NZ Adventure Odyssey

Outline Itinerary (may operate in reverse) [1/3] >>
Day 1:	Auckland-Rotorua Begin the tour with a sail on Auckland's sparkling Waitemata Harbour, which forms part of the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park. Take the opportunity to take the helm, learn some sailing jargon, or just sit back, relax and enjoy the sea breeze over a late breakfast. Afterwards return to the hotel for an early lunch before boarding the bus for the 3-hour drive through the fertile Waikato farmlands to Rotorua. Here enjoy an exciting afternoon of activities including mini 4 x 4 vehicles, lots of mud and a luge! Return to your accommodation for dinner. Two nights in Rotorua.
Day 2:	Rotorua-Whakatane-Rotorua After a leisurely breakfast, head to Whakatane, in the Bay of Plenty for a boat trip over to volcanic White Island. Donning gas mask and helmet take a fascinating tour of the island, learning about the natural and very active forces at work all around you and take a hike to the crater rim. Here you look down into the steaming, boiling crater lake. Enjoy lunch on board the boat back to Whakatane looking out for dolphins along the way. Return to Rotorua and attend a lakeside marae, where you will experience a formal Maori welcome performed by your Ngati Rongomai hosts. Enjoy an evening Maori concert, followed by a hangi.
Day 3:	Rotorua-Tongariro National Park Visit the Rotorua Bathhouse museum discovering aspects of the Maori cultural. Continue to Taupo, stopping en route at a fascinating thermal valley of boiling mud pools, mineral terraces and steaming volcanic lakes. After lunch visit the Wairaki geothermal area and then stop at the thundering Huka Falls. Drive along the eastern shores of Lake Taupo to River Valley Lodge, for an overnight stay. Relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the lodge and its surroundings.
Day 4:	Tongariro National Park-Paraparaumu Enjoy some quality rafting on the Rangitikei River. Dependant on the degree of challenge sought, there are two options available. Firstly, the spectacular gorges and cliffs can be viewed from the raft as part of a sedate drift trip, or secondly, get up close and personal with the river amongst the white water of the upper section. It is entirely your choice. By mid afternoon it’s back on the road for a relaxing drive south through rolling farmland, to the small coastal town of Paraparaumu. Spend the night in preparation for the trip to Kapiti Island in the morning.
Day 5:	Paraparaumu-Wellington Access to Kapiti Island, a conservation gem, is strictly limited, in order to preserve the island’s birdlife. Once a Maori stronghold, it was then farmed before being cleared of predators and restocked with endangered NZ native birds. This is a rare chance to view some of these birds in the wild, many of which have all but vanished from the mainland. Your group has its own guide to provide an interpretation and historical account of the islands colourful history. By mid afternoon return to the coach continue to the capital, Wellington. You may like to take some time to explore the national museum, Te Papa. Breakfast and lunch are included.