New Zealand North Island Discovery

8 days
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4.5/5 Excellent
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USTOA

Small Group Tour
Be immersed in New Zealand’s indigenous Maori culture, including sampling the local Kai (food) and meeting Maori (first nation) people. Be awed by unique natural attractions of the central North Island including active volcanoes, geothermal features; bubbling mud pools, geysers and natural hot pools. This trip will educate and give you insight into the cultur...

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Get off the beaten track and explore the lesser visited East of the North Island
    • Experience immersive Maori culture by spending a night in a Marae - a traditional house with Hangi dinner
    • Feel like you are in another world by taking a journey on the 'Forgotten World' rail, a disused Heritage Railway line now travelled either in pedal power or electric custom built buggies.
    • Stay in 3.5 - 4* hotels and unique accommodation
    • See the light installation amongst the Redwoods
    • Visit the Waitomo caves and see the glow worms

What's this trip about?

    Be immersed in New Zealand’s indigenous Maori culture, including sampling the local Kai (food) and meeting Maori (first nation) people. Be awed by unique natural attractions of the central North Island including active volcanoes, geothermal features; bubbling mud pools, geysers and natural hot pools. This trip will educate and give you insight into the cultural integration of Aotearoa and in depth knowledge of how Maori lived pre European settlement.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 15 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • High Adventure
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

  • New Zealand

Attractions

  • Auckland

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Arrival day Auckland

Kia ora! Welcome to New Zealand. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6.00 PM on Day 1. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to ...

Day 2 Rotorua

Begin your adventure in Rotorua, the cultural capital of New Zealand, sitting just a short drive away from Auckland. After a lunchtime arrival, take some time to explore the area. The natural hiss and roar of the exploding geysers, the hypnotic bubble of the mud pools...

Day 3 Rotorua and traditional Marae experience

Spend the morning experiencing more of the exciting activities that Rotorua has to offer at your own pace – this geothermal wonderland has plenty of hot pools, spas or volcanic landscapes to uncover if you’re feeling adventurous. After lunch, head completely off the...

Day 4 Gisborne

Say goodbye to the local community, then head towards Gisborne for an action-packed day. Start off at Whakatane for an optional scenic trip to White Island, known in Maori as Te Puia o Whakaari – ‘the dramatic volcano’. After arriving at sunny Gisborne, take in some o...

Day 5 Taupo

Travel inland to Taupo, home to Australasia’s largest freshwater filled crater lake. As you enter this gateway to the dual heritage status Tongariro National Park, listen out for the booming welcome song of the nearby waterfalls. Combine adventure, adrenaline and Maor...

Day 6 Taumarunui

Travel to the wild west of Aotearoa for a day of land and water exploration, encountering 10 tunnels and 20 bridges in the process. Course along rail lines to discover the emerald greens of the serene countryside, pressing through 40 kilometres of track as you roll on...

Day 7 Waitomo Caves - Auckland

Before returning to Auckland, make an optional stop at Waitomo to explore its world-class cave systems. This must-see destination has gained a reputation due to the thousands of glow-worms lighting up the rocky walls in a glorious display of bioluminescence – the blue...

Day 8 Auckland departure day

This trip comes to a close in the morning. There's a plethora of things to do in Auckland – your guide can fill you in on all the details if you'd like to plan further time here. Check out Urban Adventure's Electric bike ride in Auckland. Please speak to your travel provider for additional nights accommodation.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,082
Price per day$260
Last Updated: 12/3/2021

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for active and adventurous travelers at a range of different price points and service levels.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights) Marae - traditional multi-share lodge (1 night),

Transportation & Flights

Private vehicle,

Transportation & flights

Private vehicle
Guides
All Intrepid group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. In New Zealand your group leader is also your driver, taking you from start to finish in a coaster vehicle. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Our crew are chosen for their driving skills, their knowledge of the country, their personality, and of course their leadership abilities. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. When travelling on a trip, you won't be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. http://www.intrepidtravel.com/insurance.php Australians travelling to New Zealand are eligible for publicly funded health care whilst in New Zealand. This medical care generally covers emergency treatment and is free. Please note that Intrepid travellers still require comprehensive travel insurance to cover against emergency repatriation, personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.
Visa requirements
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Your consultant will also be happy to point you in the right direction with acquiring visas. Visas can take several weeks to process, so familiarise yourself with any requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for processing time. For the most up to date information on visa requirements, we recommend you contact the New Zealand embassy in your country or visit http://www.immigration.govt.nz
Health & Safety
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trip. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities, however during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your leader will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. For more details on the type of conditions and safety standards you can expect on your trip, please refer to Intrepid's operational safety policy on our website. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how well it's being implemented in the field: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us/safety
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information

Finish point

  • Haka Hotel Newmarket
  • 9 Manukau Road, Newmarket
  • Auckland
  • NEW ZEALAND
Trip ID
intrepid-PHCNN

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