North Island Luxury
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Day 1 – Auckland arrival + Drive to Rotorua – 230km (3 hour drive)
You will be met at the airport by one of our friendly guides, where your epic journey through the North Island begins! You farewell the ‘City of Sails’ and head south towards Rotorua; a hot spot for Maori culture and thermal activity. En route you will visit Hobbiton and The Shire’s Rest, the only remaining film set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies (included activity). Arrive in Rotorua in the afternoon and perhaps take a city tour featuring Kuirau Park mud pool reserve and view the stunning government gardens and lakefront. This afternoon/evening you could experience a relaxing soak in the thermal waters of the famous Polynesian Spa (optional – extra cost)
Your luxury remote accommodation for the next 2 nights is set on the shores of picturesque Lake Tarawera and feature panoramic views of the lake and magnificent volcanoes.
Overnight: Solitaire Lodge or similar
Dinner included today
Day 2 – Rotorua
This morning you will take a guided walk around Te Puia and experience mud pools and geysers and visit the Maori Weaving School and Kiwi House (included activity). This is a chance to see our national bird up close. This afternoon is free for leisure activities. Options include: Rotorua Gondola and Luge, a trip to Rotorua Agrodome to experience zorbing, a self-guided walk through the stunning Waimangu Volcanic Valley + boat ride on Lake Rotomahana, a visit to a kiwifruit farm, a trip to The Buried Village of Te Wairoa, or a visit to the spectacular Redwoods Treewalk! (all activities listed are optional – extra cost). Tonight you will enjoy a Hangi and cultural performance with our native Maori people (included activity).
Overnight: Solitaire Lodge or similar
Breakfast and dinner included today
Day 3 – Rotorua to Tongariro National Park – 195 km (2.5 hour drive)
You leave Rotorua today and head south towards one of New Zealand’s three Unesco World Heritage sites; Tongariro National Park. Your first stop for the day is Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland – a Wonderland of Stunning Geothermal Activity. You will see New Zealand’s largest thermal mud pool, sinter terraces and stunning hot and cold pools of many different colours (included activity). Heading south and stopping at the mind-blowingly powerful Huka Falls en route, you will reach Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. Arriving in Tongariro National Park, you are surrounded not only by active volcanoes and the beautiful Mangawhero Falls but several LOTR filming locations, including areas used to portray Mordor, the rocky wasteland of Emyn Muil and the stunning volcano of Mount Ngaurauhoe, known by LOTR fans as the one and only Mount Doom!
This evening you will enjoy a nice meal and a good rest at the picturesque Chateau Tongariro. The Chateau is situated in the heart of the national park and boasts stunning views of the volcanoes.
Overnight: Chateau Tongariro or similar
Breakfast and dinner included today
Day 4 – Tongariro National Park to Mt Huia Farmstay – 130km (1.5 hour drive)
Today you will drive to River Valley Lodge, where you will be taken on a full day rafting trip down the Rangitikei River which will see you drifting through dramatic landscapes which portrayed the stunning “River Anduin.” in the Lord of the Rings. Tonight you will be staying on a farm stay known as Mt Huia High Country Farm. Your experience includes a tour of the property and scrumptious home cooked dinner and breakfast with the family.
Tonight you will be staying on a farm stay in the lower North Island area of Mangaweka on a property known as Mt Huia Hill Country Farm. This is a great experience to experience New Zealand Sheep Farming and your experience includes a tour of the property and scrumptious home cooked dinner and breakfasts with the family.
Overnight: Mt Huia New Zealand High Country Farmstay or similar
Breakfast and dinner included today
Day 5 – Mt Huia to Waitomo – 260km (3.25 hour drive)
This morning you head north through both the Waikato and King Country areas to reach Waitomo, New Zealand’s most extensive underground caving network . You will take a 1 hour guided walking tour through the spectacular caves and see the impressive glow-worms that light up the cave roof and stalagmite rock formations. From there you will spend the day in the Waitomo area exploring various nature walks and spectacular waterfalls.
From here drive a further 45 minutes to spectacular Lake Karapiro Lodge. Tonight enjoy spectacular cuisine at the lodge with spectacular views.
Overnight: Lake Karapiro Lodge or similar
Breakfast and dinner included today
Day 6 – Lake Karapiro to Auckland 145km (2 hour drive)
This morning after further Lake Karapiro area, you take the drive north to Auckland where you will be transferred to Auckland International Airport. We trust that you have had a memorable exclusive tour with us.
Breakfast included today
“The Road Trip made it really easy for us to just relax and enjoy every single day of our stay in NZ and Raro. Tēnā rawa atu koe.”
Nicole Pla and Luis Laphan – Mexico, July 2018