Rotorua Elite Tour: Explore Waimangu and Wai O Tapu for Surreal Geothermal Discoveries
4.8
217 Ratings
Rotorua
Embark on an elite adventure in Rotorua, exploring the surreal geothermal wonders of Waimangu and Wai O Tapu. Discover colorful geothermal features, witness the Lady Knox geyser eruption, and explore the youngest geothermal ecosystem in the world.
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland - Journey to Wai O Tapu, one of the world’s most surreal destinations. You will spend approximately 45-60min in the park before departing to the Lady Knox geyser.
- Lady Knox Geyser - Our journey will guide you to the Lady Knox geyser who only erupts once a day at 10.15 am. Come along and found out the story behind her punctuality.
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley - We journey to the Jurassic Waimangu valley, the youngest geothermal eco-system in the world.
Here we will witness first hand the power and beauty of mother nature and the aftermath of the 1886 volcanic eruption of Mt Tarawera.
We spend approximately 90min here, including a 30min lunch break at the scenic Waimangu cafe.
What's Included
- Hotel transfer service included
- Experienced local guide
- Professional driver/guide for your safety
- Enjoy live commentary during the tour
- Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned minivan
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
Additional Information
Elite Adventures tours depart from Rotorua at 8 am. Pickups are scheduled for between 8 am and 8.30 am depending on your accommodation (will be listed under the pickup tab)
This Elite Adventures tour first journeys to Wai O Tapu, one of the world’s most surreal geothermal locations. Here you and you will be guided around a collection of stunning colorful geothermal features such as the Champagne pool and the Devil’s Bath.
Following Wai O Tapu our journey will guide you to the Lady Knox geyser, who is very punctual and only goes once a day.
At the conclusion of the geyser eruption, our journey leads you to Waimangu Valley, the youngest geothermal ecosystem in the world.
Please call within 24 hours of tour to reconfirm booking
- Not recommended for participants with heart complaints or other serious medical conditions.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Location
Rotorua Museum
Queens Drive
If you are staying outside the Rotorua CBD, you can meet our guide outside the Rotorua Museum at 8.15 am. There is plenty of free parking in the area. The Rotorua Museum is located in the government gardens and is one of New Zealand's most iconic buildings and is impossible to miss. Thank you
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(217 Ratings)
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Journey09598592458
Mar 27, 2024
A fabulous tour of Rotorua's variety of geothermal wonders! - We thoroughly enjoyed this fabulous small-group tour of Rotorua's variety of geothermal wonders!
Our guide, Trent was friendly and informative with a wonderful sense of humour which added another level of enjoyment to the whole experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dianeb3541
Mar 13, 2024
Highly recommended - Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and shared his experience in forestry. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit and would recommend it to anyone who wants to visit the geysers and hot spring lakes in the Rotorua area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nigel809
Mar 5, 2024
The Wai O Tapu is definately a must do experience in Rotorua! - Must see park in Rotorua!!! We went here and also Hells Gate but this was by far the better park.......the colors were incredible......do not miss Wai O Tapu!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amandajw689zx
Mar 2, 2024
Excellent tour - What a great tour. I had a lovely tour guide Trent who was so kind and informative. He picked us up from the hotel at the exact right time. Beautiful & must visit spots if you are planning to visit NZ/Rotorua
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Justmekare
Feb 21, 2024
Fun and Educational Day in the Outdoors - Spent a wonderful day at the parks, as well as a stop to see a geyser. Blake was full of information, and walking around the parks was not difficult, but a tad warm with the sunshine and geothermal activity. We thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and lesson in science, and got some great pics of the various bubbling and smoking pits.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sandra
Feb 20, 2024
Excellent half day tour to Geo thermal park and volcanic valley. - We did the morning eco thermal park tour - Wai-O-Tapu and Waimangu. Our guide was Trent who was very informative and knowledgeable. He made sure everyone was included in all aspects of the tour. There was a reasonable amount of walking (4 km over 2 areas) but all was fairly easy and at a good pace. The sights were incredible and def worth the time and money spent. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yusuf_b
Feb 18, 2024
Amazing Sites - Robbie our tour guide explained everything very well. The tour was well planned. However, the lady Knox geyser was a waste of time ..
Review provided by Viator
Wei_l
Mar 10, 2024
WImangu and WI-O-Tapu - Absolutely a wonderful visiting to the thermal park, just as beautiful as yellow stone park in US! Wish that I can have more time to enjoy！
Review provided by Viator
Therese_h
Feb 27, 2024
Beautiful Hot Pools - The scenery and the areas we visited were a definite must see and we were very happy with the content of the tour. The one thing that did takeaway from the day was that Elite had elected to take too many passengers in the van for the tour, which made it very uncomfortable. We had nine (9) ordinary size people and the van would really only fit 9 very small people like a thin hobbit. We believe Elite had other vehicles going to the same venues at the same time with not full capacity and could have spread the people out to make it more comfortable. Clive the tour leader said he should have got a larger vehicle.
Review provided by Viator
Thereseh733
Feb 27, 2024
Beautiful scenery - We enjoyed the trip as the landscape is really beautiful. However do think the tour company needs to assess the number of people they squash into a very small van. We had 9 people and it had very limited space. For the size of the vehicle they should have had less people. Or spread them out over their other vehicles. First tour by Viator where we had such an uncomfortable tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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