Valley of the Sighing Waters /Kiwi Fruit / Museum /Geothermal & Geysers / Maori Culture / City Sights

... we host! ... we share! ... we educate! ... we entertain! ... Introduction Indigenous Trails has a proven track record of providing quality and affordable Cruise Ship shore excursions of distinction in multiple Port locations around Aotearoa, New Zealand. We proudly introduce to our Visitors - 'Manuhiri Tuarangi' a 'brief snap-shot' of genuine 'Manaakitanga - Hospitality' for the time they are in Port, whilst understanding the importance of creating a more intimate and personalised environment. Indigenous Trails gives visitors the oppurtunity to experience attractions and activities that are 'off-the-beaten-track' and away from the 'hoards' of Tourists on more conventional Crusie Ship itineraries. By constructing its own programmes and shore excursion schedules, this allows Indigenous Trails to provide exposure to other Indigenous operatives outside of mainstream tourism, thus providing satisfied enjoyment to its clientele through Cultural understanding, participation and interaction, hence creating a 'meaningful' and 'purposeful' shore excursion of distinction.

Description: Nau mai Haere mai … Welcome ... On arrival in Tauranga, you will be met by your Indigenous Trails' Guide and board your transport for your 'Cultural Trail' of 'Tauranga Moana' & ' Rotorua'. Your guide will brief you on safety procedures and the day's events, before embarking on this trail. Valley of the Sighing Waters Set amidst serene natural landscape in the foothills of Tauranga, participate in a brief 'Maori Welcome' before embarking on an amazing ‘nature walk’ through 'native flora' and 'fauna' whilst receiving a personalized commentary about the Legend of Mauao, from your Indigenous guide. Highlights of this activity include ‘photo shoot’ by a ‘natural occurring waterfall’ and the opportunity to ‘plant’ and ‘tag’ a 'Native Tree' in support of the local 're-forestation programme' on-site.  Kiwi Fruit Orchard We make our way enroute to Rotorua stopping at a 'Kiwi Fruit Orchard'. Here you will learn of one of New Zealand's major export products the "Kiwi Fruit". Located on a unique pocket of land, you will enjoy a "Cart-Ride" through the lush orchards of this establishment and find out why "Kiwi" is regarded as one of the world's "healthiest" fruits. Arriving in Rotorua, prepare yourself and discover the essence of its people, culture and volcanic landscape. Let us share with you the great stories which have shaped the past and present of "New Zealand's premier visitor destination". Rotorua Museum Your first encounter starts at the ‘Rotorua Museum’. Be thrilled by the museum's high impact ‘Cinema Experience’ – ‘Rotorua Stories'. Visitors are taken on an educational adventure, plummeting 13km into the belly of the earth to learn the ‘scientific’ and ‘mythological’ reasons for Rotorua's volatile landscape. Other highlights of the movie include the arrival of the ‘Arawa people’, a visit to the ‘Pink and White Terraces’ and the early days of the ‘Rotorua Spa’. The movie's active portrayal of the 1886 eruption of ‘Mount Tarawera’ leaves the audience under no illusion as to the impact of that frightful night. Explore the beautiful ‘Bath House’ building, once known as the ‘Great South Seas Spa’, and unravel Rotorua's history as our fascinating history is unraveled in dynamic exhibitions that capture the imagination of all ages. Lunch is enjoyed before moving onto the rest of the days programme Whakarewarewa Thermal Village This is where family members took survivors of the eruption as they endeavoured to rebuild their lives. With the demise of the ‘Pink and White Terraces’, the ‘Whakarewarewa Village/Reserve’ became a showcase for the geothermal wonders of the district, and now ‘Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao’ are the guardians of Whakarewarewa's spectacular geothermal activity – ‘Pohutu’ and ‘Prince of Wales Geysers’, pools of boiling water and bubbling mud. The village is a living village where geothermal resources are still used for cooking, bathing, washing and processing the flax plant. Be entertained in 'song' and 'dance', as your hosts showcase their culture for you to enjoy.  Under the watchful eye of the ‘Whare Tupuna’ (ancestral house), Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao have adapted to this unique way of life as they once did at the Pink and White Terraces. Before leaving Rotorua, we take time out to see the "City Sights" of this famous and iconic destination of New Zealand. Your "Cultural legacy Trail" is about to come to a close as we leisurely make our way back to Tauranga and your Ship.

Duration: 7 - 8 hours General information: This tour is suitable for all ages Bring sun-hat, sun-cream and suitable footwear  Tour times are determined by the arrival and departure times of Cruise Ship  We make sure you will be at the Cruise Ship on time for departure All tours are escorted by Guides / Chaperones PRICE:   $ 215.00 NZD/person  click on price for exchange calculator The price includes the following: Air-conditioned Coach Transport from and to Ship Water onboard Live commentary  Maori Guide(s) / Chaperone(s) Valley of the Sighing Waters  Kiwi Fruit Orchard visit & Cart Ride Rotorua Museum & Cinema  Lunch  Whakarewarewa Maori Village Geothermal & Geysers Maori Cultural Performance City Sights, Rotorua Good Service Tax  Numbers: Maximum numbers: 25* BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL Where to find us on arrival: Due to the large volumes of passengers dis-embarking for various tours at this Port, Indigenous Trails requests that its clientele follow the safety guidelines suggested below. Unless otherwise agreed between parties, an Indigenous Trails representative will be standing Port-side where your Ship docks. Please look for a sign displaying: INDIGENOUS TRAILS and we will direct you to your transportation. Should you have any difficulty finding us, kindly notify port-side Security who will ensure your safety untill we find/reach you. WARNING!! - The Port of Tauranga is a busy working Port. We ask all visitors to exercise EXTREME CAUTION when negotiating in and around this area. There are numerous hazards operating in form of Fork-hoists, Container machinery, Heavy Traffic Vehicles and Reversing Tour Coaches. To ensure your safety at all times, please adhere to these warnings. " PLEASE STAY WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS" Schedule for the day's tour: Pick up from the Ship Valley of the Sighing Waters  Kiwi Fruit Orchard Rotorua Museum & Cinema Lunch Whakarewarewa Maori Village Geothermal & Geyser, Maori Cultural Performance City Sights Rotorua Drop off at the Ship