Northern Portion (5 days)
The North Island is blessed with an array of natural wonders. Discover the world underground at Waitomo, explore the geothermal delights of Rotorua, hike across active volcanoes and lava valleys in the world-renowned Tongariro National Park and sip coffee in the coolest little capital of the world – Wellington.
We have chosen excellent quality hotels and lodges and all rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Every place we stay has something special to offer and your evenings will be just as enjoyable as your days spent outdoors. Wonderful meals are included giving you an opportunity to sample the local cuisine from the restaurants in the cities and towns we stay.
2019 - Apr 11th / Oct 31st / Nov 14th / Nov 28th
2020 - Jan 23rd / Feb 06th / Feb 20th / Mar 19th
Tour Cost NZ $3,150 per person (twin share)
Tour Cost NZ $3,775 (single)
We have chosen excellent quality hotels and lodges and all rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Every place we stay has something special to offer and your evenings will be just as enjoyable as your days spent outdoors. Wonderful meals are included giving you an opportunity to sample the local cuisine from the restaurants in the cities and towns we stay.
2019 - Apr 11th / Oct 31st / Nov 14th / Nov 28th
2020 - Jan 23rd / Feb 06th / Feb 20th / Mar 19th
Tour Cost NZ $3,150 per person (twin share)
Tour Cost NZ $3,775 (single)
Day 1: Auckland to Rotorua:
1-2km/2 hours hiking
Meet your North Island guide and the rest of the group in the Heritage Hotel foyer at 7am before driving south through the classic patchwork green farming country alongside the Waikato River. Arriving at the Waitomo Caves area descend into the vaulted galleries of the Ruakuri Cave with its limestone formations and crystals. Be captivated by the thousands of tiny glowworms that cling to the cave ceiling and mimic a starlit night sky.
Later we emerge into the sunshine and wander on a loop trail through an outstanding limestone canyon.
We arrive in the volcanically active area of Rotorua late afternoon. Rotorua is also the centre of Maori cultural tourism in New Zealand and tonight we enjoy an evening meal and cultural performance.
Accommodation: Distinction Hotel, Rotorua.
Includes lunch and dinner.
1-2km/2 hours hiking
Meet your North Island guide and the rest of the group in the Heritage Hotel foyer at 7am before driving south through the classic patchwork green farming country alongside the Waikato River. Arriving at the Waitomo Caves area descend into the vaulted galleries of the Ruakuri Cave with its limestone formations and crystals. Be captivated by the thousands of tiny glowworms that cling to the cave ceiling and mimic a starlit night sky.
Later we emerge into the sunshine and wander on a loop trail through an outstanding limestone canyon.
We arrive in the volcanically active area of Rotorua late afternoon. Rotorua is also the centre of Maori cultural tourism in New Zealand and tonight we enjoy an evening meal and cultural performance.
Accommodation: Distinction Hotel, Rotorua.
Includes lunch and dinner.
Day 2: Rotorua Lakes to Taupo
8km/5 hours hiking
Hike alongside the beautifully clear Lake Tarawera, enjoying the shade that towering tree ferns and ignimbrite cliffs offer. Plop into the water to cool off at any one of the tiny pumice beaches as you wait for the others to catch up.
There are astonishing views all along this trail, giving glimpses of how expansive this massive wilderness of forest, lakes and volcanoes really is. In the afternoon we explore some of the amazing thermal areas located a little south of Rotorua. Wander along boardwalks that connect pools of bubbling mud, mineral-tainted hot pools and plumes of rising steam as you wonder at this unique area.
Grab a cuppa before we drive toward the lakeside town of Taupo. At Huka Falls feel the power as the huge Waikato River gets pinched through a narrow rock corridor. Our accommodation is in Taupo. Relax with a drink and enjoy the views.
Accommodation: Beechtree Motel, Taupo.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
8km/5 hours hiking
Hike alongside the beautifully clear Lake Tarawera, enjoying the shade that towering tree ferns and ignimbrite cliffs offer. Plop into the water to cool off at any one of the tiny pumice beaches as you wait for the others to catch up.
There are astonishing views all along this trail, giving glimpses of how expansive this massive wilderness of forest, lakes and volcanoes really is. In the afternoon we explore some of the amazing thermal areas located a little south of Rotorua. Wander along boardwalks that connect pools of bubbling mud, mineral-tainted hot pools and plumes of rising steam as you wonder at this unique area.
Grab a cuppa before we drive toward the lakeside town of Taupo. At Huka Falls feel the power as the huge Waikato River gets pinched through a narrow rock corridor. Our accommodation is in Taupo. Relax with a drink and enjoy the views.
Accommodation: Beechtree Motel, Taupo.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 3: Tongariro
8km/2-4 hours hiking
Enjoy the views of volcanic peaks across Lake Taupo before we drive around it's shores to New Zealand'’s first National Park, –Tongariro. Take a leisurely morning walk through stunning rainforest around the slopes of Mt Pihanga and to the mystical Lake Rotopounamu (Lake of Greenstone). The next two nights are spent in a hotel on the edge of the park, providing a great opportunity for you to explore the area at your leisure. Join the guide this afternoon for a great walk to Taranaki Falls, cascading 20 metres over a 15,000 year-old lava flow. Enjoy dinner with the group in the comfort of the Chateau.
Accommodation: Chateau Tongariro, Tongariro National Park.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
8km/2-4 hours hiking
Enjoy the views of volcanic peaks across Lake Taupo before we drive around it's shores to New Zealand'’s first National Park, –Tongariro. Take a leisurely morning walk through stunning rainforest around the slopes of Mt Pihanga and to the mystical Lake Rotopounamu (Lake of Greenstone). The next two nights are spent in a hotel on the edge of the park, providing a great opportunity for you to explore the area at your leisure. Join the guide this afternoon for a great walk to Taranaki Falls, cascading 20 metres over a 15,000 year-old lava flow. Enjoy dinner with the group in the comfort of the Chateau.
Accommodation: Chateau Tongariro, Tongariro National Park.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 4: Tongariro
23km/6-8 hours hiking
Join the guide today for a full days walking on the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, regarded as one of the best day walks in the world. The track is extremely well built and even a novice hiker will manage the gradual ascent up to the top of Mt Tongariro.
Your guide will set a pace that lets you stop and admire the views of the Red Crater, Emerald Lakes and steaming vents that make this hike so iconic. It will all be worth it when you celebrate at dinner with a bottle of fine New Zealand wine.
Those who prefer a more restful day can find plenty to do at the village: Soda Springs walk, Taranaki Falls walk, or simply drink coffee and view the great exhibits at the Park Visitor Centre. Enjoy your second night in this alpine village.
Accommodation: Chateau Tongariro, Tongariro National Park.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
23km/6-8 hours hiking
Join the guide today for a full days walking on the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, regarded as one of the best day walks in the world. The track is extremely well built and even a novice hiker will manage the gradual ascent up to the top of Mt Tongariro.
Your guide will set a pace that lets you stop and admire the views of the Red Crater, Emerald Lakes and steaming vents that make this hike so iconic. It will all be worth it when you celebrate at dinner with a bottle of fine New Zealand wine.
Those who prefer a more restful day can find plenty to do at the village: Soda Springs walk, Taranaki Falls walk, or simply drink coffee and view the great exhibits at the Park Visitor Centre. Enjoy your second night in this alpine village.
Accommodation: Chateau Tongariro, Tongariro National Park.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 5: Tongariro National Park to Wellington:
Rest your legs this morning as we drive south through rolling green hill country to the capital city of Wellington. You usually arrive in Wellington in time to grab a late lunch; a great opportunity to sample the fare in this cafe capital.
The tour finishes early afternoon in this buzzing wee city. Stroll along the fabulous waterfront and absorb some of New Zealand’s history in the national museum - Te Papa, or simply get lost admiring the heritage houses along one of the many improbably steep streets. Nowhere is very far in Wellington. There is a vibrant café and restaurant scene here, enjoy.
Includes breakfast.
Rest your legs this morning as we drive south through rolling green hill country to the capital city of Wellington. You usually arrive in Wellington in time to grab a late lunch; a great opportunity to sample the fare in this cafe capital.
The tour finishes early afternoon in this buzzing wee city. Stroll along the fabulous waterfront and absorb some of New Zealand’s history in the national museum - Te Papa, or simply get lost admiring the heritage houses along one of the many improbably steep streets. Nowhere is very far in Wellington. There is a vibrant café and restaurant scene here, enjoy.
Includes breakfast.
Trip Highlights:
* Waitomo glowworm caves
* Maori cultural performance and Hangi
* New Zealand's best geothermal activity - Rotorua
* Cross spectacular volcanic terrain - Tongariro National Park
* Day hikes and excellent ensuite accommodation
Trip Grading:
B (no outdoor experience required just reasonable fitness)
Accommodation:
The Northern Portion uses a range of hotels and quality lodges chosen for their good standards and wonderful locations. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Some lodges have units with two bedrooms per unit. Rooms are twin share or doubles. If you are travelling on your own you will be given a twin share room with a fellow traveller of the same gender. Single supplements are available on this tour.
The Northern Portion has been created for those that appreciate a high standard of accommodation after a good day of hiking
Guides:
An excellent guide can make the difference between a trip of a lifetime and just an ordinary trip. That is why we work hard to make sure we hire the best guides. Our handpicked professionals come from a range of backgrounds. Each has extensive outdoor and hiking experience and a passion for New Zealand’s wild and beautiful backcountry. Our guides will ensure that your time with us is truly inspiring, a huge amount of fun and safe. All guides are trained in Mountain Safety First Aid.
* Waitomo glowworm caves
* Maori cultural performance and Hangi
* New Zealand's best geothermal activity - Rotorua
* Cross spectacular volcanic terrain - Tongariro National Park
* Day hikes and excellent ensuite accommodation
Trip Grading:
B (no outdoor experience required just reasonable fitness)
Accommodation:
The Northern Portion uses a range of hotels and quality lodges chosen for their good standards and wonderful locations. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Some lodges have units with two bedrooms per unit. Rooms are twin share or doubles. If you are travelling on your own you will be given a twin share room with a fellow traveller of the same gender. Single supplements are available on this tour.
The Northern Portion has been created for those that appreciate a high standard of accommodation after a good day of hiking
Guides:
An excellent guide can make the difference between a trip of a lifetime and just an ordinary trip. That is why we work hard to make sure we hire the best guides. Our handpicked professionals come from a range of backgrounds. Each has extensive outdoor and hiking experience and a passion for New Zealand’s wild and beautiful backcountry. Our guides will ensure that your time with us is truly inspiring, a huge amount of fun and safe. All guides are trained in Mountain Safety First Aid.