From Auckland: Te Puia and Wai Ariki Hot Springs Small Group Tour

Your day begins at Te Puia, home to the world-famous Pōhutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere. On a guided tour, explore bubbling mud pools, steaming fumaroles, and dramatic geothermal landscapes that showcase the raw power of nature. Beyond the geothermal sights, immerse yourself in Māori heritage at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. Here, master carvers and weavers share their ancestral knowledge, keeping traditions alive and offering visitors a rare glimpse into living Māori culture.

After your morning of exploration, continue your journey to Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa for the Restorative Journey, a two-hour cultural wellness experience inspired by Ngāti Whakaue traditions. Moving through a carefully curated sequence of spaces, you’ll encounter the natural elements of water, heat, mud, and steam, each designed to restore balance and rejuvenate the body.

Begin at Te Hihiri – The Blessing Stone, where a karakia (blessing) grounds you in the life force of the land. Refresh under the Wairere Waterfall Showers, then invigorate your body in Te Tukinga – Fire & Ice Caves, where hot and cold contrasts awaken the senses. Soak in thermal pools at Te Taiwhanga Matua, with serene views across Lake Rotorua, before indulging in the therapeutic Geothermal Mud Lounge. The journey continues with the calming warmth of the Kohu Wai Ariki Steam Room, before concluding with a final blessing at Te Ngao – The Blessing Stone, leaving you centered, renewed, and deeply connected to the traditions of the land.

This experience is more than a day out — it is a seamless blend of culture, nature, and wellness, offering a rare opportunity to discover Rotorua’s geothermal treasures, connect with Māori heritage, and embrace restorative relaxation in one unforgettable journey.