Highlights:
- Welcome to the 10 Day Auckland to Wellington Haka Plus Tour!
- Start your tour in New Zealand’s biggest city and bid farewell to your travelling companions when the tour concludes 10 days later in the capital.
- Get to know the best and the brightest parts of New Zealand’s North Island with the Haka treatment!
- You’ll experience incredible scenery, create magical memories and get to know New Zealand culture from the inside out.
- You’ll have the chance to swim, kayak, surf, rock climb, cave tube, white-water raft, bungy jump, skydive, hike, bike, luge, see kiwis, relax in hot pools, play golf, hot air balloon, eat and drink like a local, and more!
- But only the things that get you excited! This is your trip, and it’s designed to be flexible. The choice is yours – pick the activities that appeal to you.
Included:
- Stay each night in twin-share 3–4 star accommodation: a mix of hotels, motels, and lodges.
- Feast on continental breakfasts and 2 dinners, including a traditional Māori hāngī cooked in an underground oven.
- Walk a stunning coastal track to Cathedral Cove (as seen in the Chronicles of Narnia movies).
- A fully guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set.
- Watch a Māori cultural performance and check out a geothermal valley of bubbling mud pools including the famous Pohutu Geyser in Rotorua.
- See endangered kiwi birds up close and personal.
- Soak up a sunset cruise in the West Coast surf town of Raglan – the fish and chips are on us!
- Brave the Redwoods Treewalk, crossing 23 raised suspension bridges.
- Hike through the forested gorge of Ruakuri – bring your camera for this one.
- Check out the Te Waihou Springs Walkway, often overlooked by tourists.
- Discover rare animal species tour of Zealandia Nature Reserve in Wellington.
- Plus, many more surprise stops along the way!
- Passionate and knowledgeable local Kiwi guides.
- Comfortable and air-conditioned bus transport.
- Orientation tour of each and every location.
- Small groups of maximum 16 people.
Day 1 : Auckland
Welcome to Auckland! Today is yours to explore Auckland’s attractions independently before checking-in to your accommodation in the afternoon. We recommend checking out the Auckland Sky Tower, this is the tallest building in New Zealand. If you are feeling extra daring you can jump off the Sky Tower, attached to a harness of course! Or how about checking out the Auckland War Memorial Museum, located in the middle of the beautiful Auckland Domain. Get a good night’s rest ready for tomorrow’s adventure where you’ll meet your Tour Manager and group for breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 2 : Auckland to Coromandel
During a hearty breakfast, you will meet your tour manager who will give you an overall briefing of the tour. Afterwards, it’s time to board our comfortable air-conditioned vehicle and leave the big city behind. The Coromandel Peninsula is a paradise of beautiful beaches and misty rainforests. The drive here is truly spectacular – the road twists and turns dramatically round the coastline and the ocean gets clearer and more pristine before your eyes. Cameras ready – the views are magnificent. The Coromandel is home to famous Hot Water Beach – thousands visit each year to dig their own personal hot tub. If the tide times allow, we’ll grab our buckets and spades and get busy. We arrive in the Coromandel with plenty of time for your guide to show you around. Sample the sandy beaches, kayak, soak in hot pools, or simply enjoy the vibes.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 : Coromandel to Raglan
Today’s road trip to the arty mecca of Raglan will give you a first glimpse of the North Island’s rolling tree-lined hills and valleys. Your Haka guide has some great sights to show you en route, including the 55-metre high Bridal Veil Falls. If you have always wanted to try surfing, or if you’re dying to get back on your board, Raglan is the perfect destination both for beginners and experienced surfers. Its world-famous surf breaks are unmissable and your Haka guide will take care of everything you need to get in the water – whether it’s your first or fiftieth time. Not keen on surfing? There’s plenty to enjoy in this laid-back township. With an awesome blend of cafes, bars, surf shops and galleries, the streets here ooze character and creativity. Relax on the beach, try kayaking, or enjoy a variety of bush and coastal scenery on Raglan’s walking trails. For dinner tonight, tuck into New Zealand’s unofficial dish – fish and chips (or fush and chups, as it tends to sound in a Kiwi accent). And what better way to enjoy a tasty meal than on a sunset cruise of Raglan Harbour?
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 : Raglan to Rotorua (via Waitomo and Matamata)
Our first stop of the day is the Waitomo Caves famous for its glow worms. There are fantastic and informative walking tours of the caves where you can learn more about the history, geology and Māori mythology of this unique area of New Zealand. For those who prefer to stay above ground, we highly recommend exploring the tree-studded gorges and limestone arches of the nearby Ruakuri Forest Walk; definitely a favourite amongst the Haka guides. The highlight of today is visiting one of NZ’s most iconic experiences - Hobbiton Movie Set. On a fully guided tour of the 12- acre Middle-earth set you will see Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and even enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn! We also have the option to stop in at the picturesque Hobbiton movie set - a must-do activity for many. Even if you haven’t seen the films, it’s impossible not to be charmed by this gorgeous hobbit village set amongst the lush green hills of Matamata. This afternoon we’ll make our way to Rotorua, famous for its geothermal activity and Māori culture. We start our time in Rotorua with The Redwoods Treewalk. This amazing included activity allows you to experience the majestic Redwood Forest from a series of suspension bridges and living decks (platforms), elevated from 9-metres to 12-metres at the highest point. For tours starting from 1 September 2023, Hobbiton will be an included activity.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 : Rotorua
Rotorua has it all: natural beauty, unique geothermal landscapes and Māori culture. We stay here a full day to make the very most of it. This area is world-renowned for its geothermal activity, with neon blue and red lakes, steaming rivers, violent geysers, and bubbling mud pools galore. For a truly epic brush with nature, fly high through the lush ancient forest canopy on a zipline tour complete with swing bridges crossings and treetop platforms. What better way to get to know the native plants and birds –many of which unique to New Zealand? This evening we are welcomed to a Māori village for an unmissable cultural experience featuring combat demonstrations and – of course – the breathtaking haka. This experience extends beyond the performance – you’ll have the chance to see magnificent geothermal activity and get to spot kiwi birds.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 : Rotorua to Taupō
Rotorua is a spectacular whitewater rafting destination, and with expert guidance, it can be experienced by first-timers and pro-paddlers alike. For the ultimate thrill this morning you can raft the highest commercial waterfall drop in the world – the 7-metre Tutea Falls, on the Kaituna River. If that’s not your cup of tea, spend the morning exploring Rotorua’s many attractions such as the naturally-impressive Kuirau Park full of steaming, hissing, and boiling geothermal pools. There are also some fantastic cafes and bakeries in the area. Why not grab a treat for the road – a ginger slice and a pie is as Kiwi as it gets! From Rotorua it’s a quick drive to Taupō; a beautiful lakeside town with a stunning mountain backdrop. It’s a short drive but we’ll take our time, checking out bubbling mud pools and thundering waterfalls en route. We finish our day nestled in Taupō, where we’ll spend the next 2 nights, home to the biggest crater lake in NZ and the best access to one of the 10 best one-day walks in the world – the Tongariro Crossing.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 : Taupō
Lake Taupō is actually a giant volcanic crater created 70,000 years ago in one of the biggest eruptions in history. Nowadays, it’s one of NZ’s best spots for a holiday escape. And being New Zealand, there are plenty of adventure sports to be found there too! New Zealand’s most famous day hike is also in the area. The 19.4 km Tongariro Crossing is an alpine crossing around Tongariro, one of the country’s most famous and most beautiful volcanoes. It’s a serious leg workout, but it’s worth every minute for the incredible views and landscape. Turquoise and green lakes greet you at the top, along with vistas that stretch all the way to the coast. If you’re looking for a thrill, we suggest skydiving over the lake or bungy jumping over New Zealand’s longest river (and for the really brave, getting dunked in!). There are heaps of other activities on offer such as quad biking, cruising the lake to see Māori rock carvings, hiking along the shores, mountain biking and even the chance to soak in some of the local geothermal pools.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 : Taupō to Wellington
Today we head to the coolest little capital city in the world, the hip and happening Wellington. Perched on the edge of a spectacular harbour, encircled by green, towering hills, Wellington is a stunning and compact city. Vibrant, exciting and cultured, the nation’s capital combines the stimulation and sophistication of a big city with the quirkiness and personality of a much smaller town. After a quick afternoon orientation from your guide, head up Mount Victoria for some of the best views in town. This evening, the city lights are yours to enjoy. Discover why Wellington is celebrated for its foodie culture – you are truly spoilt for dining choices tonight. Wellington is also widely regarded as the craft beer capital of New Zealand. Want to test this for yourself? Talk to your Haka guide to find the hidden gems.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 : Wellington
Soak up the atmosphere of vibrant Wellington. Famous for being a bit on the windy side, be prepared to ditch the hairspray and go with the flow. As always, your guide will introduce you to the city with an orientation tour – including a drive around the bays through central Wellington to the Botanic Gardens and Parliament Buildings. Today you’ll also visit a nature reserve, Zealandia. Zealandia is a groundbreaking conservation project and the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary. It has successfully reintroduced over 20 species of native wildlife into this area, some of which were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years. You will also stop by Weta Studios, most famous for its creative contribution to all things Lord of the Rings. Take an optional tour to see prop-makers in action and learn about the immersive world of filmmaking. Wellington has a feast of cultural attractions and its crowning glory is Te Papa, the national museum of New Zealand. Situated on Wellington’s magnificent waterfront, this internationally acclaimed museum combines leading-edge technology with traditional exhibits to tell the stories of New Zealand’s land and people. The museum is free for all. If being outdoors is more your thing, head off to Kapiti Island for an optional nature tour. Here you can see endangered birds up close and learn more about New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna. For tours starting from 1 September 2023, Zealandia will be an included activity today. Zealandia is a groundbreaking conservation project and the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary. It has successfully reintroduced over 20 species of native wildlife into this area, some of which were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 : Wellington
Today is the final day of tour – so prepare to bid farewell to all your new friends before you head in your own directions. You’ll all have some incredible shared memories to take with you on your next adventure!
Meals: None
Pickup: 6.00pm at Ramada Hotel, 41 Gillies Avenue, Newmarket, Auckland.
Return: 9.00am at Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman, 169 Willis St, Te Aro.
What to Bring:
Hat & Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Rain Jacket
Beach Towel
Togs / Swimwear
Sneakers / Walking Shoes
Luggage Limit:
23kg suitcase plus carry on day-pack
Dietary Requirements:
Please advise at time of booking
Extra Costs:
Upgrade your accommodation to a private room, for $699NZD.
