Timeless North - Nikau

New Zealand’s award winning wines – Maori cultural experience – Harbour cruising – Geothermal wonderland

Days: 6 Days
From: US$3,999 + 15% tax
Activity Level: Leisurely
Group Size: 4 - 12 people
Days: 6
From: US$3,999 + 15% tax
Activity Level: Leisurely
Group Size: 4 - 12 people

Trip Overview

Warmth, water, island vistas, awe-inspiring volcanic landscapes and ancient sub-tropical forests make the North Island an intriguing destination. We’ll start by sampling outstanding Kiwi wine on Waiheke Island after a cruise out of Auckland’s impressive harbour. Next we’ll witness the geothermal wonders of the volcanic North Island and experience a traditional maori cultural evening, dining on delicious fresh food cooked in the hot earth!

Our walks take us along stunning sections of the Waikato River, to some astounding waterfalls, and around deep crater-lakes. We’ll take in the old-world decadence of Chateau Tongariro, probably New Zealand’s most famous hotel, where we’ll indulge in afternoon-tea in the heart of Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage area. This trip will introduce you to the North Island’s best recognised traits – maori culture, geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and delicious New Zealand wine. This trip can be extended to include 7 days on the South Island – the whole 13 day experience is our ‘Pristine New Zealand’ trip.

Areas Visited:
– Auckland
– Waiheke Island
– Rotorua
– Sanctuary Mountain, Cambridge
– Tongariro National Park

Itinerary

Day 1 - Waiheke Island Wine & Walking

What better way to kick off 6 days of walking and indulgence than a short cruise across the Hauraki Gulf from our largest cosmopolitan city, to Waiheke Island? A spectacularly beautiful place where bohemians decided to escape the rat race in the 60s, now home to some of our most exclusive wineries and stunning coastline. We’ll check out the coastal Park Point Peninsula walk and eat a delicious lunch, before sampling the acclaimed local artisan red wines. After a short cruise back into Auckland Harbour, we’ll head south through the rolling green countryside to Rotorua for our first night.

Accommodation: Wai Ora Resort, Rotorua.

Wines: Waiheke is a premier wine growing area in New Zealand. Sample and enjoy.

Dining: Selection of Puhoi cheeses and local island fare. Dinner out on Rotorua’s 'Eat Street'.

Day 2 - Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland, Te Puia Maori Experience

Wake up in Rotorua, the cultural hub of New Zealand, and sample our fine espresso coffee. Once we’re wide awake and well fed we’ll drive a short distance down the road to the thermal wonderland of Wai-o-tapu, New Zealand’s premier area of geothermal activity. Bubbling mud, steaming cracks in the earth, myriad sulphuric colours and smells abound in this fascinating area. Tonight we’ll spend the evening appreciating local culture and history at a Maori cultural & dining experience at Te Puia.

Accommodation: Wai Ora Resort, Rotorua.

Dining: We’ll dine at Te Puia this evening, experiencing a ‘Hangi’ – a traditional Maori feast cooked in an earth oven.

Day 3 - Walk Huka Falls, Visit Lake Rotopounamu

No need to hurry this morning – we’ll take our time with breakfast, before heading south to our largest inland body of water – Lake Taupo. Draining from the lake is the Waikato River, which starts its journey through a tight cataract and spectacular chute – Huka Falls. We’ll walk the trail to the Falls and have lunch on the lakefront. For those who are keen, we’ll then walk some of the loop track around a crater lake, Lake Rotopounamu. Afterwards we’ll head to our accommodation, Oreti Village, where your guides will cook up a delicious dinner.

Accommodation: Oreti Village, Turangi.

Dining: Your talented guides will cook a delicious dinner this evening.

Day 4 - Explorer Tongariro National Park, afternoon tea at Chateau Tongariro

Wide open arid volcanic landscapes, picture perfect volcanic peaks, waterfalls and clear flowing waters; it’s no wonder this is a World Heritage site. Today we’ll take the Silica Rapids walk, which follows a cascading stream through mountain beech forest to the creamy white terraces carved out from thousands of years of volcanic activity. If you’re up for another waterfall, we’ll take a 6 kilometre loop track to Taranaki Falls, where the water tumbles 20 metres over a 15,000 year old lava flow to crash into the pool below. This afternoon we’re heading to one of New Zealand’s most iconic hotels, in the volcanic central plateau, the Chateau Tongariro, where we’ll have afternoon tea. This evening your wonderful guides will prepare another delicious meal.

Accommodation: Oreti Village, Turangi.

Dining: We’ll eat a boxed lunch while we’re out exploring Silica Rapids. In the afternoon, High Tea at Chateau Tongariro will be served, an indulgent exercise best experienced from in front of the Ngauruhoe window. Your guides will cook up some delicious New Zealand fare this evening for dinner.

Day 5 - Sanctuary Mountain, Explore Cambridge Township

Today we’ll take a beautifully scenic drive north, around the west side of Lake Taupo, to Maungatautari, where we’ll explore Sanctuary Mountain. This conservation project is a gigantic predator-proof area of 3400 hectares. The project aims to continue the re-introduction of threatened and endangered species via breeding programmes, and gives visitors the opportunity to see some of New Zealand’s most incredible animals in a sound ecological environment. Later today we’ll head for the town of Cambridge where we’ll spend the night. Known as ‘the town of trees and champions’ as well as New Zealand’s equine capital, we’ll explore this quaint community on the banks of the powerful Waikato River, before our farewell dinner out at a Cambridge restaurant.

Accommodation: Kelly Road Cambridge Lodge, Cambridge.

Dining: For our final dinner together your guides will take you to their favourite restaurant in town. (All meals included)

Day 6 - Return to Auckland, Depart

It’s time to depart this morning. We’ll take the drive north back to Auckland airport, passing through a multitude of small North Island towns along the way. You’ll leave the volcanic north revitalised and filled with incredible memories of local culture, breathtaking walking trails, rivers and waterfalls. This trip can be extended to include 7 days on the South Island – the whole 13 day experience is our ‘Pristine New Zealand’ trip. (Breakfast included)

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What’s Included

Once you arrive, we want you to relax, escape the day to day, and indulge in the incredible sights, sounds, tastes and hospitality that make our trips world beating so we include almost everything in our trip fares.

Your trip fare includes:

  • Meals.
    – New Zealand is the home of fresh and decadent produce. It’s a big part of the New Zealand experience, so we’ve made sure most of your meals are included. In the ‘Dining’ section for each day’s description you’ll see which meals are included that day. The only ones we don’t include are on days where you’re free to go exploring the local dining scene.
  • Transport on the ground.
    – Our passenger vehicles are very comfortable. When you arrive, we’ll pick you up from the Auckland Crowne Plaza Hotel, and we’ll take care of the rest, until you either board your flight at Auckland Airport, or leave us to explore more of New Zealand on your own.
  • All guiding.
    – A fantastic guide will take your trip from “great” to “I don’t know how life will ever be same.” Our incredible local guides will ensure that your New Zealand experience is seamless, relaxing and welcoming, you’ll feel like you’ve gained a couple of family members!
  • All accommodation.
    – We enjoy our creature comforts, so a good night’s sleep, cosy & comfortable surroundings and first class hosting are just as important as where we are and what we’re doing. So you’ll find yourself in lovely 4 star accommodations located in beautiful and sometimes secluded places, with quiet rooms, great views, comfortable amenities and impeccable service. When we’re a bit more off the beaten track, we’ve managed to track down similarly comfortable places to stay, in locations which might not even have road access!
  • All activities in the itinerary.
    – Walking in wild, scenic and beautiful places is what we do, although we’ll also be taking a cruise and jet boat ride. There are some optional activities that aren’t included, highlighted as “optional”. That said, all activities are optional – this is a holiday not a bootcamp!
  • Wine.
    – With dinner every night we’ll feature a couple of bottles of local wine. We love our local wines and enjoy sharing them with our guests in beautiful surrounds.

Not Included:

  • Flights to New Zealand
    – This trip starts and finishes in Auckland. Chat to our team for advice on best times to travel and routes to get here.

Departure Dates

  • Click on the date below that you are interested in, and we’ll get back to you straight away to let you know about space & answer your questions.

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0800 234 726

Reserve this trip over the phone Monday-Friday, 11 AM to 9 PM Pacific Time

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