Small Group Tour
Small Group Tour
This 7-day, small group guided tour of the North Island will visit the Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupō, and the bustling capital Wellington, with the option to add on paid tours at Hobbiton and the Tongariro Crossing along the way. With accommodation and some activities included (see below), our tours are hassle-free, authentic experiences for those short on time.
This tour departs Auckland at 8:30 am from Lylo and finishes in Wellington at approximately 5 pm.
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Tour Dates - 2023
NZ $1759
Departing Auckland we head southeast to the pristine beaches of the Coromandel and the world-famous Cathedral Cove (included). Here you have the option to kayak around this stunning coastline (optional paid activity) as well as the opportunity to visit Hot Water Beach (included). On this unique surf beach, if you catch the tide right, you can dig a hole in the sand to create your personal hot spa pool.
Leaving the gorgeous Coromandel behind we’ll venture into the enchanting Karangahake Gorge nestled among the Kaimai Ranges, for a hike (included) amongst the walkways and old mining tunnels. If that isn’t enough fun for one day, then never fear, next, we’ll head over to Waitomo ('wai' meaning water, 'tomo' meaning hole) for a magical tour of the world-famous glow-worm caves. For those feeling a little more adventurous, you will have the opportunity to experience a Black Water Rafting trip. (additional paid activity)
We start the day by walking through the Ruakuri Reserve and saying goodbye to those glowing little critters. Next, we'll pass through The Shire of Hobbiton, where you’ll have the opportunity to discover the Hobbiton Movie Set (optional paid activity) before rolling on through to Rotorua, a mystical land of bubbling mud pools, rocketing geysers and natural hot springs. This afternoon, we head off to visit the Te Pa Tu Māori Village, where you will be immersed in the traditions and cultural values of the Māori people. Participate in a pōwhiri (welcoming ceremony), and learn about the history of the marae (village) and the Rotorua area from a local Māori guide before feasting on some top kai (food) from the hāngi pit. Afterwards, gather around a blazing bonfire where you will enjoy Māori myths and legends before relaxing in a private forest spa pool and retiring for the night in a traditional carved whare moe (sleeping house).
If you haven't had a chance yet to explore the geothermal reserve of Te Puia, we will check it out this morning before heading onto Great Lake Taupo, taking in a walk to the pounding Huka Falls (included). In Taupo, there is lots to do, tell us what you’re in the mood for, and we’ll get you there. The lake (actually an extinct volcano crater) is a sight from the shoreline (included). Still, the more adventurous might want to take the opportunity to experience optional paid activities such as sail across the lake on a yacht to the Māori rock carvings or even getting a birds-eye view by skydiving above it. After an afternoon exploring Taupo, we'll head to Tongariro National Park for our 2-night stay, where you can either walk the Tongariro Crossing (one of NZ's Great Walks) or explore the beauty of this magnificent National Park.
So many unique options for your free day in Tongariro National Park. Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (additional paid activity); a dramatic landscape of stunning contrasts created by extinguished lava flows and emerald lakes. It’s no surprise Tongariro is often described as one of New Zealand’s best one-day hikes. In the winter season, you're just a hop, skip and jump from two amazing ski fields on Mount Ruapehu; Whakapapa and Turoa.
We head south around the “great lake” towards the Tongariro National Park for a picnic lunch and a two-hour walk through native bush and waterfalls. In the afternoon we travel through to the ultimate adventure lodge - River Valley, situated amongst towering cliffs and bush-clad hills. The lodge offers grade five rafting on the Rangitikei River, scenic horse riding and an amazing dinner with homegrown produce. Spend the evening enjoying the delicious roast dinner and relaxing by the open fire.
Today, we’ll cruise through the southern end of the North Island to the capital, Wellington. Here you can experience Mount Victoria (included) and then passengers have the opportunity to experience the national museum, Te Papa (included) and get amongst the thriving craft beer scene.
Our Small Group Tours offer a fixed itinerary, with a few bucket list items included. There are plenty of additional activities you can add on to your experience as you travel.
I really enjoyed this tour, thank you so much!
Fortunately, we had two guides this time and they were so kind, friendly and well-informed :) Activities included were awesome! Experiences about Maori were especially interesting for me. If there is someone who wants to go to the north Island, I’ll surely recommend joining this tour!! Thanks to Arias, Ahu, the crew and KiwiExperience, this trip has become a great memory for me ;)
Best Trip of My Whole Life
Brought a ticket after my car broke and to be honest i am not regretting it. I saw things i never expected to saw and so many amazing people around me which was awesome! :) Thank you for that.
I’m a solo traveller... will I meet other solo travellers?
Absolutely! The majority of our passengers are travelling solo. Kiwi Experience is a social experience guaranteed to leave with new friends from across the globe.
Am I too old/young for Kiwi Experience?
We welcome the young, and the young at heart aboard our buses, there is no upper limit! There is however a lower limit; you’ll need to be 18 at the time of travel.
What visas do I need?
Luckily, many nationalities are able to visit New Zealand for less than 3 months without a visa. However, if you are not from one of these countries, obtaining your own visa is your own responsibility. We ask that you check out the Immigration New Zealand website before booking your Kiwi Experience trip.
Do I need travel insurance?
While not mandatory, travel insurance is strongly recommended and should be taken out when travelling with us. As well as making sure your expensive stuff is covered, you should also get comprehensive travel insurance (covering all medical expenses you could incur while travelling).
How much should I budget for each day?
We recommend you budget between $70 - $100 per day to cover food and super fun times. From time to time, it may be worth putting a little more aside to pay for the really crazy stuff like skydiving.
How much luggage am I allowed to bring?
Passengers are allowed one 23kg suitcase/backpack and one day bag, as there are strict weight restrictions on our buses.
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