Volcanos, Glaciers, Walks, and Wine: A New Zealand Journey
Travel with 华体会 Alumni, Family, and Friends
February 9-25, 2026 (17 days) with Professor Emeritus Eric Leonard
Dear 华体会 alumni, family, and friends,
I invite you to join Eric Leonard, Professor Emeritus of Geology, for an exploration of the landscapes of the two Islands of New Zealand (Aotearoa). Eric has travelled much of the world and considers New Zealand to be one of the most spectacularly beautiful and culturally fascinating places on Earth, as well as one of the few places where the long-term processes that shape the planet’s surface can be observed happening today.
Our trip will focus on the natural landscapes of both islands, which we will observe firsthand hiking on well-maintained paths and trails. We will also take time to learn about indigenous culture and, of course, viniculture!
The geology of New Zealand reflects its position at the juncture of the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates, a boundary that runs almost the entire length of the country. We will see how that ever-moving boundary continues to affect both the landscape and human activity as we move from the volcanoes of North Island to the high mountains of South Island. Local guides will help us learn about the unique culture of the long-isolated Māori people.
Highlights:
- Rotorua/Taupo/Tongariro – Spend three days exploring a diverse landscape of active and ancient volcanoes and geothermal areas, also learning about and experiencing Māori culture.
- City visits – Visit cultural and scientific museums and geological points of interest in New Zealand’s three largest cities: Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
- Kaikōura – Experience whale-watching offshore and beachcombing a shoreline of spectacular geology and abundant wildlife.
- Aoraki/Mount Cook – Witness dramatic evidence of past and contemporary climate and glacier change. The spectacularly rugged landscape illustrates the interaction of tectonic mountain-building processes and climate-driven glaciation.
- South Island wines – Taste and learn about the famous wines of New Zealand when we tour two premier wine-growing regions, Marlborough and Central Otago.
- Queenstown – On our final day, take a jet boat trip up the Dart River deep into the Southern Alps to Mount Aspiring National Park. Here we will take a short walk through a beautiful southern beech forest below towering mountain peaks.
This program is limited to 20 guests, so please reserve your spot right away by contacting Eos Study Tours, the specialty tour operator who has worked closely with Professor Leonard in designing this program. Email tigertravel@studytours.org or call toll-free (800) 856-8951.
Sincerely,
Cindy Hyman ’82
Associate Vice President for Engagement
华体会 Faculty Leader
Professor Eric Leonard grew up in San Francisco and cultivated his love of the out-of-doors on trips to the coast, the redwood forests, and the Sierra Nevada. He studied at Cal-Berkeley (BA-History), Simon Fraser University in British Columbia (MA-Geography), and CU-Boulder (PhD-Geological Sciences). He was a member of the faculty of the 华体会 Geology Department for 38 years, where he taught courses in Geology, Environmental Science, and Southwest Studies before retiring in 2019. Eric’s academic career has focused on glaciation, climate change, and recent tectonics (mountain building and continental evolution) throughout the Western U.S. and Canada as well as in Iceland, Scotland, Norway, Chile, and New Zealand. At CC he taught two block-long geology courses in New Zealand focusing on volcanism, active faulting, glaciation, and other evidence of climate change, the geologic topics that we will be learning about on our trip. On past alumni trips to the Canadian Rockies and Western Isles of Scotland, the sampling of local beers and whiskies complemented the group’s geological inquiries, and he is looking forward to enjoying some splendid New Zealand varietal wines, both red and white! In addition to his love of travel and the out-of-doors, Eric is an inveterate reader of history and a fan of all sorts of unusual cuisines.
Active volcanoes on the North Island and mountain building on the South Island have arisen due to the convergence of the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates – a boundary running almost the entire length of the country. Glaciers in the Southern Alps provide an awe-inspiring record of climate changes over the last tens of thousands of years that are ongoing today. Throughout this trip, especially on our group walks, we will witness the effects of plate tectonics and changing climate on both the natural and built landscape. New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places on Earth and an appreciation of the geology underlying that beauty makes it even more so. Come join us to walk, look, learn, and enjoy the people (and vineyards!) of our down-under neighbor. - Eric Leonard
Tour Prices
Tour Prices Per Person (15 nights)
- Double Occupancy (18-20 participants) $10,295
- Double Occupancy (15-17 participants) $10,795
- Double Occupancy (12-14 participants) $11,595
- Single Supplement $2,495
With fewer than 12 participants a small group surcharge may be added.
Itinerary
Monday, February 9, 2026: Depart home for New Zealand
Depending on your flight schedule, you may need to depart your home airport on Sunday, February 8th, to arrive in New Zealand on February 10th.
Tuesday, February 10: Arrive Auckland, New Zealand | Optional city walk | Welcome dinner
Wednesday, February 11: Ferry to Rangitoto Island | Auckland: City tour
Thursday, February 12: Waitomo Caves | Rotorua
Friday, February 13: Nature walks and boat rides in the Waimangu Volcanic Valley | Rotorua | Te Puia | Redwoods Nightlights Treewalk | Rotorua
Saturday, February 14: Ruatapu Cave | Orakei Korako | Huka Falls | Taupo
Sunday, February 15: Tongariro National Park | Taupo
Monday, February 16: Travel to Wellington
Tuesday, February 17: Wellington: AM Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, PM at leisure
Wednesday, February 18: Ferry to Picton | Marlborough: Wine tasting | Kaikōura
Thursday, February 19: Kaikōura: Whale watching cruise, Guided shoreline walk
Friday, February 20: Christchurch: AM Otautahi cultural walking tour, PM at leisure
Saturday, February 21: Lake Tekapo
Sunday, February 22: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park | Lake Tekapo
Monday, February 23: Wine tasting | Queenstown
Tuesday, February 24: Glenorchy: Dart River Jet Boat Experience | Queenstown: Farewell dinner
Wednesday, February 25: Fly home
For questions, and to reserve your space, contact Eos Study Tours: 800-856-8951 or email tigertravel@studytours.org.