INCREDIBLE
NEW ZEALAND with PAGANEL on jeeps
DATES
Group is full
07.02.2024 - 23.02.2024
2 GROUP
DATES
07.02.2024 - 23.02.2024
THE COST
3290 Euro
GROUP
2 groups of 7 jeeps of 4 people each
COST AND CONDITIONS
TYPE OF RECREATION
normal physical fitness, the right to drive a car of international standard, the presence of a New Zealand visa.
LEVEL OF PREPARATION
adventures, jeeps, trekking, acquaintance with authentic
DESCRIPTION
For several years, the Paganels have been traveling around New Zealand. In 2020, we lived for several months in this country, having covered almost 13,500 km on it. We have something to show you, and we know how to make it as bright and rich as possible. The 2024 Paganels Expedition in New Zealand will be in jeeps. We abandoned the bus format in order to be as mobile and efficient as possible, to see even more.
New Zealand is the most remote country from Europe; it is located exactly on the other side of the globe from Spain and England. We are waiting for amazing nature in the country "on the contrary." It is very far to fly there, so we decided to have time to see everything, well, or almost EVERYTHING, the program is very rich, we have to see the very best that is possible in such a short time.
New Zealand does not need to be advertised. This incredibly beautiful and unique land has preserved its virgin nature and originality. Our journey will combine the most interesting, from our point of view, places on two islands of New Zealand at once, which can last 17 days.
We will start the expedition in the North Island, where we will see Auckland; incredible caves of fireflies, where we will climb in helmets and with lanterns and make a unique Black Water Rafting. We will visit the Maori village, where we will dance the famous Haka war dance; we will visit the hobbits in Hobbitonia and get to the edge of the Wai-o-Tapu geysers; we will climb a copy of Fujiyama - the Taranaki volcano, and after moving to the South Island, we will continue to get acquainted with New Zealand.
In the South, we have to see and “touch”: beaches, animals and birds, the city of extreme entertainment Queenstown, Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound, sung in songs, Aoraki Park, Mount Cook and Lake Matheson, Franz Josef Glacier, Pinakaiki and much more.
The second group will follow this route in reverse order. They will start in Christchurch and finish in Auckland.
It will be a very beautiful, eventful, interesting journey! You are lucky if you see all this with your own eyes.
EXPEDITION COST INCLUDES:
- transfers according to the program;
- accommodation in comfortable hotels and motels of 4-3 stars level (double accommodation);
- rental of jeeps for the entire duration of the trip;
- car insurance;
- fuel for 3700 + km of the way ( exactly, it is how much we have to wind up during our expedition);
- entrance tickets to national parks and private territories according to the program; - a tour to the Waitomo firefly cave with the Black Water Rafting program and the rental of the necessary equipment;
- entrance fees to Hobbiton Village;
- entrance tickets to Waiotapu Park;
- entrance fees to Redwoods Park;
- entrance fees to Whakarewarewa Thermal Village;
- entrance tickets to Waikite Thermal Pools;
- entrance tickets to Orakei Korako Park;
- visiting the Museum of New Zealand;
- visiting Marlborough Valley;
- Milford sound cruise;
- entrance tickets to Mitai Māori Village;
- healing session with a shaman and Haka martial dance lesson;
- entrance tickets to the village-museum of gold mining;
- paid parking according to the program;
- excursions according to the program;
- boats and ferries along the route;
- services of local guides and helpers;
- services of a local professional English-Russian speaking guide at all stages of the expedition;
- services of guides of the Paganel Studio team.
EXPEDITION COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- international air travel from your home to New Zealand and back;
- visa;
- meals (please note that in New Zealand breakfasts and other meals are not included in hotel stays);
- personal insurance;
- Supplement for single occupancy;
- surcharge for additional events, wine testing, excursions outside the main program.
IMPORTANT!
Due to the fact that our expeditions do not include international flights to the starting point of the program, we cannot be held responsible for changes in flight conditions by airlines or airport requirements. Since our travelers fly from many different countries and cities, we never participate in the purchase of air travel and limit ourselves exclusively to advisory services in the selection of flights. Air agents or airlines from which tickets were purchased are responsible for the purchase and technical support.
ROUTE
ITINERARY
Day 1
07.02.2024
Flight from your home to Christchurch. Due to the fact that our trip starts and ends in different places (Christchurch -Auckland), we recommend buying a flight on airlines flying to both cities: Emirates, Southern China, Singapore Air, etc.
Self-transfer to the meeting point with the group. Introduction to guides. Getting cars. Crew introduction. Short briefing with drivers. Checking maps and points. Departure to the route towards Lake TeKapo. Moving 220 km. Arriving for dinner. Enjoying the beautiful view. Rest in a cozy hotel.
Day 2
08.02.2024
Packing up in the morning. We pack and load things into cars. We receive the latest instructions on the schedule and route. We leave towards the Aoraki National Park. We have a small move today. Approximately 105 km of beautiful road.
We stop at the lookouts and at the famous Church of the Good Shepherd to take the first hundred of the most beautiful photographs.
We move inland, to the shores of the glacial blue lake Pukaki along a very beautiful road past mountains, lakes and waterfalls.
By the afternoon, we arrive at the intended destination. Check in hotel. We take out trekking shoes and clothes; take cameras and water. We go to our first beautiful track in New Zealand to Lake Tasmana. Those who wish (optionally and, if the weather permits, difficult in these places) can fly around Mount Cook and the adjacent glaciers by helicopter.
In the evening, dinner and a traditional evening of acquaintances of the Paganels. Presentation of nominal expeditionary t-shirts and badges. We spend the night in the area of Aoraki National Park, overlooking the highest point of New Zealand, the beautiful peak of Mount Cook.
Day 3
09.02.2024
We wake up calmly. We have breakfast. We are not particularly in a hurry. We pick up things from the hotel and pack them in jeeps. A short drive to the entrance to the National Park. We park cars. We put on trekking shoes, take water and cameras and go for a walk along the equipped trail for 3-4 hours towards Mount Cook, which in Maori is called Aoraki, which means, according to one version, “big white cloud”.
In 1851, Captain John Lorth Stokes gave the summit its English name in honor of James Cook, who explored the islands of New Zealand in the 70s of the 18th century, sailing around them on ships. However, during this expedition, Cook did not see the mountain, in the name of which his name was later immortalized.
After walking and taking pictures, we again get into our cars, stop for lunch at a restaurant at the hotel inside the park, refuel and head towards the small town of Te Anau. We briefly say goodbye to Mount Cook/Aoraki. Big beautiful crossing about 423 km. In the evening, we arrive in the city. Check in hotel. Dinner. Rest.
Day 4
10.02.2024
We have a busy day and today we will see one of the most iconic and famous places in New Zealand - the legendary Milford Sound or the Disappearing Peaks Fjord. This fjord called by Kipling "the eighth wonder of the world", in Maori it is called Piopiotahi Bay or "Lonely Thrush" in our opinion.
The road is very beautiful. Around are the peaks of the Remarkable Mountain Range, which is called Remarkable.
Its dizzyingly steep slopes bite into the sky with a succession of rocky peaks. The road itself is famous for its views and has an informal name the Avenue of Vanishing Peaks.
To get to Milford we pass through a narrow dark tunnel.
It was cut through the imposing vertical wall under Home Pass; the length of the tunnel is 1270 meters, the height above sea level is 945 meters; no lighting, no cladding.
Rough stone, utter darkness and dripping water from the walls! In general, horror. It is impossible for vehicles moving towards each other to pass in the tunnel. Yes, and it is not necessary. During this waiting time at the traffic lights before entering the tunnel (15-20 minutes), you can see Kea snow parrots.
They are as big as two crows; the top plumage is green, and the wing liners are bright orange. He earned the reputation of a very smart and inquisitive animal that can ruin your car in the parking lot while you are walking in the mountains. He likes to tear rubber bands, mirrors, plastics, etc. out of cars. This is the only parrot that lives and breeds at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level and above.
Non-migratory bird, moving only at local altitudes to search for food.
Accustomed to humans and extremely inquisitive birds in search of leftover food sometimes harm cars, their awnings and cabins. Listed in the International Red Book. The number is from 5,000 to 15,000 according to various estimates.
The good news is that they can be seen quite easily on this section of the road to Milford! They love to interact with people.
We are coming to Milford. We put the cars in a special parking lot, and we ourselves go for a ride on a boat where we have already bought tickets ahead of time.
Cruise around the bay. We will see bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, waterfalls, rocky islands, bird colonies.
If you are very lucky, then penguins. Along the way, the captain of the ship will still try to dip us into a waterfall falling from the mountains into the waters of the fjord.
Upon returning, we get into jeeps and make our way back to the capital of adrenaline, the city of Queenstown.
By late evening, we reach the place of spending the night. We check into a cozy hotel in the central part of the city for 2 nights. We walk around the evening city and the embankment. Dinner. Rest.
The total mileage for today is 408 km.
Day 5
11.02.2024
This day is free. You can spend it based on your own desires and preferences. Queenstown is not without reason called the adrenaline capital of the world, bungee jumping (bungee jumping), zorbing and much more were invented here.
Queenstown is a popular ski resort in the winter (when it is summer in Europe), and in another time trekking and rafting, bungee jumping and hang-gliding, races along the seething mountain rivers on high-speed boats; parachute; paraglider; rock climbing and more.
If adrenaline is not your style, then the city will not leave the lover of a quiet life indifferent. Lake Wakatipu, the Botanical Garden, golf, a lot of jewelry and souvenir shops, a cable car to the top of the observation hill, boat trips, horseback riding - in a word, there is a choice. Or you can just lie in bed until 12, and then walk around the best restaurants in the city while drinking the famous Marlborough Valley Sauvignon.
However, we recommend you to do the following: book breakfast in advance by phone at a restaurant at one of the local wineries (for example, in the old town of Arrowtown, which is located 20 km from Queenstown). Then take a walk along the streets of Arrowtown, return to Queenstown and there already plenty of ride on the famous red Jet boats along the mountain river, and for dinner take the cable car to the observation deck, where you can eat with a view of the evening city.
Alternatively, you can visit another interesting place: GLENORCHY - or New Zealand HOLLYWOOD - a small village around which are scattered the most famous filming locations of The Lord of the Rings and Narnia, The Hobbit and Wolverine, King Kong and Where Dreams Lead ". Lunch in one of the local cafes, where the actors of the above blockbusters probably stayed too long.
Rest. We spend the night in the same hotel in the central part of the city.
Day 6
12.02.2024
This day is dedicated to one of the most famous New Zealand tracks Roys Peak Track. We wake up early, have breakfast, prepare boots and trekking poles. Transfer from the hotel in Queenstown to the starting point of the track is 76 km along a very beautiful mountain road. Climbing to New Zealand's most famous Instagram hotspot where we take photos over mountains and clouds.
The track will take us about 5 - 7 hours. The total mileage of the hike is about 15 km. In the evening, we go down to the parking lot and drive 10 km to the town of Wanaka.
We walk around the city a little, drink coffee. We take some photos of the famous Wanaka Tree.
We check into a hotel. We walk around the evening town. Dinner. Rest.
The total mileage by car today is 86 km.
Day 7
13.02.2024
We wake up calmly and without fuss. We do a checkout. We get into our cars. Refueling. We go to the supermarket and buy ourselves yogurts and snacks for breakfast. In New Zealand hotels, as a rule, there is no breakfast, so we prepare ourselves. Total mileage today is 350 km.
We cross the Southern Alps from east to west, following the course of the mountain rivers Haast and Makarora. Very beautiful wild places. The forest grows on almost vertical rocks.
We will stop and walk along the path to one of the waterfalls. The forest here is already completely different than we saw earlier. The roots of the trees do not immediately go deep, but first they crawl along the surface like snakes.
Exactly as you saw in the Lord of the Rings movie! We move further north. Along the way, we will see a real high New Zealand coniferous forest as dinosaurs saw it. New Zealand nature is unique, most of the local plants and animals are not found anywhere else on the planet.
This archipelago separated so long ago from the ancient supercontinents and was isolated by the ocean from the rest of the land for so long that evolution here went on an independent path. Many of the local plants are very archaic, related species on the continents died out many millions of years ago. But tree ferns are the same as in the rest of the sublunar world.
We stop at the viewing platforms for beautiful photos.
We are in a hurry to get to Lake Matheson by sunset in order to take such beautiful shots from a special point, when the evening sun turns the two main peaks of this country in orange: Mount Tasmana (3497 meters) and Mount Aoraki (3724 meters). And they, in turn, are reflected on the mirror surface of Lake Matheson.
After sunset we move to FOX GLEICIER. Dinner. Rest. Night at the motel. The total mileage today will be 295 km.
Day 8
14.02.2024
Early rise. Those who wish can meet the dawn on the shore of the Ocean to see the dawn of the Southern Alps right from the edge of the sea or take a walk again to Lake Matheson. At dawn, it is also incredibly beautiful there.
Further, if the weather permits, a short trek to the observation deck, where we will admire the breathtaking view of the Southern Alps, forests, glaciers and the highest peak of New Zealand - Mount Cook, which we have now crept up to, on the other side.
Many glaciers descend from the highest mountain in New Zealand, some of the most famous are Fox and Franz Josef. They are famous for their unusual location - they start far in the mountains, and then they flow through the rain forests and melt almost near the ocean.
After lunch we go to wash gold☺. We will visit a whole village of gold miners near the city of Hokitika, which was specially preserved for future generations. Here you can wander among the old houses in which the utensils of that time lie, go to the church, ride along the ancient railway on the same ancient train.
The first West Coast New Zealand gold rush broke out in the 1860s. At the height of the fever, there were 72 hotels in Hokitika and almost no women. It was in those days that the "wild West Coast" earned its reputation as a place of lawlessness and became a real lure for enterprising pioneers and various eccentrics.
As today, in those days, prospectors kept secret any information about their cherished mines, in every possible way confused the tracks on the way to them, spread false rumors in order to ward off competitors from rich areas. More than a century has passed since then, and Hokitika continues to be a town where many gold shops thrive, and trays and other mining equipment can be easily bought or rented there.
In these places they wash gold and now ...
In New Zealand, 17 official mining sites are open for free visiting and prospecting.
Having obtained a few grains of treasured gold, we go for the night to the town of Hokitika. We have supper. We are resting. We do not go to sleep☺ Paganels cannot sleep when there is something extraordinarily beautiful nearby. After dinner, a short drive to enjoy an unusual spectacle in the dark. You and I will find ourselves in a gorge where thousands of fireflies shine at night - Titivai mosquitoes, the larvae of which “cry” and emit light, and not just for lighting, but as a bait for insects, possibly their own relatives. And the more the larva is hungry, the stronger the light. Looks very nice and cosmic.
These fireflies are not located on the ceiling of the cave, but in the open air, on the walls of the gorge covered with mosses and small ferns. It is important to keep quiet and not scare the fireflies with lanterns. We return to Hokitika. Rest. The total mileage is 251 km.
Day 9
15.02.2024
Traditionally get up early. Today we have a busy and interesting day. First, drive 83 km to the world-famous "Pancake Rocks". In the Maori language, this place is called Punakaiki.
Here we will walk for 30-40 minutes. We will stretch our legs. We will take a dozen beautiful photos, drink coffee and have a bite to eat at a local cafe, and then we will rush further to the North. The road is very picturesque; we will take a lot of pictures.
In the afternoon, we need to get to dinner and wine testing in the Marlborough Valley, famous for its sauvignons. From Pancake Rocks to Marlborough we drive almost 300 km, so we try not to stop for smoke breaks and respite for a very long time.
Upon arrival in the Marlborough Valley (optional) we go to wine testing and dinner, which we will order for you in advance at the famous St Clair Family Estate winery. We enjoy fragrant wines and do not forget to buy a few bottles of our favorite wines.
Then a short transfer to the neighboring town of Blainem. We go to the supermarket and buy food for breakfast. Check in hotel. Dinner. Rest. The total mileage for today is 380 km.
Day 10
16.02.2024
We do not wake up very early. We have breakfast. Refueling our steel horses. We ship things. We visit Marlborough again and visit 1-2 more recommended wineries. Further moving 45 km to the town of Picton. We have a ferry to Wellington in the afternoon. We drive the jeeps to the collection point in the port in advance.
We do check-in. We are loading onto the ship. The Picton Wellington Ferry is more than just a ship carrying passengers, cars, huge container ships and wagons across the roaring Cook Strait. According to tourists, this is a beautiful and exciting cruise of 3.5 hours of sea passage, the decoration of which is the deep Marlborough Fjords. The ferry moves slowly and majestically along the banks covered with bright greenery, which gives us the opportunity to admire them from the open deck. Or maybe you will be lucky enough to see playing killer whales or dolphin
Late in the evening, we arrive at the port of Wellington. On the ferry, you can get some sleep, as well as dinner and coffee. After unloading from the ship, transfer and check-in to the hotel. If you have the strength, you can walk around the evening city. Rest.
Total mileage today is 50 km.
Day 11
17.02.2024
In the Maori language, the places where modern Wellington is located were called - "Great Tara Bay or Maui's Fish Head". The city is considered the windiest capital in the world.
In the morning, after an early breakfast, we immediately go to the embankment to visit the chic local history museum, which is really worth seeing.
There are many artifacts from the history of the development of New Zealand and the life of the Maori tribe.
New Zealand in the First World War. It is also worth paying attention to the unique expositions on the first floor of the building dedicated to the participation of e.
Further moving 400 km to the city of New Plymouth. On the way, we will visit the Tongariro National Park - from the side of the Oakune ski resort and take a walk along the path to the highest volcano in New Zealand - Ruapehu and further to the waterfall - the set of one of the plots of The Lord of the Rings.
In the evening, we will stop at Cape Egmont at sunset to take beautiful sunset shots, capturing the colorful Mount Fuji-Taranaki and the stylish lighthouse of Cape Egmont in one photo.
Arrival in New Plymouth. Check-in at the hotel for 2 nights. Dinner. Rest.
The total mileage for today is 410 km.
Day 12
18.02.2024
Our day today is not easy, but surprisingly beautiful. We will make pre-dawn trekking to the incredibly beautiful Taranaki volcano. We get up at night long before dawn. Moving 20 km to the starting point of the track, where we park the car, take flashlights and for about 2 hours we go to a very beautiful mountain lake on the slope of the volcano, from where you can photograph incredible views of the dawn over Taranaki.
With a height of 2518 meters, the Taranaki volcano is one of the most symmetrical cones in the world and bears a strong resemblance to Fujiyama, thanks to which he played one of the main roles in the movie The Last Samurai along with Tom Cruise. Those who have been to Japan will appreciate the similarity of these two volcanic peaks when they get here. Maori say that Mount Taranaki arose on this site as a result of a love quarrel. Taranaki once lived in the center of the North Island, but he constantly fought with another mountain warrior, Tongariro, for possession of the mountain maiden Pihanga. Taranaki was defeated. He retreated to the southwest, cutting through a gorge along the way - the valley of the Wanganui River.
Taranaki has a middle name - Egmont. In 1642, the Dutch navigator Tasman sailed by, probably on a cloudy day, since he does not mention this mountain. Only on January 10, 1770, Mount Egmont appeared before the eyes of a European; it was Captain James Cook, who gave the mountain the name of the former First Lord of the Admiralty, John Percival Egmont, who helped Cook a lot in organizing his round-the-world expeditions, was his sponsor and just a good person. For centuries, no one, except for the Maori, set foot on the slopes of the mountain.
Having met the dawn, enjoying the amazing views, we slowly descend through a very beautiful forest to our parking lot, get into jeeps and go to the hotel for a rest. We have lunch in the city. Relax.
In the afternoon, a short drive (70 km) to the Three Sisters rocks to take beautiful sunset pictures and, if the tide allows, take a walk in this unusual place.
Return to New Plymouth. Dinner. Rest.
The total mileage is 180 km.
Day 13
19.02.2024
We have a big and eventful day today. We have to do everything, so we wake up early. We have breakfast on our own. We are loaded into jeeps. We run cars. We put points on the maps.
Then we move (285 km), and then we swim across by boat to the very beautiful Orakei Korako geothermal park. Let's go for a walk to Ruatapu Cave. There used to be a Maori settlement nearby. In their Orakei language, Korako means "sparkling ornament". Ruatapu Cave and Pool of Mirrors were sacred to Maori women, men were forbidden to enter.
Maori women used these places for ritual ceremonies dedicated to the birth of children or preparation for marriage. They sang waiata songs that could be heard on the other side of the river due to the special shape of the grotto. Other than that, Ruatapu cave is unremarkable, it's just a grotto in the rock, but the forest around is just incredibly magical.
In 1900, a special ceremony was held to allow men to enter the cave, and after that, the entire park of Orakei Korako was opened to tourists. Until the 1930s, visitors were transported on traditional waka boats, then on ordinary boats, and in the second half of the 20th century already on motor boats. In 1937, a resort was opened here, which still exists today. We have lunch in the park.
Then we go to swim in Waikite Thermal Pools, where we bask in the thermal pools for an hour.
We walk around the picturesque surroundings. The last move for today is 34 km and we get to the legendary Rotorua - the most geothermal city on Earth. Upon arrival in Rotorua, we check into a hotel where we will spend the next three nights.
After check-in at the hotel, we will have an evening walk in a beautiful and very unusual place called Red Woods.
Redwoods is a large piece of forest of California redwoods and native ferns that grow beautifully among giant trunks. It is named after the famous American Giant Sequoia Park in California. The Redwoods area is part of the large Whakarewarewa forest. In 2015, about 700 meters of tracks were hung here at a height of ten to fifteen meters. And now you can walk along the hanging paths among the giant trees.
In December 2016, night walks in the hanging park were made available. One advanced New Zealand artist David Trubridge created the design of the night park, placed huge lanterns on the trees and various thematic lights. It just became cosmically incredible.
Next, we buy snacks for breakfast in the supermarket. Dinner. Rest.
The total mileage is 375 km. Overnight in Rotorua.
Day 14
20.02.2024
Today we have the first half of the day rest and relaxation. We have already decently wound around the extraordinary New Zealand, we are a little tired, so we need to relax a bit. We do not rush to wake up and have breakfast. Walking around the city, drinking coffee. Those who wish can go to the thermal springs for which this region is famous. You can also ask your guides for recommendations on where to make the most of your time in Rotorua.
By the evening, we gather at the agreed time. We take places in jeeps. We take cameras and go to an evening visit to the stylized Mitai Māori Village, where we can get to know the warlike natives of New Zealand better, talk "for life", maybe dance and sing a little.
We will listen to the legendary martial song of Haka.
We will try some of the Maori Honi cuisine and we can take hundred beautiful photos.
We return to the hotel. Dinner. Night in Rotorua.
Day 16
22.02.2024
We get up early. We will have breakfast with our supplies. Today we have a very busy day in two very interesting and famous places in New Zealand. We will do an amazing Black Water Rafting in the Waitomo firefly cave and visit the iconic Hobbiton :) We are preparing cameras and especially batteries, as well as bathing accessories and towels.
We say goodbye to Rotorua, load into jeeps and rush 75 km to the same Shire - the village of hobbits from the Lord of the Rings movie, thanks to which the whole world recognized the beauty of New Zealand.
The village is incredibly popular with tourists, because everything is arranged in such a way as if hobbits actually live in the village.
Hobbit houses were built in New Zealand for the filming of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien's story impressed director Jackson so much that he decided to build a life-size set from real materials.
After negotiations with successful farmers, the film group got permission to build a real village. Construction work began in 1999.
Even the gardens and orchards of the hobbits, the director decided to make authentic. Just as a child is born, Hobbiton was born. Jackson's team built the village for 9 months. To lay the road from the parking lot to Hobbiton, the director involved the New Zealand military. After filming completed, fans of The Lord of the Rings began to come to the real village. Local farmers expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that they were distracted from work by tourists. After some time, tours began to be organized in Hobbiton. The guides took on the role of storytellers, and the farmers breathed a sigh of relief, because now they could safely go about their business.
The tourist village consists of 37 houses with round facades and carved windows. The village has a bridge over the lake, a garden, pasture for animals. The windmill and hedgerow add charm to the rustic surroundings. Hobbiton has a Green Dragon Bar where you can have a delicious lunch or dinner with simple but hearty dishes. In the same place, ale is poured into mugs for everyone.
Next, we have to experience an amazing, very interesting and extreme adventure in the Waitomo firefly caves. Moving about 90 km.
We arrive at the base, where we go through a detailed briefing. The group is divided into 2 parts. The first and second part of the Paganel detachment will go to the caves with a difference of 30 minutes. We change into bathing suits and swimming trunks. We get wetsuits with a thickness of 5 mm of neoprene (the water temperature in the underground river, where we have to dive, is about 12-15 degrees Celsius). We try on boots, helmets and lanterns. We get special inflatable circles, on which we will sail along the underground river. We train with local instructors-guides on the topic of overcoming obstacles in caves, jumping from waterfalls, etc. We leave phones and cameras for storage in our jeeps (local guides will take pictures of you inside the caves). We load into a special shuttle bus and drive to the place where our Black Water Rafting tour begins.
We will not describe what will happen to you there. I can say that it will be a very unusual and bright adventure and you will remember for a lifetime. The total time of the event will take us about 3 hours. We climb caves a lot, swim in underground rivers, jump into small waterfalls, admire stalactites, stalagmites and glowing famous mosquitoes - Titivai, whose larvae “cry” and give off light, and not just for lighting, but as a bait for insects, perhaps their own relatives. And the more the larva is hungry, the stronger the light. Looks very nice and cosmic. We get out of the caves. We rent wetsuits, helmets, flashlights, boots, take our towels and go to take a hot shower. After a shower, we go to a local cafe, where we will all be fed a delicious soup with bagels. We get into our cars and continue on our way.
Further moving 190 km to the glorious city of Auckland.
Check-in at a cozy comfortable hotel near the airport. Rest. In the evening, a farewell dinner at one of the restaurants in the city.
The total mileage is 355 km.
Day 15
21.02.2024
We wake up. We have breakfast on our own. Today we have a new, rich and interesting day. Rotorua is a city surrounded by several extinct volcanoes by the lake, famous for its geysers, lakes, and, of course, the history of the warlike Maori tribes. In the Maori language, the name of the city sounds quite simply - "the second great lake of our chef Kaumatamomoi." This ancient Kaumatamomoi was the nephew of a respected man, a chief.
In the morning, we go to the Wai o Tapu geyser park or visit the "devil". We do not promise to see him himself, but we can feel the situation. "Gates of Hell", "Devil's Inkwell" - we will definitely visit all these amazing places. Impressionable Europeans gave to the geysers the English names and the Maori called these places more romantically - "Sacred Waters".
All this is an area with high geothermal activity. Having finished the walk, we buy souvenirs in a local shop, and have lunch there.
After lunch, we will meet with a real Maori shaman and healer in the only Maori residential village in the world located in the valley of geysers. We will see the full cycle of the eruption of the highest geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, Pohutu, hear the magical healing sounds of flutes and other wind instruments, and learn the Haka war dance.
In the evening we are full of impressions. We return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight in Rotorua.
The total mileage is 80-100 km.
Day 17
23.02.2024
We wake up in our own way. After breakfast, drivers drive cars to a special parking lot. Delivery of vehicles. Necessary formalities. Checkout at the hotel. We say goodbye to each other and guides. We say goodbye to the incredibly beautiful New Zealand. Tears of parting and sadness. Private transfer to the airport from the hotel. The expedition is over.
Flight home...
We are unique
For many years, we have been traveling the world to our small planet's most remote and unusual places. We do not use the services of domestic travel agencies. The trips we invent and carry out are always unique and have their unique zest, charm, and adventurous spirit.
WHY WITH PAGANEL?
Creation
The first thing that interests us is creativity in everything. During the expeditions, we shoot a lot of videos, take pictures, write stories, draw pictures. If you are interested in a creative approach to life and travel, then WELCOME... we are very happy to meet you!
Interest
By joining our team, you join a kind of club-family, which already consists of several hundred people who are interested in discovering the world with us.
Since most of the expenses for the organization of the trip are air tickets and travel documents for other types of transport, accommodation, excursions, services of local companies and guides, etc. are not refundable in case of your cancellation of the trip. We simply have no way to return it.
.png)