Thermal and Culture 3 Days
New Zealand Private Tours, Planned Especially For You.
Experience Māori Heritage and Culture in Rotorua
Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, have a rich history and culture that dates back over 1000 years. Their connection to the land and their traditions are deeply ingrained in the fabric of Aotearoa (New Zealand). If you are looking to immerse yourself in Māori history and culture, Rotorua is one of the best places to do so. This vibrant city offers a range of unique experiences that showcase the Māori way of life.
Rotorua serves as a gateway to Māori history and culture, providing visitors with the opportunity to gain insights into traditions that have been preserved for generations. These top experiences offer unique differences, allowing you to choose an experience that resonates with your interests. Rotorua with a deeper appreciation for the Māori culture that continues to shape the identity of Aotearoa.
North Island (Reversible)
"Embark on a three-day journey in the Rotorua region, immersing yourself in the captivating blend of Maori culture and geothermal wonders, from the bubbling mud pools to the vibrant hot springs that resonate with the essence of New Zealand's rich heritage.".
Travel Style: Private driver I Self-drive I Small Group Tours
Day 1: Auckland to Rotorua
Travel Hobbiton before arriving in Rotorua
Suggested activities
World Famous: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
In the heart of New Zealand, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire with a guided tour of Hobbiton, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. Hobbiton is located just outside of Matamata - in the heart of the lush Waikato farming region. Here you can visit such iconic Hobbit locations as Hobbit Holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the Mill, and the Party Tree, with a guide sharing behind-the-scenes tales and insight into the making of the films.
Day 2: Rotorua
Suggested Activities for Rotorua
Culture and Nature : Te Puia Te Rā Guided Experience
Te Puia is one of the country's premier indigenous experiences, with its spine-tingling ceremonial welcome, and stunning Kapa Haka cultural show which features traditional ancestral storytelling, song and dance. Enjoy food that has been cooked using the geothermal energy used for centuries, quite literally giving you a taste of Māori culture. You choose what you want to be cooked for your lunch before heading off on a special guided tour of Te Puia.
Culture and Food: Te Pā Tū Cultural Tour and Hangi Dinner
Journey back in time to a Pre-European lifestyle experience of customs and traditions. Enjoy the night's festivities with the people of Tamaki Maori Village as you are treated to a banquet of succulent foods cooked the traditional Māori way. Discover the Māori village as it comes alive to the sound and activities of tribal songs, dances, myths, and legends and browse throughout the largest after-hours tribal marketplace in Rotorua. Includes a hangi buffet feast that has cooked slowly underground.
Day 3: Rotorua
Suggested activities for Rotorua
Nature: Waimangu Valley
You can explore Waimangu at your own pace on a self-guided tour. We suggest allowing 1 hour for the highlights walk, 1 hour 45 minutes for the full walk to the lake, and 3 hours 30 minutes for the walking tour and boat cruise combo. For just the boat cruise, allow 2 hours. You can choose a trail to suit your fitness level.
Nature: Nocturnal Glow-worm Tour.
After a walk through the darkness of the native forest you will be guided by the sound of running water. Towering banks will rise up around you and if you turn your flashlights off you will not be disappointed. Literally thousands of glowworms are lit up like the night sky, forming their own constellations all around you. Experience New Zealand’s wildlife by night and top this stellar evening by relaxing under the stars.