Volcanoes and Rail Carts. 5 days

MOUNTAIN MAGIC - Volcanoes and Rail Carts

Take the "Northern Explorer" train to Ohakune to explore the central North Island including the volcanoes of Ruapehu, Ngaruhoe, and Tongariro plus the unique railcart ride kinto the back country and an exciting jet boat ride on the Whanganui River.

HOSTED GROUPS* staying at Powderhorn Lodge, Ohakune

Hosted departures.

2024: December 02

2025: February 10, March 10, April 07

Day 1. Monday. AUCKLAND - OHAKUNE. (D)

Depart Auckland Strand Railway Station 7.45am and Papakura 8.35am aboard the "Northern Explorer". Travel through the Waikato and Tongariro National Park including the famed Raurimu spiral arriving Ohakune at 1.45pm. We will be met Our accommodation at Powderhorn Lodge is nearby. The afternoon is free to relax and support the shops of Ohakune Two course dinner included at the hotel tonight.

Day 2. Tuesday. 'ROUND THE MOUNTAINS'. (B)

We drive to National Park then to Whakapapa Village to visit the Tongariro National Park headquarters and catch up on the geology of the area and volcanic history then climb to Whakapapa ski base. Enjoy a ride on the 'Skywaka' to the Knoll Ridge cafe 2022 metres above sea level and see 'Mordor' from 'Lord of the Rings. Continue to Turangi with great views of Lake Taupo in fine weather and visit the trout hatchery from which the rivers are restocked with trout each year. Cross the Desert Road with photo stops to the Army Museum at Waiouru with time to explore. Late afternoon we return to Ohakune

Day 3. Wednesday. TUROA - TAUMARUNUI (B)

Visit Turoa ski field base and Gollums Pool this morning and enjoy a walk in the forest to the 23 metre drop Mangawhero Falls (Ithilien in Lord of the Rings and the falls where Gollum caught his fish!).

Depart Ohakune at 12.45pm aboard the "Northern Explorer" arriving Taumarunui at 2.10pm. Motel accommodation for 2 nights with continental breakfast provided.

Day 4. Thursday. TAUMARUNUI BIG ADVENTURE - you have 2 to choose from - same price

1. RAIL RIVER RUN - 7 hour tour including 40 km by rail cart through 10 tunnels then 23km by jet boat along the Whanganui River with morning tea and light lunch included.

2. MAXI RAIL - full day tour including over 80 km by rail cart through magnificent back country farm and forest scenery and 20 tunnels to Whangamomona to explore the town and visit the iconic hotel. Return to Taumarunui by road shuttle. Morning tea and light lunch included.

Day 5. Friday. TAUMARUNUI - AUCKLAND. (B)

Free time to explore the delights of Taumarunui before departing at 2.10pm aboard the "Northern Explorer" for the return to Auckland arriving at the Strand Railway Station at 7pm.

Tour cost per person: 2 per room $2,590. Single Room $2,980

Tour cost includes:

** Return travel aboard the "Northern Explorer" from Auckland, Papakura, or Hamilton to Ohakune

** 4 nights accommodation and breakfast (Ohakune - Powderhorn Chateau - cooked breakfast, Tamarunui - Forgotten World Motel - continental breakfast).

** Full day 'Round the Mountains' tour including admissions to Skywaka gondola, Trout Hatchery, Army Museum,

** Half day tour to Turoa skifield base and Gollums pool.

** 2 course dinner on arrival night

** 40 km Forgotten World Rail Cart ride, and Whanganui River jet boat.

MOUNTAIN MAGIC - Volcanoes and Rail Carts

INDEPENDENT DEPARTURES (Minimum 2 passengers)

Take the "Northern Explorer" train to Ohakune to explore the central North Island including the volcanoes of Ruapehu, Ngaruhoe, and Tongariro. "Northern Explorer" departs Auckland most mondays, thursdays, saturdays through the summer.

Tour cost includes:

** Return travel aboard the "Northern Explorer" from Auckland to National Park or Ohakune

** Accommodation and full breakfast at hotel chosen

** Return transfers from rail station to hotel where needed. (Park hotel is 5 minuts walk from National Park railway station and Powderhorn 3 minutes walk from Ohakune station.

* Free time at Ohakune, Whakapapa, or National Park wiht shuttles available to take you to the ski fields or Tongariro Crossing or other walks, Skywaka to Knoll Ridge cafe, 2022 metres above sea level, or Turoa. All shuttles and activities are extra expense.

1 night tour departs Auckland every thursday and saturday

Tour cost per person 1 night tour

Powderhorn/Skotel...........................2 per room.... $690... Single room $690

Park Hotel, National Park ............... 2 per room.... $490... Single room $560

2 night tour departs Auckland every Monday. Returns wednesday.

Tour cost per person 2 night tour

Powderhorn/Skotel ........................ 2 per room ... $880... Single room... $1,130

Park Hotel, National Park ............. 2 per room ... $690 ... Single room ... $860

3 night tour departs Auckland every thursday

Tour cost per person 3 night tour (Includes weekend surcharge)

Powderhorn/Skotel ...................... 2 per room ...$1,190...Single room... $1,562

Park Hotel, National Park ............ 2 per room ... $870 ... Single room ... $1,090

4 night tour departs Auckland every monday

Tour cost per person 4 night tour.

Powderhorn/Skotel..................... 2 per room ... $1,190... Single room ... $1,686

Park Hotel, National Park ......... 2 per room ... $1,060 ... Single room ... $1,352

6 night tour departs Auckland every monday

Powderhorn/Skotel ........................ 2 per room... $890... single room... $1,150

Park Hotel, National Park .............. 2 per room... $1,250... single room... $1,790

SUMMER

MOUNTAIN MAGIC - VOLCANOES AND RAIL CARTS

2 days/1 night. Short Break. Depart Auckland every thursday (and saturday October - June - minimum 2 night stay needed during ski season.) except when track closed for maintenance - see bottom of this column.

3 days/2 nights. Mini Tour. Depart Auckland most Mondays year round

4 days/3 nights. Big weekend. Depart Auckland most Thursdays year round

5 days/4 nights. 'Big Relax'. Depart Auckland most Mondays year round

7 days/6 nights. Mountain Explorer. Depart Auckland most Mondays and Thursdays year round.

Optional tour around the mountains to National Park, Whakapapa to ride the Skywaka to the cafe 2,020 ft above sea level Turangi, Trout Hatchery, and the Waiouru Army Museum. Extra cost $250. Minimum 4 passengers required.

We can provide private transfers from Auckland City or Auckland airport to and from Whakapapa or Ohakune. Cost per vehicle returning same day - People mover (maximum 5 passengers - no skis) $990 or Mercedes Sprinter (Maximum 8 passengers) $1,300

Train operations.

"Northern Explorer" operates southbound every monday, thursday, saturday and northbound from Wellington every wednesday, friday, and sunday year round EXCEPT 23 December, 2024 - 14 January 2025, (15-27 Jan and 11-17 and 22-28 April connecting travel between Auckland and Hamilton is by bus) 18-21 April, 30 May - 02 June, 20-23 June, 24-28 October, 2025 when the line is closed for maintenance.

"Coastal Pacific" services operate thursday to sunday 19 September to 29 December, 2024 (except Christmas Day) and daily 01 January - 27 April, 2025. Intercity coach from Picton to Christchurch is provided in winter.

"Tranz Alpine" operates daily 20 September, 2024 to 05 May, 2025, and Friday to Monday 06 May - 30 June, 2025 EXCEPT (14-16 December and 17-22 May, 2025 when line is closed for maintenance).

Volcanoes and Rail Carts. 5 days

HOSTED GROUPS* staying at Powderhorn Lodge, Ohakune

Other Rail Tours - New Zealand

Grand Rail Tour, 7 10, 15, 21 days

Mini Rail Tour. 7 days/6 nights