Thermal and Culture 3 Days
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.