We depart Auckland by traveling down the main southern route from the city, through small rural townships steeped in early pioneer history. Morning tea will be served by your tour director. Continue through New Zealand’s largest dairy and sheep farming province, the Waikato, to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. Join your guide on a walking tour through this amazing network of caves. The highlight of your visit will be a gentle boat ride along an underground stream past thousands of glow worms illuminating the cave walls.
A light lunch is served (airline style) as your tour continues to Rotorua.
Upon arrival visit the Agrodome, New Zealand’s premier agricultural attraction. Board a purpose built tractor for a tour around their working farm located nearby. Your guide will teach you everything there is to know about the farming of cattle, deer and sheep and their respective meat and fiber industries in New Zealand. The tour also includes a sheep shearing display in a replica wool shed.
The highlight of the day is a visit to Te Puia, home of New Zealand’s Maori Arts and Crafts. Your visit will commence with a 40 minute Maori Cultural Performance. Highlights include a welcome Powhiri, Haka, Poi Dance and Stick Games. Some members of the audience will be invited to participate in a Haka (Maori War Dance.) Following the performance, join a guided tour of Te Puia. Learn the history behind Maori carving, weaving and their pre-European lifestyle. Later, visit the famous Whakarewarewa Geothermal area to see the Pohutu Geyser, boiling mud pools, fumeroles and colorful silica deposits. You’ll also have the opportunity to see Kiwi in Te Puia´s nocturnal Kiwi House.
You will then be transferred to a 4 star hotel, the Heritage Rotorua (subject to availability.) A buffet dinner is included tonight.
The second day is free day for you to enjoy the geothermal environment of Rotorua. Options include fly fishing, golf, a leisurely dip in the hot springs or perhaps even a mud bath followed by a traditional Maori massage (each for an additional cost.)
Our tour will depart from Rotorua in the late afternoon, returning to Auckland through the popular horse breeding area of Matamata. An evening snack will be served en route.
Click below to view photos of our double decker coaches:
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