Auckland and Rotorua — Five Nights with the Glow Worm Caves
New Zealand's North Island holds the country's largest city and its most active geothermal ground within a few hours of each other, and this short break takes both without moving base more than once.
Journey overview
The moments that make this journey unforgettable — the signature experiences we have woven through every day, so the best of the destination is never left to chance.
New Zealand's North Island holds the country's largest city and its most active geothermal ground within a few hours of each other, and this short break takes both without moving base more than once.
Journey highlights
The moments that make this journey unforgettable — the signature experiences we have woven through every day, so the best of the destination is never left to chance.
- Five nights across Auckland and Rotorua on New Zealand's North Island.
- The Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, ending with a boat ride on the underground river.
- Te Puia's geysers and boiling mud in Rotorua's thermal valley.
- Rainbow Springs wildlife and the Agrodome sheep show.
- Private airport transfers and daily breakfast.
Day-by-day itinerary
You are met at Auckland Airport and transferred to your hotel. Auckland is built across a narrow isthmus between two harbours, which is why it is called the City of Sails, and the waterfront is an easy walk from most city hotels. The rest of the day is free to recover from the flight. · Auckland
You meet your driver at the hotel for a half-day city tour taking in Westhaven Marina, the Viaduct Harbour, the waterfront, Tamaki Drive, Bastion Point and the old suburb of Parnell. The afternoon is free. The Sky Tower is close to the city centre if you want a view over the isthmus, though admission is not included. · Auckland
You travel south from Auckland to Rotorua with a guided tour of the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves on the way. The cave visit ends by drifting in silence on a boat along the underground river, with thousands of glow worms lighting the cavern roof overhead. You continue to Rotorua in the afternoon. · Rotorua
A half-day tour of Rotorua taking in Te Puia and its thermal valley of geysers and boiling mud pools. You then travel to Rainbow Springs to see trout and native wildlife, and on to the Agrodome sheep show. Rotorua sits on an active geothermal field and you will smell it before you see it. · Rotorua
You return to Auckland by coach after breakfast, arriving with the afternoon free. It is a straightforward run back north through the Waikato farmland. The evening is yours in the city before your flight out the following day. · Auckland
Breakfast at the hotel, then check out and a transfer to Auckland Airport for your onward flight. Auckland is New Zealand's main international gateway, so most long-haul departures leave from here. Your onward flight is not part of this package, so allow the check-in time your airline requires.
What's included & excluded
Exactly what your journey covers — set out clearly, with no surprises, so you know precisely what to expect.
Included
- Five nights' accommodation — three nights in Auckland and two nights in Rotorua.
- Daily breakfast at the hotel, from Day 2 to Day 6.
- Private airport transfer on arrival, Auckland Airport to your hotel.
- Private airport transfer on departure, your hotel to Auckland Airport.
- Half-day Auckland city sightseeing tour, on a seat-in-coach basis.
- Guided tour of the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, including the underground boat ride, on a seat-in-coach basis.
- Surface travel Auckland to Rotorua and Rotorua to Auckland, on a seat-in-coach basis.
- Half-day Rotorua tour including Te Puia thermal valley, Rainbow Springs and the Agrodome sheep show, on a seat-in-coach basis.
Excluded
- GST is extra and is charged on the final amount.
- TCS is extra and is charged on the final amount.
- International airfare is extra and is not included.
- Domestic and internal airfare is extra and is not included.
- Visa is extra and is not included — visa fees, associated service charges, airport taxes and any related charges.
- Travel insurance is extra and is not included.
- All meals other than the daily breakfasts listed above. The source operator states plainly that its FIT tours do not include any lunch or dinner, and no lunch or dinner transfer is provided.
- Drinks with meals.
- Any optional activity, scenic flight, cruise or admission described as optional or recommended rather than included.
- Any sightseeing, entry ticket or excursion not specifically listed under Inclusions.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Personal expenses — laundry, telephone, minibar, and anything of a personal nature.
- Early check-in and late check-out charges, and any hotel upgrade.
- City taxes or resort fees charged directly by the hotel.
- Anything not specifically listed under Inclusions.
Related to this journey
Every destination on this journey has its own guide — attractions, where to stay and what to eat — and the journeys that pair with this one are a click away.
Plan your journey
Our travel designers turn knowledge and inspiration into a journey crafted entirely around you.
Plan My Journey →