New Zealand Adventure Tours – New Zealand Bike Tours – Hiking New Zealand Vacations
If New Zealand is on your list of places to see 
(and it should be), this is the way to see it! ACTIVE NZ gets 5 stars.- Marybeth Lynch, (USA) Dec 2008 Tui
PHOTO OF THE MONTH:
Winter Rimu May 2007
Snow-capped mountains set against crisp blue skies... just when you thought the landscape couldn't get any better, winter arrives.
GUIDE OF THE MONTH:
Mark Banham
"Mark was awesome!!! He accumulated several group nicknames over the course of the trip (all good!) that resulted from the group members marveling at his abilities. He was extremely knowledgeable of the country as well - he really knows his Maori legends! And his cooking... oh man! This guy seriously deserves an award. Can I give him an "8" out of 7 for Food Presentation?? :) He had boundless amounts of energy and created fantastic meals even after our extremely long days. Mark's personality was absolutely indispensable as well and we loved spending time with him. If I ever do another Active NZ trip, I would only hope that I could have Mark co-guide the group again. "
C. Zang November 2008 Rimu
News Clips and Reviews
The 25 Greatest Adventure Trips in the World: #9
National Geographic Adventure Magazine - February '03Here's why people fly so far to hike in New Zealand: A third of the island nation is parkland, and it has just 3.8 million residents. Consequently, hundreds of miles of lightly used trails weave through rugged ranges and untrammeled rain forests. Active New Zealand's 14-day loop is billed as multisport, but most clients opt for tramping around the canyons of Punakaiki, Franz Josef Glacier, the Mount Cook Region, and other South Island beauty spots. Nights are spent in lodges, B&Bs, and a sheep shearer's cabin on a 63,000-acre farm. Read more...
"Fabulous! I've never been on an organized active trip - and now I'm a firm believer and highly recommend them. I loved the fact that we were off the beaten track and I feel I saw the real New Zealand. I loved it so much I want to retire there. "
Christine Chang (California, USA) December 2002 Rimu
Christine Chang (California, USA) December 2002 Rimu
Kauri - Complete Itinerary
New Zealand’s North Island, named Te Ika-a-Maui by the Maori, is remarkably different to the South Island. It is a land of active volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, waterfalls, and unique flora and fauna. Favoured by the Maori people for its bountiful resources, the North Island has a rich cultural history which has been shaped by this dynamic and surprising land. Our Kauri trip packs loads of adventure into just five days – from hiking to biking to caving – you’ll be amazed by the diversity and culture of our northern island. The Kauri allows you to see the ‘other side’ of New Zealand, and we have designed it with departure dates that link up with most of our South Island trips.
Daily Itinerary
Tue:
Arrive, hike at Orokawa beach and Mt. MaunganuiWed:
Hike Lakes Okataina and Tarawera, Maori feast and cultureThu:
Mountain bike Whakarewarewa Forest, hike to Huka FallsFri:
Hike Tongariro Alpine Crossing, soak in hot poolsSat:
Caving at Waitomo Caves, depart for home"In such a short time we met such a variety of landscapes, and did incredible activities. One reads about all this in the brochure but it's something else when you experience it. There were not many tourists in the places we went, and we would drive and walk around with our guides, as if they were our friends telling us something about their own country. " - Milena Rodella (Italy) Nov 2008 Kauri
Tuesday - Arrive, hike at Orokawa beach and Mt. Maunganui
Most people leave the Northern Hemisphere on a Sunday evening and arrive in Auckland early on Tuesday morning. You’ll lose a day to the dateline – but you get it back on the way home! We’ll pick you up in central Auckland at 8.30am, or at the airport at 9am on our way out of the city. Once we’re out of the city limits we’ll hike around a series of headlands clad in native Pohutakawa trees to the impressive and secluded Orokawa Beach where, if the weather’s nice, we’ll have a swim in the warm South Pacific waters. Then we’ll head to Mt. Maunganui, a scenic seaside town and popular summer vacation spot for locals, for a hike up Mt. Maunganui itself – an extinct volcano which creates an almost perfect dome on the horizon and offers unsurpassed views of the surrounding coast. After the hike we’ll travel south through kiwifruit-growing country to Rotorua. There’s a great deal of geothermal activity beneath Rotorua, so you’ll see steaming pools of mud, fumaroles and smell the distinctive whiff of sulfur that characterises the town.
ACCOMMODATION: Cedar Wood Lodge, Rotorua. (L,D)
Wednesday - Hike Lakes Okataina and Tarawera, Maori feast and culture
Today we’ll explore the virgin forest around Lake Okataina and hike alongside its deep blue waters to explore the site of an ancient Maori settlement. We’ll then continue over the ridge to Lake Tarawera. The entire area has been sculpted by intermittent volcanic activity, which continues in various forms to this day. Mt. Tarawera was the scene of an enormous eruption in the late 19th century and we’ll see the effects of this cataclysmic event during our time here. Tonight you’ll get to know a bit more about the local Maori culture and share a traditional Maori feast – called a hangi – prepared by the Ngati Rongomai tribe. The meal is prepared by wrapping the food and burying it in the earth over hot stones. This method is very healthy – akin to steaming – and hangi food has a wonderful smoky flavour. Vegetarians, of course, are well catered for. An option this evening is to take a guided bird tour with local experts. One of our main Kauri guides, Paul Wrigley, highly recommends this as a great way to find out about the local birdlife and see native kiwi birds up close!
ACCOMMODATION: Cedar Wood Lodge (B,L,D)
Thursday - Mountain bike Whakarewarewa Forest, hike to Huka Falls
Rotorua is the centre of Maori culture in New Zealand and the influence of the Maori people can be seen everywhere. Although it’s a well-known tourist spot, there’s plenty going on behind the glitz that is worth checking out. We’ll show you our favourite highlights of Rotorua, before heading out for biking on the smooth trails in Whakarewarewa Forest. We have biking options to suit all abilities, and the biking is a real highlight on the Kauri trip. If you prefer not to bike there are other options available, such as visiting the local mineral spas for a relaxing soak. We then go hiking up New Zealand’s longest river – the Waikato – to the impressive Huka Falls before heading south to Turangi. We’ll follow the shores of Lake Taupo, the biggest volcanic crater in the world, to this evening’s accommodation. Our hosts, John and Lyn, are a lovely local couple, and can point out some of the best walks and fishing spots in the area. We’re right next door to New Zealand’s most famous trout fishing river, the Tongariro, so this is a great chance to cast a line! Dinner tonight is a Kiwi favourite – fish and chips with plenty of fresh salads.
ACCOMMODATION: Creel Lodge, Turangi (B,L,D)
Friday - Hike Tongariro Alpine Crossing, soak in hot pools
Just south of Turangi are three massive volcanoes – Mount Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, as well as the Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s oldest park and the fourth oldest national park in the world. Here you’ll have the opportunity to do what is considered the best mountain day-hike in the country – the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Not an easy day, this hike takes around seven hours unguided through arid volcanic terrain. The Tongariro offers remarkable volcanic landscapes including emerald lakes, cold mountain springs, lava flows, active craters and steam vents, so it’s unlike anything else in New Zealand. If you prefer to do an easier hike you can walk through native tussock to a waterfall at the base of Mt Ruapehu (the highest active volcano in New Zealand), and around an isolated mountain lake in the middle of the virgin prehistoric rainforest. However you choose to spend your day, we’ll all head to some thermal springs tonight to soak tired muscles in natural hot water. Later, your guide will prepare a well-earned BBQ dinner for our last night together!
ACCOMMODATION: Creel Lodge (B,L,D)
Andrew: "I once spent quite a bit time hiking around the three great volcanoes of the central North Island plateau, and I can say that this challenging day hike is worth every drop of sweat! The Crossing is very different to the majority of our hikes – you'll feel like you're walking on Mars!"
Saturday - Caving at Waitomo Caves, depart for home
For our last day together, we’ll head over the spectacular Pureora Forest Range through groves of huge native trees, then into sheep farming country, before arriving at Waitomo Caves. After a café lunch, it’s an afternoon of caving (a.k.a. spelunking), or if you prefer to stay dry you’ll take a walk through dry caves to learn more about the geological significance of the area. For the more adventurous, you’ll head ‘down under’ to explore an underground cave system. You’ll be fitted with a wetsuit, helmet, headlamp and floatation device to float down a subterranean stream, slide down waterfalls and at one point, switch off your headlamp to check out the incredible glow worms that live on the limestone ceiling of the cave. If wet-caving is not really your thing, you can walk through the dry caves then take a more relaxing boat ride through one of the larger caves to see the glow worms and amazing rock formations. After a shower and some hot soup, we’ll head back to Auckland, where we’ll have you at the airport in time to catch evening flights back home, or down south for one of our South Island trips. (B,L)
Most people leave the Northern Hemisphere on a Sunday evening and arrive in Auckland early on Tuesday morning. You’ll lose a day to the dateline – but you get it back on the way home! We’ll pick you up in central Auckland at 8.30am, or at the airport at 9am on our way out of the city. Once we’re out of the city limits we’ll hike around a series of headlands clad in native Pohutakawa trees to the impressive and secluded Orokawa Beach where, if the weather’s nice, we’ll have a swim in the warm South Pacific waters. Then we’ll head to Mt. Maunganui, a scenic seaside town and popular summer vacation spot for locals, for a hike up Mt. Maunganui itself – an extinct volcano which creates an almost perfect dome on the horizon and offers unsurpassed views of the surrounding coast. After the hike we’ll travel south through kiwifruit-growing country to Rotorua. There’s a great deal of geothermal activity beneath Rotorua, so you’ll see steaming pools of mud, fumaroles and smell the distinctive whiff of sulfur that characterises the town.
ACCOMMODATION: Cedar Wood Lodge, Rotorua. (L,D)
Wednesday - Hike Lakes Okataina and Tarawera, Maori feast and culture
Today we’ll explore the virgin forest around Lake Okataina and hike alongside its deep blue waters to explore the site of an ancient Maori settlement. We’ll then continue over the ridge to Lake Tarawera. The entire area has been sculpted by intermittent volcanic activity, which continues in various forms to this day. Mt. Tarawera was the scene of an enormous eruption in the late 19th century and we’ll see the effects of this cataclysmic event during our time here. Tonight you’ll get to know a bit more about the local Maori culture and share a traditional Maori feast – called a hangi – prepared by the Ngati Rongomai tribe. The meal is prepared by wrapping the food and burying it in the earth over hot stones. This method is very healthy – akin to steaming – and hangi food has a wonderful smoky flavour. Vegetarians, of course, are well catered for. An option this evening is to take a guided bird tour with local experts. One of our main Kauri guides, Paul Wrigley, highly recommends this as a great way to find out about the local birdlife and see native kiwi birds up close!
ACCOMMODATION: Cedar Wood Lodge (B,L,D)
Thursday - Mountain bike Whakarewarewa Forest, hike to Huka Falls
Rotorua is the centre of Maori culture in New Zealand and the influence of the Maori people can be seen everywhere. Although it’s a well-known tourist spot, there’s plenty going on behind the glitz that is worth checking out. We’ll show you our favourite highlights of Rotorua, before heading out for biking on the smooth trails in Whakarewarewa Forest. We have biking options to suit all abilities, and the biking is a real highlight on the Kauri trip. If you prefer not to bike there are other options available, such as visiting the local mineral spas for a relaxing soak. We then go hiking up New Zealand’s longest river – the Waikato – to the impressive Huka Falls before heading south to Turangi. We’ll follow the shores of Lake Taupo, the biggest volcanic crater in the world, to this evening’s accommodation. Our hosts, John and Lyn, are a lovely local couple, and can point out some of the best walks and fishing spots in the area. We’re right next door to New Zealand’s most famous trout fishing river, the Tongariro, so this is a great chance to cast a line! Dinner tonight is a Kiwi favourite – fish and chips with plenty of fresh salads.
ACCOMMODATION: Creel Lodge, Turangi (B,L,D)
Friday - Hike Tongariro Alpine Crossing, soak in hot pools
Just south of Turangi are three massive volcanoes – Mount Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, as well as the Tongariro National Park, New Zealand’s oldest park and the fourth oldest national park in the world. Here you’ll have the opportunity to do what is considered the best mountain day-hike in the country – the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Not an easy day, this hike takes around seven hours unguided through arid volcanic terrain. The Tongariro offers remarkable volcanic landscapes including emerald lakes, cold mountain springs, lava flows, active craters and steam vents, so it’s unlike anything else in New Zealand. If you prefer to do an easier hike you can walk through native tussock to a waterfall at the base of Mt Ruapehu (the highest active volcano in New Zealand), and around an isolated mountain lake in the middle of the virgin prehistoric rainforest. However you choose to spend your day, we’ll all head to some thermal springs tonight to soak tired muscles in natural hot water. Later, your guide will prepare a well-earned BBQ dinner for our last night together!
ACCOMMODATION: Creel Lodge (B,L,D)
Andrew: "I once spent quite a bit time hiking around the three great volcanoes of the central North Island plateau, and I can say that this challenging day hike is worth every drop of sweat! The Crossing is very different to the majority of our hikes – you'll feel like you're walking on Mars!"
Saturday - Caving at Waitomo Caves, depart for home
For our last day together, we’ll head over the spectacular Pureora Forest Range through groves of huge native trees, then into sheep farming country, before arriving at Waitomo Caves. After a café lunch, it’s an afternoon of caving (a.k.a. spelunking), or if you prefer to stay dry you’ll take a walk through dry caves to learn more about the geological significance of the area. For the more adventurous, you’ll head ‘down under’ to explore an underground cave system. You’ll be fitted with a wetsuit, helmet, headlamp and floatation device to float down a subterranean stream, slide down waterfalls and at one point, switch off your headlamp to check out the incredible glow worms that live on the limestone ceiling of the cave. If wet-caving is not really your thing, you can walk through the dry caves then take a more relaxing boat ride through one of the larger caves to see the glow worms and amazing rock formations. After a shower and some hot soup, we’ll head back to Auckland, where we’ll have you at the airport in time to catch evening flights back home, or down south for one of our South Island trips. (B,L)
We'll see you soon!
Itinerary valid though April 2009
