Waipoua Forest Twilight Tour - Adult
4 fortnightly payments of $23.75
Highlights
- Encounter the giants of the forest Te Matua Ngahere, The Four Sisters, and Tane Mahuta
- Fully guided twilight tour
- Incredible insight into Maori culture
Experience a unique and intimate guided tour through the Waipoua Forest at twilight as you share in the culture connecting the Maori people to their land and forest. Learn firsthand from local Maori about spiritual awareness, history, genealogy and traditional song.
What's Included?
- Tour to Four Sisters, Te Matua Ngahere and Tane Mahuta
- Friendly and experienced guide
- Transfers to and from Hokianga
Meet your guide for the evening in Hokianga where you board your coach and travel to Waipoua Forest. On this journey and as you arrive at the forest you will learn about Kupe and his journey from Hawaiiki to Aotearoa. From here you will encounter the mighty Te Matua Ngahere ('The Father of the Forest') estimated to be 2,500 & 3,000 years old; 'The Four Sisters,' a graceful collection of Kauri trees; and Tane Mahuta ('The Lord of the Forest') who stands an impressive 51 metres (150ft) tall.
Your guide will greet the giant trees with spine-tingling waiata (sacred songs) and share the legends of the forest, of its gods and other spiritual inhabitants.
You will also experience the affinity that early Maori had with the forest and the deep spiritual respect they hold for the giants still growing there. Learn of the rich bird life and other fauna that inhabits the forest and witness the transitions of life and the day turning into the night.
As your continue on your tour you may encounter insects like weta, nocturnal birds, eels, fresh-water lobsters or the giant carnivorous 'kauri' snail.
At the conclusion of this unique encounter you will be returned to Hokianga.
Session Length
- Please allow 4 hours for this experience
- Tours depart at 6.00pm October - March and 5.00pm April - October
- Departs daily except Christmas Day and New Years Day
Restrictions
Not suitable for children under 5 years of age.
Guidelines
A medium level of fitness is required.
Cancellation
Once this experience has been confirmed, changes are at the discretion of the experience provider and arranged directly with them according to this policy:
Rescheduling
- Over 48 hour prior to the experience date: No charge
- Between 24 and 48 hours prior to the experience: A 10% charge will be incurred
- Within 24 hours of the experience: A 50% charge will be incurred
- After 2pm on the day of departure, No Shows and Late Arrivals: Participants forfeit their experience and therefore are not entitled to a refund or to re-book
- Participants are advised to make their own insurance provisions in case of unforeseen circumstances
- Change of participant is not permitted
Numbers on the Day
A minimum of two people are required for the tour to proceed. There will be up to 15 people on your tour.
Weather
In the event of rain or inclement weather your experience will still go ahead unless contacted by the experience provider. If your experience is cancelled you will be rescheduled by the provider.
Dress Code
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring a warm top, and dress for the weather conditions of the day.
This experience takes place in the Waipoua Forest, 20 mins from Omapere.
