June 27: Departure Day, Los Angeles to Nadi
In support of program and student safety, all details regarding specific travel and accommodations are available in the parent/guardian digital locker under Essential Information.
June 28 is lost crossing the International Date Line.
June 29 – July 3: Sigatoka, Viti Levu, Fiji
Our program begins on the main Fijian island of Viti Levu. Have a group orientation and get to know your fellow Putney students and leaders. Settle in on the Coral Coast and spend five days enjoying the vibrant culture, beaches, and tropical weather of Fiji. Visit local villages, play a game of pick-up rugby with local kids, kayak, and snorkel. Participate in a kava ceremony and learn about the cultural history of this island nation.
July 4: Christchurch, New Zealand
Fly from Nadi, Fiji, to Christchurch, New Zealand. Arrive in Christchurch and explore the cobblestone streets and Gothic architecture of this coastal city. Witness a city rebuilding after the earthquakes of 2012, with a thriving graffiti art scene and outdoor shopping area constructed completely of shipping containers.
July 5 – 8: Homestays in Oamaru
Venture east to the coast and become part of family life in a traditional Kiwi sheep or dairy farming community. The rural town of Oamaru boasts a colonial-style downtown surrounded by rolling hills dotted with massive boulders. This otherworldly landscape made the Oamaru area a favorite filming location for both the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Chronicles of Narnia. During your homestay week, the group will meet up from time to time to go see a rugby game, participate in events at the local high school, or visit the nearby Moeraki boulders.
July 9 – 12: Wanaka
Travel west across the mountainous South Island to the picturesque town of Wanaka. Spend three days skiing or snowboarding at Treble Cone Mountain. Have a cup of hot cocoa at the lodge and visit some of the galleries in the quaint town square. Become acquainted with modern Kiwi culture and explore Wanaka’s appropriately named Puzzle World. Spend evenings back at the lodge, where we break into cooking crews to prepare group dinners, and relax around the fireplace after a day on the slopes.
July 13: Temuka
Transfer to the nearby town of Temuka and immerse yourself in history during an overnight stay in a traditional Maori marae. We will stay in the meeting house and prepare a hangi, or traditional meal, with our hosts. Through discussions with the elders, learn about the culture’s ties to the land. The area is well known for its Maori rock art preserved in limestone shelters and caves.
July 14: Christchurch, New Zealand
Wrap up your time in New Zealand and prepare for your early morning flight to the Whitsunday Islands.
July 15 – 19: Airlie Beach and Sailing the Whitsunday Islands
On July 15, fly from Christchurch, New Zealand, to Hamilton Island, Australia. Board a sailboat and spend four days sailing through the Whitsunday Islands and exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Our knowledgeable skipper and his crew teach us about the marine ecology and take us to some of the best dive sites in the region. Snorkel, swim, and explore the islands during the day and sleep on board the sailboat at night. Lend a hand to the boat crew and learn the basics of sailing. Spot dugongs and whales as we traverse the seas.
July 20 – 22: Sydney
On July 20, fly from Hamilton Island to Sydney. Explore the cosmopolitan city of Sydney and get familiar with urban life in Australia. Have a traditional brekkie and stroll the promenade of the Rocks District. Become acquainted with the city’s colonial history and walk along its iconic harbor. Take a ferry to the Taronga Zoo, visit the Sydney Opera House, or go to a local rugby match.
July 23 – 26: The Outback
On July 23, fly from Sydney to Alice Springs. Then, head into the Great Central Desert with our outfitters and guides to get a true sense of the vastness and diversity of the outback. See kangaroos, wallabies, and brumbies, and learn about the desert’s fire-dependent ecology. Camp out beside the warmth of a campfire. Hike through ancient rock formations and learn about the rock art from our guides. Try traditional bush food as you relax under the constellations of the southern hemisphere. Watch the sunrise over the majestic Uluru before catching a flight back to Sydney.
July 27: Sydney
Fly from Ayers Rock to Sydney for a final night with your group and prepare for your travels home.
July 28: Return Day, Sydney to Los Angeles
In support of program and student safety, all details regarding specific travel and accommodations are available in the parent/guardian digital locker under Essential Information.