New Zealand North Island, Adventure, Culture & Discovery

You've done the flight! Welcome to Auckland

Welcome to New Zealand! On arrival at Auckland International Airport, you will be met by your driver and transferred to the Auckland City Hotel for check-in.

Once settled, the remainder of the day is yours to begin discovering New Zealand’s largest city. Surrounded by sparkling harbours and volcanic landscapes, Auckland is known for its impressive skyline, multicultural atmosphere and lively waterfront.

Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a relaxed walk through the surrounding area, take in your first views of the city or simply unwind after the flight. In the evening, regroup for dinner and look forward to the adventures ahead.

Auckland Views and the Road to Mount Maunganui

After breakfast, check out and set off on the next exciting stage of your New Zealand adventure. Your first stop is Mount Eden, Auckland’s highest natural viewpoint. From the summit, enjoy spectacular panoramic views across the city, its harbours and the volcanic cones that have shaped the surrounding landscape.

Continue south through New Zealand’s picturesque countryside to Mount Maunganui, a vibrant seaside destination celebrated for its golden beach, excellent surf and relaxed coastal atmosphere.

On arrival, check into Cutterscove Resort Apartments, offering comfortable accommodation close to the beach. The remainder of the day provides an opportunity to unwind beside the ocean, walk along the waterfront or explore the town’s cafés and shops.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included today.

Following breakfast at the apartments, set out to explore magnificent Mauao, the extinct volcanic cone that rises above Mount Maunganui. Enjoy a scenic walk around its base, taking in beautiful views across the harbour, surrounding islands and Pacific coastline.

Spend time participating in group activities and enjoying Mount Maunganui’s white sandy beach before stopping for a light lunch.

In the afternoon, prepare for an exciting surfing lesson led by experienced instructors. Learn about beach safety, paddling, balance and the techniques needed to stand up on the board before heading into the water to test your new skills. Whether you catch your first wave or simply enjoy the challenge, the experience promises plenty of excitement, encouragement and laughter.

After an energetic day beside the ocean, return to the apartments to freshen up before enjoying dinner together.

River Rapids, Rotorua Luge and Māori Culture

After breakfast, check out and travel to Rotorua, New Zealand’s cultural heart and one of the North Island’s most exciting adventure destinations.

On arrival, prepare for an exhilarating white-water rafting experience on the Kaituna River. Working together under the guidance of professional rafting instructors, paddle through a spectacular forested canyon, navigate a series of rushing rapids and descend three waterfalls, including the dramatic seven-metre Tutea Falls. The experience provides an exciting test of courage, communication and teamwork.

After lunch, travel to Mount Ngongotahā and take a scenic gondola ride above Rotorua. At the summit, experience the Rotorua Luge, controlling your own purpose-built cart as you follow twisting tracks through the beautiful hillside surroundings.

Later, check into the Ibis Rotorua, overlooking Lake Rotorua. After time to freshen up, visit Mitai Māori Village for an immersive introduction to Māori heritage. Through traditional performances, powerful storytelling and cultural demonstrations, learn more about the customs, values and history of Aotearoa’s Indigenous people. The evening concludes with a traditional feast and a memorable shared cultural experience.

Kiwi Conservation and a Classic New Zealand Adventure

Begin the morning with a buffet breakfast before visiting the National Kiwi Hatchery, where you can learn about efforts to protect one of New Zealand’s most recognisable and endangered native birds.

Discover the kiwi’s unusual characteristics, the threats it faces in the wild and the conservation work undertaken to protect eggs and young birds. The visit provides a valuable insight into biodiversity, environmental responsibility and the importance of preserving New Zealand’s unique wildlife for future generations.

In the afternoon, get ready for one of Rotorua’s most unusual and entertaining adventures: ZORB. Climb inside a giant inflatable ball and experience the laughter and excitement of rolling down a purpose-built hillside track. It is a wonderfully different activity and an opportunity for everyone to embrace the fun of trying something completely new.

Afterwards, return to the Ibis Rotorua to freshen up, enjoy dinner and relax following another memorable day.

Walking the Blue Lake and Travelling to Taupō

After a buffet breakfast, check out and travel to Lake Tikitapu, more commonly known as the Blue Lake.

Accompanied by your guide, follow the scenic walking trail around the lake. The approximately 90-minute walk passes through native forest and reveals beautiful views of the lake’s striking blue water and peaceful volcanic surroundings. Along the way, learn more about the natural landscape and enjoy time outdoors as a group.

Continue to Taupō, a picturesque town overlooking New Zealand’s largest lake. Created by an enormous volcanic eruption, Lake Taupō is surrounded by dramatic mountains, forests and some of the North Island’s most impressive scenery.

On arrival, check into the Suncourt Hotel, offering comfortable accommodation and attractive views across the lake. After time to settle in and freshen up, enjoy dinner together at the hotel.

Huka Falls Jet and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Following breakfast, begin an action-packed day with an exhilarating Huka Falls Jet experience.

Speed along the Waikato River in a high-powered jet boat, passing forested riverbanks and dramatic volcanic scenery. Hold on as your expert driver performs thrilling turns and manoeuvres before approaching the mighty Huka Falls, where enormous volumes of turquoise water surge through a narrow gorge.

After lunch, continue to the Waitomo region for a fascinating underground adventure inside its world-famous Glowworm Caves. Explore magnificent limestone chambers formed over millions of years and learn how water gradually created the caves’ extraordinary formations.

The highlight is a peaceful boat journey beneath thousands of tiny glowworms, which illuminate the cave ceiling like a natural night sky.

Later, travel to Hamilton and check into the Ibis Hamilton Tainui, centrally situated beside the Waikato River. After freshening up, enjoy dinner together and reflect on a remarkable day of adventure and natural discovery.

After breakfast, check out and begin the scenic journey to the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. Travel through rolling countryside and along sections of coastline, enjoying wonderful views across the sparkling waters of the Hauraki Gulf.

Following lunch, board your vessel for an exciting four-hour fishing charter. With equipment provided and guidance from the experienced crew, learn how to prepare the lines, use the correct fishing techniques and safely handle the equipment.

Try your luck catching snapper while learning about the local marine environment and responsible fishing practices. The experience will require patience, concentration and teamwork, but it should also bring plenty of excitement whenever there is a bite on the line.

Later, check into Coromandel A TOP 10 Holiday Park, a welcoming property surrounded by the peninsula’s peaceful natural scenery. After time to freshen up, enjoy dinner together and a relaxed evening following your adventure on the water.

Return to Auckland and Final City Explorations

Enjoy breakfast before checking out and beginning the return journey to Auckland. Travel through the attractive North Island countryside, stopping for lunch along the way.

On arrival, return to the Auckland City Hotel and settle into the familiar surroundings. You will then have supervised free time to experience more of the city in small groups. Browse the shops for souvenirs, explore the surrounding streets and enjoy Auckland’s energetic urban atmosphere.

This is also an opportunity to reflect on how dramatically the scenery has changed throughout the journey—from beaches and volcanic lakes to underground caves, rivers and rugged coastlines.

Later, regroup for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Share favourite moments, celebrate the challenges you have overcome and enjoy your final evening together in New Zealand.

Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel before checking out. Depending on the flight schedule, make the most of your last morning with additional sightseeing or time to purchase souvenirs and gifts.

Following lunch, meet your driver and transfer to Auckland International Airport. As you prepare for your return flight to Dubai, bid a fond farewell to New Zealand and reflect on an extraordinary journey filled with adventure, discovery and friendship.

You will return home with greater confidence, new skills and countless stories from an unforgettable exploration of New Zealand’s North Island.