Listen to the names: Snares, Bounty, Antipodes, Auckland, Campbell, Macquarie and Chatham Islands. They are music to birders ears. Apart from the Chathams, these islands are probably more isolated now than they were when they were discovered in the late 1700's and early 1800's, and were regularly visited by sealers, whalers and government steamers searching for castaway sailors. It is relatively simple to get to the Chatham Islands, but opportunities to visit the others are rare. This expedition is the only one to include all of these islands. The islands occupy the tempestuous latitudes of the 'Roaring Forties' and the 'Furious Fifties' but they are also known as the Albatross Latitudes and with good reason. Ten of the world's albatross species breed in the region; five of them nowhere else but here! In fact this zone, where the air is never still, hosts the most diverse collection of seabirds in the world. More than 40 species breed down here - that is at least 11 percent of the entire world's seabird population.
With the exception of the Chathams, the islands are all designated UNESCO World Heritage sites and are afforded the highest conservation status and protection by the Australian and New Zealand governments, so passage to their shores is not granted lightly. There are also islands that we visit within the Chatham Archipelago with similar status and protection. This expedition has huge appeal to pelagic enthusiasts, penguin fanatics and those interested in island endemics. You don't have to be a keen birder though to enjoy this voyage. People interested in islands and island ecology, botany, geology and an increasing number of photographers have enjoyed this trip immensely, as have those interested in the history of southern ocean discovery and exploration. This is one of the ‘signature expeditions', which has operated annually for over 20 years, so you will benefit from a hige volume of knowledge and expertise that has been gained over this time.
Please note: these prices are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations.
Auckland & Campbell Teals, King, Gentoo, Snares, Southern Rockhopper, Royal, Yellow-eyed & Little Penguins, Wilson’s, Grey-backed & Black-bellied Storm Petrels, Wandering, Antipodean, Southern Royal, Light-mantled, Black-browed, Campbell, Shy, Salvin’s, Grey-headed, Chatham & Buller’s Albatrosses, Mottled, Cook’s, Magenta, Westland & White-chinned Petrels, Sooty Shearwater, Campbell, Macquarie, Chatha, Pitt & Auckland Shags, South Island, Chatham & Variable Oystercatchers, Subantarctic & Snares Snipe, White-fronted Tern, New Zealand Falcon, Red-crowned Parakeet, New Zealand Bellbird, Tomtit, New Zealand Fernbird, New Zealand Pipit, Chatham Pigeon, Chatham Gerygone and Black Robin.
New Zealand Sea Lion, New Zealand Fur, Southern Elephant and Leopard Seals, Dusky Dolphin, Southern Right, Sperm, Bryde’s, Long-finned Pilot and Killer Whales
cool to cold
according to ship capacity
relaxed
comfortable expedition cruise ship
mostly undemanding
excellent to extraordinary
The trip sounded good in the write-up but far exceeded our expectations. The pelagic trips were outstanding. The number of participants was perfect. Erik knew the birds and their calls/sounds and was very effective in getting everyone to see the birds. He called many pelagic IDs well before other people had even spotted the birds. Erik’s skills in managing the participants showed and his sense of humour added to his effectiveness. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip.
Erik Forsyth was excellent, a great guide; professional, knowledgeable, friendly and pleasant to be around. He was also a careful driver who spent many hours driving us around New Zealand. All in all, I was left very satisfied and happy with the tour; and this being my first Rockjumper tour, I was left with a very positive impression of the company and its staff. I would certainly like to use Rockjumper and Erik again!
Erik Forsyth is a brilliant tour leader and birder; I would definitely like to travel with him again in the future!
Erik Forsyth did a fine job of managing the group. He is a constitutionally positive person and conveyed a healthy sense of humour that was appreciated by the entire group. He clearly endeavoured to spend time with all of the members of the group which brought about good group cohesion. He met each person, regardless of their birding ability, and facilitated their birding experience.
Beautiful country, good birding sites, good group of travelers. Eric Forsyth was an excellent guide, handling all situations very well, including weather-related activity cancellations that were beyond his control.
03 Dec 2024 - 19 Dec 2024 (17 days)
USD15,250 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Expedition Leader
Tour price (Per person): USD15,250 * GBP12,210 * EUR14,237 * ZAR290,639
New Zealand - Comprehensive I 2024 - January 2024
New Zealand - South Island Endemics 2023 - December 2023
New Zealand - Comprehensive III 2023 - November 2023
New Zealand - Chatham Islands Extension II 2023 - November 2023
New Zealand - Comprehensive II 2023 - October 2023
Australia & New Zealand - Zhong 2023 - October 2023
Grand Pacific Odyssey - New Zealand to Japan 2023 - March 2023
New Zealand - Chatham Islands Extension I 2023 - January 2023
New Zealand - Comprehensive I 2023 - January 2023
New Zealand - Comprehensive III 2022 - November 2022
New Zealand - Comprehensive II 2022 - October 2022
New Zealand - Comprehensive I 2020 - January 2020
New Zealand - Comprehensive II 2019 - October 2019
New Zealand - Comprehensive III 2018 - November 2018
New Zealand - Comprehensive II 2018 - October 2018
New Zealand - Comprehensive I 2018 - January 2018
New Zealand - Comprehensive III 2017 - November 2017
New Zealand - Comprehensive II 2017 - October 2017
New Zealand - Comprehensive I 2017 - February 2017
ABA New Zealand - Subantarctic Island Cruise 2017 - January 2017