Kauri Multisport - 5 days
New Zealands 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
youll 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.
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.
Youll lose a day to the dateline but you get it back on
the way home! Well pick you up in central Auckland at 8.30am,
or at the airport at 9am on our way out of the city. Once were
out of the city limits well hike around a series of headlands
clad in native Pohutakawa trees to the impressive and secluded Orokawa
Beach where, if the weathers nice, well have a swim in the
warm South Pacific waters. Then well 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 well travel south through
kiwifruit-growing country to Rotorua. Theres a great deal of geothermal
activity beneath Rotorua, so youll 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 well explore the virgin forest
around Lake Okataina and hike alongside its deep blue waters to explore
the site of an ancient Maori settlement. Well 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 well see the effects of this cataclysmic event during our
time here. Tonight youll 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 its a well-known tourist spot, theres plenty going
on behind the glitz that is worth checking out. Well 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 Zealands longest river the Waikato to the
impressive Huka Falls before heading south to Turangi. Well follow
the shores of Lake Taupo, the biggest volcanic crater in the world,
to this evenings 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. Were right next door to New Zealands
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) Click here
for a photo of where you'll be staying.
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 Zealands oldest park and the fourth oldest
national park in the world. Here youll 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 its 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, well 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)
Saturday - Caving at Waitomo Caves, depart for home
For our last day together, well 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, its an afternoon of caving (a.k.a.
spelunking), or if you prefer to stay dry youll take a walk through
dry caves to learn more about the geological significance of the area.
For the more adventurous, youll head down under to
explore an underground cave system. Youll 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, well head back to Auckland, where
well 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)
PRICE: The trip fare is US$1599 + 12.5% government
taxes.
The trip fare includes just about everything,
specifically:
- All guiding services and we take no more than 14
clients per trip. This means we can really make sure you have a great
time!
- Comfortable accommodation for the entire period you
are with us. We can also organize accommodation for you if you want
to arrive earlier or leave later.
- All your meals, except in one night in Rotorua. Alcohol
is not generally included, although we do like to see the look on
your face when we our turn up with an icebox full of beer (and juice,
and water).
)
- All hiking, caving and cycling described in the itinerary.
Dates: 2009- Mar 31 09 - Apr 4 09, Oct
20 09 - Oct 24 09, Nov 3 09 - Nov 7 09, Nov 17 09 - Nov 21 09, Dec 1
09 - Dec 5 09, Dec 8 09 - Dec 12 09, Dec 15 09 - Dec 19 09, Dec 22 09
- Dec 26 09, Dec 29 09 - Jan 2 10,
2010 - Jan 5 10 - Jan 9 10, Jan 12 10 - Jan 16 10, Jan 26 10
- Jan 30 10, Feb 9 10 - Feb 13 10, Feb 23 10 - Feb 27 10, Mar 9 10 -
Mar 13 10, Mar 23 10 - Mar 27 10, Mar 30 10 - Apr 3 10, Apr 6 10 - Apr
10 10, Apr 13 10 - Apr 17 10
ACCOMMODATIONS: Both of the places youll
be staying on the Kauri are comfortable waterside lodges with modern
facilities. Rooming is based on twin-share, although single rooms are
available upon request.
RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS: If youre flying in
on the first day of the trip, or out on the last day, we recommend arriving
in Auckland by 8am on Tuesday, and departing from Auckland after 7pm
on Saturday. Other flight times may also be possible if you are
considering alternative flight times please let us know.
PICK-UP INFORMATION: On the first day of the
trip we can either pick you up from the Quest Hotel, 363 Queen St at
8am, or at the Auckland international airport at 9am.
DROP OFF INFORMATION: On the last day of the
trip well drop you back at Auckland airport in time for the flights
above, or anywhere in central Auckland in the late afternoon/early evening.
FITNESS: Our focus is on getting you out of the
vehicle, out of stress-mode, and into the scenery! So we incorporate
plenty of adventure activities. Like all our trips, you dont need
to be young or really fit - but this trip has lots of action at a reasonable
pace, and its not designed for couch potatoes. Every one of the
days on the trip will be unforgettable. We manage the level of commitment
to suit your experience (nothing is compulsory!), and we have an impeccable
safety record. We hold all relevant government transport and outdoor
guiding licenses and our staff are highly trained and experienced.
EXPERIENCE: You dont have to have any outdoor
experience to take our trips. We offer trips that allow you to make
the most of New Zealands incredible outdoor environment. Our experienced
staff will look after you! You dont need to be a serious cyclist
to enjoy the rides we have available. There are plenty of active options,
but if youd rather fish or just laze around one day, we can make
that happen too! All we ask is that you be energetic and in reasonable
shape and we guarantee youll have an incredible time.
FLEXIBILITY: Because of the off-the-beaten-path
and non-commercial nature of some of our accommodations on this trip,
we sometimes need to change a night stop. But we try to make as few
changes as possible.
We'll see you soon!