North Island holiday, New Zealand
| country: | New Zealand |
| location: | North Island, Coromandel Peninsula |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2009: 29 Nov, 13 Dec, 27 Dec 2010: 10 Jan, 24 Jan, 7 Feb, 7 Mar, 21 Mar, 4 Apr, 18 Apr, 2 May, 19 Sep, 3 Oct, 17 Oct, 31 Oct, 14 Nov, 28 Nov, 12 Dec, 26 Dec |
| price: | From £1235 (14 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Explore the fascinating culture and beauty of New Zealand's North Island and the top of the South. Travel through the land of 'Lord of the Rings' and visit volcanic plateaus and thermal hotspots, limestone caves and wildlife havens, lush vineyards and pristine bays. Quaff New Zealand's best wines, hang out in the modern cities of Auckland and Wellington and experience Maori culture over a hangi dinner.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Auckland. Admire stunning views over Auckland from atop an extinct volcano. |
| Day 2: | Coromandel Peninsula. Walk or kayak to Cathedral Cove's spectacular limestone arch. Explore the former Maori 'pa' (fortified village) of Te Pare Point amid volcanic hills and lush kauri forest. Dig your own thermal pool in the steaming sands of Hot Water Beach. |
| Day 3: | Rotorua. Enjoy warm hospitality overnight on a local marae. Devour a traditional hangi feast and learn about Maori culture. Rotorua's geysers, bubbling mud pools and volcanic cliffs are shaped by seismic forces. |
| Days 4-5: | Tongariro National Park. Wander eerie snowfields, volcanoes, crater lakes and desert. The park gained fame as Mordor in Lord of the Rings, and the still active volcano Tongariro is also sacred to the Maori. Adventurous sorts can tackle the 19.4 km Tongariro Alpine Crossing. |
| Days 6-7: | Napier. Work up an appetite cycling through Hawkes Bay wineries and orchards. Explore Napier's art deco heritage; the town was rebuilt after a devastating 1931 earthquake. |
| Days 8-9: | Wellington. Explore Te Papa Museum or ride a cable car to the Botanic Gardens, taking in spectacular views of the city and harbour. |
| Day 10: | Marlborough Sounds. Bushwalking tracks among these gorgeous inlets and coves just beg to be explored. It's also possible to fit in a spot of fishing. |
| Days 11-12: | Kaikoura. Animal fans can spot sperm whales, dolphins, seals and wandering albatrosses. |
| Days 13-14: | Christchurch. Soak up Christchurch's charming atmosphere, perhaps picnicking by the River Avon, wandering heritage buildings or investigating local culture at the Arts Centre. |
small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!
highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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New Zealand is renowned for its pristine environment and its Maori culture. On this tour we stay with a Maori clan at their “Marae” or meeting place. We are hosted by a local family member, are welcomed by the clansmen and are treated to a traditional “Hangi” meal roasted underground. We stay overnight at the Marae itself and gain a fantastic insight into the Maori culture and the people. Payment from the stay is used within the local community and supplies extra employment in an area where unemployment is high.
During our trip, our group leaders take active steps to ensure our groups behave in an environmentally responsible manner, such as sticking to established trails, not leaving anything behind and not removing any plants. They are also always eager to share information about the country and culture in which they live. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |