat assisted on most of these interims as well as an interim Health Care and Culture course in Hawaii/Micronesia. Their first venture with adults was in 2015 when they led a sustainability-themed activity-based (mostly biking) program in the Netherlands. More recently, they led programs in Patagonia (2022), New Zealand (2017 and 2019), Spain (2022) and Vietnam/Cambodia (2024).

Dave (Biology) worked for 21 years at St. Olaf and then at Hope College for 9 years. Dave is recently retired. Pat worked for years in international studies at St. Olaf and Hope College and currently runs a small business assisting aging seniors.

Dave received his Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Michigan (Go Blue) and Pat has master’s degrees from the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia in health administration and exercise physiology. They are delighted to lead another learning and activity-rich St. Olaf adult study travel program.

This tour is designed to be more active than our average Travel program. The times of higher activity will be balanced by down times as well. Activities are encouraged, but you can choose to spend your time alternatively as desired. 

Movement between cities will be by air-conditioned private motor coach. Movement within each city and at cultural/historic sites will be on foot, requiring a lot of walking and standing, often over uneven ground. You should be capable of walking a mile or more at a time and up to five to seven miles per day, often over uneven terrain, of climbing stairs that may not have handrails, of climbing in and out of various types of transportation, of keeping pace with an active group of travelers on long days of traveling, of dealing with the emotional highs and lows that can occur when experiencing different cultures, and be a considerate member of the group (prompt, courteous and flexible).

Any participant who has demonstrated an inability, in the opinion of the tour leader, of keeping up with the group or of safely participating in program activities may be prohibited from participating in certain activities.

You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage throughout the tour. Traveling lightly is highly recommended.

Hotels will be tourist class (four-star or superior rating) with private baths, air conditioning, and English-speaking staff.

The tour price is $8,750 per person, based on double occupancy. The supplement for single occupancy is $1,136. Inclusions and exclusions vary by tour, so please read the following information carefully.

Inclusions: discussions led by Dave Van Wylen, assistance by Pat Van Wylen, a dedicated tour manager, accommodations, breakfast daily and group meals as listed on the itinerary, admissions for group activities, ground transportation during the tour (except arrival and departure airport transfers), gratuities to group guides, drivers, and meal servers, and some limited medical coverage while overseas.

Exclusions: Airfare to and from New Zealand is not included. Participants are solely responsible for all expenses not specifically included in the program fee. Examples of excluded expenses are: airfare between your hometown and New Zealand, airport transfers, any passport fees, any recommended immunizations or vaccinations, baggage insurance, trip cancellation insurance above $2,000 lifetime coverage, beverages at group meals, laundry, dry cleaning, phone charges, room service or other items of a personal nature, expenses incurred during free time or non-group activities, lunch and dinner, unless specifically included on program itinerary.

This schedule is based on payments St. Olaf College must make to tour vendors to guarantee group rates. We highly recommend that you purchase additional trip cancellation insurance at the time of registration to recover your payments should you need to withdraw from the tour.

Deposit due:                          $500 upon registration
Refund if you cancel:          $400 until February 28, 2025. If the deposit is made after February 28, 2025, there is no refund.

Interim payment due:        $4,000 by March 1, 2025
Refund if you cancel:          $2,000 until October 14, 2025

Final payment due:             October 15, 2025
Refund:                                  None, unless the tour is full and your place can be resold

Cancellations must be in writing.

Read the Terms & Conditions and Release & Waiver.

Review the latest information on recommended immunizations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Check your passport: ensure that it has at least 6 months’ validity past the tour end date (or your return date, if you decide to extend your stay overseas) and at least one blank page.

Look at the International Travel section of the U.S. State Department, including Before You Go, Country Information, While Abroad, and Emergencies.

Take time to Prepare for your adventure by checking out a variety of resources, including frequently asked questions, general health information, included travel insurance, a safety overview, and more.

Hold the dates of December 31, 2025 – January 16, 2026. See some tips on Booking Your Flights, but do not book non-refundable flights until we can confirm the tour is a go.