Mt Tarawera/ Orakei Korako Landing

MOUNT TARAWERA | ORAKEI KORAKO

MOUNT TARAWERA / ORAKEI KORAKO LANDING

Tour Code: 5A

Thrilling take off and landing on Lake Rotorua & the Waikato River
Unparalleled views of Mokoia Island, Sulphur Bay, and Rotorua City
Stunning views of 12 distinct Crater Lakes
Fly over dormant volcano Mount Tarawera’s 8km rift line and craters
Fly over Waimangu Volcanic Valley and Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park, see spectacular colors and geothermal activity
Memorable landing on the river at the “Hidden Valley” of Orakei Korako Geothermal Park for a 1 hour self-guided tour
Return to the Rotorua Lakefront via the Redwood Forest and Rotorua City
Informative commentary on the geography and cultural heritage

Experience a floatplane flight over Rotorua’s most beautiful and active geothermal parks, taking in a dormant volcano, Rotorua’s lakes district, lush New Zealand native forest and rolling farmland. The highlight of this trip is the additional landing at the hidden valley of Orakei Korako, where you will embark on an hour’s self-guided walk through one of New Zealand’s most beautiful parks.

Take off from Lake Rotorua and as you climb, appreciate the expansive views of the city, Mokoia Island, and Sulfur Bay. See if you can spot all 14 lakes before climbing up the slopes of Mount Tarawera. A now dormant volcano, Mount Tarawera was the site of the largest eruption in living memory, changing the Rotorua landscape forever. Witness the power of this natural force as you fly over the 17 km volcanic rift; deep and colorful craters across the summit, lakes that now cover the famous Pink and White Terraces (once claimed as the eighth wonder of the world), and Waimangu Volcanic Valley – the world’s youngest geothermal park. Take in the Frying Pan Lake and the shocking blue of the Inferno Crater before flying further south over Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park and the aptly named Artist’s Palette and Champagne Pool.

Further south, your pilot will descend to follow the Waikato River to the hidden valley of Orakei Korako. Landing on the river is a once-in-a-lifetime experience as you navigate the bends and native bush before docking. Once out of the plane, you have 1 hour for a self-guided tour through the park: experience hot springs, gushing geysers, bubbling mud pits, a thermal cave and some of the largest silica terraces in the world. Grab a coffee or a snack from the cafe before reboarding your floatplane. Your return flight takes in views of farms and the Paeroa mountain range before flying over Rotorua City and returning to our Lakefront pier.

Duration: Allow 2 hours 30 minutes, includes approximately 1 hour touring the park

Location: All flights depart from Lakefront Drive, Rotorua City Lakefront

Requirements: This flight operates with a minimum of 2 adult fares.

Children: Children 2-11 years pay a child fare (75% of the adult fare)

Tour duration, flight times and inclusions may vary due to weather conditions, volcanic activity and passenger loadings. Excursion landings are undertaken at your own risk and such landings are at your pilot’s sole discretion.