Tongariro, Waitomo & Rotorua

This morning, we’ll head out to cycle the trails of Whakarewarewa Forest. Cycling in the forest is a real highlight of the trip and we have options to suit all abilities. If you prefer not to cycle, you can stay and soak in the local mineral spas, or explore Rotorua. After a picnic lunch in the forest, we’ll visit Te Puia which is famed for the Te Whakarewarewa geothermal valley – a place of gushing waters, steaming vents, boiling mud pools, and impressive geysers. Tonight you’ll enjoy a cultural performance by members of the Te Arawa tribe and share a traditional feast. A hangi, as it’s known, is prepared by wrapping food and burying it in the earth to cook over hot stones. This healthy cooking method is similar to steaming and imparts a wonderful flavor.

Sudima Hotel, Rotorua (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Biking: 2-8 kilometers (1.5-5 miles), +/-20 meters (65 feet), 3 hours including bike fitting & bike briefing and depending on ability and preferences

We head south out of Rotorua today to hike Rainbow Mountain, aptly named due to the unusual color of the soil. We’ll head up through the native forest past an impressive crater lake for panoramic views over the volcanic plateau. Then after lunch, we’ll follow the track along New Zealand’s longest river, the Waikato, for a spectacular view of Huka Falls and maybe a dip in some natural hot springs. Traveling further south, we follow the shores of Lake Taupo, an enormous volcanic caldera and the site of the world’s largest eruption in the last 70,000 years. We’ll stay on the banks of the Tongariro River, New Zealand’s most famous trout fishing river.

Creel Lodge, Turangi (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Hiking: Rainbow Mountain Hike: 5 kilometers (3 miles), 3 hours. elevation +/- 340 meters (1,115 feet)
Hiking: Huka Falls Hike: 3 kilometers (2 miles), 1 hour, elevation +/- 20 meters (65 feet)

Just south of Turangi are three massive volcanoes (Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu) – located in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s oldest national park and the fifth oldest in the world. Here you’ll have the opportunity to walk what is considered the best mountain day hike in the country, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This full-day hike is challenging and unforgettable – the rewards are definitely worth the effort! The trail takes you through arid volcanic terrain that includes emerald lakes, cold mountain springs, lava flows, active craters, and steam vents – it’s unlike anything else in New Zealand. If you prefer, there’s an easier hike available at the base of Mount Ruapehu, the highest active volcano in New Zealand (this requires advanced booking, so be sure to tell us you'd like to do this at time of booking). Tonight, you can bathe in some natural thermal springs before having a celebratory dinner for our last night together.

Creel Lodge, Turangi (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Hiking: 20 kilometers (12 miles), 7-8 hours, elevation +/- 1,000 meters (3,280 feet)
Notes: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing in winter (from May until September): Whilst eye-catching, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a more challenging hike in winter, with alpine conditions such as snow and ice. If the weather isn’t suitable for the crossing, or you’d prefer to do a hike at a lower elevation (away from the snow and ice!), we have a fantastic couple of hikes up our sleeve, to Taranaki Falls and Silica Rapids. Both of these hikes showcase a variety of flora from native beech forest to sub-alpine shrublands, each culminating with a spectacular view; Taranaki Falls is 20 meters (65 feet) high and Silica Rapids has water cascading down a series of creamy white terraces. For those that are keen, and if the weather is suitable, you can still choose to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing with a local specialist guide. We’ll provide you with all the necessary gear such as crampons, ice axes and a helmet. This option must be booked at time of booking.

For our last day together, we’ll head to the spectacular Waitomo Caves for a morning of caving. For those keen, you’ll head down to explore an underground cave system. You’ll be fitted with a wetsuit, helmet, headlamp and rubber tube in order 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. A shower and some hot soup complete the picture. Alternatively, take in the subterranean beauty on foot with a guided walk through Ruakuri cave system where you’ll learn all about the geological significance of the area. Afterward, we’ll head back to Auckland where your trip finishes. We’ll have you at the airport in time to catch evening flights back home, or down south for one of our South Island trips.

No Accommodation (Breakfast, Lunch)