"Great Hiking Tours since 1992"

 

Our guide gives a short briefing before driving south to Rotorua, is an optional pick-up point (by arrangement).  We check into our Rotorua accommodation before heading off to raft (optional extra) the wild Kaituna River cascades (optional extra), skydive (optional extra) or walk the scenic river track.  Picnic lunch and afterwards, hike though bush alongside tranquil Lake Okataina. Attend a traditional Maori concert (optional extra) or concert and hangi dinner (optional extra) or check out the local restaurants before coming back to soak in the lodge's natural thermal pool.  

 

Note: We stop at a cafe a couple of hours into the trip if you need to grab a quick breakfast.  

Useful things to have in your daypack are camera & wallet.

Day 2 Tuesday -  Rotorua/Taupo - 5km/2 hours hiking

We explore one of the amazing thermal areas south of Rotorua (optional extra). Depending on the season, we can bathe in a natural hot river flowing through the bush or take a relaxing swim in Lake Taupo. Peer over the thundering Huka Falls before reaching Taupo. Lake Taupo, a 600sq km volcanic caldera crater created in 186 AD by the largest volcanic explosion known to human-kind, is the largest lake in New Zealand.

 

After lunch, we drive to Tongariro National Park. Established in 1887, it was New Zealand’s first National Park. It was gifted to the people of New Zealand by a far-sighted Maori chief who saw the gift as a way of protecting the tapu (respect, sacredness, preciousness) of this land, in particular the summits of its active volcanoes. We take an afternoon hike across alpine grasslands, between smouldering volcanoes, to a hut set in native beech forest beside a stream. In warm weather, we usually camp nearby.

 

We explore beech forest, springs, and desert landscapes before hiking to the next hut/camp on the remote side of Tongariro National Park. The volcanoes in the park rumble from time to time. They most recently erupted in 1995 and 1996, when Mt Ruapehu (at 2797m, it is the highest mountain in the park) spewed clouds of ash and steam. Another much younger volcano, Mt Ngauruhoe, is almost perfectly symmetrical and stands 2291m tall. All around this scarlet moonscape, turquoise and green-blue crater lakes add their surreal colours to the landscape.

 

We hike up through a moon-like valley of contorted lava flows and ash fields before climbing up a steep section to the emerald lakes, our usual lunch stop. We cross the volcanic plateau, which boasts lava valleys and steaming explosion craters, before descending on the western side. In good conditions, there is an option to climb one of the volcanic peaks. A short drive takes us to an excellent lodge in the National Park alpine village. Have a well-earned beer at the lodge bar with sunset and volcano views.

 

Have a relaxing morning if you need it – visit the Department of Conservation display centre or stroll the alpine gardens and short walks. Otherwise, hike the loop track to Taranaki Falls. We leave the lodge at noon to drop off those catching the early afternoon TranzScenic train to Wellington (arrives 7:25pm). On the return trip north, you can be dropped off in Waitomo (approximately 3pm) or return to Auckland, arriving between 5pm and 8pm. Central drop off only.

 

Finish in Wellington or return to Auckland. This trip can be finished in Tongariro National Park (for the 1:35pm train to Wellington), Waitomo Caves or Auckland. Follow this link for transport options. Please tick 'train option' on your booking form if you wish to have your train trip to Wellington booked for you and included in your overall price.

 

One 4km section of the Tongariro hike must be unguided for National Park permit reasons - not because we are unsuitable guides!