9D8N Journey to the North Island for Adventurers

Exceptional Experiences:

• Auckland Bridge Climb Experience: Scaling the Auckland Harbour Bridge is rewarding and educational. This fully-guided tour which will take you right to the top – giving you a 360-degree view of Auckland.

• Experience New Zealand’s steepest and only narrow-gauge mountain railway: The Driving Creek Railway climbs 2.7km from the Base Station at 55 metres above sea level to EyeFull Tower at 167 metres above sea level, a total climb of 115 metres. With an average gradient of 1-in-24.1 (1 vertical metre for every 24.1 metres of length), the Driving Creek Railway is New Zealand’s steepest railway.

• Private Glow Worm Cave Eco-tour: Visit the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves amd experience to moving through the caves, to enjoy, explore, and take in the surroundings, including our mesmerising glow worm displays. You’ll see the caves just as nature intended.

• THE SQUEEZE Experience: Disembark into knee-deep warm water and head towards a narrow gap in the cliff face to start THE SQUEEZE. Manoeuvre through narrow crevasses and wade through warm water and emerge in native bush. Soak up the atmosphere while relaxing in the thermal waters of a naturally heated bathing pool.

• 3 Night Stay at Award-Winning Huka Lodge: Within 17-acres of magnificent manicured grounds, luxury accommodation is available within just 26 suites. All nestling along the banks of the magnificent Waikato River, upstream from the mighty Huka Falls.

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Itinerary:

Day 1: Singapore – Auckland

Depart Singapore for Auckland

Day 2: Auckland 

Upon arrival in Auckland, start your trip with an adventure and scale the Auckland Harbour Bridge and experience the Auckland Bridge Climb. Scaling the Auckland Harbour Bridge is rewarding and educational. This fully-guided tour which will take you right to the top – giving you a 360-degree view of Auckland. With custom-engineered walkways, it is safe and an experience not to be missed.

Then, head to Auckland’s oldest suburb, Parnell Village, known for upscale boutiques, galleries and dining options, posh restaurants, quaint cafes, diverse galleries and shopping districts, and is definitely a top spot to explore whilst in the area. Venture a little further south and you’ll stumble upon the eternally bustling area of Newmarket, a suburb boasting a reputation as the fashion and trend capital of New Zealand.

Make your way to your accommodation to check in at SO/ Auckland, the trendiest artistic and musical melting pot in town. Situated downtown in the lively Britomart district, SO is placed within the dynamic vibe of the city. Walk to nearby fashionable boutiques and galleries, Viaduct Precinct and Wynyard Quarter with cafes, restaurants and nightlife along the waterfront.

Wine and dine in Harbour Society where our SO passionate team of Chefs reinterpret French culinary traditions with an unconventional twist.

Accommodation: 5* S/O Auckland

Day 2: Auckland/ Bay of Islands 

Today, depart from Auckland to Paihia and embark on a spectacular Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise Tour in the sheltered waters of the Bay of Islands. Take in the stunning views as we glide out through the islands and along the Rakaumangamanga Peninsula to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over and Piercy Island/Motukōkako, or as it is popularly known the ‘Hole in the Rock’. Keep an eye out for dolphins, whales and other marine life during your cruise, and have your camera ready as we get you up close to the action. Enjoy a picnic lunch onboard and Dolphin Seeker has indoor and outdoor seating available, and the largest outdoor viewing decks in the Bay of Islands.

Then, head back to Auckland and spend your day at leisure.

Accommodation: 5* S/O Auckland

Day 3: Coromandel Bay

Catch a Fullers360 ferry from Downtown Auckland at 0845 and take a relaxing 2-hour scenic cruise through the Hauraki Gulf to Hannafords Wharf, close to Coromandel Town.  With its unique character, relaxed, laid-back lifestyle and spectacular natural surrounds, the Coromandel Peninsula offers attractions to suit all.

Make your way to Driving Creek Railway (20 min drive from the ferry terminal), New Zealand’s only narrow-gauge mountain railway. The Driving Creek Railway is a narrow gauge bush and mountain railway on the outskirts of the provincial town of Coromandel.

The Driving Creek Railway climbs 2.7km from the Base Station at 55 metres above sea level to EyeFull Tower at 167 metres above sea level, a total climb of 115 metres. With an average gradient of 1-in-24.1 (1 vertical metre for every 24.1 metres of length), the Driving Creek Railway is New Zealand’s steepest railway. Unlike most other tourist railways, this railway is newly built rather than being an old line that has been restored.

Take an hour’s drive and make your way to the naturally heated mineral water bubbles up from deep within the earth to emerge through golden sand at the appropriately named Hot Water Beach. Here, dig your own thermal spa from the Pacific Ocean. Near the rocks at the southern end of the beach you can dig your own spa pool in the sand. Dig up to two hours either side of low tide – that's when the tide is low enough to expose the area of sand with hot water underneath. It's a strange but very pleasant feeling to be lying in a pool of hot water just metres from the refreshing sea.

Located 20 minutes away, experience the stunning coastal walk and photo opportunities at Cathedral Cove. Embark on a relaxing sail at the end of the day. Take a tour out to sea on a sunset cruise departing from Buffalo Beach at 6 pm and returns at 8 pm. Sail the boat or relax on the comfortable tramp decks on a beanbag. Watch the sun go down and the moon come up. Enjoy local brewery beer and some local smoked seafood snacks onboard.

Make your way to your accommodation to check-in at your lodge, Mangotahi Lodge is nestled in the beautiful Kauaeranga Valley.

Accommodation: 5* Mangotahi Lodge

Day 4: Waitomo – Rotorua 

This morning, head to Polynesian Hot Pools and Spa. Polynesian Spa's geothermal hot mineral waters are sourced from two natural springs and feed into 28 hot mineral pools. It is New Zealand’s original and iconic geothermal bathing experience, with exclusive access to both acidic and alkaline natural mineral springs, and unique spa therapies for the ultimate in rest and relaxation. Here, relax and enjoy a hot mineral soak, your choice of therapy and the relaxation lounge.

In the late afternoon, visit the Redwoods Treewalk that takes you through exotic redwoods forest at new heights! Experience the Redwoods Nightlights – where forest and fantasy come to life. Redwoods Nightlights™ is one of New Zealand’s top design-led tourism experiences that features 30 exquisite lanterns designed by world-renowned designer and sustainability champion David Trubridge. Floating between 9-20 metres above the forest floor, this award-winning, eco-tourism walk is 700 metres long, spans across 28 suspension bridges and 27 platforms and takes about 40 minutes to complete. Surround yourself with gentle giants, native fauna and sweeping silver ferns in this peaceful haven above the forest floor.   The stunning light displays lighting up the forest in colourful and creative ways giving you the perfect photo opportunity.

Then, head to your accommodation for the night. Nestled in 2,500 breathtaking acres of 800-year-old native forest, Treetops Lodge is a uniquely New Zealand experience. This wildlife sanctuary offers outdoor activities centered around seven streams, four lakes and 35 miles of adventure trails.

Accommodation: 5* Treetops Lodge

Day 5: Taupo – Huka Lodge

This afternoon, visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve and encounter bubbling mud, pools of boiling water still used for cooking, and stunning geysers. The Pōhutu geyser is the star of the show.

Following which, take a guided tour at Whakarewarewa Living Village, New Zealand's only living Maori village located in Rotorua. Whakarewarewa is the legacy and home of the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people, who have been sharing their unique way of life with visitors from all around the world for over two hundred years. Enjoy a Maori Cultural Performance by the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people – the residents of the village who have a proud history of song and dance spanning over a century.

This evening, make your way to your accommodation at Huka Lodge at Taupo. Offering elegance and refinement, this accommodation in Taupo endears its self to discerning luxury travellers in New Zealand. Within 17-acres of magnificently manicured grounds, luxury accommodation is available within just 26 suites. All nestling along the banks of the magnificent Waikato River, upstream from the mighty Huka Falls.

Accommodation: 5* Huka Lodge

Day 6: Taupo – Huka Lodge

This morning, gear yourself up for a one of a kind adventure.

Enjoy the thrills of a jet boat ride while admiring the serenity of New Zealand's untouched nature. Come close to nature and make your way through tight rock passages and be greeted by a mystical hot spring waterfall as you take on THE SQUEEZE. Then, soak up the atmosphere while relaxing in the thermal waters of a naturally heated bathing pool.

Then, visit New Zealand's most spectacular and most visited natural attractions, Huka Falls via the Hukafalls Jet. At Huka Falls you can witness the phenomenon of natural hydropower with more than 220,000 litres of water per sec barreling over 11meter high waterfall.

As we board the Hukafalls Jet, it takes us along a beautiful river environment, lined with native bush, sheer rock cliff face and hot water streams. Hold on tight as you'll be travelling at an incredible 80km an hour! Along the way, be prepared for 360-degree spins that will leave you with a beaming smile and a heart pumping with adrenaline.

Make your way back to your accommodation at Huka Lodge at Taupo.

Accommodation: 5* Huka Lodge

Day 7: Whanganui - Wellington

This morning, after breakfast, take a drive to Tongariro National Park en route via Bulli Point, passing Lake Taupo. Make a stop if you wish and snap away. If you are feeling adventurous, take the plunge into the fresh blue water of Lake Taupō from Bulli Point / Te Poporo.

Then, head towards Whanganui and explore one of North Island’s hidden gems, a must-visit for explorers and visitors up for an adventure – Bridge to Nowhere

Afterwhich, make your way down to Wellington.

Accommodation: 5* Sofitel Wellington

Day 8: Wellington

Today, spend the morning or afternoon visiting Middle-earth on this half-day 'The Lord of the Rings' tour from Wellington. Get a behind-the-scenes look at LOTR movie production on a tour of Weta Studios and discover why director Peter Jackson selected this region to film the renowned trilogy along with ‘The Hobbit’ movies. 'Lord of the Rings' half-day tour from Wellington Explore Middle-earth and see famous sights from 'The Lord of the Rings' movies. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Weta workshop, the studio that produced the special effects for the LOTR trilogy

Then, head to Wairarapa Martinborough Village. Here, you can go on a Wine Trail and enjoy a private wine tasting tour.

Accommodation: 5* Sofitel Wellington

Day 9: Wellington – Singapore

Depart Singapore for Auckland

Via Air New Zealand or Singapore Airlines (both do not offer direct flights, flight times varies daily)

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Please note: This itinerary is designed to give you an idea of what to expect on the tour but is not set in stone. What we actually do on a given day is flexible and can be tailored based on the interests of the group.

This itinerary and its package inclusions might be changed later in time, subject to availability.

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