Five Day Journey

Indigenous Trails offers this very affordable guided 5 Day tour for travellers wanting to experience a range of fun, nature, adventure, thermal activity and cultural interaction.  

Description: Day 1: Auckland - Waitomo Caves Indigenous Trails will pick you up in 'Auckland' before heading south to the 'Waitomo Caves'. The caves have attracted tourists from all over the world. The moment you enter this subterranean wonderland you'll discover an ancient underground labyrinth of limestone caves and grottos, and marvel at mother natures amazing creation. A 'boat ride' taking you through these caves is lit up by thousands of small microscopic creatures called glow worms. After visiting the caves we take you on the best 30 minute walk in New Zealand, the 'Ruakuri Walkway'. Here you will get to view another cave system. From the Ruakuri Walkway we journey towards the West Coast and visit the 'Marakopa Falls' and the 'Mangapohe Sandstone Bridge'. We then return to 'Waitomo'.

Day 2: Pureora Forest - Centre of the North Island - Lake Taupo Today we journey east to the 'Pureora Forest' along the way we will visit a 'sheep' and 'cattle station'. At the Pureora Forest you will visit the 'Forest Tower'. The 12m Tower gives you an entirely different perspective of life up in the forest canopy. It is a good spot for observing native birds such as 'kuku' (kereru/native pigeon), 'kakariki' (parakeets), and 'kaka' (forest parrot). From the Forest Tower we drive through the Pureora Forest to the exact geographical centre of the North Island 'Te Puku o te Ika a Maui'. After this you are then taken for a 30minute walk through a forest full of majestic 'Rimu trees'. From the forest we drive along the Western side of 'Lake Taupo' to the small village of 'Tokaanu'. We spend the first of two nights at 'Tokaanu’s Aotearoa Thermal Resort'. Here you will enjoy a filling dinner and best of all there is a large 'geothermal hot pool' in the middle of the Resort.   Day 3: Whanganui River & The Bridge to Nowhere Today’s journey starts with driving past the volcano’s of 'Mts Tongariro', 'Ngauruhoe' and 'Ruapehu' to 'Pipiriki' on the banks of the 'Whanganui River'. At Pipiriki we take a 30km jet boat ride to the start of the walking track to the 'Bridge to Nowhere'. The walk to the Bridge to Nowhere is a gentle grade that takes 35-40 minutes and meanders through native bush. On the return journey we take time out to visit 'Mt Ruapehu' (depending on the weather). We arrive back at the Aotearoa Thermal Resort in time for another hot pool, dinner and a relaxing evening.

Day 4: Lake Rotopounamu - Tongariro River After breakfast we drive 20 minutes to the 'Lake Rotopounamu walkway'. Rotopounamu (‘greenstone lake’) nestles on the side of Mt Pihanga. This beautiful lake is a special favourite of tree lovers, birdwatchers, walkers and swimmers. This guided walking experience includes cultural components and on track interpretation by a Māori guide whose ancestors have used the forest resources for centuries. Participants can expect to receive an informative and educational experience delivered in a way that is entertaining and enjoyable for all. On the spot Interpretation in Focus is delivered to you and can include; conservation, forest ecology, geothermal/volcanic, or Maori cultural context . Following the walk you are taken to a 'rafting adventure business' that runs tours on the 'Tongariro River'. Traditionally Maori used both raft ('moki') and canoe ('waka') on the lower reaches of rivers. In recent decades with modern material, technology and knowledge, the 'moki' and 'waka' provide an exciting passage down the more demanding upper steep reaches of New Zealand’s rivers.

This is an adventurous grade 3 rafting trip down the Tongariro River where you will travel through scenic gorges and are offered an optional jump off a hidden waterfall (weather permitting) the plunge into cool clear refreshing water is followed by a warming cup of hot chocolate. As you raft the river you will spot the brown and rainbow trout that the Tongariro River is world famous for. Once off the river you return to the rafting base for a hot pool and another pleasant evening at the Aotearoa Thermal Resort. As an alternative option to the rafting, a 'kayaking trip' along the beautiful 'Tokaanu Stream' and visit to a trout hatchery can be arranged.   Day 5: Lake Taupo - Waikato River - Rotorua Today the tour takes you around the eastern side of Lake Taupo to the 'Huka Falls'. The Huka Falls occur when the river, after flowing over a comparatively wide bed, is abruptly confined for about 250m to a narrow rock-bound chasm less than 17 m wide. At the lower end the whole discharge of the river flows over a 12m cliff at 220,000 litres per second into a deep circular basin. The name Māori name “Huka”, means “foam” which is appropriate especially as the falls are awesome under flood conditions. The walk to the falls gives great views and photo opportunities. After visiting the Huka Falls we drive towards another part of the Waikato River and board a 'Riverboat' for a 3 hour cruise along the river. The cruise goes past a 'geothermal area' with 'geysers', 'mud pools' and 'hot water'. The cruise includes a dip into a hot water pool that is actually within the river. You will also hear commentary on the geography and history of the land, and a delicious 'barbeque lunch' is provided. We round the journey off back in 'Rotorua' with a true 'Maori Cultural Performance'. See Maori warriors arrive in their war canoe, then be entertained in authentic surroundings by Rotorua’s most exciting interactive show casing of traditional song, dance, and weaponry manoeuvres. A traditionally cooked 'Maori hangi' is provided for dinner. The evening finishes off with a short 'bush walk' to visit the crystal clear water springs where you will see trout and eels swimming, you will also capture glimpses of glow worms along the way.  An experience certainly not to be missed!

Price: $1620.00 NZD / Person The price includes: Transport from Auckland 4 nights accommodation Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Waitomo Caves Farm Visit Pureora Forest Jet Boat Trip Walk to Bridge to Nowhere White-water rafting Cultural Nature Walk Thermal Pools Riverboat Cruise Maori Cultural Experience

Rates: Central North Island - Five Day Journey Rates            Per Adult            Per Child Rack Rate      $1620.00            $650.00

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