Eco Thermal half day TOUR
Half day - Morning
This tour visit Rotorua's most natural and popular geothermal parks.
- Wai O Tapu
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Our local naturalist guide will explain the volcanic processes of Rotorua and New Zealand. Your clients will see volcanoes, geysers, New Zealand's largest boiling mud pool mud pools and hot springs.
The two parks offer a variety of thermal activity; at Wai-o-tapu the colourful hot springs are the key features along with the famous Lady Know geyser. At Waimangu Volcanic valley the guide will explain the Mt Tarawera eruption which blew open this now spectacular, bush covered, geothermal park.
- The tour departs daily 8:00-8:30am and returns 12:30-1:00pm.
- Pick up from accommodation (central city)
- Tour costs include entry to thermal parks.
the BURIED VILLAGE half day tour
Half day afternoon
The afternoon is spent learning about the history and legends of the great eruption of Mount Tarawera. To bring the story alive visits are made to:
- The Buried Village
- Lake Tarawera
- Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and Lake Rotokakahi (Green Lake)
The Buried Village is the site of a former Maori village, destroyed during the Tarawera volcanic eruption. Here visitors can walk through excavations of the buried village and learn the stories of the how the eruption affected people of this time.
The tour includes a beautiful native bush walk to a waterfall and Lake Tarawera lookout. Visits to the clear and colourful Green and Blue lakes are a favourite stop for visitors.
- Tour departs 1.00pm and returns at approximately 4:00pm.
- Pick up from accommodation (central city)
- Tour costs include entry to the Buried Village.
eco thermal full day
Combine the Eco Thermal Park and Buried Village tours.
Cultural Eco Thermal half day tour
afternoon half day
Spend an afternoon gaining an appreciation of New Zealand’s Maori culture with visits to settlement sites and living villages. Visitors will learn about Maori customs, traditions, history and protocols new and old, with a guided visit to Te Puia, Rotorua's premier cultural centre.
The guided tour through Te Puia includes a visit to the wood carving school, art and craft gallery, Rotowhio Marae, weaving display, kiwi house and finally Pohutu geyser.
Next we visit Rotorua’s lakefront area and Ohinemutu Point to learn more about Maori history and customs. A short visit is made to Kuirau Park to view a recent eruption site, then the day finishes with a visit to the pristine and tranquil lakes of our amazing volcanic region, including views of Mount Tarawera with explanation of volcanic and Maori history.
- Tour departs 1.00pm and returns at approximately 4:00pm.
- Pick up from accommodation (central city)
- Tour costs include entry to the Te Puia.
cultural Eco Thermal Full Day tour
Combine the Eco Thermal Park and Elite Cultural tours.
Ultimate Escape NEW
Full day tour
Take our personlised tour of the best sites Rotorua has to offer on our natural eco adventure.
Enjoy a guided walk through Wai O Tapu thermal park. The guide will explain the geothermal processes and Maori culture. Absorb the unique features including the world famous champagne pool, geysers, bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters and sinter terrace
formations. The natural bush setting adds another dimension to the experience as does the guaranteed daily eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser at 10.15am.
Enjoy a hot swim at Waikite Valley Thermal Pools. This is a unique place to experience the ‘Living Waters’ of the Te Manaroa Spring, the largest single source of 100% pure boiling water in New Zealand. These very waters cascade into the main splash pool (35-38C), adjoining toddlers beach area and the sit and soak pool (38-40°C) and the new Tranquil Garden pool. Enjoy lunch at Waikite.
Next up is the RiverJet Thermal Safari, a jet boat ride on the mighty Waikato River. The experienced driver/guide will thrill you with 360 degree spins in a part of New Zealand that many people don’t see. The tour includes entry into Orakei Korako - walk around this magnificent thermal reserve, see boiling pools of mud and water, geysers and silica terraces. See what was described by the Lonely Planet Guide as “possibly the best thermal area left in New Zealand”.
OR
Jet boat ride through Tutukau Gorge. Sit back and take in the remarkable landscape, learn the history and legends of the area and enjoy an abundance of unique wildlife. The jet boat driver asks passengers to disembark the boat in knee deep warm water and head towards a narrow gap in the cliff face to start the challenge of The Squeeze. Participants maneuver their way through narrow crevasses, climbing boulders, and wade through warm waist deep water to emerge in stunning native New Zealand bush. On the return journey hang on tight and enjoy all the thrills, excitement, speed and spins you would expect from the Hamilton Jet.
ADD ON (not included in pricing)
An evening at Mitai provides an authentic introduction to Maori culture leaving visitors amazed and in awe. Be enthralled by the natural bush setting, see warriors in traditional dress paddle an ancient warrior canoe (waka) down the Wai-o-whiro stream, and don’t miss your only opportunity in the Rotorua area to see glow worms in their natural habitat. Marvel at the crystal clear water full of eels and trout. Visitors can watch a traditionally cooked hangi meal being lifted from the ground.
