New Zealand North Island

The North Island Highlights Tour is comprised of two short tours:

• Coromandel Peninsula tour 8 days

• Volcanoes tour 8 days

The Coromandel Peninsula is a cycling gem lying east of Auckland in one of New Zealand's most diverse and breathtaking locations. See a giant kauri tree and ride a bush railway.

A farm stay will give you the opportunity to meet some real "Kiwis" . The first part of the tour finishes at the geothermal spa town of Rotorua with the opportunity to experience the local Maori culture.

The Volcanoes and Glow-worms tour covers a great diversity of scenery from farmland to lakes, forests and the magnificent volcanoes of Tongariro Natinoal Park. Stay on a sheep farm (meet some of New Zealand's 45 million sheep) and visit the world famous Waitomo Caves for a magical glow-worm display.

Accommodation includes 4* Auckland waterfront hotel, two farmstays, delightful waterfront lodges and character hotels.

Departure Dates

North Island Highlights
15 Day Inn Trip

2007/2008 SEASON

NH05 02 Dec. - 16 Dec. 07
NH10 10 Feb. - 24 Feb. 08

If you pay a deposit before May 2007, you will only pay the current prices as above.

US Dollar Prices are an indication only; tours will be charged in New Zealand dollars

(includes Waitomo glow-worm caves visit and 14 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 10 dinners)

Meet: Noon. Auckland
Trip End: After breakfast in Auckland

Route rating: Moderate

Combining Tours:
NH05 can be combined with Southern Alps Tour SA06
NH11 can be combined with  South Island Grand Tour SG13

The climb is worth it!

Itinerary

DAY 1 AUCKLAND.
Lunch by one of Auckland's volcanic cones, then a little sightseeing in the City of Sails.

DAY 2 THAMES.
Follow the Firth of Thames coast, past the Miranda Shore Bird sanctuary, to Thames and a comfortable lodge on the water's edge.

DAY 3 COROMANDEL.
Visit a working gold mining museum and have lunch at the Rapaura Water Gardens.

DAY 4 WHITIANGA.
Time to visit the craft shops and potteries, and take a ride on the quaint bush railway, then relax on the fabulous beach at Whitianga.

DAY 5 WHANGAMATA.
Walk to Cathedral Cove and visit another magnificent beach at Hahei.

DAY 6 MATAMATA.
Through the Karangahake Gorge to the fertile Waikato Valley and a farmstay.

DAY 7+8 ROTORUA.
We cycle over the Mamaku Plateau, followed by a great descent to the spa city of Rotorua. A rest day offers many options: geysers and bubbling mud pools, rafting, Mt Tarawera, fishing and lots more.

DAY 9 TAUPO.
We now head for Lake Taupo of trout fishing fame, with a visit to the dramatic Huka Falls a must.

DAY 10 + 11 TONGARIRO.
The three volcanoes, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu are the dramatic features of Tongariro National Park. Here we relax in style and comfort at the Grand Chateau.

DAY 12 PIO PIO.
We wind our way down to King Country, known for sheep farms and limestone formations, for a second farmstay.

DAY 13 WAITOMO. Our hosts will show us a little of their lifestyle and then it is a short, easy ride to the old world charm of Waitomo Caves.

DAY 14 + 15 AUCKLAND.
A visit to the world famous caves is a must, with the option of blackwater rafting for the more daring. We then take delightful quiet country roads to Te Awamutu to drive to Auckland.