Hidden Gems of the North Island
13 Days Starting and ending in UK
Visiting: Wellington, ሀመር።, New Plymouth, Tongariro National Park, Taupō, Napier, Hamilton, Auckland
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2055
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
8 - 28
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
16-70
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Experience some of New Zealand's North Island lovely hidden gems on one of our exciting new Wendy Wu tours. Start with the capital city's fascinating Weta studios and tranquil Zealandia ecosanctuary and then travel north by luxury coach to take in the beautiful vistas of Taranaki and New Plymouth. Head over to Tongariro National Park for a scenic mountain ride on the new Sky Waka. An art deco experience in Napier follows, with a visit to one of the wonderful Hawke's Bay wineries. Explore the stunning and unique Hamilton Gardens, and visit the Zealong Tea Estate. Finish in Auckland with an Asian cooking class at Sachie's Kitchen. Everything's included — transport, accommodation, meals and a fun sociable group of like-minded travellers, all keen to experience the scenic beauty of New Zealand's North Island.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 - 3 : Fly To Wellington
Location: Wellington
On arrival on Day 3, transfer to your hotel. After a welcome briefing, take a stroll to Courtney Place for a welcome dinner in the dining and entertainment hub of Wellington.
Day 4 : Wellington Weta Workshop & Zealandia Ecosanctuary
Location: Wellington
After breakfast head to Weta Workshop, the award-winning design studio that has created special effects for many blockbuster films such as Lord of the Rings and Avatar. Our private tour will unlock some movie magic! Afterwards it's a short drive to the tranquil urban forests of Zealandia Ecosanctuary for lunch and some time to enjoy a scenic walk. The Ecosanctuary is home to a huge variety of native birds, and you may even spot a tuatara in the wild! Dinner tonight will include a chance to taste some famous Wellington microbrewery beers.
Day 5 : Wellington To New Plymouth Foxton Windmill & Tawhiti Museum
Location: New Plymouth
Leaving Wellington, travel north along the west coast, stopping for a tour of the iconic Foxton Windmill, a full-size replica traditional 17th century Dutch flour mill. Our next stop will be the amazing Tawhiti Museum, widely acclaimed as the best private museum in the country. The creation of artist Nigel Ogle, the museum uses life-size exhibits and minutely-detailed historical dioramas to present our heritage in a series of engaging displays. Enjoy lunch in the museum’s Wind in the Willows-themed café and a tour of the museum. Later this afternoon, arrive at our accommodation in New Plymouth with time for a stroll along the impressive waterfront before dinner.
Day 6 : New Plymouth Pukeiti Rhododendron Gardens & Len Lye Gallery
Location: New Plymouth
After breakfast this morning, take an optional bike ride along the beautiful coastal cycleway to Te Rewa Bridge to meet our coach. If you do not cycle, you can opt for a scenic waterfront walk at the Bridge, a New Plymouth landmark that is reminiscent of a whale skeleton or a breaking wave. Drive to the famous Pukeiti Gardens at the foot of Mt Taranaki, for lunch in the Founders Café and a tour of the rhododendrons and exotics garden. This afternoon, drive back to New Plymouth to visit the architecturally-stunning Govett-Brewster Gallery, that celebrates the extraordinary work of Len Lye, modernist filmmaker and kinetic artist.
Day 7 : New Plymouth To Tongariro National Park
Location: Tongariro National Park
Relax and enjoy a scenic drive through some of the most untouched parts of New Zealand. Our first stop will be for a unique lunch and alpaca experience at Nevelea Alpacas, nestled in the hills of the King Country on the adventure highway. Afterwards continue our scenic drive, with stops at Raurimu Spiral and Taumarunui, to the mountains at the heart of Tongariro National Park. Tonight, we will stay and dine close to the mountains.
Day 8 : Tongariro National Park To Taupo
Location: Tongariro National Park, Taupō
This morning is at leisure before we head up the mountain for lunch. We'll ascend Mt Ruapehu on the new Sky Waka, New Zealand's largest gondola, enjoying the panoramic views of our three volcanoes. Lunch will be at the Knoll Ridge Chalet, New Zealand's highest dining experience. This afternoon head to the National Trout Centre, a fascinating museum, aquarium and hatchery near Turangi. Dinner tonight will be in Taupo.
Day 9 : Napier Art Deco Tour & Vineyard Dinner
Location: Napier
After breakfast take a scenic drive to Napier to enjoy an Art Deco Highlights Vintage Car Tour. Head to Havelock North for lunch at the picturesque Birdwoods Gallery with time to stroll their sculpture garden and enjoy a browse through their unique store. After checking into your hotel this afternoon, there will be time for a stroll around the pretty town of Havelock North. Dinner tonight will be at a stunning local winery.
Day 10 : Napier - Hamilton Huka Falls & Orakei Korako Geothermal Park
Location: Taupō, Hamilton
This morning, after a scenic drive back to Taupo, take a walk along the magnificent Huka Falls, before heading to one of the best thermal reserves in New Zealand, Orakei Korako. Lunch will be at their lakefront café, followed by a short boat ride across the lake to explore the thermal park. This afternoon drive to Hamilton for our two night stay.
Day 11 : Waikato Hamilton Gardens & Hobbiton
Location: Hamilton
Explore the wonderful themed gardens at the award-winning Hamilton Gardens, including their recently completed surrealist garden. Lunch will be at New Zealand's premier tea plantation, Zealong Tea Estate in their luxuriously appointed restaurant. This afternoon will visit the 'enchanting village of Hobbiton' – one of the locations used in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Dinner tonight is back in Hamilton.
Day 12 : Auckland Fo Guang Temple & Cooking Lesson
Location: Auckland
Our last day of touring takes us up to Auckland, where we will stop at the tranquil Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, located in Flat Bush. Designed in the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty, the temple is one of Auckland's hidden gems. Head over to Half Moon Bay marina for lunch before we board our ferry to Auckland. After checking into our Auckland hotel, this evening enjoy a farewell dinner that we will all be cooking at Sachie's Kitchen, famous for their award-winning Asian cooking classes.
Day 13 : Depart Auckland
Location: Auckland
After breakfast, your tour ends, and we will transfer you back to Auckland Airport, if required.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
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Country Entry Visas
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Entrance Fees
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Fully Guided
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Local Taxes
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International Travel
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Meals – Full Board
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Fully Inclusive
Touring with Guides and entrance fees
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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Drinks with Meals
Check out our Q&As
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, we will endeavour to make these changes, but it may not always be possible. Any changes to confirmed bookings need to be sent to us in writing via your travel agent. Please refer to our booking conditions for further information and fees.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your Final Travel Documents are usually sent to you 2-3 weeks prior to your departure. Your travel pack will include your tour itinerary, hotel details, flight e-tickets and a travel guide. If you have booked with a travel agent, your tickets will be dispatched to your travel agent unless we have been otherwise informed.
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Will I be travelling with passengers from other countries?
Our passengers generally enjoy the mixture of British, Australian and American clients on tour. Occasionally we are joined by English-speaking passengers from other countries.
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Do you allow children on your tours?
We allow children 12 years and over on our group tours. We recommend that families with children of any age take advantage of our private or tailormade tours. This will give you more flexibility while on tour.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Wendy Wu allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Wendy Wu requires a minimum deposit of 350 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wendy wu charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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How we Keep you safe on our Tours
Your safety and well-being will always be our Number 1 priority which is why we’ve instituted the most stringent COVID health and safety protocols on all of our tours. Here is a brief summary of the steps we are taking to ensure you will be safe, secure and satisfied when you travel with us.
Guides and National Escorts
Our National Escorts and guides will conduct a Health and Safety briefing with you before the tour begins and will help everyone ensure they adhere to social distancing, hygiene practises and local regulations. They will carry a supply of face masks and hand sanitiser for you to use free of charge and will, of course, observe the highest level of personal hygiene at all times.
Should anyone on the group fall ill your National Escort will ensure the individual receives swift medical attention and can only return to the group once cleared to do so.
Transport & Sightseeing
Vehicles will be thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant after each excursion service, overnight and between different groups.
You will always have at least one seat between you and your fellow tourers, hand sanitiser will be given to the group on each embarkation and vehicles will be thoroughly ventilated prior to passengers boarding.
Drivers will always embark vehicles after clients, disembark the group vehicle prior to clients disembarking, and maintain social distancing and a high level of personal hygiene at all times.
Your guides will assess the situation on the ground avoiding large crowds – where possible, alter timings and splitting the group into smaller sizes.
Accommodation
Wendy Wu Tours will only offer hotels that have undergone a detailed hygiene assessment, have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with government standards.
We will ensure these protocols include staff practising social distancing and wearing appropriate PPI, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in all areas and food safety.
Dining
All the restaurants we visit will be researched and inspected regularly to ensure that they follow the strictest health, cleanliness and safety guidelines.
All waiting staff will wear face masks and gloves and we will arrange à la carte dining, waiter-served meals or waiter-assisted buffets throughout the tour. We will not share open-buffet meals with other hotel or restaurant guests.
Hand sanitiser will be provided to the group before and after every food and beverage service.
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