Elite Adventures

Our half-day tour of Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland and Waimangu was really fun and informative. Our guide Phil is knowledgeable and shared a lot with us on the wild flora and fauna in the area. So glad to learn more about the history and ecology of Rotorua and NZ! Completely enjoyed it :)

Our tour to Wai O Tapu & Waitangi was fantastic, our guide Clive from Elite Adventures was knowledgeable and helpful, he answered all our questions and took pictures for us. He provided insight into Rotorua and even explained about plants at Wai O Tapu. I highly recommend Elite Adventures and I hope you get Clive as your guide.

Phil picked us up at our motel and we did the full day tour for a more complete experience. We were guided around the Wai O Tapu geothermal area for an hour. Then to Lady Knox Geyser, which was way too crowded. The best thing was the girl singing during the bubbly eruption. The walk through Waimangu Volcanic Valley was great to see how the valley has changed since the eruption in 1886. We only had to walk down the valley as there was a bus there to take us back up. Lunch at visitors center was just okay. When we dropped some people back in Rotorua, Phil took us to a Maori community in town to see where people live- a nice extra touch. We then went to Te Puia, which had an extensive geothermal area as well as an arts and crafts institute where we could watch Maori artists work and see examples of finished projects.

Elite Tours guide Shaun picked us at our hotel on time and we enjoyed a small group tour. Shaun was very informative at each location we visited and during the drive time in between stops had terrific info and some jokes. We joined Clint in the afternoon and had an equally wonderful experience. All the places we visited were amazing and beautiful, the information plentiful. We felt well taken care of during our tour and happily recommend this tour company.

This was a fantastic tour company my guide was Clive he was fantastic. Super friendly, knowledgeable. Really wonderful tour we saw so much. The mudpools, where the pink and white terraces would have been. Because Clive was so amazing I learned a lot about the area. The history was fascinating to learn about. How the craters and everything was formed. We got to see lady Knox which goes off everyday around 10am that was so cool to see. And then as I booked the full day I went to the cultural center Te Puia that was so fantastic I learned alot. I even got to see Kiwis.

Our family of four adults did a private customised tour of Wai-O-Tapu and Redwood Treewalk. Shaun was the perfect guide, super knowledgable with the geothermal information, very thoughtful, and a safe driver. The tour vehicle was v clean and comfortable. Will highly recommend.

"We had an amazing full-day experience with Clint. He is incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and went out of his way to make sure everyone in our small group was looked after. His passion for the local culture and geology really shone through. Five stars!"

"Thank you Elite Adventures for a brilliant tour. Highly recommend these guys. Shaun was an excellent tour guide and extremely knowledgeable with a fab sense of humour! Thanks Shaun for making it a great day."

"Clive was my tour guide, and I couldn't have been any happier. He really made the tour, so thoughtful, kind-hearted and knowledgeable. I had the best time on this tour! Thank you, Clive!"

"We just went on the Geothermal tour with Shaun. We were very impressed with Shaun's knowledge and his tips on the best photo spots. He was very hospitable and his outlook was so positive which made the tour thoroughly enjoyable. We recommend this tour especially if your guide is Shaun."

"I am solo travelling, so I'm always very anxious on tours because I don't know anyone. Clyde [Clive] was my tour guide, and I couldn't have been any happier. He really made the tour, so thoughtful, kind-hearted and knowledgeable. I had the best time on this tour! Thank you, Clive!"

"Phil was an awesome guide! Knowledgeable and funny. Made sure that we saw all the cool spots and skipped the crowds."

What a great trip! Phil was an awesome guide! He was knowledgeable and funny. Made sure that we saw all the cool spots and skipped the crowds. The geyser and geothermal pools are amazing and this tour really highlighted them!

He was absolutely the most knowledgeable tour guide we have had anywhere. His knowledge of the language, culture, ecology, etc is astounding. You would be hard pressed to find another organization that could provide the tour and information that we received.

Shaun has a degree in Earth Science, and his knowledge of the local geology, history, biology, and more was most impressive, entertaining, and informative. Ask for Shaun, you won't be sorry! Very personable and flexible in giving us the best tour possible.

He is very knowledgeable and personable. He clearly loves what he does, and the tour was great fun and very informative.

Not only is he extremely knowledgeable about the area thanks to his interest and background in earth sciences, but his ability to share his passion and tailor it in ways that met the various interests of our group makes him such a gem! Thanks, Shaun, for your patience when our group's schedule needed to change today, and for your part in making my family's dream trip such a special experience to remember!