Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland to The Heads
You'll arrive in Auckland early Tuesday morning and head north through native forests toward Waipoua. Once there, you can walk among the massive kauri trees and check out the harbour town of Opononi. Come evening, you'll return to Waipoua Forest for a guided twilight walk with Maori guides. This is when you'll experience the sacred greeting at Tane Mahuta, New Zealand's largest kauri tree, which makes for a memorable start to your trip.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk through Waipoua Forest beneath kauri trees
- Visit Tane Mahuta (Lord of the Forest)
- Twilight walk in Waipoua Forest with Maori guides including waiata (sacred chant)
Optional Activities
- Explore Opononi harbour town and learn about the tame dolphin Opo
Landmarks/POIs Waipoua Forest Tane Mahuta Opononi Hokianga Harbour - Day 2
Hokianga to Paihia
After breakfast, a water taxi takes you across Hokianga Harbour to Te Pouahi Reserve where you can try sandboarding and walk around the sand dunes. From there you'll head east to the Treaty Grounds at Waitangi and hike along the river through mangrove forest to reach Haruru Falls. Later you'll continue on to Paihia, a seaside town that sits on the Bay of Islands and serves as your base for the next few days.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Water taxi to Te Pouahi Reserve
- Sand dune walking at Te Pouahi Reserve
- Sandboarding (optional)
- Hike along Waitangi River through mangrove forest to Haruru Falls
- Visit Treaty Grounds at Waitangi
Optional Activities
- Sandboarding down dunes at Te Pouahi Reserve
Landmarks/POIs Te Pouahi Reserve Hokianga Harbour Treaty Grounds at Waitangi Waitangi River Haruru Falls Bay of Islands Paihia - Day 3
Paihia to Tutukaka
A water taxi from Paihia takes you to Deep Water Cove where you'll do a ridgeline hike to Cape Brett through the Manawahuna Scenic Reserve. The views across the Bay of Islands are great, and if you're lucky you'll see dolphins and seals. If hiking doesn't appeal, a boat trip alternative is available. After returning by water taxi, you'll head south to Ruapekapeka, an important historical site from the War of the North.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Water taxi to Deep Water Cove
- Ridgeline hike to Cape Brett through Manawahuna Scenic Reserve
- Water taxi scenic cruise return from Cape Brett to Paihia
- Visit Ruapekapeka Pā historic site
Optional Activities
- Alternative boat trip around Bay of Islands (for those not hiking)
Landmarks/POIs Deep Water Cove Cape Brett Manawahuna Scenic Reserve Bay of Islands Rakaumangamanga Ruapekapeka Pā - Day 4
Tutukaka to Poor Knights Islands
After an early morning walk, you'll board a purpose-built boat heading to the Poor Knights Islands, a major marine reserve and biodiversity hotspot. You can explore the world's largest sea cave and look for whales, dolphins, and other marine life. You'll have your choice of snorkeling or kayaking here. Scuba diving is available too if you arrange it beforehand.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Early morning walk
- Boat cruise to Poor Knights Islands
- Visit world's largest sea cave
- Snorkeling or kayaking exploration
Optional Activities
- Scuba diving upgrade (must be pre-arranged for additional fee)
Landmarks/POIs Poor Knights Islands - Day 5
Tutukaka to Auckland
You'll follow the coastal road south past white sand beaches to reach Waipu, a village with Scottish heritage worth a quick stop. At Mangawhai Heads you can walk along the coastal cliff top with views down the Northland coast, passing through bush and under pohutukawa trees before heading back down to the beach. From there it's a drive south to Auckland for the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Coastal walk at Mangawhai Heads with cliff top views
Optional Activities
- Explore Waipu village and learn about Scottish heritage dating back to 1850s
Landmarks/POIs Waipu Mangawhai Heads - Day 6
Auckland Free Day
This day is yours to explore Auckland as you like. The city has 48 volcanic cones you can check out for views, plus Rangitoto Island standing out as an iconic landmark. The Sky Tower offers panoramic views across the city, and if you're into movies, Hobbiton is worth the trip. Your guides can point you toward their favorite spots and suggest activities that match your interests.
Optional Activities
- Visit Rangitoto Island
- Climb or visit Sky Tower (328 metres, tallest man-made structure in New Zealand with views up to 80 kilometres)
- Tour Hobbiton - The Shire from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings film trilogies
- Explore Auckland's 48 volcanic cones
Landmarks/POIs Auckland Waitemata Harbour Manukau Harbour Rangitoto Island Sky Tower Hobbiton - The Shire - Day 7
Auckland to Rotorua
You'll depart Auckland and drive south to Te Aroha, which is known for its hot soda waters and Mokena geyser. A hike takes you among tree roots and mossy rocks with bridged river crossings leading to a lookout platform at the base of Wairere Falls on the Okauia fault line. Continue south to Rotorua, the heartland of Maori culture and a spiritual center for New Zealand's Maori people.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Wairere Falls viewpoint at base of falls on Okauia fault line
Optional Activities
- Explore Te Aroha township and learn about hot soda waters and Mokena geyser
Landmarks/POIs Te Aroha Mokena Geyser Wairere Falls Okauia Fault Line Rotorua - Day 8
Rotorua Forest & Geothermal
You can cycle the trails of Whakarewarewa Forest with routes for different fitness levels, or skip that for mineral spas and exploring Rotorua instead. Lunch is a picnic in the forest. Later you'll visit Te Puia geothermal valley to see gushing waters, steaming vents, boiling mud pools, and geysers. You'll watch a cultural performance by the Te Arawa tribe and then sit down to a traditional hangi feast cooked underground.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch in Whakarewarewa Forest), Dinner (Traditional hangi feast with cultural performance by Te Arawa tribe)
Included Activities
- Cycle trails in Whakarewarewa Forest (options for all abilities)
- Picnic lunch in forest
- Visit Te Puia geothermal valley with geysers, mud pools and steam vents
- Cultural performance by Te Arawa tribe
- Traditional hangi feast (food wrapped and buried in earth to cook over hot stones)
Optional Activities
- Soak in local mineral spas instead of cycling
- Explore Rotorua instead of cycling
Landmarks/POIs Whakarewarewa Forest Te Puia Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley - Day 9
Rotorua to Turangi
Heading south from Rotorua, you'll hike Rainbow Mountain through native forest past an impressive crater lake with panoramic views over the volcanic plateau. Next you'll follow the Waikato River, New Zealand's longest river, for spectacular views of Huka Falls and possibly natural hot spring dips. Later you'll reach Lake Taupo, which sits in a volcanic caldera, and stay on the banks of the Tongariro River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike Rainbow Mountain through native forest with crater lake views
- Hike to Huka Falls along the Waikato River
- Possible dip in natural hot springs
Landmarks/POIs Rainbow Mountain Waikato River Huka Falls Lake Taupo Tongariro River - Day 10
Tongariro National Park
You'll hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, considered one of the best mountain day hikes in the country. The terrain takes you through arid volcanic landscape with emerald lakes, cold mountain springs, lava flows, active craters, and steam vents. An easier hike at the base of Mount Ruapehu is available if you prefer. You'll bathe in natural thermal springs after and enjoy a celebratory dinner for your final evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Celebratory dinner)
Included Activities
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike (or alternative hikes depending on conditions/preference)
- Bathe in natural thermal springs
- Celebratory dinner
Optional Activities
- Alternative easier hike at base of Mount Ruapehu (highest active volcano in New Zealand)
- Winter alternative: Hike to Taranaki Falls (20 metres high with views of native beech forest to sub-alpine shrublands)
- Winter alternative: Hike to Silica Rapids (water cascading down creamy white terraces)
- Winter option: Tongariro Alpine Crossing with local specialist guide (includes crampons, ice axes and helmet)
Landmarks/POIs Tongariro National Park Tongariro Alpine Crossing Mount Tongariro Mount Ngauruhoe Mount Ruapehu Taranaki Falls Silica Rapids - Day 11
Waitomo Caves to Auckland
You'll head to Waitomo Caves in the morning for cave exploration. You can either float down a subterranean stream with waterfalls and view glowworms with your headlamp off, or do a guided walk through the Ruakuri cave system. Either option includes a shower and hot soup afterward. Then you'll return to Auckland with time to catch evening flights home or continue onward to South Island trips.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Choose between: Caving with underground stream float, waterfall slides and glowworm viewing OR Guided walk through Ruakuri cave system
- Shower and hot soup
Optional Activities
- Caving adventure: Float down subterranean stream, slide down waterfalls, view glowworms (includes wetsuit, helmet, headlamp, rubber tube)
- Alternative: Guided walk through Ruakuri cave system with geological significance information
Landmarks/POIs Waitomo Caves Ruakuri Cave System
