Explorez la tournée des lacs

This trip was wonderful, we thoroughly enjoyed it, Stephen is so knowledgeable, we felt we learnt so much and gained way more than if we had decided to tour Rotorua on our own. The special places Stephen showed was absolutely stunning, and the added bonus was the beautiful hot chocolate provided by Stephen's wife, the best I've had since in NZ. Do yourself a favour, book this tour and sit back and enjoy.

This trip was wonderful, we thoroughly enjoyed it, Stephen is so knowledgeable, we felt we learnt so much and gained way more than if we had decided to tour Rotorua on our own. The special places Stephen showed was absolutely stunning, and the added bonus was the beautiful hot chocolate provided by Stephen's wife, the best I've had since in NZ. Do yourself a favour, book this tour and sit back and enjoy.

If you are looking for an authentic, local experience that feels miles away from the typical tourist traps, the Explore The Lakes Tour by Real Rotorua is an absolute must. From the start, the experience was seamless. Rosa was incredibly helpful and prompt with our booking, making the entire process stress-free. After completing the tour, I can truly say this experience is a hidden gem. There is something so rewarding about supporting a local business that clearly pours so much heart into what they do. Our guide, Stephen, was fantastic. His passion for the environment and the local nature is infectious. He shares a deep knowledge of Māori culture throughout the journey, and it was impressive to hear him pronounce the traditional names of each location with such ease and respect. Highlights of the Day: Hamurana Springs: This was a magical walk. We learned about "dancing sand," which was fascinating to see in person. A real highlight was being "followed" by the gorgeous pīwakawaka (fantails) and spotting Grey Warblers. Stephen is quite talented at mimicking bird calls, which actually drew them closer to us for an amazing up-close encounter! Traditional Waka History: It was incredibly interesting to learn about the history of the Waka. Stephen’s storytelling really brings the Māori heritage to life and gives you a much deeper appreciation for the culture of the region. Okere Falls: The thundering waterfalls are stunning. We loved hearing the stories of the area, especially the touching story behind the two beautiful trees planted side by side. (I won’t spoil it here—you’ll have to hear it from Stephen himself!) We had a wonderful time and cannot recommend this tour enough. Thank you, Stephen and Rosa, for such a memorable day—and yes, Stephen definitely remembered to shake the hot chocolate!

Highly recommend. We did both the Explore the lakes tour and the nighttime glow worm tour on the same day. The owner/guide was excellent, and the glow worm tour was something to remember for a long time - we saw them elsewhere but this was the best experience. Groups are small.

We had a fantastic time with Stephen, who showed us beutiful places and shared his stories aboutthe area. We recommend this tour very much.

An absolutely fantastic and informative tour, that everyone should do when in Rotorua. Thank you, Stephen, for an amazing experience!

+7

What a wonderful tour we went on this morning in Rotorua with Real Rotorua. Explore the lakes took us away from crowds to see some amazing places. Peaceful & beautiful places with Stephen who was knowledgeable & interesting sharing his obvious passion for the area. Memories from this morning will last a lifetime.

Absolutely worth every cent. Stephen knows all the hidden gems and stories. Learned and experienced many sights and mostly away from the bustling crowds.

+1

An absolute must do as you get to see and here all about the secret hidden gems away from the crowds. Stephen knowd all these spaces and stories.

Great tour of the area with ample opportunities to get out and explore the area. We visited four lakes, walked through a grove of redwood trees, and hiked a beautiful path along the river all while learning about the plants, trees, and natural history of the area. Stephen is a very knowledgeable and engaging guide.

+1