Ultimate North Island Adventure Tour

Package Overview

Trip Highlights
Hike into the remote Urewera National Park to the beautiful Lake Waikaremoana
Admire the steaming mud pools and spouting geysers at the amazing Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Reserve
Visit the mighty Huka Falls at Taupo
Complete the famous Tongariro Crossing, a spectacular day hike across volcanoes and lava flows
Visit Wellington, named as the World's "coolest little capital" with its museums, stylish shops and a vibrant coffee and craft beer culture
Experience real back country New Zealand with wild camping and hutting
Trip Summary
For those who have a little less time but want to experience the very best that the North Island can offer the Ultimate North is the ideal choice. Explore thermal areas in Rotorua. Trek the best sections of the remote Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk deep in the magical rainforests of Te Urewera National Park. Relax in lodges in beautiful locations. Discover the surreal volcanic wonderland of Tongariro National Park, climbing volcanoes and staying high above the world in an alpine hut. The Ultimate North has many short hikes and two overnight hikes using backcountry huts. Link this tour with the Ultimate South for the Ultimate New Zealand experience!

Trip Grading
Average 4-5 hours physical activity per day, up to 8-9 hours on longer days. Pack weights of 12-15kgs on some days. Altitude gains of up to 800m. Some uneven track surfaces and river crossings. No hiking experience necessary. Agility and fitness required. You need to be reasonably fit and enthusiastic. Terrain mostly tracks. Some may be slippery or rough; some off-track hiking and river crossings.International or domestic flights and taxes
Arrival and departure transfers
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
Sleeping bag, backpack, thermal top and long-johns, rain jacket, fleece jacket, gaiters and walking poles - all can be hired if needed, speak to our sales team
Travel insurance
Visa (if required)
Tips

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Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Auckland to Rotorua & Whirinaki

  We head south to Rotorua, with a café stop at 9am for those who missed breakfast. Rotorua has thermal areas and beautiful lakes, and with a backdrop of distant volcanoes it is quite unique. The area is also rich in Maori and early European history including the tragedy of the 1886 Mount Tarawera eruption that buried a Maori village. We have a quick stop by Lake Rotorua before heading away from the beaten track, southeast into the Whirinaki. This huge park preserves a remnant of the vast forests believed to have covered the super continent of Gondwanaland more than 150 million years ago. After a picnic lunch we hike a loop beside the stunning Whirinaki River, exploring ancient podocarp trees on our way to a waterfall. We overnight in the countryside with a mix of camping and simple cabins. Often, we are the only people here. We cook up a meal together and chill out by the flames of the outdoor brazier. Activities: 3 hours hiking, 11km Accommodation: Cabin or Camping

• Day 2 : Whirinaki to Te Urewera National Park

  This morning we drive east and further into the rugged forest ranges of the Te Urewera National Park. Home of the Tuhoe (Maori tribe) this area was so remote it was one of the last places in NZ where European influence was felt. After two hours winding through the most incredible rain forest we reach the western arm of the remote Lake Waikaremoana. We drive on to the southern end of the lake and stop for a picnic lunch and a chance to finish organising backpacks for the first hike. A water taxi skims us across the lake towards the trail, which forms one of New Zealand's nine Great Walks. We usually drop our packs at the lake-side hut or the campsite perched above a small beach before doing a 2 hour lake-side hike to a lovely waterfall. On return we set up camp here and as a group cook a meal. Soak up the surrounds; the reflections of wilderness in the lake, forest and mountains, bird song and tranquillity. On a still evening you can sometimes hear kiwi calls echo across the lake. Activities: 2 hours hiking, 7km Accommodation: Camping

• Day 3 : Lake Waikaremoana

  This morning we shoulder our packs and ready ourselves for some spectacular views. We climb up to the Panekiri Range through bright green tawa and beech forest until we are 500m above the lake. from here, we hike along the range offering breathtaking vistas for many kilometres north, south and west. Stopping at Panekiri Hut, we devour a well-earned lunch before following an undulating trail along the ridge through gnarled beech forest, passing many brilliant view points before the final descent to the road end. A 20 minute early evening drive takes us to a little camping area with sweet little cabins. Here we can relax, sit on the nearby wharf and enjoy a drink. We cook a meal together in the communal kitchen. Activities: 8 hours hiking, 17km Accommodation: Cabin or Camping

• Day 4 : Lake Waikaremoana to Taupo

  Today we drive southwest to the Taupo volcanic plateau, stopping for lunch and to explore an extraordinary thermal park (entrance fee included). We stop to bathe in a natural hot river, one of those secret spots only known to locals. We also stop at Huka Falls, where we feel the spray of New Zealand's longest river, the mighty Waikato, as it plunges 11 meters into a deep circular basin. Later we arrive at Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand – a 600 sq km volcanic caldera crater created when the largest volcanic explosion known to humankind erupted in 186 AD. At Lake Taupo we either grab takeaway food (own cost) or rustle up a quick 'trailer' meal at a lovely lake-side spot on route. Here we can relax on the strange pumice beach or enjoy an evening swim. We might catch a pretty sunset before driving the last hour to the Tongariro National Park. Activities: 2 hours hiking, 4km Accommodation: Cabin or Lodge

• Day 5 : Tongariro National Park

  Established in 1887, Tongariro National Park is New Zealand's first National Park, gifted to the people of New Zealand by a far-sighted Maori chief who saw this as a way of protecting the tapu (respect, sacredness, preciousness) of this land – in particular the summits of the active volcanoes. Although many hikers walk the busy one-day Alpine Crossing, only a fraction explore the remote and drier east side of this volcanic range like we are about to do, and almost no one does the side trips and short cuts we know about. Rest assured that we will hike the famous Crossing, considered one of the World's finest days walks, and we will aim to do that when there are less people about. After being dropped off at the trail start, we hike through waving tussock-grasslands near soaring volcanoes to a hut set in an enclave of native beech forest. Here we lunch before traversing stony deserts to an alpine hut at 1400m, perched on the edge of an old lava flow. From this hut there are fantastic views of the three main peaks in the park: Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. The latter starred as Mount Doom in Peter's Jackson's Lord of the Rings films. It's an extraordinary landscape of active volcanoes and lava valleys. Enjoy the experience of sharing an alpine hut with hikers from all over the world. We usually sleep in the hut but very occasionally camp. Activities: 5 hours hiking, 13km Accommodation: Backcountry hut or Camping

• Day 6 : Tongariro National Park

  Hike up through a moon-like valley of lava flows and ash fields before climbing steeply to the remarkable Emerald Lakes, which have graced the covers of many guidebooks. From here we join the spectacular Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The next few hours of hiking take us through an unforgettable wonderland of lava valleys, steaming craters, and brooding volcanoes, before our descent through bonsai-like alpine foliage and mineral infused streams. In good conditions, there is an option to climb high on one of the volcanic peaks. An evening drive takes us to a lodge in the heart of the National Park, the perfect place to relax with a beer and enjoy the million-dollar views across to the volcanoes before dining in the alpine village. Activities: 6-8 hours hiking, 15km Accommodation: Lodge

• Day 7 : Tongariro National Park to Wellington

  We begin the day by checking out the informative Park Visitor Centre before its time to go. As we drive south we leave the volcanoes to descend through the beautiful river valleys of the Rangitikei and finally along the coast to Wellington, where we arrive mid afternoon after a café break. Wellington is much more than New Zealand's stylish capital, it is also the nation's hub for arts, culture, cafés and politics. Enclosed by hills and a harbour, this compact city has many attractions within easy walking distance. You might like to visit the museum of New Zealand, called Te Papa, or the 'Beehive' (Parliament House) to watch some political shenanigans. Many visitors immerse themselves in the vibrant café scene and accessible downtown area. Activities: 1-2 hours hiking, 1km

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Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing
• 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
• 6 nights accommodation: 1 night camping, 3 nights cabin, 2 night backcountry hut
• Professional qualified driver/guide
• Private vehicle transport
• Visit to Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland near Rotorua, boat ride on Lake Waikaremoana
• Tent
• Inflatable sleeping mat
• Backpack liner (large plastic bag)
• Cooking equipment, plates & cutlery
• Snacks while hiking such as chocolate, nuts, raisons, biscuits
• First aid kit, safety equipment, maps
• Access and concession fees paid to the Department of Conservation
• New Zealand Goods and Services Tax (GST)

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Exclusions

• International or domestic flights and taxes
• Arrival and departure transfers
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
• Sleeping bag, backpack, thermal top and long-johns, rain jacket, fleece jacket, gaiters and walking poles - all can be hired if needed, speak to our sales team
• Travel insurance
• Visa (if required)
• Tips

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Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

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This Tour is Offered by

Adventure South Ltd View Profile

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• Phillipstown, Christchurch, New Zealand - 8145
• XXXXXX1222 View Contact
• XXXXXXXXXX@adventuresouth.co.nz View Mail ID

About Adventure South Ltd

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