Day 1

A private transfer will meet you from your flight and drive you to your Auckland accommodation.

Auckland City is New Zealand's largest, with a population of around 1.5 million people (about one third of the national population), spread over approximately 60 square kilometres. There is somewhere for every visitor to feel comfortable and right at home as each suburb has its own unique style and atmosphere, from the vibrant and trendy fashion and cuisine found on Ponsonby and Parnell Roads to the breathtaking native bush and beaches of the West Coast. One of the worlds great cities Auckland is full of life and opportunities to explore are endless. Spend the day exploring the city or relaxing before your adventure begins.

Day 2

The drive south from Auckland on State Highway 1 quickly takes you into rolling green farmland, the rich dairy pasture of the Waikato. New Zealand's longest river, the Waikato Riiver, guides you through Cambridge and the art and craft stores of Tirau. Arriving into the City of Rotorua the regions geothermal activity becomes evident as you see steam rising from the roadside and hills.
Rotorua is considered the Maori cultural centre and its here you can enjoy and experience some of their history. The Rotorua Museum is outstanding and one of its main presentations is the devastating eruption of Mt. Tarawera in 1886. Nearby Ohinemutu Village is the original site of the first Maori settlers in the area.
One of the most popular introductions for many to the Maori culture is through an evening at Tamaki Maori Village. A  recreated village pre-European times gives you an insight into the way of life before an evening of song, dance and entertainment. A dinner prepared in the traditional manner is served to finish the evening off.

Journey back in time to a Pre-European lifestyle experience of customs and traditions. Enjoy the night's festivities with the people of Tamaki Maori Village as you are treated to a banquet of succulent foods cooked the traditional Maori way. Rediscover the Maori village as it comes alive to the sound and activities of tribal songs, dances, myths and legends and browse throughout the largest after hour's tribal market place in Rotorua. Includes dinner.

Day 3

Rotorua sits right in the centre of the worlds most volcanically active region and this is highly evident through the smell of sulphur. No visit to Rotorua would be complete without visiting one of the many geothermal parks or areas. Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is around 30 minutes from Rotorua and here a network of paths will take you though bubbling pool, sulphur ponds, geysers and waterfalls. Formed during the eruption of Mt. Tarawera was the Waimangu Volcanic Valley and you can also stroll amongst hot springs and enjoy a short boat cruise in the world's newest geothermal eco system.
The Buried Village or the village of Te Wairoa was destroyed during the Tarawera eruption. Now this registered historic area has been excavated to show original buildings pre eruption. Set amongst beautiful bush there is also a dedicated museum telling the fascinating story of Te Wairoa Village and the legendary Pink and White Terraces.
White Island sits around 40 kilometres off the Bay of Plenty coast and is still one the most active volcanoes in the world. Volcanic Air Safaris offer scenic helicopter and float plane trips to the island and the opportunity to land (helicopter only) and explore the original sulphur mines. They also offer scenic flights over Mt. Tarawera and float plane flights to Orakei Korako Hidden Valley.
Rotorua though also offers much more than this. The lake is stocked with trout and fishing charters operate from the lake front. The Agrodome offers a unique New Zealand experience combining farm tours and sheep shearing shows with the opportunity to enjoy some of the adrenalin packed adventures New Zealand is renown for.

Take a helicopter to White Island and land on an active volcano. Located 50 km off the Bay of Plenty coast. Experience the fury of nature at work on this awesome Island of the Pacific “Ring of Fire”. Your flight takes you north over Hell’s Gate Thermal Valley to the Pacific Ocean coastline and the active volcano of White Island. Land at the crater’s rim and spend approximately one hour on a guided walk of this fascinating natural attraction. Experience the volcanic fury of the main crater, view sulphur deposits, and the remains of the old sulphur mine. Approx 3 1/4 hours.

Day 4

The drive today takes you through the volcanic valleys and both Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland and the Waimangu Volcanic Valley are well signposted on the main highway between the two towns.
The town of Taupo sits on New Zealand's largest lake, Lake Taupo. Just north of the town are the Huka Falls and a short detour to view is highly recommended. The Huka Jet can get you much closer with a thrilling jet boat ride also if you wish. Craters of the Moon is a nearby geothermal reserve with well formed walking tracks around its many bulling pools and steaming vents.
The lake is actually a volcanic caldera formed following a massive eruption in the year 186 and is considered to be one of the most massive and violent eruptions known.
The town itself is a lively place with many shops, bars and cafes all catering for the traveller and visitor. A whole host of activities can be undertaken here such as bungy jumping, sky diving, fishing for trout in the lake and rivers, kayaking, sailing, horse riding and walking and hiking to name but a few.

The Huka Jet is 30 minutes of pure fun and exhilaration, skimming close to cliffs, sliding past trees, feeling the adrenalin of our full 360 degree spins. The excitement continues right up to the base of the foaming Huka Falls, where you get a spectacular water level view to New Zealand's most visited natural attraction. Nothing compares to watching 220,000 litres per second tumbling over the cliff face towards you. The water from the mighty Huka Falls runs down the Waikato River through a series of Hydro Power Stations. You'll get a view of the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station in the comfort of our powerful Chevrolet V8 jet boats. This unique Geothermal Power Station uses underground geothermal activity to produce hot steamy water. The Waikato Rivers beautiful environment is varied and unique and is New Zealand's longest river flowing north from our largest lake - Lake Taupo.

Day 5

Following the lake edge the drive takes you to the township of Turangi, rated as one of the worlds best trout fishing locations. Just on the main road south of the town is the National Trout Centre run by the Department of Conservation. You can explore the process of hatching trout to stock New Zealand's rivers and lakes.
Continuing onto the high central plateau you drive what is commonly known as 'the desert road'. Skirting Tongariro National Park, one of New Zealand’s three world heritage sites, and clouds permitting you can see the 2,500 metre peak of the still volcanically active Mt. Ruapehu. You might recognise the symmetrical shape of Mt. Ngauruhoe as this was used as the scenery of Mt. Doom in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
A little further the military town of Waiouru also hosts the Army Museum, an incredible collection of New Zealand’s military history and a memorial to its servicemen.
Tongariro National Park is also a World Heritage Site. 3 active volcanoes form the backbone of this spectacular region. Hiking, fishing, climbing, mountain biking, scenic flights or simply taking a drive to the top of the ski field road at Whakapapa are some of the most popular ways to enjoy the region.

Day 6

Head through National Park and across rich rolling farmland to the limestone regions of Waitomo before enjoying a 2 cave tour in the famous Waitomo Caves complex. For over 100 years Waitomo Glow-worm Caves have attracted people from all over the world to this subterranean wonderland. An ancient underground labyrinth of limestone caves and grottos, and amazing stalactites and stalagmites.

Waitomo Glow-worm Caves

Formed over 30 million years ago there are two levels to the Waitomo Glow-worm Caves which are 16 metres apart. The upper level is dry and includes the entrance to the cave, the Catacombs and the Organ Loft. The lower level consists of stream passages and the Cathedral. As you glide quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glow-worms, it is only the gentle sound of dripping water that reminds you that you are deep underground and not beneath a star filled sky.

Aranui Cave

Located in Ruakuri Scenic Reserve, Aranui is a dry cave. There is only one entrance to Aranui and without a river flowing through, it houses very little life past the entrance. However, just inside the entrance is a colony of cave wetas. Aranui is famous for its beautiful arrays of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and unusual formations.

Day 7

The lush farmland of the Waikato and the limestone hills of the Waitomo region provide some great scenery as you head north. Visit the Otorohanga Kiwi House en route for a great look at some of New Zealand's native birds in particular our famous flightless namesake.

Day 8

Explore more of Auckland before dropping your rental car at the airport depot and continuing your onward journey.