Shore Excursion: Rotorua Including Te Puia and Polynesian Spa from Tauranga
Tauranga, New Zealand
Trip Type: Ports of Call Tours
Duration: 8 hours
Geysers, Maori culture and bathing in the health-giving geothermal waters of Rotorua are the perfect combination on this small group tour to the heartland of New Zealand. Visit Te Puia to see Pohutu Geyser, pools of bubbling mud, a Maori concert including the haka, artisans at work with flax and wood, the kiwi bird, iconic Rotorua scenery, and then to Polynesia Spa to soak in your choice of seven hot mineral pools on the edge of Lake Rotorua.
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Geysers, Maori culture and bathing in the health-giving geothermal waters of Rotorua are the perfect combination on this small group tour to the heartland of New Zealand. Visit Te Puia to see Pohutu Geyser, pools of bubbling mud, a Maori concert including the haka, artisans at work with flax and wood, the kiwi bird, iconic Rotorua scenery, and then to Polynesia Spa to soak in your choice of seven hot mineral pools on the edge of Lake Rotorua.Leave the Port of Tauranga and head towards Te Puke, the home of the New Zealand Kiwifruit. A short stop at Kiwifruit Country Store, showcase of the Kiwifruit industry, will show you how the fruit is grown and you can taste some products from this iconic plant.
Our route then continues through farmland, native bush and forested areas, passing by Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotorua before arriving at Te Puia. Te Puia, the home of the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and the location of the famous Pohutu Geyser. We visit the carving school and see craftsmen fashion traditional wood carvings, then move on to watch Maori women demonstrate flax weaving.
A short walk through the geothermal valley of Whakarewarewa to view the bubbling mud pools, the famous Pohutu Geyser and hot pools that make Te Puia unique. See New Zealand's iconic flightless bird, the Kiwi in a purpose built Kiwi-house and explore the recreated traditional Maori fortified village. A Maori Cultural Performance will be given on the Marae, in one of the few fully carved meeting houses in New Zealand, a place of special spiritual significance to Maori. Here you will see the traditional songs, dances and demonstrations of fighting skills (including the Haka) performed. There is time at Te Puia to enjoy a light lunch at their cafe (own expense).
After lunch we drive through Rotorua City to the Polynesian Spa, one of the top spa resorts in the world. This is an award winning destination and there are a range of spa bathing experiences available. Your tour includes general admission to the adult only pools, but other options can be purchased if you wish., such as family pools, the exclusive Lake Spa Retreat or private pools. If you want to enjoy one of their renowned massage treatments, then we do suggest making an advance booking to avoid disappointment.
The tour then departs Rotorua for the return to Tauranga. On the way we tour through Mount Maunganui to view its famous ocean beaches, harbour and the iconic Mount Maunganui, an extinct volcanic core, which gives the area its name.
Our route then continues through farmland, native bush and forested areas, passing by Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotorua before arriving at Te Puia. Te Puia, the home of the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and the location of the famous Pohutu Geyser. We visit the carving school and see craftsmen fashion traditional wood carvings, then move on to watch Maori women demonstrate flax weaving.
A short walk through the geothermal valley of Whakarewarewa to view the bubbling mud pools, the famous Pohutu Geyser and hot pools that make Te Puia unique. See New Zealand's iconic flightless bird, the Kiwi in a purpose built Kiwi-house and explore the recreated traditional Maori fortified village. A Maori Cultural Performance will be given on the Marae, in one of the few fully carved meeting houses in New Zealand, a place of special spiritual significance to Maori. Here you will see the traditional songs, dances and demonstrations of fighting skills (including the Haka) performed. There is time at Te Puia to enjoy a light lunch at their cafe (own expense).
After lunch we drive through Rotorua City to the Polynesian Spa, one of the top spa resorts in the world. This is an award winning destination and there are a range of spa bathing experiences available. Your tour includes general admission to the adult only pools, but other options can be purchased if you wish., such as family pools, the exclusive Lake Spa Retreat or private pools. If you want to enjoy one of their renowned massage treatments, then we do suggest making an advance booking to avoid disappointment.
The tour then departs Rotorua for the return to Tauranga. On the way we tour through Mount Maunganui to view its famous ocean beaches, harbour and the iconic Mount Maunganui, an extinct volcanic core, which gives the area its name.
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