12 Day North Island Explorer Northbound

12 days
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Small Group Tour
Explore New Zealand's northern heartland, from the secluded beaches of the coast to the volcanic craters of the central plateau, on this North Island Explorer trip. Adventure activities abound here – why not go sea kayaking or snorkelling on our Bay of Islands adventure cruise, underground black-water rafting in Waitomo, bungee jumping and jet boating at Taup...

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Discover the breathtaking Bay of Islands
    • Observe Waitomo's mysterious glow worms
    • See geysers
    • Visit the spectacular Huka Falls
    • Be inspired and captivated by the majesty of Mt Ruapehu
    • Explore Te Papa Museum
    • Bushwalk in Abel Tasman National Park
    • Spot sperm whales and dolphins in Kaikoura

What's this trip about?

    Explore New Zealand's northern heartland, from the secluded beaches of the coast to the volcanic craters of the central plateau, on this North Island Explorer trip. Adventure activities abound here – why not go sea kayaking or snorkelling on our Bay of Islands adventure cruise, underground black-water rafting in Waitomo, bungee jumping and jet boating at Taupo or mountain biking and kayaking in Nelson. Whatever your interest, this small group adventure offers the perfect combination of incredible sights and thrilling activities.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 15 people
Age range12 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityChristchurch
End CityAuckland

Travel Themes

  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

Activities

  • Hiking
  • Historic Sightseeing
  • Kayaking
  • River Cruise
  • Snorkeling

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 15

Trip includes

    • Accommodation
    • Activities listed in the day-to-day itinerary
    • Tour guide
    • Internal Transportation

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Christchurch

Arrive in Christchurch, New Zealand's exciting re-emerging city. Spend some time visiting the pop up Re:START development or SOMO, Christchurch's most dynamic neighbourhood.

Day 2: Kaikoura

Head up the coast to Kaikoura, where animal lovers may spot sperm whales, dolphins, seals and wandering albatrosses.

Days 3-4: Nelson

Bushwalking tracks among the gorgeous inlets and coves outside of Nelson are just begging to be explored. It is also possible to fit in a spot of fishing, take a winery tour or perhaps just wander through the eclectic range of shops in Nelson.

Day 5: Wellington

Enjoy a cruise through the spectacular Marlborough Sounds on a ferry between the North and South islands. Visit the fascinating Te Papa Museum and, perhaps in free time, catch a cable car up to the Botanic Gardens for spectacular views over the city and harbour.

Days 6-7: Mt Ruapehu

Be inspired and captivated by the majesty of Mt Ruapehu. Perhaps hike the famous Tongariro Crossing track or take a different route through the lower forest.

Day 8: Taupo/Rotorua

Visit the spectacular Huka Falls and perhaps take the opportunity to bungy or jet boat in Taupo - the North Island's home of extreme sports. Rotorua's geysers, bubbling mud pools and volcanic cliffs are shaped by seismic forces and are as spectacular as they sound.

Day 9: Waitomo

Discover Waitomo, which is famous for its limestone caves, glow worms and blackwater rafting – an unforgettable trip that involves hiking and descending an underground river floating on an inner tube.

Days 10-11: Waitomo/Bay of Islands

Explore the Bay of Islands' pristine beaches by boat or kayak.

Day 12: Auckland

The final leg of this North Island adventure lands travellers in Auckland – enjoy crossing the harbour bridge that has a great view of this 'City of Sails'.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,320
Price per day$193
Last Updated: 12/7/2021

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Intrepid Travel Reviews & Ratings

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for all types of travelers at a range of different price points and trips to off-the-beaten-path destinations.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International Transportation
    • Any kind of insurance
    • Personal Expenses
    • Passport and Visa charges
    • Most of the meals

Accommodation

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
12 years and up
Optional Activities

Kayak Tour - NZD200

Additional Information
Trip ID
intrepid-daynorint

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