| Aotearoa (Part 1: North Island) |
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Treat yourself to our
exclusive New Zealand adventure! |
Come and experience the highlights of New Zealand in either 24 or 29 days.
No other tour fulfills this promise like our tour. Nearly all of the New Zealand highlights are included in this tour. Also included are many extras (Entrance fees, boat rides, traditional Maori feast (Hangi), beverages during the tour, etc.).
In small groups of between 4 and 7 people, we will personally see to it that this tour will become the ultimate and unforgettable New Zealand experience!
Our round trips stand out from the offerings of other operators by
being far more personalized, with time for each guest, due to the small
groups.
We will describe this tour in full detail (covering two pages) as it is our most popular tour:
 Part 1 describes the tour across the northern part of the island.
Part 2 describes primarily the tour across the southern part of the island (including the end of the tour in either Auckland or Christchurch).
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| Day 1 |
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| Orewa, Rodney |
We will personally welcome you upon your arrival at Auckland airport.
We will also arrange for the transport of your luggage. In our comfortable,
fully air-conditioned mini bus we will drive along the famous Hibiscus
Coast, heading North. After a short drive of about 50 minutes we will
reach Orewa, the starting point of your amazing New Zealand experience.
After a glass of bubbly and a light snack, we will give you some more
information and useful tips for the round trip. This is also a great opportunity
to meet and get to know your fellow travelers.
Included: Transfer from airport, Champagne welcome und a light snack. |
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| Day 2 |
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| Bay of Islands |
Driving through the hilly outback, we will reach the beautiful Bay of Islands. Together we will visit the historic sites of Waitangi, the birthplace of the young New Zealand state. In Kerikeri, a city famous for its mild climate and citrus plantations, you will have a chance to see the two oldest buildings in New Zealand. We will spend the night in Kerikeri.
Included in the tour price:
Breakfast, beverages during the trip, entrance fee for Waitangi. |
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| Day 3 |
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| Pohutukawa, Bay of Islands |
A boat ride through the Bay of Islands is considered to be one
of the most memorable experiences of any New Zealand trip. Under sail
on a catamaran we will go on a six hour cruise, passing
by sweeping stretches of golden sandy beaches to Urupukapuka
Island. Sandy beaches and island walks provide magnificent views of
the Bay Of Islands. At our jetty, you have the option (optional) of exploring
the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island in a small submarine.
Following the cruise, you will have the chance for a quiet stroll through
the idyllic town of Russell, before heading back to Kerikeri.
Included in the tour price:
Breakfast, beverages during the trip, boat ride, ferry to/from Russell. |
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| Day 4 |
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| Cape Reinga |
After an early breakfast, we will continue our tour with an excursion to the northern most point of New Zealand. Along the way we will stop off in Whangaroa in the bay with the same name and in Mangonui in Doubtless Bay. Passing by breath-taking beaches, we will continue our journey to Cape Reinga. During a short walk we will show you Ninety Mile Beach, a beach that many tourists only ever experience sitting in big buses. We will then go for a slightly bumpy ride up to the legendary Cape Reinga. South towards Rawene, where we catch the ferry across Hokianga Harbour. We will spend the night in the golden dunes of Omapere.
Included in the tour price:
Breakfast, beverages during the trip, ferry. |
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| Dunes at Omapere |
Beach, Far North |
Beach, Far North |
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| Day 5 |
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| Tane Mahuta, Kauri Forest |
After a short drive, we will enter Waipoua Kauri Forest, the world of the tree giants. A short stroll through the largest forest on the North Island's west coast will leave you with an unforgettable impression. Passing through Dargaville with its vast stretches of farm land, we will head back to Orewa, the place we had set off from three excitement-filled days ago.
Included in the tour price:
Breakfast and beverages during the trip. |
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| Day 6 |
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| Waterfalls, Whangarei |
On board a post and supply ship we will today travel to Kawau Island. The colonial-style Mansion House is not only a picture postcard subject for any budding photographer but also an ideal starting point for a walk through the sub-tropical rainforest. Kawau Island is known for its species-rich flora and fauna.
Included in the tour price:
Breakfast and beverages during the trip. |
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| Day 7 |
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| NZ Bush |
We will start the second half of our big New Zealand tour with a drive to the half-island of Coromandel. Via Auckland and Bombay Hills we will head for Thames, a former gold mining town. Thames is the gateway to the Coromandel Peninsula. This is where we will begin our varied exploration, leading us up to fascinatingly bizarre mountains, seemingly impenetrable bush, jagged coastlines, but also to fine sandy beaches.
Included in the tour price:
Breakfast and beverages during the trip. |
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| Day 8 |
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| Maori Folklore |
On our drive along the east coast of the Coromandel half-island, we will stop off for an early morning walk to explore the rock formations of Cathedral Cove. Soon after we will cross the most important fruit growing area of New Zealand, where we will visit the world's largest kiwi-fruit plantation. In the evening we will reach the city of Rotorua, which is situated within a thermal area. A "Hangi", a traditional Maori feast cooked in an earthen oven, and a performance by a Maori folk group will be the perfect end to a perfect day. Overnight stay in Rotorua.
Included in the tour price:
Breakfast, beverages during the trip, entrance fee for the kiwi fruit plantation, traditional Hangi, folklore show. |
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| Thermal area, North Island | Geyser, Rotorua |
Mud, Rotorua |
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| Day 9 |
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| Huka Falls |
After an early morning city tour we will treat you to a visit to the breath-takingly beautiful thermal area (in every sense of the word!), which - with its glittering splendour of colours - will remain in your memories for years to come. Before reaching Taupo, our stop-over for the night on the banks of Lake Taupo (600 square kilometers), our frequent breaks along the way will offer you plenty of opportunities to take pictures of the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station and the famous Huka Falls in the most beautiful part of the world.
Included in the tour price:
Breakfast, beverages during the trip, entrance fee for the kiwi fruit plantation, traditional Hangi, folklore show. |
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| Day 10 |
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| Tongariro National Park |
Driving along the banks of Lake Taupo we will continue our journey south. The fascinating landscape of the Tongariro National Park with its collection of dormant, still and active volcanoes offers us a totally new facet in the play of colour and shapes on our exploration of Land of the Long White Cloud. Before continuing our drive to Wanganui, the rangers in the park's information centre will give us an interesting insight into the flora and fauna found within the park. The city of Wanganui, slightly ahead of the estuary of so-called Rhine river of New Zealand, will truely amaze you - and it is not just because of the beautiful parks.
Included in the tour price:
Breakfast and beverages during the trip. |
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| Lavender fields at Taupo |
Waterfalls at Taupo |
Sunset over Lake Taupo |
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| Day 11 |
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| Cafe in Wellington |
On Highway No1 we will continue heading south-west through fertile landscapes. A small picnic on the beach will be a welcome break along the drive to the city of Wellington, which we will reach in the early afternoon. During a tour of the city in the evening we will try to give you a small insight into New Zealand's beautiful capital. We will spend the night in Wellington.
Included in the tour price:
Breakfast, beverages during the trip, city tour. |
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| Day 12 |
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| Ferry in Picton, South Island |
We will leave the North Island on board a ferry. A final glimpse of the picturesque and colourful wooden houses built on the hills surrounding Wellington and then we are off on board our ship, passing through Cook Strait between the North Island and South Island. The Marlborough Sound Maritime Park with its innumerable bays and fjords will welcome us to the South Island. After a 3.5 hours boat journey we will land in Picton, the small, bustling port town in the heart of the Queen Charlotte Sound. The curvy, yet unforgettably beautiful road overlooking Havelock will take us up to Nelson and finally to the Abel Tasman National Park, near which we will spend three pleasant, relaxing days.
Included in the tour price:
Breakfast, beverages during the trip, ferry passage, |
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| Click here for the 2nd half of the tour. Or do you want to miss out on the South Island? |