North Island Adventure

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
If you join the tour in the central city you will immediately head up Mount Eden to check out the spectacular views from the top of this volcano. You'll be able to see the point where the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea are less than a mile apart. Here the North Island narrows to a strategic isthmus, which gave Auckland great importance to both the Maori and the early European settlers. After picking up other guests from the airport you will travel east across the Hauraki Plains to the historic Karangahake Gorge for a hike through this historic gold mining area, followed by a picnic lunch. In the afternoon head out to the coast near Waihi to hike around a series of headlands clad in native Pohutakawa trees to the impressive and secluded Orokawa Beach. Here you look out over the sweeping coastline and scattered islands of the Bay of Plenty, which was aptly named by Captain Cook when he visited in 1777. After the hike head south through kiwifruit growing country to Rotorua. There is a great deal of geothermal activity beneath Rotorua, so you will see steaming pools of mud, fumaroles, and smell the distinctive whiff of sulfur that characterizes 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 smoky flavor. Vegetarians, of course, are well catered for. (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. Then you can explore by bike the smooth trails in the pine forests that girdle Rotorua. There are biking options to suit all abilities and levels of interest. The biking is highly recommended although you're welcome to stay in Rotorua if you prefer. Leave Rotorua and then go hiking up the Waikato River (New Zealand's longest) to the impressive Huka Falls. Next, head south for a short drive down the length of Lake Taupo, the biggest volcanic crater in the world, to Turangi on the southern shore of this lake. You will have time to take a walk alongside the Tongariro River, one of the country's most famous trout fishing rivers while your guide cooks up a great Kiwi barbeque dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 4. Friday - Tongariro National Park
Turangi is nestled between Lake Taupo and three massive volcanoes in the central plateau of the North Island; Mount Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu. There are two options here - if the weather is fine, you can walk the well-marked Tongariro Crossing, a seven-hour unguided hike known as the best one-day mountain hike in New Zealand. The Crossing is a spectacular trip on a less than perfect day, but it is even more amazing on a clear one! If you prefer, you and your guide can choose a couple of shorter walks in Tongariro National Park. Firstly, hike through native tussock to a waterfall at the base of Mount Ruapehu, the highest active volcano in New Zealand. Then, hike around an isolated mountain lake in the middle of virgin prehistoric rainforest. At the end of the day soak in thermal hot springs to soothe tired muscles in natural hot water. Later, your guide will prepare a well-earned barbeque for your last night together! (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 café 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)

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.

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.

Essential Items

Day pack

hiking boots

waterproof jacket and trousers

2 x wool or fleece sweaters

fleece jacket

warm wool or fleece hat

sun hat

3 pairs warm socks

thermal underwear (polypropylene or similar, not cotton or silk)

towel

swimsuit

sport sandals

This clothing will keep you warm and comfortable during outdoor activities - cotton clothing is not suitable. You will also need other clothing and shoes for between activities, i.e. evenings, travel.

Recommended items:

camera

insect repellent

sunblock

water bottle

cycling shorts

flashlight or headlamp

warm gloves

hiking gaiters

walking poles

New Zealand is a small country - about 1000 miles from top to bottom, and only about 150 miles wide. This trip focuses on spending as little time as possible sitting in vehicles so that you can spend your time on outdoors-oriented adventure. The average driving time over the period of this trip is just over two hours a day, and as much time as possible is spent in the outdoors. Modern, comfortable minibuses are used. Make no mistake - this trip is not a typical bus tour! Vehicles are fitted with good stereo systems, and you will hear plenty of New Zealand music.

Meals are provided as indicated in italics at the bottom of each day's itinerary above. 'B' = breakfast provided, 'L' = lunch provided, and 'D' = dinner meal provided. On days where you start early, breakfast consists of cereal, yoghurt, fruit, toast, coffee and juice. When there is more time, your guide will make pancakes and full cooked breakfasts. Lunches are usually picnic style - sandwiches, salad and fruit, or maybe a barbecue - in some beautiful spot. Dinners are usually two- or three-course meals, covering a range of styles. Vegetarians and people with particular dietary needs or preferences are easily catered for.

The first two nights of the trip are spent at Cedar Wood Lodge, Rotorua and nights 3 and 4 at Creel Lodge, Turangi. For the standard price of this tour you will get a shared room which means that if you don't have a travel partner you will be matched up with another person of the same gender to share a room. If there is not roommate for you, you will not be charged a single supplement.

If you are travelling on your own, and you would prefer not to twin-share, you can request your own private room, dependent on space availability. For this you will need to pay a single room supplement.

Many of the rooms have ensuite facilities however there is also a good chance you will be asked to share a bathroom with others.

What will the weather be like?
Generally, you can expect the daytime temperatures to be in the mid-60s Fahrenheit and above in the off season and mid-70s and above in the middle of summer. It can get very hot at times and it can rain at any time of year. So long as you bring the gear recommended, you’ll have lots of fun - whatever the weather!

How many people are there on each trip?
A maximum of 14 passengers are on each trip and all trips have at least two staff to look after you. Many people have commented that the social scene was one of the highlights of their trip!

How much luggage can I bring?
There are no particular restrictions on how much luggage you may bring. Space is limited though, so it is requested that you not to bring too much stuff. In general, it is recommended trying to bring one large piece of luggage, and a day pack as a carry on/day bag. There are several places to do laundry while on the road, so you don't need to bring clothes for more than 3 or 4 days.

I need to bring extra luggage with me to New Zealand. Where can I store my extra gear?
It is possible to bring extra gear along on your trip and leave it in the back of the luggage compartment of your trip's vehicle. If you have excessive luggage, request storage at your pre-tour accommodation.

Will I be able to do laundry during my trip?
You will have access to laundry facilities most days. You will not need to bring laundry soap.

Do I really need everything on the gear list?
Yes, you really do need all of the required items on the gear list. You will stay warm and happy, especially if it's cold and rainy. And it can be cold and rainy at any time of year, although you are most likely to have good weather for most of your trip. Your guide will do a gear check before heading into the mountains, and if you don't have any of the required clothing items, the guide will try to lend you it. But if there is no extra clothing for you to borrow, you will be asked to buy it.

Some meals

Alcohol you would like to consume at the end of the day.

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 20% 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.