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Best of North Island Gourmet Walk showcases the highlights of North Island over Six days. Departing from Auckland, and finishing in Sanctuary Mountain, Cambridge. New Zealand's award-winning wines, lush ancient forest, awe-inspiring volcanic landscapes, emerald lake on Mount Tongariro, and harbour/lake cruising are all on show in this incredible trip.
Kick off your six-day journey with a short cruise across the Hauraki Gulf to Waiheke Island, where you'll experience exclusive wineries and stunning coastline. Then enjoy an ancient forest walk and savour the wilderness and bird songs. Weave your way along the Bay of Plenty coastline, journey through to the spectacular chute of Huka Falls and walk among the world's most beautiful volcanic landscapes in Tongariro National Park. Your trip will end with a picture perfect cone-shaped volcano flanked by rainforest, ...
Kick off your six-day journey with a short cruise across the Hauraki Gulf to Waiheke Island, where you'll experience exclusive wineries and stunning coastline. Then enjoy an ancient forest walk and savour the wilderness and bird songs. Weave your way along the Bay of Plenty coastline, journey through to the spectacular chute of Huka Falls and walk among the world's most beautiful volcanic landscapes in Tongariro National Park. Your trip will end with a picture perfect cone-shaped volcano flanked by rainforest, overlooking a wild and untamed coastline at the foot of Mt Taranaki.
Food and wine is a big part of the tour. You'll visit Waiheke Island wineries sampling the acclaimed local artisan red wines, visit the North Island's oldest and premier wine and stone fruit growing region in Hawke's Bay, and enjoy high tea in the grand lounge of Chateau Tongariro Hotel.
Most meals are included for the duration of the walk. At night, you'll dine with your fellow walkers as a group at hand-picked restaurants focusing on local produce and Kiwi meals of a high standard. With dinner every night, you'll be provided with local wines to enjoy with your meals.
Accommodation is included each night and chosen based on their quality, and their location. On this trip, you'll stay at Wai Ora Resort Rotorua located on the shores of beautiful Lake Rotoiti, lakefront Oreti Village Resort, Turangi is surrounded by tranquil bush, breath-taking water and mountain range views and elegant and contemporary accommodation Kelly Road Cambridge Lodge. All accommodation are 4 star.
The tour starts from Auckland and concludes in Cambridge. All transfers as well as guides are included. Small groups of twelve walkers are hosted by highly experienced and knowledgeable guides. The walk is graded easy and fully supported. You only need to carry a day pack each day.
The Best of North Island Gourmet six day walk is to relax, escape the day to day, and indulge in the incredible sights, sounds and tastes.
Dates or itinerary don't fit? We are specialising in bespoke "tailor-made" luxury or private journeys. Please contact us for a "tailor-made" itinerary for your perfect adventure.
This tour is eligible to earn ONLYLUXE reward points.
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Walking distance: approx. 2 hours easy walk
Pick up from Crowne Plaza, Auckland town center at 7:30 am, kick off of 6 days of walking and indulgence from the largest cosmopolitan city, to Waiheke Island. A spectacularly beautiful place where bohemians decided to escape the rat race in the 60s, now home to some of our most exclusive wineries and stunning coastline. Walk the coastal Park Point Peninsula before sampling the acclaimed local artisan red wines. After a short cruise back across the Hauraki Gulf, you'll head south through the rolling green countryside to Rotorua for our first night. Enjoy a selection of Puhoi cheeses & local island fare for dinner.
Indulge yourself in luxury lakeside Wai Ora Spa Resort in Rotorua with nearby Lake Rotoiti and Tamaki Maori Village.
Walking distance: short walks within 18 square km of Geothermal hotspot
Wake up in the cultural hub of New Zealand, Rotorua, and sample our fine espresso coffee. Once we're wide awake and well fed we'll drive a short distance down the road to the thermal wonderland of Wai-O-Tapu New Zealand's premier area of geothermal activity. Bubbling mud, steaming cracks in the earth, myriad sulphuric colours and smells abound in this fascinating area. Tonight we'll spend the evening appreciating local culture and history at a Maori cultural & dining experience at Te Puia.
Dine at Te Puia tonight, experiencing a 'Hangi' – a traditional Maori feast cooked in an earth oven.
Walking distance: approx. 8 km, 3.5 hours
No need to hurry this morning - you will take our time with breakfast, before heading south to our largest inland body of water - Lake Taupo. Draining from the lake is the Waikato River, which starts its journey through a tight cataract and spectacular chute - Huka Falls. You will walk the trail to the Falls and have lunch on the lakefront. For those who are keen, you will then walk some of the loop track around a crater lake, Lake Rotopounamu.
Afterwards we'll head to your accommodation, where your guide will cook up a delicious dinner.
You will check into lakefront Oreti Village Resort, is surrounded by tranquil bush, breath-taking water and mountain range views, Oreti is one of New Zealand's best kept secrets.
Walking distance: approx. 4.7 km, 2 hours & optional loop walk approx. 6 km 2 hours
Wide open arid volcanic landscapes, picture perfect volcanic peaks, waterfalls and clear flowing waters; it's no wonder this is a World Heritage site. Today you will take the Silica Rapids walk, which follows a cascading stream through mountain beech forest to the creamy white terraces carved out from thousands of years of volcanic activity. If you're up for another waterfall, we’ll take a 6 kilometre loop track to Taranaki Falls, where the water tumbles 20 metres over a 15,000 year old lava flow to crash into the pool below.
This afternoon you are heading to one of New Zealand's most iconic hotels, in the volcanic central plateau, the Chateau Tongariro, where you will have afternoon tea. This evening your wonderful guides will prepare another delicious meal.
Walking distance: free to roam at Sanctuary Mountain
Today you will take a beautifully scenic drive north, around the west side of Lake Taupo, to Maungatautari, where you will explore Sanctuary Mountain. This conservation project is a gigantic predator-proof area of 3400 hectares. The project aims to continue the re-introduction of threatened and endangered species via breeding programmes, and gives visitors the opportunity to see some of New Zealand's most incredible animals in a sound ecological environment.
Later today you will head for the town of Cambridge where you will spend the night. Known as 'the town of trees and champions' as well as New Zealand's equine capital, you will explore this quaint community on the banks of the powerful Waikato River, before your farewell dinner out at a Cambridge restaurant.
For your final dinner together your guides will take you to their favourite restaurant in town.
You will stay in elegant and contemporary accommodation in Cambridge, is located at the entrance of the beautiful tree-lined Cambridge.
You'll be transferred to Auckland airport at 11:00 am, in time departure for domestic flights at 12:00 pm or international flights at 1:00 pm
Private departure is available. Please contact us.
- The departure point is Crowne Plaza, town center Auckland, New Zealand- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Auckland- The tour finishes in Cambridge and depart at Auckland airport
We provide private car or helicopter transfer service. Please contact us to quote and arrange private transfer. E: travel@onlyluxe.com.au
Day 1: Waiheke Island coastal walk & winery tour, approx. 2 hours easy walkDay 2: Wai-O-Tapu Wonderland, short walks within 18 square km of Geothermal hotspotDay 3: Huka Falls trail walk, approx. 3 km, 1.5 hours. Lake Rotopounamu loop track walk, approx. 5 km, 2 hoursDay 4: Tongariro National Park Silica Rapids trail, approx. 4.7 km, 2 hours. Optional: Taranaki Falls loop track walk, approx. 6 km, 2 hoursDay 5: Sanctuary Mountain and Cambridge township exploreDay 6: Transfer to Auckland airport
December, January, FebruaryNew Zealanders take a break in December and January, and perpetually wish they were still on vacation for the rest of summer and autumn. The sun is generally shining, and the temperatures are in the 75F/25C range. February is generally regarded as the best weather month, which means it’s also quite popular on the trails.March, April, MayTechnically it's autumn, but it’ll feel like summer just doesn't want to go away. March temperatures average at 70F/21C. This is also the most stable time of year to visit weatherwise, with little rain and low wind. In April and May, it starts to get a little cooler in the South, but it’s a welcome occurrence, with crisp clear evenings for star gazing. It's also a good time of year for cheap air fares!June, July, AugustThere's no other way to say it - its winter, but not as you know it. Being an Island nation, our climate is temperate, with the snowfall staying up high, meaning we can enjoy all the same activities we would in summer, only with less people around and with a bit more of a chill in the air - a great time to be here. Temperatures in the north average at 60F/15C, while the far south experiences an average of 47F/8C and the top of the South Island 54F/12C.September, October, NovemberThings start to warm up everywhere, flowers dot the green forests, and newly born lambs bounce and tumble around paddocks. You'll find yourself wondering when the people will start arriving - keep the spring time secret to yourself and enjoy the North and South Islands. On average temperatures are around 65F/18C and 58F/15C respectively. It's also a good time of year for cheap air fares.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.Payment DetailAll pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.Single SupplementAll accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.General Cancellation Policies- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurancePlease Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.LiabilityThe participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.Child PolicyPlease consult travel consultant on age limit.Changes to ItinerariesLocal conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.Changes in PricesWhile we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age LimitsYou need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.Cancellation by The Tour OperatorThe walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.Force Majeure'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.EvacuationsIn rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.Travel InsuranceIn view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.