New Zealand - North Island (Kia Ora)

Hauraki Gulf Auckland Rotorua Hobbiton Waitomo Caves

Description

Dialy departures (min. 2 passengers) with Italian speaking guide.

Program

Day 1:

Auckland
Upon arrival private transfer from Auckland Airport to Hotel (Italian).
Your Italian speaking guide will provide help at hotel check-in.
Meals: not included

Day 2:

Auckland
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel for a full day tour Auckland and surrounding suburbs (Italian guide). See the best of New Zealand’s biggest city on an Auckland City highlights tour.
Travel through the city centre, including Auckland's famous Queen Street, Karangahape Road with its chequered past and eclectic vibe and fashionable Ponsonby. Cross over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, enjoying views of the Hauraki Gulf and city skyline, and visit the Viaduct Harbour and the revitalized Silo Park waterfront precinct. See historic buildings around the University of Auckland before continuing over Grafton Bridge to the Auckland Domain.
The Domain is the city's oldest park and, at 75 hectares, one of its largest. Developed around an extinct volcano, it features tropical gardens, duck ponds and public art, and is also home to the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
After visiting the Domain, the tour continues through the boutique shopping area of Parnell Village, where you will make a brief morning tea stop, and along the scenic waterfront route of Tamaki Drive. Just above Mission Bay is one of the scenic highlights of your tour: Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park. Named after one of New Zealand's most revered Prime Ministers, the park, with its formal gardens and tranquil atmosphere, offers stunning views over the picturesque Eastern Bays, Auckland city and the Waitemata Harbour.
Meals: not included

Day 3:

Auckland to Rotorua
Rotorua from Māori: Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe, "The second great lake of Kahumatamomoe") is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is the seat of the Rotorua District, a territorial authority encompassing Rotorua and several other nearby towns. The majority of the Rotorua District is in the Bay of Plenty Region, but a sizeable southern section and a small western section are in the Waikato Region. Rotorua is in the heart of the North Island, 60 kilometres south of Tauranga, 80 km north of Taupo, 105 km east of Hamilton, and 230 km southeast of the nation's most populous city, Auckland.
Rotorua has an estimated permanent population of 56,800, making it the country's 10th largest urban area, and the Bay of Plenty's second largest urban area behind Tauranga.
Rotorua is known for its geothermal activity and features geysers – notably the Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa – and hot mud pools. This thermal activity is sourced to the Rotorua caldera, on which the town lies. Rotorua is home to the Waiariki Institute of Technology.

Early departure from your hotel in Auckland with your Italian Speaking driver guide.

Entrance to Waitomo cave with your guide.
The Waitomo Caves is a village and solutional cave system forming a major tourist attraction in the northern King Country region of the North Island of New Zealand, 12 kilometres northwest of Te Kuiti The Waitomo Glowworm Caves attraction is a cave, known for its population of glowworms, Arachnocampa luminosa. This species is found exclusively in New Zealand.
Lunch is on your own.
Continue for Matamata where you will join the Hobbiton Movie set tour this tour for approximately 2 hrs.
The Hobbiton Movie Set was a significant location used for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and The Hobbit film series. It is situated on a family run farm about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) west of Hinuera and 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) southwest of Matamata, in Waikato, New Zealand, and is now a Tolkien tourism destination, offering guided tours of the set.
In the afternoon arrive in Rotorua.
Brief city tour of Rotorua by bus before arriving at your hotel.
Check-in at your hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Rotorua.
Meals: not included

Day 4:

Rotorua
Day at leisure for individual activities.
Traditional Hangi-meal take a journey back in time through the Maori village of ‘Te Tawa Ngahere Pa’. Experience the pre-European lifestyle and customs of the ancient Maori ancestors as the village comes alive with tribal songs, dances and activities. Enjoy a night of truly authentic, traditional culture and entertainment. Feast on a selection of foods cooked the traditional Maori way on hot stones in an authentic earthen oven. Tour includes transport to and from accommodation with coach commentary and Maori guide to instruct you on protocol.

A powerful cultural performance of song and dance is shared within the village meeting house. Feasting on your traditional hangi buffet meal and New Zealand desserts begins. Dine, relax and enjoy a closing ceremony before the evening is ended with an entertaining journey home.

In Māori tradition, Te Pō (the night) was a very important time. It was when Ranginui (Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (Earth Mother) lay in an embrace. When separated, light permeated Te Pō and Te Ao Mārama (World of Life) began.

Your evening will end back at the hotel at approx. 2115hrs
Overnight at your hotel in Rotorua
Meals: included hangi dinner

Day 5:

Rotorua onward
Private transfer with English speaking driver guide from your hotel in Rotorua to Rotorua Airport. (English)
End of the tour and services.

Price includes

- 4 nights accommodation, room only basis
- All tours and transfers as shown above
- Entrance at Waitomo cave
- Entrance at Hobbiton Movie set tour with 2 hours guided tour
- Private Italian or Spanish speaking guide for half day Auckland city tour
- Private Italian or Spanish speaking guide from Auckland to Rotorua via Witomo cave and Hobbiton
- Hangi & Concert (not guided) English only

Price does not include

- Optional Excursions
- Meals unless stated
- Flights (You will need to book flight out from Rotorua - any time)
- surcharges will be applicable for during Special Events and holiday periods

Itinerary

Accommodations provided in each place