This full day tour offers you a chance to experience the natural wonders of the geothermal landscape that makes Rotorua a unique destination in New Zealand. Te Puia, Rotorua's leading destination, learn of the traditions and culture of the Maori people, enjoy a cultural performance in the authentic Marae, see the famous Pohutu geysers, the Kiwi Bird, wood carving and flax weaving. Then to Hells Gate, an out of this world landscape full of steaming vents and bubbling mud. You may include a Mud Bath instead of the Hells Gate tour for a small surcharge.

Adult $235.00 NZ          Child $175.00 NZ

Itinerary

Depart Tauranga for Rotorua, passing through Te Puke, the home of the New Zealand Kiwifruit.  Time permitting we will stop at Kiwi360 a showcase of the kiwifruit industry and taste various products from this amazing fruit. Our route continues through farmland, native bush and forested areas past Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotorua, just 2 of the 16 lakes in this region.

Arrive Te Puia, the home of the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and the location of the famous Pohutu geyser. We visit the carving school and see craftsman fashion traditional wood carvings, then move on to watch the Maori women demonstrate flax weaving. A short walk through the geothermal valley of Whakarewarewa to view the mud pools, the famous Pohutu geyser and hot pools that make Te Puia unique.  See New Zealand's iconic flightless bird, the Kiwi in a purpose built kiwi-house. Explore the recreated traditional Maori fortified village.

A midday concert, will be performed on the Marae in one of few fully carved meeting houses in New Zealand, a place of special spiritual significance to Maori. Here you will see the traditional songs, dances and demonstrations of fighting skills [including the famous Haka]

After a short break to enjoy lunch [choice of options] we then take a drive through Rotorua City to view the formal Government Gardens, location of the famous Rotorua Bath House, the Art Deco Blue Baths and Rachel's Pool. Then passing the lakeside we stop to view the site of the January 2001 volcanic eruption, before leaving Rotorua for our next destination at Hells Gate. 

Hells Gate is a unique place of extreme contrasts with the largest hot waterfall in the southern hemisphere.  Our walk takes us past steaming fumaroles and pools of boiling mud so violent they are unnerving. This is a place of wonderful beauty – native fauna and birds so tame they will sit on your arm to feed. You also have the option to experience an authentic Mud bath followed by a refreshing Spa, bathing wear and towels are available for hire if needed.

If you wish to take the Mud Bath option instead of the Hells Gate tour there is a small surcharge.  There is not time on this tour to do both the Hells Gate tour and the Mud Bath. If this is required then we would recommend a Signature Class tour.

We then retrace our route back to Tauranga.

If you would like a private tour following this itinerary, for groups from 1 to 100 persons, then please contact us and we will be pleased to provide a quotation for a Signature Class Tour.

Duration 8 hours
Start Time 0830hrs
End Time 1630hrs

You wil be met at the ships gangway, look out for a name board with either your group name on or TRG-4.

Note, if the ship arrives after 0830 then the tour will begin 30 minutes after arrival, or as soon as passengers can depart. Should the ship leave earlier than 60 minutes after the tour is due to end we may shorten the tour

You will see
Kiwifruit orchard
Mud pools & Geysers
Wood carving & Flax weaving
Kiwi bird house
Cultural performance
Government gardens
Rotorua Bath House
Blue Baths & Rachel's Pool
Rotorua Lake side
Hells Gate

What's Included
Comfortable transport
Experienced guide
Entry to Te Puia
Cultural concert seats
Entry to Hells Gate

General Info
This tour requires some walking on well made paths, gentle inclines and some steps

Meals
Lunch is not included in this tour. Time will be allowed for refreshments

Other options
Mud bath and Spa $55.00

Conditions & Prices
This tour requires a minimum of 4 persons to operate. The group size will not exceed 24 persons.
Rates are shown in NZ $

Please see our Shore Trips Booking Terms & Conditions