7 Day Northern Explorer

Nau mai, haere mai — welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand!

Your adventure begins in lively Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, the country’s largest and most diverse urban centre. Often called the City of Sails, Auckland is framed by two beautiful harbours and a striking volcanic landscape featuring more than 40 dormant cones scattered throughout the region.

Once you land, head to the conveniently located Oaks Auckland Hotel in the heart of downtown — an ideal starting point for your travels. After checking in and settling into your room, take a moment to enjoy the buzz of the city around you. A welcome letter with key information about your tour will be waiting for you at reception. This evening, you’ll meet your tour guide and fellow travellers at 6:15pm, followed by a 6:30pm welcome dinner, where you can get to know the group and set the tone for the exciting journey ahead.

Meals: Dinner

This morning, we leave Auckland behind and set out on a journey packed with remarkable scenery and memorable moments. Our first destination is Waitomo, famed across the globe for its spectacular glowworm caves. You’ll board a small boat and drift quietly beneath a star-like canopy created by thousands of glowworms, followed by a guided walk through impressive limestone formations shaped over millions of years. This extraordinary underground world has even captured the attention of Sir David Attenborough during his time in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We then make our way to Rotorua, a hotspot of geothermal activity and a proud centre of Māori heritage. Here, you can experience bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, powerful geysers, and the cultural stories that define this unique region. This evening, enjoy a shared dinner with your travel companions before unwinding at your accommodation, refreshed and ready for the next day’s discoveries.

Included Activity: Waitomo Glowworm Caves Experience
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we make our way around the edge of Lake Rotorua toward a breathtaking vantage point overlooking Mount Tarawera — a volcano forever linked with the famous Pink and White Terraces that were destroyed during its powerful 1886 eruption. From there, we continue to Te Wairoa, the historic Buried Village, where preserved relics and moving accounts reveal what life was like before and after that dramatic event. It remains one of New Zealand’s most significant archaeological sites.

Later in the day, we stroll through the serene trails of Whakarewarewa Forest, shaded by immense Redwoods and Douglas firs, with the lush silver fern adding a distinctly New Zealand touch. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to enjoy in Rotorua. You might choose to wander through the geothermal features of Kuirau Park, explore the beautifully kept Government Gardens, unwind in the mineral-rich pools of the Polynesian Spa, or ride the Skyline Gondola for panoramic views across the city and surrounding geothermal landscape.

Included Activities: Lake Tarawera Lookout, The Buried Village, Whakarewarewa Forest
Meals: Breakfast

This morning, we travel to the peaceful shores of Lake Aniwhenua in Murupara for an experience that offers a genuine connection to local life in Aotearoa. At Kohutapu Lodge, you’ll be hosted by a warm and dedicated Māori whānau (family) whose community-driven projects are helping breathe new life into their hometown.

Your visit begins with a guided walk to significant Māori rock art sites, where ancestral stories are shared and traditions come to life. Returning to the lodge, you’ll see firsthand how a traditional hāngi — a meal cooked beneath the earth — is prepared. As the hāngi is lifted from the ground, the rich aromas are sure to whet your appetite, and the feast you enjoy may well become one of the standout moments of your journey.

We then make our way to Taupō, stopping to admire the vibrant turquoise waters of Huka Falls before continuing on to take in expansive views of Lake Taupō, the largest lake in New Zealand and a natural wonder in its own right.

Included Activities: Kohutapu Lodge Cultural Experience, Huka Falls
Meals: Breakfast, Hāngi Lunch

After breakfast, we travel into the warm, vineyard-rich Hawke’s Bay region, celebrated for producing some of Aotearoa’s most exceptional wines. Our day includes a visit to the iconic Mission Estate Winery, where you’ll savour a guided tasting before sitting down to a relaxed lunch showcasing regional flavours. Enjoy beautifully crafted dishes matched with premium wines, all set against sweeping views of sunlit vines and rolling hills.

In the afternoon, we take a short trip into Napier, a delightful seaside town famous for its striking Art Deco buildings. Spend your free time wandering the scenic waterfront, browsing unique boutiques, or sampling fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It’s a wonderful mix of architecture, coastal beauty, and outstanding food and wine.

Included Activity: Mission Estate Winery Tasting & Lunch
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, we leave Napier and make our way south toward Wellington, New Zealand’s lively capital city, well-known for its creative energy and its reputation for serving some of the best coffee in the country. En route, we pause in Greytown — the oldest settlement in the Wairarapa region — to enjoy lunch. With its beautifully preserved Victorian buildings and stylish boutiques, it’s an ideal place to take a break and enjoy the town’s quaint charm before our journey continues.

Wellington, home to just under 220,000 people, offers a blend of laid-back coastal living and a dynamic arts and cultural scene. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. You might choose to stroll the scenic waterfront, discover local art spaces, or spend time at Te Papa, the national museum, where immersive displays celebrate the stories, heritage, and natural beauty of Aotearoa.

Meals: Breakfast

Today marks the conclusion of our journey together. After enjoying breakfast, it’s time to bid farewell to your guide and the fellow travellers who have shared this adventure with you — and who may now feel like lifelong friends. Whether you’re heading home or spending a little extra time exploring Wellington, we hope you depart with wonderful memories, a camera full of photos, and connections that will stay with you long after the tour ends.

Meals: Breakfast