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Paddlers are you READY...



2023 | IBCPC Participatory

DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

Lake Karapiro, New Zealand

APRIL 8-17, 2023



Join us on a journey of a lifetime...



PADDLE WITH YOUR TEAM IN NEW ZEALAND

Haere mai! Welcome to New Zealand! Join fellow Breast Cancer Survivors from around the world in the 2023 Participatory International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission Dragon Boat Festival. Take in the breathtaking landscapes and welcoming kiwi culture while you spend a week on the North Island paddling on Lake Karapiro. Together with your teammates and friends, experience the magic of the island both on the water and off. Walk in the footsteps of Bilbo Baggins at Hobbiton, take in the serene beauty of the Bay of Plenty, meet the unique kiwi bird, witness an active geyser, marvel at the glowworm caves, and experience traditional Maori culture and cuisine, all organized to align with your team's race schedule. Additionally, when the IBCPC Dragon Boat Festival concludes, consider extending your time in New Zealand by traveling to the South Island to explore the dramatic landscapes of the Southern Alps with friends.



learn the lingo | KIA ORA

although the word is only small, the meaning is great...

Tour ITINERARY

APRIL 8-17, 2023 || with options to extend


DAY 1 | SATURDAY, APRIL 8

  • Depart the U.S. on a flight bound for New Zealand.

    • DAY 2 | SUNDAY, APRIL 9

  • Time-travel over the international dateline.




    • DAY 3 | MONDAY, APRIL 10

    WELCOME TO NEW ZEALAND || HOTEL CHECK-IN

  • Arrive at Auckland Airport. Welcome to New Zealand!
  • Meet your American Expeditions tour manager in the arrivals hall and together board your private motor coach.
  • Transfer to your hotel, your team's home base for the duration of the festival. There are a number of beautiful hotel locales, such as Tauranga, on the beautiful Bay of Plenty, or in Rotorua, with geothermal activity, rich Maori culture, and set on the shores of Lake Rotorua.
  • Check-in and unpack and settle into your rooms.
  • Later, join your tour manager for an orientation walk of the area.
  • Enjoy an evening at leisure to rest up for your exciting days ahead.




    • DAY 4 | TUESDAY, APRIL 11

    REGISTRATION + PRACTICE || HAMILTON || WELCOME DINNER

  • This morning, gather and board your private motor coach to transfer to Lake Karapiro for team registration + practice for the 2023 IBCPC Dragon Boat Festival.
  • Later, transfer by motor coach to the neighboring village of Hamilton, located on the banks of the Waikato River.
  • Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Consider exploring the Hamilton Gardens, featuring over 18 uniquely themed gardens, or visit the Waikato Museum.
  • Return to your hotel to refresh before a festive welcome dinner organized to celebrate the start of your team's time in New Zealand!




    • DAY 5 | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12

    ROTORUA EXCURSION || MAORI VILLAGE + DINNER

  • After breakfast, enjoy a day excursion to Rotorua.
  • Visit the Te Puia geothermal park and enjoy the natural beauty as you walk along the hissing pools and geysers.
  • This evening, experience the local indigenous Māori culture with a visit to a Māori Village. Learn about Māori people as you enjoy a cultural performance and traditional hangi BBQ.
  • Return to your hotel by private motor coach tonight.



    • DAY 6 | THURSDAY, APRIL 13

    FREE DAY || TAURANGA OR ROTORUA

  • Enjoy a day at your leisure in Tauranga or Rotorua.
  • Your tour manager will be happy to offer suggestions for sightseeing and meals based on your interests and hotel locale.
  • In Tauranga, consider taking a bike ride around the harbor, find a spot to relax on a white-sand beach, or maybe you'll wake early to walk up Mount Maunganui for a breathtaking sunrise - one of the first on the planet today!
  • In Rotorua, consider exploring walking trails nearby, paddle the lake, relax at a local geothermal spa, or embark on a unique glowworm cave experience.




    • DAY 7 | FRIDAY, APRIL 14

    PRACTICE || HOBBITON || OPENING CEREMONY + PARADE

  • Today, teams may have training on Lake Karapiro and team leaders attend IBCPC Congress + Manager & Steering Meeting.
  • Arranged to complement practice, embark on an excursion to the Hobbiton film set. Experience the 12-acre green set of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, as you pass Hobbit Holes and bask in the unequivocal beauty of the land.
  • Tonight, join other BCS paddlers from around the world in the Opening Ceremony & Parade for the 2023 IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival.




    • DAY 8 | SATURDAY, APRIL 15

    RACE DAY ONE || EVENING AT LEISURE

  • This morning, get ready for your first day of races. Transfer by private motor coach to Lake Karapiro - paddles up!
  • Join your teammates and paddle in participatory races with fellow BCS teams.
  • When the first day of racing concludes, return by motor coach to your hotel.
  • Refresh and rest up after an exciting day on the water; your tour manager will provide restaurant recommendations nearby!




    • DAY 9 | SUNDAY, APRIL 16

    RACE DAY TWO || SANDY SMITH RACE || CLOSING CEREMONY

  • Refuel with breakfast and gather to transfer by private motor coach to Lake Karapiro.
  • Today is the second and final day of races, as well as the Sandy Smith Global Race with Flower Ceremony and the Closing Ceremony of the festival.
  • This evening, celebrate the culmination of the races with your teammates at an optional festive farewell dinner - supplement applies.




    • DAY 10 | MONDAY, APRIL 17

    DEPARTURE || SOUTH ISLAND EXTENSION

  • Check out of your hotel this morning.
  • Board your coach bound for Auckland Airport and your flight home to North America.
  • Alternatively, continue on with an optional extension trip to the majestic South Island - click here to view the itinerary.



    • Package INCLUSIONS

    All packages with American Expeditions include the following:

    ACCOMMODATIONS

  • See package options below for details on accommodation

    • MEALS

  • Daily breakfast (based on hotel)
  • Welcome dinner
  • Traditional hangi meal at Māori Village

    • TRANSPORTATION

  • Transportation as described in the itinerary in a modern, climate-controlled motor coach with a professional driver.

    • LOCAL GUIDES & ENTRANCES

  • Guided tour of Hobbiton film set
  • Te Puia geothermal park
  • Māori Village Experience

    • TOUR MANAGER

  • An American Expeditions Tour Manager to assist your group in-country, from touchdown to take-off.

    • DIRECTOR'S COMPLIMENTARY TRAVEL

  • One complimentary Land Package in single occupancy for your group leader.

    • TOUR MATERIALS

  • Customized handbooks with program & travel tips
  • Luggage tags
  • Passport wallets with neck strap
  • Adapter plugs
  • Promotional materials for trip planning

    • TRAVELER’S RESOURCE WEBSITE

  • Featuring: tour itinerary, photo gallery, blog, maps, recommended books, movies, and more!

    • WEB PAYMENT SYSTEM

  • Group leaders have the option to use our online payment system, allowing each traveler to make individual trip payments online with a debit or credit card. Individuals receive electronic reminders, receipts, and statements. Group leaders receive weekly automated reports with traveler balances and due dates.




    • Package PRICING

    Packages listed are first-come-first-serve. We recommend that you confirm your tour as early as possible with a registration form and a team deposit of $175-359* per room. *based on your accommodation selection

    All packages below are based on a minimum of 30 travelers in double occupancy; see single supplement pricing if you wish to occupy a room solo. Airfare will open 11 months prior to departure and a group air option will be added at that time.