Viajar invites readers to join one of its extraordinary expeditions organized by Viajes Azul Mar. Discovering the antipodes and soaking in endless natural wonders—volcanoes, glaciers, fjords, turquoise lakes, exotic beaches, and movie-set scenery. A 17-day journey planned for November with limited places available for reservation now.
The expedition will be led by Josep María Palau, director of VIAJAR magazine. A photographer, journalist, and university professor, his life has always chased global travel. In his early years he served as a special envoy in conflicts such as Algeria and the Balkans. Later, he produced TV series and documentaries including The Look of a Geographer, contributing to prestigious travel publications. He has also written guides such as Other Worlds, Alternative and Solidarity Trips (Oxfam) and the life and travels of Gonzalo de Reparaz. Palau has twice won the travel prize at the International Journalism Festival in Perugia and continues to share travel insights with readers around the world.
If a single trait defines this trip, it is the breathtaking variety of this corner of the Pacific. Travelers will explore cities like Aukland and Wellington, while also venturing into caves, lush forests, thermal parks, and exotic beaches. It is a fertile blend of natural elements that makes this Pacific paradise a place where each corner invites exploration.
a city to live in
The journey opens in one of the world’s top ten cities to live in, Auckland, the region’s largest and most populous metropolis. There, visitors will experience its famed harbor, the charming suburbs of Parnell and Mission Bay, and a descent into New Zealand history at the Auckland Museum. Climbing the 328-meter Sky Tower rewards visitors with expansive views over Waitemata and Manukau harbors. Time is set aside to visit Muriwai Provincial Park and its renowned black-sand beach, celebrated for surfing and the distinctive Gannet Peak.
New Zealand stands out as a destination of rich, dramatic scenery that can easily be felt in every moment of the journey.
middle earth paradise
Travelers who go deeper south from Auckland will reach the green hills of Waikato, the Waitomo Caverns, and the home of the famed Luminous Fireflies. The voyage also spotlights the cultural resonance of the region through the Shire-like landscapes that inspired the Lord of the Rings saga. Hobbiton, a beloved destination for movie fans, sits within the picture-perfect farmlands Peter Jackson immortalized.
volcanic treasures
Rotorua is another key stop, offering a visit to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, the world’s youngest geothermal system, and the Te Puia Cultural Center within the Whakarewarewa valley. The area celebrates nature with silica deposits, boiling mud, and the famous Pohutu Geyser, a spectacle complemented by Maori cultural dinners and performances. On the way to Napier, the beauty of Lake Taupo, a caldera formed by a massive eruption around 26,500 years ago, is hard to miss.
Windy Wellington
From Napier, the expedition continues to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. Visitors can explore the Houses of Parliament, the Beehive, and the Te Papa National Museum, or hike Mount Victoria for a different view of the city facing the sea. Wellington is known for its breezy reputation as the wind whips through the Cook Strait. Across the strait lies Abel Tasman National Park, named after the explorer of New Zealand and Tasmania. Though small, it is among the country’s most beautiful parks, with golden beaches, turquoise waters, and lush forests. A boat trip reveals coves and the granite coast in a memorable way.
Wild beauty
The route continues to Punakaiki, a western South Island town near Paparoa National Park, known for its “Pancake Rocks.” This landscape hosts waves that surge through vertical vents at high tide, creating a striking natural theater. Further along, the Franz Josef Glacier offers a panoramic flight before you explore ice caves, peaks, and the green valleys of this pristine alpine environment.
The vagaries of land and water
Natural wonders will continually shape this expedition. Highlights include Lake Moeraki, Lake Paringa, Haast Pass with its native beech forests, shells, rivers, and glaciers, and Mount Aspiring National Park along the historic Maori route. Also on the itinerary are Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka, jewels that showcase the country’s diverse beauty. New Zealand’s Milford Sound reveals Rudyard Kipling’s epithet, the Eighth Wonder of the World, with a cruise that passes waterfalls, lush valleys, and forests clinging to sheer cliffs, all in view of seals and dolphins. Before the journey ends, travelers will visit the Queenstown area to hike the Shotover River canyon, explore Arrowtown, tour the Gibbston Valley wine region, and feel the adrenaline at Kawarau Bridge Bungy. The adventure then culminates at Aoraki National Park, a World Heritage Site with more than 140 peaks over 2,000 meters and 72 glaciers occupying a large portion of the area. Among these, Mount Cook stands out as New Zealand’s highest peak at 3,754 meters. The journey concludes with a visit to the turquoise lakes Pukaki and Tekapo and the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd nestled beside the lakes.
A tribute to great journeys
New Zealand becomes a gateway to legendary expeditions guided by Viajar magazine, carried out with expert historians, archaeologists, and travel writers who seek to offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience to readers eager to explore the world. Other destinations, including Myanmar, India, Tanzania, Argentina, Thailand, Lapland, and Peru, are also part of the planned itineraries for 2023, emphasizing deep engagement with local culture, cuisine, history, and traditions.
All information about flights, accommodations, pricing, and the complete itinerary is available through the organizer’s official site. For inquiries, readers can refer to the organizer’s contact options on the official portal rather than relying on third-party listings.