Haka Plus Tours - 10 Day Northern Trail Itinerary

 

 

**Please note that some tours are operating from Wellington to Auckland.**

 

1

Welcome to Auckland

Kia ora (hello!) and welcome to Aotearoa (New Zealand).

Auckland is New Zealand's biggest city and is known in Māori as Tamaki Makaurau – the place of many lovers.

Settle into your accommodation and be ready for the 6pm pre-tour meeting. Here you will get to know your Tour Manager and be introduced to your new roadtrip friends.

Afterwards, the evening is yours to enjoy. We recommend a good night’s sleep to be ready for tomorrow’s early start, but you may want to experience Auckland’s exciting nightlife - the choice is yours!

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night

Auckland
Accommodation:
Guests can choose from a range of accommodation options including private rooms, studios with outside patios and dormitory-style bunk rooms. All rooms have private bathrooms and free unlimited WiFi. This 3-star hybrid property offering hotel and backpacker accommodation. The property is situated in the Newmarket district, a 5-minute drive from Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Haka Hotel New Market

2

Auckland To Coromandel

Rise and shine! After a continental breakfast 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 Whitianga with plenty of time for your guide to show you around. Sample the sandy beaches, take a surf lesson with the locals, or simply enjoy the vibes.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Coromandel - 1 Night

Coromandel
Located next to the Lost Spring Thermal Pools, this resort offers direct access to Buffalo Beach and has a heated outdoor pool, tennis court and a children's playground. Free WiFi is available in most rooms and all public areas. Each apartment at Oceans Resort has a modern fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, oven and dishwasher. All include laundry facilities and an open-plan living area with a DVD/CD player and satellite TV. Some include a balcony offering sea views.
Oceans Resort

3

Coromandel To Raglan

Today’s road trip to the arty surf 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.

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 and leave any lingering jet-lag behind, 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 boat cruise of Raglan Harbour?

Meal: Fish & Chips Dinner

Accommodation: Raglan - 1 Night

Raglan Town
Each room at this motel is air-conditioned and is equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. All units include a sitting area to relax in after a busy day. You will find a kitchenette in the room. All rooms come with a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries, and a hairdryer. This motel has a private beach area and water sports facilities and bike rental is available. The area is popular for biking and canoeing.
Raglan Accommodation

4

Raglan To Rotorua (Via Waitomo)

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.

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.

Accommodation: Rotorua - 1 Night

Waitomo
Accommodation:

Situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Rotorua, this hotel offers tranquil surroundings with sensational views, near to many bars, restaurants and main attractions. The Ibis Rotorua offers great accommodation to travellers that want to make most out of their stay in New Zealand's geothermal area. 

Ibis Rotorua

5

Rotorua

Rotorua has it all: natural beauty, unique geothermal landscapes, and iconic Lord of The Rings destinations. 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.

A visit to the picturesque Hobbiton movie set is 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.

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 & Hangi Dinner

Rotorua Tepuia

6

Rotorua to National Park (Via Taupo)

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 ultra-relaxing Polynesian Spa, or perhaps 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 sweet treat for the road – a ginger slice 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 Tongariro National Park, where we’ll spend the next 2 nights, home to one of the 10 best one-day walks in the world – the Tongariro Crossing.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: National Park - 2 Nights 

Tongariro Desert Road
Accommodation:
Located in the Tongariro National Park, The Park Hotel Ruapehu offers affordable accommodation in a stunning alpine setting. Guests are provided with free parking and 500MB of free WiFi. The Ruapehu Park Hotel is at the foot of a large ski field and volcano at Mt Ruapehu. It is surrounded by two other famous mountains Ngauruhoe and Tongariro.
The Park

7

National Park

Decision time – is today the day you brave the Tongariro Crossing?

Considered one of the world’s top 10 best one-day walks, this 19.4km mountain trek boasts emerald green lakes, venting steam, lava flows, craters and rich green bush.

Not for the faint-hearted – it’s a challenging day! But every step of the way the views are spectacular. Our Haka guides highly recommend this activity, it’s definitely a highlight.

If 19.4km is a little too far for you, there are plenty of shorter walks and hikes to enjoy. However you choose to spend today in this UNESCO World Heritage Area, we guarantee you won’t forget it.

Tongariro National Park

8

National Park 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.

Meal: Breakfast 

Accommodation: Wellington - 2 Nights

Wellington Capital City
Mercure Wellington Abel Tasman Hotel is ideally located between The Terrace, Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place, in the centre of Wellington's business and entertainment district. Guests enjoy free WiFi in the rooms and public areas. This modern hotel features a restaurant and bar. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and gives you the option of dining on the outdoor terrace. Continental and cooked breakfast options are available.
Mercure Abel Tasman

9

Free Day in 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.

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.

Wellington

10

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage! from Wellington

"Say farewell to your fellow travellers when your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast."

We know you will enjoy our Itinerary and our promise to you is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Bon Voyage!

Notes

Please contact us for current pricing and availability

Inclusions:

  • Passionate and knowledgeable local Kiwi guide
  • Comfortable and air-conditioned bus transport
  • Orientation tour of each and every location
  • Small groups of maximum 16 people
  • Experiences to teach you about our unique Māori culture
  • Stay each night in twin-share 3–4 star accommodation: a mix of hotels, motels, lodges, and rainforest retreats.
  • Stay 9 nights in twin-share 3–4 star accommodation: a mix of hotels, motels, and lodges.

Included Highlights: 

  • Walk a stunning coastal track to Cathedral Cove (as seen in the Chronicles of Narnia movies).
  • Watch a Māori cultural performance and check out a geothermal valley of bubbling mud pools including the famous Pōhutu Geyser in Rotorua.
  • See endangered kiwi birds up close and personal.
  • Soak up a sunset boat 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 (45 minutes) – bring your camera for this one.
  • Stay in Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Area.
  • Plus, many more surprise stops along the way!

Dining: 

  • 5 continental breakfasts
  • 2 dinners
  • A traditional Māori hāngī cooked in an underground oven.
Northern Trail Large Map

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What Michelle says about this tour: With the Haka Plus tours you dont have to give up comfortable hotels too still be able to have the active holiday you've been dreaming of. Traveling with like minded adventurous people you'll hike to hidden coves and through forested gorges - have fun in geothermal Rotorua and hang out in the surf town of Raglan. Tongariro National Park and the chance to do the Crossing is an amazing opportunity.
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