Tour Type: Small Group Tour
Duration: 9 Days
Tour Starts In: Auckland
Tour Finishes In: Wellington
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from NZ $2789 pp
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9 Day Nikau Touring Route:
Tour Inclusions:
- Group size won’t exceed 16 guests
- 7 nights superior hotel accommodation
- Full cooked breakfasts daily and 1 lunch
- Accompanied throughout by professional Tour Host
- 2 night stopovers in Rotorua & Napier
- Spectacular Coromandel Peninsula & Driving Creek Railway
- Lake Rotoiti & Manupira Hot Springs
- Exclusive Lake Tarawera Cruise
- Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Reserve
- Blue & Green Lakes & the Buried Village
- Huka Falls, Wairakei Geothermal region and Lake Taupo
- Guided Art Deco Walk in Napier
- Pukaha Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre
- Wellington, the nation’s capital
- Complimentary airport transfers by limousine
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Golden beaches, geothermal wonders, rolling farmlands, vineyards and olive groves combine with cosmopolitan cities to offer guests a thrilling tour of the North Island.
Auckland & The Coromandel Peninsula
Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’, is New Zealand’s largest and most vibrant city, offering an exciting array of cosmopolitan experiences. A relatively short drive south-east brings you to the Coromandel Peninsula, a beautiful, rugged, unspoilt area fringed with dozens of excellent beaches. It is a holiday haven where many Kiwis choose to escape the hustle and hype of city life. At Coromandel town, ride the narrow gauge Driving Creek Railway to a fascinating artist’s colony before crossing the divide to Tairua Harbour!
Geothermal Rotorua & Spectacular Lake Tarawera
Rotorua's raw beauty has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years. Learn about Maori culture at the Arts & Crafts Institute before visiting Te Whakarewarewa where you will peer into massive craters, see boiling mud pools and exploding geysers and enjoy the unspoiled forests that cloak the land. Enjoy an exclusive cruise across the pristine waters of Lake Tarawera that lies at the foot of a dormant volcano. Visit Hot Water Beach for a swim in the thermal waters of the lake, enjoy a scenic walk through native forests and experience first hand some of the finest trout fishing in the country. You’ll also visit the Blue & Green Lakes and tour the famous Buried Village of Te Wairoa. |
Day
1 |
Arrive Auckland
On arrival, you will be met by our representative & transferred by limousine to your city hotel. The ‘City of Sails’ is New Zealand’s largest and most vibrant, offering an exciting array of cosmopolitan experiences. Stay: Heritage Auckland Hotel (2 nights) |
Day
2 |
Auckland at Leisure
Auckland’s blend of islands, rainforest, Polynesian culture, glistening harbours and modern city environment creates an unbelievable lifestyle that is ranked amongst the highest in the world. Auckland provides visitors with so many wonderful experiences, plenty within easy reach of the downtown city centre. Today is a free day at leisure to relax & explore what Auckland has to offer. Perhaps visit Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter; take a cruise on Auckland Harbour or make your way to the top of the Sky Tower for spectacular views of Auckland city. (B) |
Day
3 |
Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula
Today, travel south to the Coromandel Peninsula, a beautiful rugged area fringed with dozens of excellent beaches that separates the Pacific Ocean from the Hauraki Gulf. It is a place where many kiwis choose to escape the hustle & hype of city life and is home to many arts & crafts people who seek an alternative lifestyle. At the quaint township of Coromandel, we ride the Driving Creek narrow gauge railway to a fascinating artist colony before crossing the divide to the eastern side of the peninsula for our overnight stay in Tairua. Stay: Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort (B) |
Day
4 |
Coromandel, Rotorua
Travel along the Bay of Plenty Coastline to Tauranga & Mt Maunganui. Then, head inland across the volcanic plateau to the geothermal city of Rotorua, an area that has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years. On arrival at our resort, enjoy a twilight cruise across Lake Rotoiti to the natural mineral springs of Manupirua Pools before enjoying a lakeside BBQ dinner at your resort. Stay: Duxton Hotel Okawa Bay (2 nights) (B/D) |
Day
5 |
Exclusive Lake Tarawera Cruise & Te Wairoa Buried Village
The days highlight is an exclusive cruise across the pristine, clear waters of Lake Tarawera at the base of a gigantic dormant volcano. You’ll experience spectacular scenery & some of the country’s best trout fishing & have the opportunity to soak in the thermal waters of Hot Water Beach before enjoying a gourmet picnic lunch. This afternoon, visit the Blue & Green Lakes and then wander around the famous Buried Village of Te Wairoa. (B/L) |
Day
6 |
Lake Taupo, Art Deco Napier
This morning, visit Wai-O-tapu (meaning Sacred Waters), a wonderland of geothermal activity. Walk at your own pace and marvel at the reserves unique features that include the world famous Champagne Pool, geysers, bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters and sinter terrace formations. Later, you stop to view the mighty Huka Falls & Wairakei Geothermal project and then take time to wander around the popular lakeside resort of Taupo. Then, it’s on to Napier, one of the world’s finest Art Deco cities. Your local guide will bring this fascinating architecture to life on your walk around the town this afternoon. Stay: Scenic Hotel Te Pania (2 nights) (B) |
Day
7 |
At leisure in the Hawke's Bay
Widely regarded as the ‘Tuscany of the South Pacific’, this region boasts some of New Zealand’s best and oldest wineries. You can enjoy a guided wine trail and taste some of the great wines produced locally, visit the world’s largest mainland Gannet Colony, play a challenging round of golf at Cape Kidnappers, take to the skies on an early morning balloon ride over vineyards, olive groves and orchards or simply relax and enjoy your surroundings. (B) |
Day
8 |
Wairarapa, Mt Bruce & Wellington
Travel through the rural heartland of the Wairarapa region to Pukaha Mount Bruce, New Zealand's National Wildlife Centre. In this beautiful setting of native forest you will see the finest collection of New Zealand native birds to be found anywhere. See the mighty Takahe, the rarest & most colourful of all. The centre also houses Tuatara, various lizards and bats in its nocturnal house. Watch out for the enormous eels and trout that loiter under the bridges, waiting for handouts. Later, continue on to Wellington, the nations capital, and enjoy a brief sightseeing and orientation tour before checking into your accommodation. Stay: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (B) |
Day
9 |
Depart Wellington
Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you will be transferred to Wellington airport today for your onward flight. Here, we bid you ‘Haere Ra’, a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand. (B) |
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Click on the icon to download the 9 Day Nikau tour in pdf format. |
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Both Margaret and I had a wonderful trip with a most knowledgeable and informative driver/guide in Graham. I appreciate that he has been involved in the tour business since the 70s but his knowledge, attention and courtesy made the tour. We were fortunate also in that we had a delightful group of people, which in the circumstances, is down to the luck of the draw. We found the accommodation excellent with great full breakfasts! Leaving us alone at the various stops with plenty of time to find our own morning teas lunches etc is a great idea. If our paths crossed, then we might join another couple or proceed on our own – all very relaxing. We were lucky with the weather particularly, when Phillis (from Texas) had her rain jacket with her. On those occasions, the weather seemed to change for the good, just when we needed it. From memory, there were only two set meals (other than breakfasts). A dinner at Duxton Hotel, Okawa Bay which left a little to be desired and the other, which more than made up for it, a lunch barbecue on a large boat capable of carrying 60 to 70 people. We were the only ones on it and had, perhaps, the best day of the tour. The skipper/trout catcher/chef, John (I think his surname is O’Keefe) and his assistant did a magnificent job with the food and drinks. We were lucky as the weather was perfect. For the rest, it was just great. I’m not a “bus” tourist but this was something quite different. Keep them small, leave them to find their lunches, dinners etc and give them plenty of time and I’m sure you’ll never be short of takers. I have written to Graham but would still ask that you pass on our thanks and best wishes for a great trip and to Rosemary for morning tea. We may look at the South Island next year perhaps and will let you know.
Margaret & Harry Hendriks (Australia)
Tour Date 24/10/2009 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
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EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER*
Save $NZ 500 per person off the retail price shown for Sep & Oct departures!
Valid for bookings made with Relaxing Journeys between 1 September 2010 and 30 September 2010
. Subject to availability at time of booking. |
Tour
Starts |
Tour
Finishes |
Tour
Status |
Brochure
Price |
OUR
SPECIAL |
OUR
PRICE |
| 11 Sep 2010 |
19 Sep 2010 |
G |
NZ $3289 |
Save $500 |
NZ $2789 |
| 09 Oct 2010 |
17 Oct 2010 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $500 |
NZ $3370 |
| 23 Oct 2010 |
31 Oct 2010 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $500 |
NZ $3370 |
| 30 Oct 2010 |
07 Nov 2010 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $500 |
NZ $3370 |
| 06 Nov 2010 |
14 Nov 2010 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 13 Nov 2010 |
21 Nov 2010 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 20 Nov 2010 |
28 Nov 2010 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 27 Nov 2010 |
05 Dec 2010 |
|
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 04 Dec 2010 |
12 Dec 2010 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 11 Dec 2010 |
19 Dec 2010 |
|
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 18 Dec 2010 |
26 Dec 2010 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 01 Jan 2011 |
09 Jan 2011 |
|
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 08 Jan 2011 |
16 Jan 2011 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 11 Jan 2011 |
19 Jan 2011 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 15 Jan 2011 |
23 Jan 2011 |
|
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 22 Jan 2011 |
30 Jan 2011 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 01 Feb 2011 |
09 Feb 2011 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 05 Feb 2011 |
13 Feb 2011 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 08 Feb 2011 |
16 Feb 2011 |
|
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 12 Feb 2011 |
20 Feb 2011 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 15 Feb 2011 |
23 Feb 2011 |
|
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 19 Feb 2011 |
27 Feb 2011 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 22 Feb 2011 |
02 Mar 2011 |
|
NZ $3870 |
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NZ $3670 |
| 26 Feb 2011 |
06 Mar 2011 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 05 Mar 2011 |
13 Mar 2011 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 12 Mar 2011 |
20 Mar 2011 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 15 Mar 2011 |
23 Mar 2011 |
|
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 19 Mar 2011 |
27 Mar 2011 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 22 Mar 2011 |
30 Mar 2011 |
|
NZ $3870 |
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NZ $3670 |
| 26 Mar 2011 |
03 Apr 2011 |
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NZ $3870 |
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NZ $3670 |
| 02 Apr 2011 |
10 Apr 2011 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
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NZ $3670 |
| 09 Apr 2011 |
17 Apr 2011 |
|
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 16 Apr 2011 |
24 Apr 2011 |
G |
NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
| 23 Apr 2011 |
01 May 2011 |
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NZ $3870 |
Save $200 |
NZ $3670 |
*Tour Status: 'G' Tours are guaranteed to depart.
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Single Travellers:
Solo travellers are required to pay the single supplement. |
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| Single Supplement: |
Add |
NZ $1,070 |
*Terms & Conditions apply to any discounts and/or specials above. Your designated tour consultant will apply the appropriate discounts automatically to your quote and detail any currently applicable 'Exclusive Specials'. |
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