Auckland Camp
Camping
Days 1, 7
Rotorua & Taupo — 5 days (Auckland, Waitomo, Wai-O-Tapu, Tongariro & North Island)
Eight days, with the Alpine Crossing and a day to recover from it. Five days of geothermal and lake without the Crossing, for people who do not want a nineteen-kilometre day.
Meridian Overland
Runs this trip
Trekking
Eight days, with the Alpine Crossing and a day to recover from it
Group Tour
Join a fixed-date departure with other travellers
Top Highlights
Waitematā harbourEight days on the North Island — geothermal, volcanic and Māori, which the South Island trip is none of. Waitomo glowworm cavesThe glowworms are the larvae of a fungus gnat and the light is a lure. Wai-O-TapuLady Knox erupts at 10:15 because a park ranger drops surfactant into it, and they tell you so. Lake TaupoTaupo fills the caldera of an eruption in 232 AD that was heard in China and Rome. Red CraterNineteen kilometres, 765 m of climbing, and a one-way route — which is why the shuttle is not optional. Emerald LakesIt is closed outright in bad weather.
Itinerary
Eight days on the North Island — geothermal, volcanic and Māori, which the South Island trip is none of.
AucklandHow the day runs
- 1 hrsTransfer into the city
- MealsDinner
- AccommodationAuckland Camp
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
- Hotel night
LANDMARKS Waitematā harbour Sky Tower Ponsonby Start point Auckland, Auckland Airport (AKL), Auckland 00:00 - 23:59The glowworms are the larvae of a fungus gnat and the light is a lure. The boat drifts through in silence because noise puts them out.
Auckland, Waitomo, RotoruaHow the day runs
- 3 hrs8:00 AM — south to the caves
- 3 hrs2:00 PM — east to the geothermal field
- MealsBreakfast, Dinner
- AccommodationRotorua Camp
Included Activities
- Cave entry
- Hotel in Rotorua
LANDMARKS Waitomo glowworm caves Ruakuri Rotorua Lady Knox erupts at 10:15 because a park ranger drops surfactant into it, and they tell you so. The Champagne Pool needs no help.
Rotorua, Wai-O-TapuHow the day runs
- 1 hrs8:30 AM — the thermal park and Lady Knox
- 5:00 PM — a marae evening and hāngī with a local iwi
- MealsBreakfast, Dinner
- AccommodationRotorua Camp
Included Activities
- Thermal park entry
- Marae visit and hāngī
- Hotel night
LANDMARKS Wai-O-Tapu Champagne Pool Lady Knox geyser Te Puia Taupo fills the caldera of an eruption in 232 AD that was heard in China and Rome. Huka Falls pushes the whole Waikato through an 11 m gap.
Rotorua, TaupoHow the day runs
- 1 hrs9:00 AM — south to the lake
- 2 hrs11:00 AM — Huka Falls and the river path
- MealsBreakfast
- AccommodationTaupo Camp
Included Activities
- Transport
- Hotel night
Optional Activities
- A skydive over the lake, which Taupo is known for
LANDMARKS Lake Taupo Huka Falls Craters of the Moon Nineteen kilometres, 765 m of climbing, and a one-way route — which is why the shuttle is not optional. It is closed outright in bad weather.
Taupo, TongariroHow the day runs
- 2 hrs5:30 AM — to the Mangatepopo trailhead
- 8 hrs7:00 AM — the full crossing, one way
- MealsBreakfast, Dinner
- AccommodationTaupo Camp
Included Activities
- Shuttle both ends and the booking
- Guide
- Hotel night
LANDMARKS Red Crater Emerald Lakes Mount Ngauruhoe Blue Lake Otumuheke is a hot stream running into a cold river and it is free. After the crossing it is the correct use of a day.
TaupoHow the day runs
- The free thermal river at Spa Park, and nothing else.
- MealsBreakfast
- AccommodationTaupo Camp
Included Activities
- Hotel night
Optional Activities
- A lake cruise to the Māori rock carvings
LANDMARKS Otumuheke Stream Lake Taupo Craters of the Moon Four hours, and the last chance to see the volcanoes behind you on a clear day.
Taupo, AucklandHow the day runs
- 4 hrs9:00 AM — north through the Waikato
- MealsBreakfast
- AccommodationAuckland Camp
Included Activities
- Transport
- Hotel night
LANDMARKS Waikato Hamilton Auckland Auckland is the long-haul gateway for the whole country.
AucklandHow the day runs
- 1 hrsTransfer to the airport
- MealsBreakfast
- AccommodationNot included — onward travel
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
- Day 1Airport transfer
- Day 1Hotel night
- Day 2Cave entry
- Day 2Hotel in Rotorua
- Day 3Thermal park entry
- Day 3Marae visit and hāngī
- Day 4Transport
- Day 4A skydive over the lake, which Taupo is known forCosts extra
- Day 5Shuttle both ends and the booking
- Day 5Guide
- Day 6A lake cruise to the Māori rock carvingsCosts extra
- Day 1 · 1 nightAuckland Camp
- Day 2 · 2 nightsRotorua Camp
- Day 4 · 3 nightsTaupo Camp
- Day 7 · 1 nightAuckland Camp
- Day 1Auckland to AucklandTransfer into the city
- Day 2Auckland to Waitomo8:00 AM — south to the caves
- Day 2Waitomo to Rotorua2:00 PM — east to the geothermal field
- Day 3Rotorua to Wai-O-Tapu8:30 AM — the thermal park and Lady Knox
- Day 4Rotorua to Taupo9:00 AM — south to the lake
- Day 5Taupo to Tongariro5:30 AM — to the Mangatepopo trailhead
- Day 7Taupo to Auckland9:00 AM — north through the Waikato
- Day 8Auckland to AucklandTransfer to the airport
Where you'll stay
All accommodations are subject to change
Rotorua Camp
Camping
Days 2, 3
Taupo Camp
Camping
Days 4–6
What you'll eat
7 breakfasts and 4 dinners across 8 days, at camp. It opens with dinner on day 1 and closes with breakfast on day 8.
- DinnerServed on days 1, 2, 3, 5
- BreakfastServed on days 2–8
11 meal services named in the itinerary. Vegetarian and vegan covered; Jain, gluten-free and allergies on notice at booking
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Customer reviews
Overall rating
4.6/5
Based on 15 reviews
Review summary
Food4.5/5
Guide4.5/5
Itinerary4.3/5
Transport4.1/5
Accommodation4.4/5
Tour operator4.1/5
Sort by:Recommended
4
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Nina Hoffmann – Lisbon2026-07-15 · Verified booking
Did this over 8 days and it was the best walking I've done in years. Good value for what's included.
Reply from Meridian Overland
Thanks for writing this up. We've passed your note to the team.
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5
M
Meera Iyer – Ahmedabad2026-07-15 · Verified booking
Well organised from the pickup onwards. The daily distances were honest about what they'd be. Sleeping under canvas at that height is cold work and the kit was up to it. Simple food, well made, and enough of it. Worth every rupee.
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5
C
Carla Mendes – London2026-07-15 · Verified booking
Did this over 8 days and it was the best walking I've done in years. Tents were warmer than expected and the camp was set up before we arrived. Worth every rupee.
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4
R
Rahul Menon – Hyderabad2026-07-15 · Verified booking
Well organised from the pickup onwards. The daily distances were honest about what they'd be. Would send friends their way.
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5
F
Farah Qureshi – Jaipur2026-07-15 · Verified booking
Did this over 8 days and it was the best walking I've done in years. Sleeping under canvas at that height is cold work and the kit was up to it. Never went hungry, and the tea appeared exactly when it was needed. Good value for what's included.
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5
F
Farah Qureshi – Lucknow2026-02-26 · Verified booking
The route is beautiful and the pacing was sensible — nobody was rushed on the climb. Camp was pitched and the kitchen going by the time we walked in each evening. Recommended.
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5
R
Rohit Verma – Chandigarh2026-02-26 · Verified booking
Second trek with this operator and they've kept the standard up. Camp was pitched and the kitchen going by the time we walked in each evening. Recommended.
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5
A
Ananya Gupta – Hyderabad2026-02-26 · Verified booking
Second trek with this operator and they've kept the standard up. The campsites were well chosen — sheltered, and close enough to water. Whoever planned the days knew what they were doing. Worth every rupee.
Reply from Meridian Overland
Appreciate the honest feedback; we're looking at the pacing on that section.
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Questions people ask
One other operator runs this trail. See all 2 side by side →