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They may be our two most "faraway" Walks, but we knew when we first added New Zealand and Patagonia to our program that The Wayfarers' special ingredients would make them the perfect introductions to a couple of the world's most amazing destinations.
New Zealand's South Island has a "Wow!" around every bend in the trail. This is our longest trip at 13 nights and we have created a careful mix of walking and road trip, to get the maximum out of your vacation.
It's also an easy Level 2 Walk. Which just goes to prove that bucket-listers don't have to be hard on the feet!
Patagonia is all you might imagine - and more. No worries about where to go and where to stay in one of the most remote regions on the globe. That's all covered and we are guided every step of the way by expert locals.
I can't imagine a better way to see these incredible places. Do join us in 2019.
Cuba is a very exciting place to be at the moment. There's still time to join us there in December or in the spring to see the beautiful island and meet the people who give it such character. Contact us now to reserve your place.
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Very best wishes,
Michael West
Founder
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Head for Patagonia or New Zealand on the walking vacation of a lifetime in the southern hemisphere.
We'll take care of everything. All you have to do is enjoy the sights, sounds and experiences of some of world's greatest natural landscapes.
We still have some spaces on our spring departures, and don't miss the chance to take advantage of our 2019 prices, because (and we hate to do it) we will be looking at higher rates for these Walks in 2020.
Both New Zealand's South Island and Argentine Patagonia are a nature lover's ultimate playground. Read on to find out why.
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The Perito Moreno glacier
Towering granite peaks, lakes, rivers and verdant forests are home to over 500 species of wildlife. Renowned as a bird-lover's paradise Patagonia is one of the most distinctive and rich wildlife regions in all of South America.
The wonderful thing about wildlife spotting in Patagonia is that it is just so easy!
Just being out on the trail pretty much means a parade of bird and animal life that you won't see back home. Expect grey foxes, wild horses, deer and of course these local celebrities.
You'll have no trouble spotting a guanaco. The llama's southern cousin appears in abundance all year long. A very social, alert and inquisitive animal, the guanaco travels in packs and in winter large mixed groups of up to 400 members can be spotted. Their manners do leave something to be desired though - they have a tendency to spit if they don't like you!
With the largest wing-span of any land bird on earth,
the Andean Condor could be confused for a prop on the Games of Th
rones set. With hawks and eagles, we'll see condors wheeling above us against the amazing mountain backdrop. And watch out for a vibrant splash of pink. It might be the Chilean flamingo, which inhabits the lagoons.
We might smell this guy before we see him: The hog-nosed skunk or chingue is quite a common sight, with his burnt-coffee-like scent adorning bushes along the trails.
And don't forget the Patagonian mara. One of the largest rodents in the world. In looks, they're somewhere between a rabbit and a deer can grow to weigh up to 9kg. By the way, the baby mara are just the cutest critters.
But the big one, of course, in more ways than one, is the Patagonian puma. We would be mighty lucky to spot one, but the great news is that having been hunted almost to extinction, this stunning feline is making a phenomenal comeback and sightings are not as rare as once they were.
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Just because we're at the edge of the world, that doesn't mean we'll miss out when it comes to our accommodation. One of our hotels is the wonderful Eolo Lodge, set amid 10,000 acres where the first creole and European immigrants of the area initially set foot. We can't help but sense the aura of adventure that the thousands of travelers who journeyed through this area have left behind here. |
- Magnificent open landscapes and an array of wildlife
- Take a close-up cruise to the Perito Moreno Glacier
- Stay on a remote, family-owned estancia
- Visit Los Glacieres National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Hike the Mount Fitz Roy Trail
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Patagonia - Walk Level 4
31 January - 7 February 2019: $6,195.00
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Before humans arrived (a mere 800 or so years ago) New Zealand was an island free of land mammals and that has meant a whole bunch of creatures and birds had plenty of time to develop a unique identity.
With no land predators, except for birds of prey, birds in New Zealand evolved into a mix of the flightless and the melodic. As a result, you may find that many birds in New Zealand are likely to come to check you out when hiking in the forests as they don't see you as a threat.
The kiwi bird is of course the nation's sweetheart. These delightful, but highly endangered little fellas are very hard to spot in the wild. Elusive, flightless and nocturnal, they live on the ground in deeply forested areas. But you will come away with a souvenir kiwi of some sort, we guarantee it!
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Kea are the only alpine parrot in the world and are most commonly found in the Arthur's Pass National Park. However, there's always the possibility of seeing them in most alpine environments in the South Island. Warning: these cheeky chaps like dismantling cars. So, keep close watch on The Wayfarers' bus!
A common bird species in New Zealand
, the tui is only found here. You'll likely hear it before you see it, with its unusual robotic calls. The plumage is mostly black, with streaks of blue and two white feathers under its neck. You will find tui in most native forested areas in New Zealand.
Bats, or pekapeka, are particularly special in New Zealand as they are the only country's only native mammal. Again, they're tricky to spot as they prefer the nightlife.
Hector's dolphins are the world's smallest dolphin species. They are named after Sir James Hector, who first examined a dolphin specimen. You can mostly spot them riding the waves off South Island.
 Once hunted for their meat, New Zealand fur seals are now a protected species. They are abundant on the South Island coastlines, particularly around Kaikoura, where we may well come across a colony basking on the beach. Although fur seals tend to stick to the coast, they have been known to wander into people's backyards!
Reptiles are a little more elusive, made up with the likes of geckos and the tuatara known as the "living fossil" or "living dinosaur".
In the ocean waters, a boat trip is often accompanied by dolphins and often whales.
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| We'll end our odyssey by staying in a situation that couldn't be more dramatic. Nugget Point is suspended above the famous Shotover River and surrounded by majestic mountains. The views from the bedrooms and restaurant of the rugged Queenstown landscape are awe-inspiring. What a way to say farewell to South Island. |
- Stunning coastlines, incredible mountains and lush rainforest
- Landscapes seen in 'The Lord of the Rings', and 'Narnia'
- Arthur's Pass National Park and the Southern Alps
- Franz Josef and Fox glaciers
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New Zealand South Island - Walk Level 2
5-18 March 2019: $6,995.00
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A turquoise ocean lapping against a dazzling white sand beach, rum, cigars and salsa music. Check, check and check!
But Cuba is so much more. This Caribbean island like no other offers colorful culture, a complex history still being played out, elegant if crumbling architecture and an insight into a different way of living. It also has amazingly diverse landscapes that are perfect for walking.
Several of Cuba's towns and cities are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Havana and Trinidad. We'll learn about the Cuban Revolution and, because this is a people-to-people trip, we'll meet the locals who can tell us about island life.
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Even one of our hotels is a national monument. The iconic Hotel Nacional de Cuba is considered a symbol of history, culture and Cuban identity. The guns that made up the old Santa Clara Battery are on exhibition at the garden. Since 1930 countless famous people have passed through its doors: British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, entertainers Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Johnny Weismuller, and scientist Alexander Fleming, to name but a few.
Now is definitely the time to go to Cuba. We have a few spaces on our departures next month and in March. Contact us to reserve your place.
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Cuba - Walk Level 2
8-15 December 2018 and 16-23 March 2019: $5,295.00
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We love the chance to take big trips -
those exotic bucket-list adventures half a world away, where you'd never imagine we could be Wayfaring! If you're ready for something completely unfamiliar and unexpected, these are the Walks for you.
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Is there a Wayfarers Walk you have always wanted to share with family or friends?
Imagine a bespoke trip with time on the trail and time to spend with loved ones - and everything taken care of.
We have put together our Private Walks Guide to demonstrate just how simple it is to create your own Walk - with all our expertise and that Wayfarers' magic too! Start to plan and dream...
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We have four new itineraries in the UK, France and Italy as well as our favorites.
Our most popular Walks always get booked early, so take a look now to start to make your vacation plans.
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Want to review the Wayfarers on Yelp?
Search for us in Newport, Rhode Island.
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