Highlights

• Waitomo Glowworm Caves
• Te Puia Geothermal Park & Pohutu
• Maori Cultural Village and Arts School
• Rotorua City Highlights

Itinerary:

1. Auckland – Start of your tour is at the biggest city in New Zealand. Your guide will introduce you to the main sights of the city as we head out of town and lay the groundwork for your trip.

2. Waikato – We depart from Auckland and go south through the beautiful Waikato region, which is known as the greatest farming region in the world. Along the route, take in the breathtaking countryside, powerful rivers, charming mountains, and sights of farm animals. Traveling through Taupiri, a place rich in cultural value, we will see magnificent cultural totem poles and local Māori burial grounds.

3. Pirongia – After exploring the gorgeous countryside and learning about the Land Wars and the history of the area, we'll pause for a little coffee break in this quaint town.

4. Otorohanga – We keep traveling and soon arrive in Otorohanga, dubbed "The Kiwiana Capital of New Zealand." Explore this unique and quaint village and catch a glimpse of Kiwi culture.

5. Waitomo Caves – You will be taken through the historic and breathtaking caves to reach our first highlight. There, you will see a variety of formations such lime columns, stalactites, and stalagmites. Once below ground, you'll have a glowworm experience that won't soon be forgotten. See millions of glowworms twinkle overhead as you take a boat ride down the grotto river. A must-see for any traveler, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves have been a feature of New Zealand for over a century.

6. Big Bird – As we journey toward our next destination, Rotorua, we make a brief stop outside Big Bird to meet some of the friendly local animals. These creatures are familiar with our guides, and while we don’t have time to enter the park, the animals often come to the fences for a photo opportunity, delighting our guests.

7. Te Puia Geothermal Park – When you get to Te Puia, our second highlight, you'll go on a fully guided tour to experience the cultural and geothermal wonders. Highlights include geothermal craters, Māori architecture, The National Māori Arts School, Pōhutu Geyser and even the chance to get up close & personal with a Kiwi bird in the Kiwi observation house.

8. Rotorua City Highlights – We'll take a guided driving trip to see some of the most well-known sites in the city, such as Lake Rotorua, the Rotorua Museum, Government Gardens, Whangapipiro (Rachel Spring) and the Blue Baths, to wrap off our time in Rotorua. If there's time, we might also visit a unique memento shop for some bargain shopping and an opportunity to try Manuka honey.

9. Auckland – Unfortunately, it's time to begin our journey back north, but the day isn’t over yet as you'll enjoy a fully guided return trip to Auckland.

Inclusions:

• Small Group Tour
• Fully Guided
• Entry Tickets
• Bottled Water
• Snacks

While the destination you will be visiting is truly spectacular, we at We believe Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles, complementary refreshments and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.