Itinerary

Day 1

2-4 hours walking (Lunch, Dinner)
Pick-up from your Rotorua accommodation approx 8am, or Taupo 9am. Travel to Tongariro National Park. En route we stop for a 2-hour walk around the tranquil Lake Rotopounamu (the greenstone lake). As the name suggests it is a lush green gem, surrounded by dense native forest, with nice beaches and good birdlife.

Then hike through a variety of beautiful sub-alpine gardens to the creamy-white terraces of the Silica Rapids. Spectacular views of the mountains are enjoyed on fine days.

Drive further up Mt Ruapehu to a private lodge, for a hot shower and tasty New Zealand style dinner and wine.

Day 2

7-8 hours walking (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing � known as the best one-day walk in New Zealand and possibly the world. A challenging hike leads through stunning volcanic landscapes, past steaming craters, quirky coloured lakes and impressive dome volcanoes. Fantastic views over central North Island.

Your guides will meet you at the end of the Tongariro Crossing Great Walk Track with a celebratory drink and snack.

Head to a local hot spring for a well-earned soak, before returning to the lodge.

Note: The Tongariro Crossing will be walked without a guide, as currently this track can not be guided commercially. A comprehensive briefing will be given for this hike and a cell-phone and trail map provided, as well as drop off and pick up from track ends. Your guides will ensure you are fully prepared and are a simple phone call away.

Day 3

4-5 hours walking (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Leaving from the lodge on the mountain take a chair lift up to 2000m, then hike up to the crater lake at the top of Mt Ruapehu (approx 2 hours up to 2660m). The lake reaches temperatures of up to 60 C. Impressive views of the central plateau and all its volcanoes are afforded from near the summit of the North Island's highest mountain.

If you fancy a more relaxing day you will have the option of joining a guide and heading down to the local visitor centre to do some of the shorter walks in the area, perhaps to the Tama Lakes on a section of the Tongariro Northern Circuit Track.

Tonight we enjoy a final celebration dinner in the regal surrounds of the restaurant at the Tongariro Grand Chateau.

Day 4

3-5 hours walking (Breakfast, Lunch)
Pack up and head down the mountain to walk to the Taranaki Falls. Tumbling 20 metres over the edge of an old lava flow, which erupted from Mt Ruapehu 15,000 years ago, the falls plunge into a boulder-ringed pool. The track passes through an interesting range of alpine meadows and beech forest.

On the way back to Taupo a short walk leads to Te Porere Pa, an interesting and largely intact pa, built by the Maori prophet Te Kooti on one of his ventures across the North Island. A fierce battle was fought here but once again Te Kooti managed one of his miraculous escapes.

Drop off Taupo by 5pm, or Rotorua 6pm.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

3 nights lodge accommodation