North Island Off-Grid


The one that lets you experience the North Island like a local, for an authentic & unplugged discovery of heritage sites, surf towns & Maori culture
Travel Style
In-Depth Explorer
Learn about our travel styles.
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Duration
7 days
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Places
5 places
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Meals
4 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners
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Transport Style
Coach, Ferry & Boat
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Group Size
Average 20 people
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Average Group Age
18 - 35 year olds
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Team
Trip Manager & Driver
Auckland, Raglan, Rotorua, Blue Duck Station, Wellington
How Contiki works
Top Experiences
12 included & 11 free time add-ons available to add later
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Master the waves with a surf lesson at the chilled surf town of Raglan
Free Time Add-On
Raglan
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Visit a Māori master pounamu (jade) carver in Rotorua & learn how to carve your own masterpiece
Free Time Add-On
Rotorua
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Take a half day horseriding adventure through pine forests and mountains near Blue Duck Station
Free Time Add-On
Blue Duck Station
North Island Off-Grid
12 Inclusions
Experiences that are included with your trip
- Learn about Tikanga and Kawa, Māori customs and protocols of the marae, in Rotorua
- Help prepare a Māori hangi feast while listening to traditional stories around the table
- Learn Wairua and Rongoa Māori /Romiromi, Māori spirituality and traditional healing practices, during your stay at the marae
- Discover traditional Māori performing arts and learn a haka and a waiata at Ohinemutu marae, followed by a cultural performance
- Take a behind the scenes tour of the of a Kiwi conservation project at the Rainbow Springs Kiwi Encounter
- Depart Ohinemutu with a traditional Poroporoaki, Māori farewell ceremony
- Visit the New Zealand Kiwi Hatchery at Rainbow Springs near Rotorua and hear about their efforts to save New Zealand's adorable national bird
- Take a lunch stop in the North Island's lakeside resort town of Taupo
- Enjoy a fresh & sustainably-sourced farm-to-table feast at the spectacular Blue Duck Station
- Explore the hiking trails at Blue Duck Station, along the banks of both the Whanganui and Retaruke Rivers
- Get a guided city tour of the captivating cultural hub of Wellington
- Visit Te Papa Museum and learn about New Zealand's rich indigenous & colonial heritage
11 Free Time Add-Ons
Optional experiences that you can choose from and pay for on your trip
- Master the waves with a surf lesson at the chilled surf town of Raglan
- Take a Stand-Up Paddle Board Tour along the coast of Raglan
- Take a sunset dinner cruise along the bay of Raglan
- Hike the unique volcanic landscape of Mt Tarawera, Rotorua NZ$149
- Go white water rafting down the crashing Kaituna River
- Explore native rainforest at dawn with breakfast and coffee followed by ziplining on a Contiki Exclusive Rotorua Rainforest Canopy tour (from Oct 2020)
- Visit a Māori master pounamu (jade) carver in Rotorua & learn how to carve your own masterpiece
- Take a half day horseriding adventure through pine forests and mountains near Blue Duck Station
- Kayak from Whakahoro into Whanganui National Park and get picked up by jet boat later the same day
- Take a Blue Duck Station ATV bush safari and hear about the amazing conservation work on this breathtaking landscape
- Enjoy a unique Chef's Table 10-course fine dining experience under the night sky in Tongariro
Where You'll Stay
Learn more about the accommodation available on this trip
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Traditional Maori Marae
Rotorua , New Zealand
Ever wanted to learn a haka? This ornately carved Māori marae (home & meeting place for a Māori community) is as authentic as it gets. Prepare a hāngi dinner with your hosts and uncover a culture of rich traditions.
2 nights
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Blue Duck Station
Ruapehu, New Zealand
Chase some waterfalls or explore on horseback this beautiful farm in the wilderness of Ruapehu
2 nights
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6 nights
All accommodation is included on this trip
2 nights in Hotel, 2 nights in Special Stay - Marae, 2 nights in Special Stay - Blue Duck Station
About this trip
Want to experience New Zealand's North Island like a local? This adventure brings you into New Zealand's wilderness, with unforgettable local experiences every single day. Take jet boat tours, learn to surf, hike up volcanoes, learn the ways of the Māori tribe in Rotorua and stargaze to your heart's content - and that's a small sample of the adventures awaiting you. This is the North Island unplugged, and it's utterly unforgettable.
Buy With Confidence
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Only $99 deposit to book*
For a limited time, reserve your space now with a deposit of only $99, pay the rest 45 days before departure
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Pay over time, interest free
Can't pay in full? We've got you covered with our Part Pay Program
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No booking fee, no change fees
Change your travel dates or even your trip for free
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Financing available with UpLift
Book now, pay later when you're eligible for Uplift
Map & Itinerary
- Start location
- End location
- Trip day
- Via location
- River route
- Plane route
Nights spent per location
Short on time?
This trip can be booked in smaller or bigger sections, so you can pick your dream adventure, tailored for you