Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland to The Heads
- Start point
- Auckland Airport (AKL), Ray Emery Drive, Auckland, Auckland 2022, New Zealand (On the first day of the trip we can pick you up from the Auckland airport)
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk through Waipoua Forest beneath kauri trees
- Visit Tane Mahuta (Lord of the Forest)
- Twilight walk in Waipoua Forest with Maori guides including waiata (sacred chant)
Optional Activities
- Explore Opononi harbour town and learn about the tame dolphin Opo
Landmarks Waipoua Forest Tane Mahuta Opononi Hokianga Harbour - Day 2
Hokianga to Paihia
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Water taxi to Te Pouahi Reserve
- Sand dune walking at Te Pouahi Reserve
- Sandboarding (optional)
- Hike along Waitangi River through mangrove forest to Haruru Falls
- Visit Treaty Grounds at Waitangi
Optional Activities
- Sandboarding down dunes at Te Pouahi Reserve
Landmarks Te Pouahi Reserve Hokianga Harbour Treaty Grounds at Waitangi Waitangi River Haruru Falls Bay of Islands Paihia 
- Day 3
Paihia to Tutukaka
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Water taxi to Deep Water Cove
- Ridgeline hike to Cape Brett through Manawahuna Scenic Reserve
- Water taxi scenic cruise return from Cape Brett to Paihia
- Visit Ruapekapeka Pā historic site
Optional Activities
- Alternative boat trip around Bay of Islands (for those not hiking)
Landmarks Deep Water Cove Cape Brett Manawahuna Scenic Reserve Bay of Islands Rakaumangamanga Ruapekapeka Pā - Day 4
Tutukaka to Poor Knights Islands
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Early morning walk
- Boat cruise to Poor Knights Islands
- Visit world's largest sea cave
- Snorkeling or kayaking exploration
Optional Activities
- Scuba diving upgrade (must be pre-arranged for additional fee)
Landmarks Poor Knights Islands - Day 5
Tutukaka to Auckland
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Coastal walk at Mangawhai Heads with cliff top views
Optional Activities
- Explore Waipu village and learn about Scottish heritage dating back to 1850s
Landmarks Waipu Mangawhai Heads - Day 6
Auckland Free Day
Optional Activities
- Visit Rangitoto Island
- Climb or visit Sky Tower (328 metres, tallest man-made structure in New Zealand with views up to 80 kilometres)
- Tour Hobbiton - The Shire from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings film trilogies
- Explore Auckland's 48 volcanic cones
Landmarks Auckland Waitemata Harbour Manukau Harbour Rangitoto Island Sky Tower Hobbiton - The Shire - Day 7
Auckland to Rotorua
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Wairere Falls viewpoint at base of falls on Okauia fault line
Optional Activities
- Explore Te Aroha township and learn about hot soda waters and Mokena geyser
Landmarks Te Aroha Mokena Geyser Wairere Falls Okauia Fault Line Rotorua - Day 8
Rotorua Forest & Geothermal
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch in Whakarewarewa Forest), Dinner (Traditional hangi feast with cultural performance by Te Arawa tribe)
Included Activities
- Cycle trails in Whakarewarewa Forest (options for all abilities)
- Picnic lunch in forest
- Visit Te Puia geothermal valley with geysers, mud pools and steam vents
- Cultural performance by Te Arawa tribe
- Traditional hangi feast (food wrapped and buried in earth to cook over hot stones)
Optional Activities
- Soak in local mineral spas instead of cycling
- Explore Rotorua instead of cycling
Landmarks Whakarewarewa Forest Te Puia Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley 
- Day 9
Rotorua to Turangi
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike Rainbow Mountain through native forest with crater lake views
- Hike to Huka Falls along the Waikato River
- Possible dip in natural hot springs
Landmarks Rainbow Mountain Waikato River Huka Falls Lake Taupo Tongariro River - Day 10
Tongariro National Park
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Celebratory dinner)
Included Activities
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike (or alternative hikes depending on conditions/preference)
- Bathe in natural thermal springs
- Celebratory dinner
Optional Activities
- Alternative easier hike at base of Mount Ruapehu (highest active volcano in New Zealand)
- Winter alternative: Hike to Taranaki Falls (20 metres high with views of native beech forest to sub-alpine shrublands)
- Winter alternative: Hike to Silica Rapids (water cascading down creamy white terraces)
- Winter option: Tongariro Alpine Crossing with local specialist guide (includes crampons, ice axes and helmet)
Landmarks Tongariro National Park Tongariro Alpine Crossing Mount Tongariro Mount Ngauruhoe Mount Ruapehu Taranaki Falls Silica Rapids 
- Day 11
Waitomo Caves to Auckland
- End point
- Auckland Airport (AKL), Ray Emery Drive, Auckland, Auckland 2022, New Zealand (On the last day we can drop you back at Auckland Airport in time for the flights below, or anywhere in central Auckland in the late afternoon/early evening.)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Choose between: Caving with underground stream float, waterfall slides and glowworm viewing OR Guided walk through Ruakuri cave system
- Shower and hot soup
Optional Activities
- Caving adventure: Float down subterranean stream, slide down waterfalls, view glowworms (includes wetsuit, helmet, headlamp, rubber tube)
- Alternative: Guided walk through Ruakuri cave system with geological significance information
Landmarks Waitomo Caves Ruakuri Cave System
