FIRE

All our itineraries start and finish in Rotorua, the hub of Little Green Tours.

Transfers from and to other points can be arranged at additional cost.

These itineraries are designed like modules so you can add on places you want to visit, returning after your overnight stay back to Rotorua, our hub.

Tour 2: Turangi, the Fire Element (2 Days)

Day 1:

Pick up from Rotorua accommodation and travel south to the Aratiatia rapids. The dam gates are opened to release water a few times each day. The Waikato River floods creating a series of rapids and waterfalls for 15 minutes before the gates are closed and the water level returns to a trickle. It is spectacular.

Drive to Lava Glass. Lava Glass has a magnificent sculpture garden featuring more than 600 glass art sculptures and some of the largest pieces of glass blown in New Zealand.

Continue on to Taupo for lunch and a cruise on the magnificent Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. It is the caldera of the Taupo Volcano covering an area of 616 square kilometres. On the western side of Lake Taupo are Maori rock carvings and a small waterfall accessible only by boat.

Continue on to Turangi.

Visit the Volcanic Activity Centre. Here we learn about the fascinating world of volcanoes, earthquakes and geothermal activity for which this region is known. Experience an earthquake similar to the 6.3 magnitude quake that severely damaged Christchurch in 2011, see a geothermal geyser simulator that will show what is happening both above and below the ground as it builds up pressure and erupts every few minutes, and watch short films describing some of the geological features that shaped this region.

 Following this we will take you to the Tokaanu Hot Pools for a lovely long soak in natural thermal waters.

After our swim we will drive to Chateau Tongariro in the National Park, our accommodation for this tour.

Day 2:

Depart accommodation and drive to the Top Of The Bruce road on Mount Ruapehu and admire the volcanic plateau laid out before you. Take in the majesty of the Central North Island volcanoes; Ruapehu, Ngaruahoe and Tongariro.

Stop at National Park Village for a quick vehicle charge and drive on to Waiouru. On this journey we will pass through Ohakune, an alpine village, popular with skiers in Winter, and home to the Big Carrot. This is New Zealand’s main carrot producing area and you may see tractors hauling vast quantities of carrots to distribution points to go to market. We will stop at the Waiouru War Museum with time to view fascinating exhibits including some by film maker Sir Peter Jackson.

From here we drive over the Central Plateau Desert Road to Taupo for lunch and a vehicle charge and then continue on to Orakei Korako.

Orakei Korako Geothermal Park boasts the most active geysers of any geothermal park in New Zealand. Up to 23 active natural geysers play freely throughout the area, which is constantly changing. Marvel at the number of boiling hot springs and vibrant colours, or take a native bushwalk through this untouched geothermal paradise.

Finally, we drive back to Rotorua, our hub and the completion of this tour where we will deliver you to your accommodation.

Cost from $450 per person per day based on twin share.

Includes transport, guide and driver, and accommodation.

Excludes entry fees to attractions underlined in the Itinerary.