Start your day with a fragrant Mojo flat white at one of Welly’s quaint cafes as you gear up for a day of family fun at Wellywood! Experience behind-the-scenes look at filmmaking at Weta Workshop, the legendary special effects and props company that brought Avatar, King Kong and the Lord of the Rings to life – an experience one for the family. A mecca for movie junkies, elevate your experience with an exclusive access to the Weta Workshop boardroom and get up close to the Oscars® and the many other awards won by Richard Taylor and his crew. This evening, head up to Mount Victoria for a leisure walk – trails ranges from 45 – 90 mins loop. Observe the sunset against the city before heading to one of the city’s most celebrated restaurant for dinner.

This morning, you will be collected by your private guide and embark on your exhilarating journey through Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Regarded as the best one-day trek in New Zealand, tread in the footsteps of Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee as you hike through the craggy lands of “Mordor” and reach the base of “Mount Doom” at Mount Ngauruhoe – an active volcano. On your hike, you will smell the distinctive whiff of sulphur as you encounter emerald green sulphur lakes amid the otherworldly, barren landscape of black volcanic soil.

Your trek culminates in a gorgeous 360° view of Mount Ngauruhoe, the Red Crater and even Lake Taupo to the North. Spend a relaxing evening at your lodge resting your weary body from your long, but amazing trek through the mountains. The hike is six to eight hours across 19.4 km and while challenging, should not pose significant difficulty for a relatively fit adult.

Experience the history and traditions of the Māori people – the original inhabitants and custodians of New Zealand. You may wish to go foraging for herbs and ingredients in the forest with your Māori host and learn about traditional remedies which are still relevant today. Engage in insightful conversations with your hosts as they share what it means to be a Māori. Immerse yourself in the culture as you pick up a move or two of the Haka or Poi dance, and help lift a hangi for lunch. As night falls, take a relaxing stroll through Whakarewarewa forest and observe the diverse range of exotic tree species.