- - Visit Lake Taupo and Huka Falls
- - Traditional Hangi lunch
- - Overnight stay in a traditional Maori marae
Your dream trip starts here
Sweet As North
Trip Overview
On this short but sweet as trip, you'll hike the picturesque Tongariro National Park, make your way through Middle Earth and stay overnight in a traditional Maori marae - with plenty of waterfalls, lakes, mud pools and volcanoes to feast your eyes on along the way. Feeling brave? Why not get your adrenalin pumping with an extreme sport or two? When in New Zealand...
Worth noting…
This is a sector of the 17 Day Kiwi Encounter trip.
YOUR #TOPDECKER TRAVEL MOMENTS
Trip itinerary
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Tongariro National Park
2Rise and shine – we’ve got exploring to do! Known as one of the best one-day hikes in the world, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing sure lives up to its reputation – and you’ll get the chance to complete it today (weather dependent). With three volcanic peaks dominating the horizon and terrain that’ll make you feel like you’re on Mars, this hike is 100% worth the sore legs the next day. Rather have yourself a four-wheeled adventure? There’s an optional quad biking experience on offer, if you’re interested. Let’s do this!
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Included Today
- Short guided walk around Tongariro National Park
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Optional extras
- Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing: from $195.00
- Quad biking in Tongariro National Park: from $155.00
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Included Today
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Tongariro National Park to Rotorua
3Today we’ll swing by beautiful Lake Taupo before making tracks to Huka Falls (you’ll hear the rumble before you see them). Then: crank the heat up to the max, ‘cos we’re off to check out the area’s famous geothermal activity on an included tour. This experience comes complete with a traditional Hangi lunch – a meal of roasted meat and veggies slowly cooked in an underground oven pit. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for Kiwi birds! Later, we’ll learn some Haka moves and watch a Poi dance before tucking into a delicious dinner at a traditional marae (Maori meeting ground).
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Included Today
- Visit Lake Taupo and Huka Falls
- Traditional Hangi lunch
- Overnight stay in a traditional Maori marae
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
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Included Today
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Rotorua
4Are you ready for all the optional extras your free day has to offer? Take a walk through Tolkien's dreams at the Hobbiton movie set or head to a geothermal reserve for a relaxing mud spa. For the thrill-seekers, there's Zorbing on offer here too (think: rolling downhill in a giant inflatable ball). When in New Zealand!
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Visit the Hobbiton movie set: from $124.00
- Canopy tour of Rotorua: from $159.00
- Visit a mud bath and spa: from $75.00
- Zorbing in Rotorua: from $45.00
- Whitewater rafting in Rotorua: from $90.00
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Meals
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Rotorua to Auckland
5Wah! It’s the last day already? On our way out of Rotorua we’ll swing by the Waitomo Caves – a glowworm-studded labyrinth of underground caves and rivers. This place is like something out of a sci-fi movie! Choose to explore on foot, by boat or brave the cold on a unique blackwater rafting experience (trust us, it’s awesome). Later on, we’ll say hello to Auckland – and goodbye to the trip. With so much to see here, we wouldn’t blame you for wanting to stick around, though!
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves: from $53.00
- Ruakuri Cave: from $76.00
- Blackwater rafting at Waitomo Caves: from $147.00
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Meals
What's included
Included experiences
Accommodation
-3 nights in hotels, 1 night in a traditional Maori marae
Transport
Modern air-conditioned vehicle with free Wi-Fi
Optional activities
-Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing: from $195.00
-Quad biking in Tongariro National Park: from $155.00
-Visit the Hobbiton movie set: from $124.00
-Canopy tour of Rotorua: from $159.00
-Visit a mud bath and spa: from $75.00
-Zorbing in Rotorua: from $45.00
-Whitewater rafting in Rotorua: from $90.00
-Waitomo Glowworm Caves: from $53.00
-Ruakuri Cave: from $76.00
-Blackwater rafting at Waitomo Caves: from $147.00
HOBBITON MOVIE SET TOUR - PRE-BOOK NOW
Take a step into Tolkein’s dreams as we explore the Hobbiton movie set and learn how this fantasy world came to life on selected New Zealand Explorer trips. This ultimate bucket-list experience can now be booked online – check out all the deets below!
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