Home > Rotorua > Rotorua Eco Thermal Small Group Full-Day Tour
USD $212.00
Rotorua Eco Thermal Small Group Full-Day Tour
Rotorua, New Zealand
Tour Rotorua's most popular geothermal parks and colorful lakes on a day trip led by a local naturalist guide. You'll see the Lady Knox Geyser erupt, visit the Lake Tarawera lookout and see boiling mud pools and hot springs at Wai-O-Tapu. Along the way, you'll learn all about volcanology, New Zealand's stunning flora and fauna, and Maori history from your naturalist guide.
Your day trip takes you through forestry and farmland to New Zealand's largest boiling mud pool and a series of colorful hot springs at Wai-O-Tapu. After seeing the Lady Knox geyser erupt, you'll take a short drive to the Waimangu volcanic valley, where your guide will tell you about the Mt Tarawera eruption which blew open this spectacular, bush-covered, geothermal park.
Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and Lake Rotokakahi (Green Lake) are amazingly clear and colorful lakes, and their gorgeous scenery make them a favorite stop for visitors. You'll also visit the Buried Village, the site of a Maori village that was destroyed during the Tarawera volcanic eruption. You'll then take a walk through beautiful native bush to a waterfall and the Lake Tarawera lookout.
We only had 6 people on our tour and it was amazing. Linda was very pleasant and knowledgeable about the history and geology of the area, and we thoroughly enjoyed her commentary. In the morning we focused on the geo thermal environment and in the afternoon the Maori culture. We would strongly recommend our guide.
Review by: Lolly, December 2017
The tour is a photographers dream, there is many subjects to choose from and the well placed paths ensure one has many great angles from which to capture their photo. There is a bit of down/up hill terrain to be aware of which one of moderate physical levels can easily manage. The living Maori Village is very interesting and nice to see as it demonstrates co-existence of traditional and modern living.
Review by: Lolly, November 2017
The tour is a photographers dream, there is many subjects to choose from and the well placed paths ensure one has many great angles from which to capture their photo. There is a bit of down/up hill terrain to be aware of which one of moderate physical levels can easily manage. The living Maori Village is very interesting and nice to see as it demonstrates co-existence of traditional and modern living.
Review by: Kristina P, September 2017
Had not heard of Rotorua before researching for our trip. All I can say is everyone needs to go. The scenery is surreal with little thermal vents everywhere. The morning portion of this tour was really mind blowing with the scenery. The afternoon portion was nice, just not as spectacular as the morning. Rotorua is a must see.
Review by: vsurya, March 2017
Huru was my guide for the full-day tour and he knew lots of things. He explained things passionately, especially about Maori culture. We first started with Wai-O-Tapu then to see Lady Knox Geyser. In the afternoon, he brought us to Te Puia where the carving and weaving skills were showcased. We also get a brief visit to see Kiwi bird in artificial nocturnal setting. Towards the end, we drove through the Blue Lake and Green Lake. Overall it was a day well spent!
Review by: FIONA E, January 2017
Our guide, Huru, was fantastic and we had a great day discovering so many amazing places!
Review by: Sandy C, January 2017
Really enjoyed this tour. Comfortable coach, the guide is very informative and funny. This tour roughly runs from 8:15-5:00 door to door time. There are quite a few walking tours, so it is better to wear comfortable shoes, and bring water and sunscreen. We went in summer, but the weather was quite up and down, it really depends on how everyone feels, but I'd recommend to bring a jacket. Just to add-on to the website's itinerary: After lunch we drove pass the Museum for some photos. We also head to the Whakarewarewa Village as our last stop.
Review by: David R, January 2017
This was a great day. Trent was the best host. Amazing knowledge. We fitted in so much. We were lucky to be the only two people on the trip that day.
Review by: Elsa S, October 2016
Done this tour 20 years ago. Still the best. Great guide
Review by: Karen D, July 2016
Excellent trip with a knowledgable guide.
Review by: Joni, January 2016
Two different guides during the day. Both good. Friendly and knowledgeable. Good day despite the horrific wearher
Review by: wytze, May 2015
Trent was the best tourgide i have ever had
Review by: Graham H, March 2015
Trent was a great guide, very knowledgeable, generous spirited and very good value. Glad we took the full day tour rather than the half day because we got to see so much more of the local area and another geyser.
Review by: Aris, February 2015
Great tour of Wai-o-Tapu and Waimangu Volcanic valley. Our guide Huru provided informative history of the Maori.
Review by: William W, February 2015
beautiful scenery and informative commentary.
Review by: Davjo, February 2015
One of our best day trips of our NZ holiday!!! A must for anyones list.
Review by: Raja S, February 2015
We had a wonderful time and Trent was spectacular on our trip. This has been one of the highlights on our vacation and we highly recommend it!
Review by: Mary B, October 2014
Our guide, Huru, was excellent. We learned so much from him about the geology of the area and also about the history and culture of the Maori people .We had a very good tour of the area, which is amazing. We could not have had a better experience. Thanks.
Review by: J R, April 2014
I found the day absolutely wonderful. I was met on time by Huru who was my guide for the day. I understood it was close to the end of the season, but I was very impressed that the tour was run as I was the only client. He was very knowledgible about the geology of the area which interested me greatly as I am a petroleum geologist. He also told me a lot about the local Maouri culture which I followed up further at the town Museum the following day. He was great company and it was a fascinating day. It made my trip down from KeriKeri well worth the long journey on two buses and I fully recommend the tour. It was excellent.
Review by: Jenny H, January 2014
If you are interested in the thermal areas around Rotorua, this tour is very informative and fascinating. Our guide Karl, was very knowledgeable about the geology of the area and of the Maori culture. Suggest that the visit to Lady Knox Geyser be removed as it is contrived and not in the Eco tour theme.
Review by: Elizabeth W B, January 2014
We don't want to drive on the "wrong side of the road," so figured this would be the most practical way to see a lot of sights near Rotorua. In eight hours, we hit most of the highlights, and learned some about Maori culture and crafts ... the 75:25 balance was just right.
Review by: Gail M, November 2012
Loved every minute guides very knowledgable and friendly
Review by: Miriam M, March 2012
A great day with a great driver. Certainly worth while doing. Door to door service. Driver very informative and friendly.
Review by: Noel G, January 2012
Enjoyed being in a smaller group rather than a coach. Friendly and informative driver. Great trip. We had fun.
Review by: Rakesh A, February 2011
The morning is great - as you get to visit the mud and thermal pools as well as see the geyser. The afternoon is somewhat average - you visit the green and blue lakes (not as impressive as you might think), and the buried village (which is again nothing special). I would recommend the half day tour, and do something a bit more useful with your afternoon!
Review by: Usha M, January 2011
We had a great trip. The guide was fun, and the whole experience was well organised and presented. Certainly recommended.
Review by: Usha M, October 2010
We had a great trip. The guide was fun, and the whole experience was well organised and presented. Certainly recommended.
Review by: John V, August 2010
Because we were alone with the guide it was absolutely great
Review by: , May 2010
Excellent and well organized tour. Thank you for the wonderful day.
Review by: Derek W, May 2010
If you've seen one thermal park that is enough and the geyser was good. Afternoon in buried village too long and only one 15-minute break the whole day for lunch - too short.
Review by: Maria T, May 2010
Excellent and well organized tour. Thank you for the wonderful day.
Review by: Anonymous, May 2010
Excellent and well organized tour. Thank you for the wonderful day.
Review by: Anonymous, Australia, April 2010
Excellent and well organized tour. Thank you for the wonderful day.
Review by: Maria T, April 2010
Excellent and well organized tour. Thank you for the wonderful day.
Review by: David R, February 2010
This tour was excellent. The tour guide was friendly and amazingly helpful. We were picked up in a spacious vehicle and taken to some great places. The guide was able to show and tell us some spectacular things and then was sensitive enough to give us some time to explore things by ourselves. To any one going to Rotorua for a visit, we would suggest you take this tour and see some great stuff.
Review by: David R, Australia, January 2010
This tour was excellent. The tour guide was friendly and amazingly helpful. We were picked up in a spacious vehicle and taken to some great places. The guide was able to show and tell us some spectacular things and then was sensitive enough to give us some time to explore things by ourselves. To any one going to Rotorua for a visit, we would suggest you take this tour and see some great stuff.
Review by: Derek W, United Kingdom, November 2009
If you've seen one thermal park that is enough and the geyser was good. Afternoon in buried village too long and only one 15-minute break the whole day for lunch - too short.
Review by: David C, May 2009
A day full of stunning scenery. The highlight was Waimangu Volcanic Valley - the Frying Pan Lake there was simply breathtaking. Wai-O-Tapu was also very beautiful, as were the various lakes. The guide was excellent - he was extremely knowledgeable and did a great job of explaining the history of the area.
Review by: Mei Ling C, May 2009
Superb!
Review by: David C, Australia, April 2009
A day full of stunning scenery. The highlight was Waimangu Volcanic Valley - the Frying Pan Lake there was simply breathtaking. Wai-O-Tapu was also very beautiful, as were the various lakes. The guide was excellent - he was extremely knowledgeable and did a great job of explaining the history of the area.
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