NEW TRIP
Great Hikes and Cultural Adventures in a Land of Maori Legends
New Zealand: Hidden Treasures of the Far North
Overview
New Zealand's North Island has its own distinctive South Pacific character, a thriving Maori culture, impeccable stretches of sheltered beach and native forest, and a perfect subtropical climate. We'll boat out to the marine sanctuary of Poor Knights Islands for snorkeling and kayaking, taste the wares in Matakana wine country, explore seaside Russell, New Zealand's first European settlement, and hike the Te Araroa Trail at stunning Cape Reinga, the northernmost point on the North Island, where it is said Maori spirits begin their final journey to the land of their ancestors. Our hikes are varied and our small group size (maximum 12) makes for a flexible adventure.
Arrive: Auckland, New Zealand
Depart: Kerikeri, New Zealand
Highlights
- Hike spectacular sections of the North Island's Te Araroa Trail
- Snorkel and kayak in the pristine Poor Knights Islands marine reserve
- Go wine-tasting in boutique wineries, explore the stunning coast at Cape Reinga
- Learn about Maori culture at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Itinerary
From Auckland, we head through a picturesque wine region along the Matakana Coast for a hike on the dunes at Mangawhai, nestled between the Pacific and rolling farmland. A spectacular boat journey brings us out to the marine reserve of the Poor Knights Islands for a fine day of sea kayaking, cave exploration, swimming, and spotting sea mammals.
After a coastal hike with panoramc views across Sandy Bay to the Poor Knights Islands, we head to historic Russell, New Zealand's first seaport. A water taxi brings us to Moturua Island Scenic Reserve in the Bay of Islands for a hike through indigenous forests and along the coast where native North Island robins, saddlebacks, and red-crowned parakeets sing.
A riverside walk on the Te Araroa Trail brings us to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, New Zealand's most important historic site and the birthplace of the nation. From idyllic Taputoputo Bay, we hike another fantastic coastal section of the Te Araroa to the iconic Cape Reinga Lighthouse, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean in a spectacular swirl of currents. At the Cape's northern tip is a gnarled pohutukawa tree, thought to be more than 800 years old. Maori legends say the spirits of deceased Maori leap from this tree into the ocean to return to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki. Depart Day 8 via Kerikeri.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. This is a trip for people who enjoy hiking. In general, you can set your own pace while hiking, and there is no need to keep up with the fastest walkers. You will need to be comfortable hiking up to 6 miles a day and being on your feet for 4-5 hours a day. Trail conditions, weather, and the group's level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing.
Although you carry only a daypack, there are some steep ascents and descents and some sections that cross rough or rocky trails. On one or two occasions, our hiking routes cross an estuary or small stream and you will likely get your shoes wet (bring some Tevas or shoes appropriate for walking through water). You must be confident in your balance for these sections of the trail that include loose gravel and wet rocks.
Temperatures on the North Island in midsummer usually range between 65°-72°F, but it can get much colder. Since the weather in New Zealand is often variable so we may occasionally have to wait for it to change in order to participate in our planned activities or change our activities to suit the weather. In such a case, we may rearrange the daily itinerary to accommodate the weather conditions.
We stay in a range of delightful accommodations along the way. The rooms are not always of uniform or international size. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.
One of the highlights of this trip is the chance to enjoy the fresh local food New Zealand is famous for. We'll be close to the source of much of the food we eat, experiencing a variety of dining experiences, most of which will also be memorable for the location and the company.
Our van will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack for items you need for the day (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or spend the day in town).
Other Trips You Might Like
Browse All Trips
Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
Submit the form below to download itinerary
Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.