At a Glance
Be part of small group, journey into the enchanted mysticalgreen world, and trace the shoreline of Lake Waikaremoana. Walk some of the most spectacular sections of the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk, hike through dense native Whirinaki Rainforest, be awed by spectacular geological formations, idyllic lakes, waterfalls and rivers, while staying in comfortable old lodge run by local iwi (Maori tribe).
Classed as one of 'New Zealand's Great Walks', you'll marvel at giant native trees and secluded beaches, soak up the fascinating spiritual history, and enjoy truly breathtaking views. This lodge based hiking expedition is one of the North Island's most unforgettable wilderness escapes.
Enclosed by the pristine native forest of Te Urewera National Park, Lake Waikaremoanais believed to be New Zealand's last frontier. This was the last place to be explored by ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Guided walks each day with experienced guides
- All transport and guiding
- Return transport to/from Rotorua
- 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners
- Small group of 13 or less
- Boat cruise
- Park fees
- Hiking equipment (packs, raincoats, etc.)
- Marae visit
- 3 nights' accommodation in an old lodgerun by local iwi (Maori tribe). These older-style facilities are comfortable, with hot showers, good beds and linen, and are located in a tranquil setting in a small Maori community.
- Support boat transports most of your gear. 2 days you carry a day pack only, 2 days carry an overnight pack with gear for 1 night
- All inclusive pricing
Itinerary
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Walking distance: 8 - 10 km, approx. 3 - 5 hours walking (Easy Grade). Pick-up from your Rotorua accommodation approx 8:30am. A three-hour scenic drive follows ancient Maori trails into the heart of Te Urewera National Park and to Lake Waikaremoana. Stop in Whirinaki Forest for a 3-4 hour walk through the best example of NZ's native Podocarp forest. Towering trees including giant totara, kahikatea and matai, plus rare birdlife (kaka & whio: blue duck) as the trail follows a pristine river to cross above a thundering waterfall. Alfresco picnic lunch before continuing on to Lake Waikaremoana, where a short walk leads through some remarkable forest, providing great examples to explain the intriguing story of the rata tree. Settle in to your accommodation and savour pre-dinner drinks and nibbles on the lake-shore. |
Lodge run by local iwi (Maori tribe)
Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: 8 - 12 km, approx. 3 - 7 hours walking (ModerateGrade). Today's hike features some of the most spectacular views on the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk Track. A 1.5 hour steady climb leads up to the famous Panekire Bluffs, where dramatic rock ledges provide expansive views over Lake Waikaremoana and the bush-clad mountains of Te Urewera National Park. Those looking for a challenge can continue climbing for a further 2 hours to reach the highest point of the Great Walk track, and the best viewpoint of the lake. Before dinner there will be an opportunity to visit a local marae for an informal chat with a Maori elder about the region's history and culture. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and to get a real feel for the culture in this isolated area, where Maori is still the first language. Note that because this is a genuine functioning marae occasionally we are unable to make this visit, due it being used by the community. |
Lodge run by local iwi (Maori tribe)Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: 10 - 12 km, approx. 4 - 6 hours walking (Moderate Grade). Take a picnic lunch and head up to the pristine Lake Waikareiti, which lies a further 300 metres above Lake Waikaremoana. Free of aquatic weeds and motorised boats, this lake has outstanding water clarity and is blissfully peaceful! Returning to Waikaremoana after a picnic lunch youhave the option of walking to a dazzlingly clear fresh-water spring, or following a lakeside track that weaves through caves that were inhabited by early Maori warriors. After dinner there may be time to walk to a lookout to watch the sunset over the lake. |
Lodge run by local iwi (Maori tribe)Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: 4 - 6 km, approx. 2 - 4 hours walking (Easy Grade). Your journey back to Rotorua begins with a scenic boat cruise across Lake Waikaremoana, to complete another section of the Great Walk Track. A stunning forest and lakeside trail traverses from the secluded Wairaumoana arm of the lake across a peninsula, home to a Kiwi Recovery Program that is successfully increasing the numbers of our threatened national bird. Thanks to the pest-control in this area the forest is some of New Zealand's best. The track then meets an estuary, where you can see a variety of waterfowl. Close to Rotorua have a soak in an amazing natural hot spring beneath a roof of native trees (time permitting). Return to Rotorua by 6pm. |
NoneBreakfast, lunchDates & Prices
Please contact us for group bookings.
More Info
The departure point is Rotorua, New Zealand.
By Road:
- 2.5hour drive from Auckland
- 5.5hour drive from Wellington
By Air:
- 45min flight from Auckland
- 1 hour flight from Wellington
Day 1: Approximately 8 - 10 km, 3 - 5 hours
Day 2: Approximately 8 - 12 km, 3 - 7 hours
Day 3: Approximately 10 - 12 km, 4 - 6 hours
Day 4: Approximately 4 - 6 km, 2 - 4 hours
Total: Approximately 30 - 40 km
The climate in Rotorua is warm and temperate, with a significant rainfall. Rainfall is spread out throughout the year, with the winter months receiving slightly more.
(Data sourced from climate-data.org, monitored at Rotorua, Units = °C)
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
