North Island Explorer

Upon arrival at Auckland Airport (AKL), you’ll be greeted by your driver, who will transfer you to your accommodation. Auckland, situated on New Zealand’s North Island, is not only the country’s largest city but also a vibrant cultural hub nestled amidst stunning natural beauty. Known as the “City of Sails,” Auckland is renowned for its picturesque harbors, including the Waitematā Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf, which offer ample opportunities for sailing, boating, and enjoying waterfront activities. The city’s landscape is characterized by volcanic cones, such as Mount Eden and One Tree Hill, providing panoramic views of the surrounding region.

This morning, we’ll depart New Zealand’s largest city and drive a couple of hours south to Waitomo (‘wai’ meaning water, ‘tomo’ meaning hole), known for its world-famous glowworm caves.  Discover an ancient world 30 million years in the making and marvel at Mother Nature’s light display. Explore the cave by foot before embarking on a boat ride, gliding silently through the starry wonderland of the Glowworm Grotto. Experience the serene ambience as you enter this galaxy of tiny living lights. The glowworm (Arachnocampa Luminosa) is unique to New Zealand, making the Waitomo Glowworm Caves an absolute must-do. See thousands of these tiny creatures as they radiate their unmistakable luminescent light in a subterranean world.

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves tours are made up of two levels. The upper chamber is dry and decorated with stunning, delicate cave formations, and the lower level consists of stream passages, glowworms, and the Cathedral, the tallest chamber in the cave.

Many of the guides are direct descendants of the Maori chief who originally explored the cave, bringing the cave to life through storytelling and explaining the world-famous cave’s history, features, and legends.

For those looking for a bit more adventure, you’ll also have the option of choosing an optional tour for a thrilling caving adventure.

Note: If choosing an optional activity, you will do this INSTEAD of the Glow Worm Caves Boat Tour

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES IN WAITOMO:

Blackwater Rafting  – Explore the magic Tumu Tumu Cave. Combine the best elements of Blackwater rafting with walking, climbing, swimming, and tubing through distinctive sections of the spectacular Tumu Tumu cave. A more comprehensive version of Black Water Rafting.

Lost World Half Day  – Abseil 100m into the surreal Lost World. Descend slowly, suspended in the massive void. Mist-filtered light gives unreal qualities to the strange plants and formations. Then embark on an underworld trek and climb back through the majestic dry passages of the Mangapu cave system.

Haggas Honking Holes Abseiling & Rock Climbing – Feel like Indiana Jones in a washing machine. Haggas Honking Holes is a very exciting fast-moving action. It’s an adventure that crams lots of action into only 4 hours. See unique formations and glowworms close up. Waitomo’s most concentrated half-day adventure.

After breakfast, we’ll start the day with a 45-minute walk through the Ruakuri Reserve, a real highlight of the Waitomo area. This spectacular loop walk takes you through a forested gorge, past natural sculpted cliffs, and under low limestone arches. The track follows the stream and winds up around a network of limestone bluffs and outcrops before descending to the Ruakuri Natural Bridge viewing platform.

Next, we’ll roll on through to Rotorua, a captivating destination renowned for its geothermal wonders, rich Māori culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. Stepping into Rotorua feels like entering a realm where the earth comes alive, with bubbling mud pools, steaming geysers, and vibrant geothermal landscapes dotting the region.

This evening, experience the most award-winning Maori cultural attraction in New Zealand, voted one of the Top 10 Experiences in the World. This is a cultural experience like no other. Delivered with genuine heart and soul, the Te Pa Tu Cultural Experience offers a window into a truly riveting, spirited way of life. Experience an evening of ceremonial ritual, amazing re-enactment, powerful cultural performance, storytelling, and hangi feasting as we relive significant events within our pre-European history. Immerse yourself in the traditional Maori way of life during this interactive and entertaining evening experience with dinner.

INCLUDED:
— Ruakuri Reserve Walk
— Te Pa Tu Cultural Experience

The surrounding landscape of Rotorua invites exploration, with lush forests, crystal-clear lakes, and thrilling outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting, hiking, and ziplining. Today, you’ll have the day free to choose your own adventure.

If you enjoy mountain biking, Rotorua is one of the world’s top mountain biking destinations, offering an extensive network of trails catering to riders of all skill levels. From flowing singletracks through towering redwoods to technical downhill descents and gravity-defying jumps, there’s something for everyone in Rotorua’s diverse trail system.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES IN ROTORUA: 

Kaituna River Whitewater Rafting – Get your adrenaline fix on this exhilarating Class V whitewater rafting trip through breathtaking scenery. As the raft navigates the churning waters, adrenaline surges with each twist and turn, and the thrill of conquering roaring rapids like “Tutea Falls,” the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall, adds to the excitement. Enjoy the amazing scenery along the way, but don’t forget to paddle!

Whitewater Rafting + Hot Pools Combo – The ultimate combo. White water rafting on the Kaituna river followed by a soak in the hot pools at Manupiua Springs Hot Pools.

Okere Zipline – The ultimate ziplining experience over 3 waterfalls on a total of four ziplines, one swing bridge, and a series of boardwalks within the Okere Falls forest.

Rafting + Zipline Combo – The ultimate in combos in Ōkere Falls. Zip over the Kaituna River with Rotorua Ziplines, then raft it.

Okere Zip + Hot Pools – Add a soak at the Lake Rotoiti Hotpools to your Okere Zipline adventure.

Zipline + Rafting + Hot Pools Combo – The ultimate combo is Ziplining over waterfalls, white water on the Kaituna River, followed by a soak in the hot pools at Manupiua Springs Hot Pools which are only accessible by boat.

Mt Tarawera Full Day (6.5 hours) or Half Day (4.5 hours) – Famous for its eruption in June 1886, Mt Tarawera created the world’s youngest geothermal valley of Waimangu, at the same destroying the legendary Pink and White Terraces. This fully guided walking experience encompasses the unique landscape and history of the area. Get ready to see unmatched 360 panoramic views and go for an optional run into the heart of a volcanic crater!

Mt Tarawera & Rafting Combo – Combine the unique crater walking experience with rafting on the Kaituna River. An all-day combo taking you from the volcanic crater of Mt Tarawera, to the Okere section of the Kaituna River, where you will raft the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall, take on 14 rapids with world-class guides and gear.

Note: Please be aware that since today is a free day, we will try to accommodate transportation as best we can, but you may need to take an Uber to/from the meeting point of  your scheduled activity. 

This morning, we’ll explore the geothermal reserve of Te Puia, where you’ll witness the power of geothermal activity as Pohutu, the largest geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, erupts up to 30m high every hour. Explore the thermal valley full of hot springs, silica terraces, bubbling mineral-rich mud pools, and other pools with properties used over centuries by the Maori for cooking and remedies.

Enjoy Thanksgiving lunch at Te Puia against a backdrop of geysers and stunning park views as you enjoy a range of Kiwi flavors at Pataka Kai Restaurant, infusing traditional Maori flavors with an array of global cuisines and cooking styles. Be sure to try the Hangi Chicken and Hangi vegetables served with rewana bread stuffing and finished off with burnt brown sugar steamed pudding.

After lunch, we’ll drive approximately one hour to the great Lake Taupo. Upon arriving in Lake Taupo, we’ll stop to take a walk to the spectacular Huka Falls, New Zealand’s most visited and photographed natural attraction. The thundering 11m high falls on the Waikato River pump a volume of 220,000 liters of water over the rock face every second. There are walking tracks and viewing platforms alongside the river and the water is a beautiful crystal-clear blue on a sunny day. 

This evening, we’ll discover the Maori Rock Carvings on Lake Taupo on a Sunset Sailing Cruise. Taupo Bay’s Maori Rock Carvings are a must-see attraction, only accessible by boat. You will get up close to the 14m high rock art for amazing photo opportunities and catch the sunset on the way back. Swimming is encouraged if the weather is nice, so make sure you come prepared.

INCLUDED:
— Te Puia Geothermal Wonderland (90min guided tour + Lunch Buffet)
— Sunset Sail Barbary Cruise to Maori Rock Carvings

This morning, we’ll have a fairly early departure for our drive to Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s oldest national park and a dual UNESCO World Heritage area due to its natural features and cultural significance. In autumn 2000, the park was home to the most sinister of the Lord of the Rings locations, Mordor. The area has jagged volcanic rock formations and eerie, barren landscapes.

We’ll stop along the way to pick up a takeaway lunch. Upon arrival at the park, we’ll split into groups to spend the day hiking through some of New Zealand’s most spectacular volcanic landscapes. One group will do an easier hike and the other will do a more strenuous hike.

Depending on the weather, you may also have the option to do a guided hike of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, heralded as the best one-day trek in New Zealand and regarded as among the top ten single-day treks in the world. The 12-mile hike includes some steep climbs, and the weather can be unpredictable, but worth it in every aspect.

This evening, we won’t have far to drive as our accommodations are located within the National Park Village.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES IN TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK:

Tongariro Alpine Crossing – The Tongariro Alpine Crossing in Tongariro National Park is heralded as the best one-day trek in New Zealand and is regarded as among the top ten single-day treks in the world. The 12.3-mile point-to-point trail includes some steep climbs and is considered a challenging route. There are sections of the hike that are considered active volcano areas. Be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions on the route, and always have warm layers available as the peaks often have 10-15 degrees cooler temperatures. The walking is generally straightforward, but the extreme weather and potential for a full 7-10 hours to complete earn this track the “hard” rating.

After breakfast, we’ll depart Tongariro, winding our way through the picturesque countryside, passing rolling hills dotted with sheep and cattle grazing in lush pastures. The road follows the meandering path of the Whanganui River, one of New Zealand’s longest navigable waterways, offering glimpses of its tranquil waters framed by verdant hillsides. Eventually, the road leads to Pipiriki, a small riverside settlement nestled amidst the beauty of the Whanganui National Park, where travelers can embark on adventures such as jet boating, kayaking, or exploring the region’s rich Māori heritage.

Upon arrival in Pipiriki, we’ll set out on a 55-minute jet boat journey upriver 32km to the Mangapurua Landing, through an area of spectacular natural features with deep river gorges covered with green tree ferns and lush native vegetation. With your guide, you’ll take an easy 40-minute walk from the Mangapurua landing, following in the footsteps of the early pioneers along the old roadway to the “BRIDGE TO NOWHERE” where you will stop for lunch on this historical monument of a bygone era and learn the history from your local guide.​

The tour then includes a Jet boat back down the river for 22 km followed by an unguided 2-hour canoe or kayak (last 10 km) back to Pipiriki, stopping and exploring along the way.

After our return to Pipiriki, we’ll have about a 2-hour drive south to Whanganui City, a charming urban center with a rich cultural heritage and stunning natural surroundings. Art lovers will be pleased to learn that Whanganui has been named as New Zealand’s only UNESCO City of Design, in recognition of the city’s contribution to art and creativity.

INCLUDED:
— Bridge to Nowhere Jet Boat & Canoe Tour (6-7 hours)

After an early breakfast (not included), we’ll start our 2.5 hour drive amidst the rolling hills and farmlands of the Manawatū region, passing charming rural towns before reaching the dramatic Kapiti Coast, with its rugged cliffs and sandy beaches. Continuing southward, the road winds through lush forests and steep hillsides of the Hutt Valley, culminating in a breathtaking descent into Wellington, with panoramic views of the harbor and city skyline. This scenic drive showcases the best of New Zealand’s natural beauty, from coastal vistas to mountain ranges, offering an unforgettable journey to the capital city.

Wellington is a compact and walkable city. With a downtown area only 2 km across, most of the major attractions are within easy walking distance from the hotels, cafés, restaurants, bars, and shops. The city, originally founded by English settlers in the 1840s, is split into four quarters – Lambton Quay, the best place for shopping; the business area Courtenay Place; the entertainment district Cuba Street, full of cafés and vintage clothing stores that give the neighborhood a bohemian, alternative vibe; and Waterfront Quarter, which takes in Frank Kitts Park, Waitangi Park, Queens Wharf, and Te Papa.

You’ll have the afternoon free to explore this incredible city. Relax at Oriental Bay, Wellington’s golden-sand inner-city beach, and delve into many museums, art galleries, and theatre shows that make up the city’s pulsing cultural scene. There are beautiful walks around the harbor and the surrounding hills. Ride the cable car up the hill to Kelbourn for amazing views over the city and enjoy an ice cream at the top. For fans of film and TV, the Wētā Workshop is a world-renowned creative studio in Wellington, New Zealand, where movie magic comes to life through award-winning props, costumes, and special effects for films like The Lord of the Rings, Avatar, and District 9. Visit the wildlife sanctuary, Zealandia, the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary and groundbreaking conservation project that has reintroduced 18 species of native wildlife back into the area, some of which were absent from the mainland for over 100 years. On the waterfront itself, you’ll find Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, New Zealand’s national museum. Te Papa, as it is colloquially known, means ‘our place’ and is one of the best interactive museums in the world. If you’re a beer lover, Wellington is becoming world-famous for its craft beer scene. Stop in one of the local breweries or take a guided tour with tastings. For sunset, climb to the top of Mount Victoria (196m) for the best views of Wellington City and Wellington Harbor.

Today is departure day and there are no scheduled activities. At the appropriate time, a shuttle will pick you up to take you to the airport for your flight. Should you wish to extend your journey to include one of the South Island’s iconic treks, add our Queenstown package, which includes your domestic flight, airport transfers, and Queenstown hotel for before or after your trek.