North Island Hike
Urewera Discovery Tour Highlights: All-inclusive New Zealand walking holiday exploring the best of Lake Waikaremoana, Whirinaki Forest and Te Urewera National Park, including the best short walks and scenic highlights of this incredible area. Journey into the North Island's most remote and untouched wilderness area with a knowledgeable guide and small group, at a relaxed pace.
Departs Rotorua
Join a small group
3 days / 2 nights all-inclusive New Zealand walking holiday
Flexible itinerary - can be tailored to suit any fitness level
Carry a day pack only
Fitness level: easy to moderate
Accommodation: Twin rooms, share bathrooms, in tranquil setting
Includes: "Kiwi" style meals and wine, boat cruise, transport, guides
Optional activities - kayaking, fishing, amazing natural hot spring swim
| Prices: |
Valid to June 2010 - NZ $1080 per adult, $880 per child (12 years and under) |
| Dates: | 2009 Nov 24; Dec 16 |
| 2010 Jan 9, 19, 23; Feb 6, 20; Mar 6, 13; Apr 5, 17 | |
| 2010 Nov 19 (full); Dec 12, 28 | |
| 2011 Jan 16, 27; Feb 13, 26; Mar 12, 20; Apr 5 |
(If none of these dates suit please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate you!)
Urewera Discovery Tour Fact Sheet - please read this PDF before booking.
Urewera Discovery Tour Full Itinerary:
The itinerary below is a basic outline. Flexibility enables groups to select from numerous walks and activities, thus ensuring everyone's abilities and interests are catered for. Your New Zealand hiking guides will enhance your journey by using their local knowledge to help select appropriate walks, provide company, interpret the features you encounter, and take care of all your meals, transport, accommodation and other logistics. With door-to-door return transport, this is the most comfortable and rewarding way to experience this isolated wilderness region.
Day One
2-4 hours walking (Lunch Dinner)
Pick-up Rotorua. En route to Waikaremoana walk amidst New Zealand's best example of native podocarp forest. The towering trees at Whirinaki sparked a dramatic environmental protest against native logging, and you will understand why English Botanist David Bellamy sights this forest as one of the world's finest. Picnic beside an impressive waterfall, with the chance to sight the endangered native blue duck, before continuing on through dense rainforest to Waikaremoana.
The afternoon is spent either exploring the local museum or kayaking across the lake to Aniwaniwa Falls. In the evening climb to the top of the landslide that created Lake Waikaremoana over 2000 years ago, to watch the sunset over the lake. Retire to the lodge for a tasty dinner, fine wine and good company.
Day Two
3-5 hours walking (Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner)
After a delicious cooked breakfast day two of your walking holiday strolls through a magnificent ancient beech forest to the tranquil Lake Waikareiti. Reached only by walking track, this lake is free of introduced aquatic plants, giving it outstanding water clarity. Take a rowboat to one of the Lake's islands for a picnic lunch amidst abundant birdlife and pristine forest that flourish in this pest-free environment.
In the afternoon find the largest rata tree in the country, over 1000 years old! A stunning walk reveals the vibrant lime foliage of the tawa tree and brilliant crimson rata flowers. Then visit a local marae (Maori meeting house) for an informal chat with a Maori elder about the region’s fascinating history and culture. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and provides a real feel for the area and its tangata whenua (people of the land).
Day Three
3 hours walking (Breakfast, Lunch)
Taste one of New Zealand's famous "Great Walks" - the Lake Waikaremoana Track. Day three of your New Zealand walking holiday is a steady climb through mixed broadleaf podocarp forest and rewards you with inspiring views over Lake Waikaremoana and the forest-clad mountains of Te Urewera National Park, New Zealand. Spectacular sandstone rock bluffs drop sheer to the lake 600 metres below. If weather permits a scenic boatride begins our journey back to Rotorua, followed by a lakeside picnic and the opportunity for a rejuvenating soak and celebratory champagne in an amazing natural hot spring!
Urewera Discovery Tour Fact Sheet - please read this PDF before booking.