Mount Tarawera/ Orakei Korako Dual Landing – Helicopter

MOUNT TARAWERA | ORAKEI KORAKO

MOUNT TARAWERA / ORAKEI KORAKO DUAL LANDING – HELICOPTER

Tour Code: 5B

Experience the best (and some of the most diverse) scenery New Zealand has to offer with a landing on a dormant volcano, flying over Rotorua’s spectacular Lakes district, aerial views of multiple geothermal parks, plus an hour to walk around Orakei Korako Geothermal Park!

Beautiful take off and landing from Lake Rotorua
Unparalleled views of Mokoia Island, Sulphur Bay, and Rotorua City
Stunning views of 12 distinct Crater Lakes
Fly above the Tarawera Falls, Tarawera River and Mount Tarawera’s 8km rift line and craters
Land on the summit of Mount Tarawera for a 15 minute guided walk
Reboard your waiting helicopter to fly over the Pacific Rim of Fire Faultline which brings you to Waimangu Volcanic Valley & Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park, both home to spectacular colors and geothermal activity
Land alongside the Waikato River, enjoy a 1 hour self-guided tour of the “Hidden Valley” Orakei Korako Geothermal Park
Expert commentary on the geography and cultural heritage

Departing from the Rotorua Lakefront, take in Mokoia Island and our beautiful Crater Lakes District. Fly over the Tarawera outlet, and see if you can spot any trout spawning before the river turns into the mighty Tarawera Falls. Then, travel up and over the imposing slopes to land on the summit of Mount Tarawera, a now dormant volcano (last erupting in 1886, it is the site of the largest eruption in New Zealand’s living memory). Marvel at the deep volcanic rifts and the views out to distant national parks and volcanos. For 15 minutes, your pilot will walk with you around the summit, offering commentary and their photography services.

When you take off again, you will be flown south along the 17 km volcanic rift line which ends at Waimangu Volcanic Valley’s Steaming Cliffs and the shockingly blue Inferno Crater. Keep flying south over farmland to get to the next geothermal park: Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park. As your pilot circles around, take in the vibrant colors of the Artist’s Palette, the ever-bubbling Champagne Pool and maybe you will get to witness the Lady Knox Geyser erupting from above!

Further south, your pilot will descend over the mighty Waikato River to the hidden valley of Orakei Korako. Once landed, your pilot will walk to your your ferry (1 minute boat ride across the river) to begin your land based tour. You will have 1 hour to venture on a self-guided tour; experiencing hot springs, vibrant colors, New Zealand’s highest concentration of erupting geysers and largest silica terraces, not to mention a thermal cave. Grab a coffee or a snack from the cafe before reboarding your helicopter. Your return flight takes in views of farmland and the Paeroa mountain range before flying over Rotorua City and returning to our lakefront pier.

Duration: Allow 3 hours, including an approximately 20-minute landing on Mount Tarawera and 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.

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