North Island: Fire & Water

What we work through with you

1. Your dates and priorities

   Tell us when you want to visit Auckland & Rotorua, NZ, who is travelling and what you would change in the outline below.

2. The route and pace

   We discuss the 6D / 5N starting itinerary, your preferred stays and how much you want to fit in. Any changes depend on availability and are agreed in your written plan.

3. Your written quote

   Review the final arrangements, total price, inclusions and payment and cancellation terms before booking. An enquiry does not reserve this trip.

The route we start from

These are the stages published for this trip. A stage can cover part of a day or several days; it is not a separate travel day.

1. Stage 01

   Auckland

   Land in Auckland and transfer in. The Viaduct harbour is where the boats and most of the evening life are, and the Sky Tower gives you both harbours at once plus the fifty-odd volcanic cones the city is built across. A gentle first night after a long flight.

2. Stage 02

   South to Waitomo

   South through Waikato dairy country to Waitomo, where a flat-bottomed boat pulls you in complete silence through a limestone cave lit only by glowworms on the ceiling, in their thousands. Then on to Rotorua, which you will smell before you see, because the whole town sits on a geothermal field.

3. Stage 03

   Geothermal

   Te Puia, where the Pohutu geyser erupts up to twenty times a day and steam comes up through the grass between the footpaths, alongside mud pools that bubble like something cooking. In the evening, a Maori cultural performance and a hangi, food cooked in a pit by the heat of the ground.

4. Stage 04

   Steam & Soak

   Wai-O-Tapu in the morning for the colours, which are not exaggerated in photographs: the Champagne Pool rimmed a striking orange, and pools that run green and yellow depending on the mineral. Then the Polynesian Spa on the lake edge, hot mineral water, and a long soak.

5. Stage 05

   Back North

   North towards Auckland, with the option of stopping at Hobbiton near Matamata on the way, where the film set was rebuilt permanently and the hobbit holes are maintained on a working sheep farm. A farewell dinner back in the city on the last evening.

6. Stage 06

   The Return

   Fly home from Auckland. Six days on the island most people skip on the way to the south, having seen the ground steam, heard a cave full of glowworms, and eaten a meal the earth cooked.

What this trip lists

Use these inclusions and exclusions when reviewing your quote. The displayed price starts from ₹1,69,999 per person; your written quote confirms the total for your dates and arrangements.

Read this trip’s booking terms →