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 a 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 Queenstown on the 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
- 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.
Reach out to reserve rooms or to learn more:
[email protected] || 800-624-0166
We look forward to traveling with you!
Sample Payment SCHEDULE
Please note your team deposit and payment schedule may differ from what is shown below based on your team's accommodation selection. Kindly see your team registration form for details regarding payment schedule, refundability, and terms and conditions.
upon registration | TEAM DEPOSITS due | $175-359 per room depending on your accommodation selection |
June 1, 2022 | INDIVIDUAL DEPOSITS due per person | $100pp land + $100pp air |
May 2022 | airfares open for March 2023 | American Expeditions will negotiate group flight contracts |
July 15, 2022 | INDIVIDUAL Installment | 20% of package price |
September 15, 2022 | INDIVIDUAL Installment | 20% of package price |
October 15, 2022 | INDIVIDUAL Installment | 20% of package price |
November 15, 2022 | INDIVIDUAL Installment | 20% of package price |
December 15, 2022 | INDIVIDUAL Installment | final balance |