Northern Highlights (Reverse Start Wellington)

Northern Highlights (Reverse Start Wellington)

Featuring: Northern New Zealand

Length: 9 days
Accommodations: Hotel, Resort, Lodge
as per itinerary
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
as per itinerary
Sightseeing: n/a
Transportation: n/a
Next Tour: August 28, 2008
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Itinerary

  1. Day Icon-day1 Icon-day2 Depart for New Zealand

    Fly over the international date line on your way to New Zealand.

  2. Day Icon-day3 Arrive Wellington

    Check into the Abel Tasman Hotel, spend the rest of the day at leisure to explore Wellington.

  3. Day Icon-day4 Wellington to Taupo

    Meet your Contiki crew and travel the Kapiti coast northwards towards the Tongariro National park, past the spectacular central volcanoes of the North Island to our resort beside New Zealand's largest lake - Taupo. This afternoon enjoy a parasail high over the lake or challenge gravity on the Rock n' Ropes. Tonight maybe try fishing and later enjoy the famous local nightlife.

  4. Day Icon-day5 Taupo to Rotorua

    We continue via forest and farmland to Rotorua, the heart of Maori culture. Here we'll learn more about their history which dates back to the 10th century. Maybe try the Zorb or end the day by relaxing in a Polynesian thermal pool, before taking in an optional Maori Hangi style meal and Cultural concert.

  5. Day Icon-day6 Rotorua to Waitomo

    We start the day with a visit to the Agrodome farm show, on our way to our special overnight stay at Waitomo, home of the world famous limestone formations and sparkling Glow worms. There will be time today, if you wish, to visit the Glow worm grotto or try underground cave rafting. Tonight there's the chance to meet the local characters.

  6. Day Icon-day7 Waitomo to Bay of Islands

    We begin today with a drive through lush Waikato countryside, on our way to Auckland, for a lunch stop before heading across the Auckland Harbour Bridge to the semitropical region of Northland. After a visit to parry Kauri Park we travel to our resort in Pahia.

  7. Day Icon-day8 Bay of Islands

    A day of adventure and fun. The day is yours to enjoy the overwhelming beauty of the Bay of Islands. How about a Catamaran cruise through the "Hole-in-the-Rock", maybe sail to a deserted island for lunch, perhaps travel along Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga at "lands end".

  8. Day Icon-day9 Bay of Islands to Auckland

    This morning we head south, past the rolling Northland countryside, arriving back in to Auckland where it's time to say a final farewell as your tour ends around lunchtime.

Tour Map

Highlights

All these highlights along with city sightseeing are included in your tour price!

Included
  • Tongariro National Park: Dramatic drive through the Volcanic landscape made famous in the 'Lord of the Rings'; See the active volcano Mt. Ruapehu
  • Taupo: View Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake
  • Huka Falls: Visit the mighty falls
  • Rotorua: City sightseeing tour
  • Waitomo: Visit Waitomo & a traditional New Zealand country pub; Enjoy a pizza party
  • Parry Kauri Park: Walk through native Kauri Forest
  • Bay of Islands: Paihia & Waitangi sightseeing tour; See the Tribal Lands of the Nga Puhi Maori
  • Auckland: Cross Auckland's Harbour Bridge; See the impressive city skyline & Sky Tower; See the 'City of Sails' harbor made famous by the America's Cup
Accomodations
  • Accommodations as per itinerary
  • Breakfasts (B) and Dinners (D) as per itinerary
Contiki Difference
  • Experienced Tour Managers and Drivers
  • Modern air-conditioned coach
  • Free Contiki ëTravellers Guideí information book
  • Free Contiki document wallet.

Optional Excursions

Rotorua

Rainbow Springs (NZ$22)
Beautiful walk through native bush, aviaries and trout filled streams. Chance to see Kiwi and Tuatara.
Skyline Gondola And Luge Rides (NZ$32)
Skyline cable car and 2 included rides on the worlds first commercial luging track.
Zorbing (NZ$44)
Become a zorbonaut as you travel in a large transparent ball down a hillside, either on your own, with a friend (or two) or with a bucket of water. Prices range from $44 depending on dry, wet, multiple, with Zorb Pak / without etc. www.zorb.com
Hangi And Concert (NZ$49)
Traditional Maori feast and cultural performance at the Lake Plaza Hotel in Rotorua. Duration 2 hours.
Te Puia (NZ$35)
Enter the world of the Maori at the epicentre of native culture in NZ, and discover what makes this area and it’s people unique. www.tepuia.com

Bay of Islands

Excitor (NZ$69)
'Fastboat' trip to, and through, the 'Hole in the Rock' and back via Russell. www.excitor.co.nz
Awesome Adventures (NZ$99)
A full day tour from Pahia in the Bay of Islands to Cape Reinga (NZ's northern most point) via 'Ninety Mile Beach'. Offroading, sand dune 'surfing', great scenery, fish'n'chips. 0730am - 1930pm www.awesomenz.com
Cape Brett Cruise (NZ$69)
Half day launch trip out to the famous 'Hole in the Rock' with cultural, historical and geographical content. Also, potentially, the chance to spot dolphins. www.fullers-bay-of-islands.co.nz
Carino Day Sailing (NZ$85)
Catamaran sailing in the beautiful Bay of Islands. Island hop, swim, snorkel, bar-b-q lunch, search for dolphins. 10am – 1630pm. www.sailingdolphins.co.nz
Coastal Kayaks (NZ$49)
4 hour kayaking adventure from the ocean shore through the river system to, and under, Haruru Falls. Fair standard of fitness required. www.coastalkayakers.co.nz
Dolphin Adventures (NZ$99)
Specifically a tour for those wanting to see dolphins although not guaranteed (85% success rate) and getting the opportunity to swim with them. Half-day tour. www.awesomenz.com
Horse Trek'n (Forest (NZ$65), Volcano (NZ$80))
Horse riding for the beginner or the experienced in the beautiful Bay of Islands and surrounds. www.horsetrekn.co.nz
Sail NZ (NZ$99)
Full day exploring in the Bay. First, you’re off by launch ‘hunting’ for dolphins and then, after a relaxing sojourn with lunch on an island, you’re ‘blasting’ for the afternoon on ‘The Edge’ – a huge catamaran under full sail. www.explorenz.co.nz

Taupo

Parasailing (NZ$89)
On Lake Taupo, winch system so you don't get wet.
Rock'N'Ropes (NZ$65)
Adventure 'confidence' course with series of trapezes, high wires, tight ropes etc. Allow 3 hours.
Huka Jet (NZ$89)
30 minute jet boat ride on the Waikato River to Huka Falls. Includes 360 degree turns.
Contiki Huka Combo - Jet Boat & Scenic Flight (NZ$169)
40 minute jet boat ride on the Waikato River to Huka Falls. Includes 360 degree turns plus 7 minute scenic helicopter flight.
Dinner / Party Cruise (NZ$65)
Evening launch trip on Lake Taupo with the opportunity to fish, dine and karaoke. Approx. 4 hours (6pm - 10pm).

Waitomo

Ruakuri Caves Tour (NZ$45)
Newly opened caves with a tour that gives you a more extensive insight into cave formations and glowworm activity. 3 hour. www.tradeinfo-thlonline.com
Black Water Rafting (NZ$89)
Following a cave system underground whilst sitting in a tyre inner tube (rubber ring). Some walking, some floating, some glowworm spotting. 3.5 hour tour. www.blackwaterrafting.co.nz
Waitomo Caves Tour (NZ$32)
One hour guided tour of the famous glowworm caves at Waitomo. Fully guided, walking tour with exit by boat. www.waitomocaves.co.nz

Wellington

Wairarapr Wine Trail (NZ$129)
A full day excursion from Wellington by taxi, coach and train to Martinborough and Wairarapa 'wine country'. Includes hotel pick ups / drop offs, lunch, afternoon tea and, of course, some sampling.