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Maximum 14

Itinerary

The North Island is quite different to the South Island. It is a land of volcanoes, hot springs, waterfalls, and unique combinations of flaura and fauna. It's also home to most New Zealanders, and is especially known for its Maori culture.

Day 1.

Tuesday - Join tour in Auckland
You will be picked up in central Auckland at 8.00am, or at the airport at 9am on the way out of the city. Once you’re out of the city limits you’ll hike around a series of headlands clad in native Pohutakawa trees to the impressive and secluded Orokawa Beach where, if the weather’s nice, you’ll have a swim in the warm South Pacific waters. Then everybody will head to Karangahake Gorge, for a hike though a spectacular landscape that has a rich gold mining history. After the hike you will travel south through kiwifruit-growing country to Rotorua. There’s a great deal of geothermal activity beneath Rotorua, so you’ll see steaming pools of mud, fumaroles and smell the distinctive whiff of sulfur that characterises the town.(L,D)

Day 2.

Wednesday - Lakes Okataina and Tarawera
Explore the virgin forest around Lake Okataina, an area sacred to the Maori but still unknown to many New Zealanders. Hike alongside its deep blue waters to explore the site of an ancient Maori settlement. Continue over the ridge to the shores of Lake Tarawera. The entire area has been sculpted by intermittent volcanic activity, which continues in various forms to this day. Mount Tarawera was the scene of an enormous eruption in the late 19th century, and you will be able to see the effects of this cataclysmic event during your time here. Tonight you will enjoy a Maori cultural experience and traditional hangi feast where you can experience the Ngati Rongomai tribe's method of cooking. Food is prepared by wrapping the items and burying them in the earth over hot stones several hours beforehand. This method is very healthy - akin to steaming - but hangi food has a wonderful smokey flavor. Vegetarians, of course, are well catered for. An option this evening is to take a guided bird tour with local experts.(B,L,D)

Day 3.

Thursday - Rotorua - Waikato River
Rotorua is the centre of Maori culture in New Zealand and the influence of the Maori people can be seen everywhere. Although it is a well-known tourist destination, there is plenty going on behind the glitz that is well worth checking out. You will be shown some favourite highlights of Rotorua, before heading out for biking on the smooth trails in Whakarewarewa Forest. There are biking options to suit all abilities and levels of interest. The biking is highly recommended although there are other options available, such as visiting the local mineral spas for a relaxing soak. Then go hiking up New Zealand’s longest river – the Waikato – to the impressive Huka Falls before heading south to Turangi. You’ll follow the shores of Lake Taupo, the biggest volcanic crater in the world, to this evening’s accommodation. You are right next door to New Zealand’s most famous trout fishing river, the Tongariro, so this is a great chance to cast a line! Dinner tonight is a Kiwi favourite – good old Kiwi BBQ dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 4.

Friday - Tongariro National Park
Just south of Turangi are three massive volcanoes – Mount Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, as well as the Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s oldest park and the fourth oldest national park in the world. Here you’ll have the opportunity to do what is considered the best mountain day-hike in the country – the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Not an easy day, this hike takes around seven hours unguided through arid volcanic terrain. The Tongariro offers remarkable volcanic landscapes including emerald lakes, cold mountain springs, lava flows, active craters and steam vents, so it’s unlike anything else in New Zealand. If you prefer to do an easier hike you can walk through native tussock to a waterfall at the base of Mt Ruapehu (the highest active volcano in New Zealand), and around an isolated mountain lake in the middle of the virgin prehistoric rainforest. At the end of the day soak in thermal hot springs to soothe tired muscles in natural hot water. Later, tonight is a Kiwi favourite. Fish and Chips with plenty of fresh salads! (B,L,D)

Day 5.

Saturday - Caving - Return to Auckland
Drive through the spectacular Pureora Forest Range with groves of huge native trees, then into sheep farming country, before arriving at Waitomo Caves for some caving. After a cafe lunch, you have two options. For the more adventurous, you can head "down under" to explore an underground cave system. You will be fitted with a wetsuit, helmet, headlamp and floatation device to float down a subterranean stream, slide down waterfalls, and at one point switch off your headlamp to check out the incredible glowworms that live on the limestone ceiling of the cave. If wet-caving is not really your thing, you can take a more relaxed boat ride through one of the larger caves to see the glowworms and amazing rock formations. After a hot shower and hot soup, head back to Auckland, with a stop off at the airport for those wishing to catch evening flights. (B,L)

Grading & Fitness

Grade: B
Average of 4-5 hrs physical activity per day.
At times carrying small backpack of 4-5kgs.
Tracks generally in good condition.
Altitude gains of up to 600m on harder days.
No hiking experience necessary.
Reasonable standard of fitness required.

You don't have to have any outdoor experience to take this trip and you don't need to be a serious cyclist to enjoy the rides available. There are plenty of active options, but if you'd rather fish or just laze around one day, your guide can make this happen for you. You don't need to be young or really fit - but this trip has a lot of action at a reasonable pace, and is not designed for couch potatoes. Every one of the days on the trip will be unforgettable. Some physical preparation is recommended: brisk walking, jogging or cycling a couple of times a week during the month or so before you arrive to enable you to make the most of your trip.

Guides & Safety

Experienced Kiwi guides are used who are well-versed in the local culture, flora and fauna, and history. They are trained in Outdoor First Aid. You will have two guides on this trip to take good care of you - a Lead Guide who is in charge of your trip and does the driving and a Second Guide to assist the Lead Guide and make sure you're well fed.

What to take

Essential Items

Booking Conditions

Payment:

You may request to pay for this tour in US or NZ dollars. If you wish to pay in US dollars, it is necessary to pay the money directly into our US dollar account, and not by credit card.

You can pay in NZ dollars by credit card, or by direct transfer into our NZ dollar account.

Your bank will charge a set fee for telegraphic transfers but you will not incur any exchange fees. If you pay by credit card, your bank may charge a currency conversion fee(usually between 1% and 3%).

Deposits:

For bookings 4 or more months in advance of the departure a 25% deposit can be paid with the remainder due 65 days prior to your trip. For bookings within 4 months of the departure, full payment is required.

Cancellations:

More than 60 days before departure - 20% of full fare
60 - 30 days before departure - 50% of full fare
Within 30 days of departure - no refund.

Travel Insurance:

We suggest clients take out a comprehensive travel insurance.

Disclaimer:

On occasion changes need to be made to the stated itinerary, for example, if the usual accommodation is not available or if the weather is unsuitable for an activity.

Notes:

This trip is run in conjunction with another operator.