| Price: | Starting from NZ $103.00 per adult | |||||||||
This half day tour to the Bay of Islands takes you through spectacular scenery of native forests and sub-tropical bush to the foreshores of the National Maritime Park, arriving at your destination seaside town of Paihia (where you will be transferred to your hotel). The rest of your day is at leisure. Enjoy this tour with a GPS operated multi-lingual commentary; available in Japanese, Mandarin, German & Spanish.  Auckland to the Bay of Islands (one way tour)  Auckland to the Bay of Islands (one way tour) Bay of IslandsThere’s no place in the world like the Bay of Islands a stunning region of 144 secluded islands, abundant in natural wonders and marine life. Regarded as the birthplace of New Zealand as a bi-cultural nation, the Bay of Islands is rich in both Maori culture and early European history. Discover well-preserved Maori and European relics of the past, and learn more about the unique history that has shaped our country.  Auckland to the Bay of Islands (one way tour) Tour Highlights include:
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Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Auckland to the Bay of Islands (one way tour)
Auckland to the Bay of Islands (one way tour)
Monday, May 16, 2011
Taroko Gorge Travel Information
Taroko Gorge Travel Information
Taroko National Park in Eastern Taiwan is famous for its rugged landscapes and canyons, particularly the impressive Taroko Gorge, a steep canyon that offers not only amazing views but also historical shrines, hot springs, mountain forests with wildlife, and activities such as whitewater rafting and trekking. As one of the main tourism destinations in Taiwan, Taroko Gorge area has many hotels and tourism services to offer.
Taroko Gorge in Taroko National Park, Taiwan
Scenic Taroko Gorge is located in Taroko National Park in the East coast of Taiwan, 15 km north of the city of Hualien. The main landmark of the park, Taroko Gorge is a 19 km long marble and granite canyon carved by the Liwu River that is one of the deepest in the world. The name Taroko, meaning “magnificent and beautiful” was given by the local indigenous Truku people. Taroko National Park, established in 1986, contains over 120,000 hectares of mountainous landscape rising steeply from the sea level to over 3,700 meters in just 20 kilometers, and includes some of Taiwan’s tallest mountains. Besides tourism attracted by the scenic landscapes, Taroko Gorge area has also hosted mining for marble and jade.
Taroko Gorge shrine and scenery, Taiwan
Taroko Gorge shrine and scenery, Taiwan
Sights and activities in Taroko National Park: landscape, temples, trekking & rafting
The main attraction of Taroko Gorge is its phenomenal landscape with a very steep relief rising from the sea level into high mountains, deep canyons, and mountain forests. Some of the most famous sights in Taroko Gorge area include the Tunnel of Nine Turns, a twisting cave with spectacular views over the canyon, the Eternal Spring Shrine the Swallow Grotto, the Wenshan Hot Springs, and Baiyang Waterfall. There are also several temples and bridges to visit in the area and you can buy handicrafts from local indigenous people along the gorge.
Mountain scenery of Taroko Gorge, Taiwan
Outdoor activities. Several long and short trails for trekking in Taroko Gorge area. You can also try biking or whitewater rafting in Taroko Gorge. The Liwu River that flows through the canyon is excellent for rafting during the summer months. The National Park contains a lot of wildlife, including Black Bears, monkeys and over 140 species of birds. Taroko Gorge also hosts an annual marathon on the road through the gorge in November.
Taroko Gorge travel information and practical tips
Taroko Gorge enjoys a subtropical climate that is generally mild but varies depending on elevation. The winters are mild with a possibility of snow in high elevations, while summers are pleasantly warm.
There is plenty of rainfall in Taroko area throughout the year, with a possibility for occasional typhoons from July to October.
Waterfalls in Taroko National Park, Taiwan
Traveling to Taroko Gorge is done via the coastal city of Hualien. It has an airport with domestic flights and trains from Taipei, as well as hotels and amusement parks. There are several daily buses to Taroko Gorge from Hualien and you can also reach the area by taxi. Scooter and car rental in Hualien and daily sightseeing bus tours to Taroko Gorge are all available from the city. Entry to Taroko National Park is free, but visiting some of the ecological protection areas within the park requires a permit and a local guide.
Accommodation & services. There is a nice amount of hotels in Taroko Gorge as well as in nearby Hualien, and a good variation of accommodation types from campsites to five-star hotels available. Restaurants in Taroko Gorge are not as numerous, concentrated mainly in the hotels and in Tienshiang village and serving local cuisine. Hualien has more restaurants to visit. Taroko Gorge area does not have any particular nightlife to offer. English is not widely understood in the area, so learning a couple of phrases in Chinese is recommended.
River canyon in Taroko National Park, Taiwan
Safety. Taroko Gorge is a safe place with no crime problems. The only dangers in the area are falling rocks and flooding in canyons after heavy rains. The steep topography of the area makes driving in Taroko rather scary at times.
Islamabad Travel Information
Islamabad Travel Information
The modern capital of Pakistan, Islamabad is a well-organized, green city with interesting architecture, many museums and monuments, as well as shopping opportunities and some nightlife. It is surrounded by beautiful hills that are a great place for trekking or horseback riding. Islamabad is a starting point for biking and mountain climbing expeditions in Pakistan’s northern mountains. It is safer, less noisy and more organized than most big cities in Pakistan.
Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan
The Pakistani capital located in the north of Pakistan close to the city of Rawalpindi, Islamabad was built in the 1960 as Pakistan’s new capital. Today, it is a modern and clean city that has also become a financial, commercial, and political center in Pakistan with a cosmopolitan feeling. Pakistan has an old and rich culture with many traditions, monuments, and dishes inherited from the rule of Mughal and Afghan emperors or from Central Asia. Even though Islamabad has a modern appearance, traditional religious and family values are still highly regarded.
Sights and activities in Islamabad
Islamabad is a modern city with less historic attractions than many other cities in Pakistan, but it does have impressive architecture, museums, and the ancient city of Taxila nearby, dating from the 4th century BC. Islamabad is a green city with good opportunities for outdoor activities including biking and trekking around Islamabad, horseback riding and paragliding in the Margalla Hills north of the city, fishing on the Rawal Lake, or visiting in the nearby British colonial hill resort of Murree.
Sights in Islamabad include the National Monument, the Saudi-Pak Tower, and the huge Shah Faisal Mosque, as well as the sculpted gardens of Shakar Parian Hills. The so-called Blue area is the financial center of the city, and the lookout points of Daman-e-Koh and Pir Sohawa in the surrounding hills are good places to hike and enjoy the views over the city. The various museums in Islamabad include the renovated Lok Virsa Museum, the Islamabad Museum and Pakistan Museum of Natural History. There are also historical Sufic Islamic shrines near the city.
Decorated local bus in Islamabad, Pakistan
Entertainment & recreation. Islamabad is home to Pakistan’s National Art Gallery. The lakes in the city include Rawal Lake and Lotus Lake, offering promenades, fishing, and relaxing atmosphere. There is some nightlife and good opportunities for cheap shopping in Islamabad. Biking in Islamabad has become popular, and the city is the starting point for mountain biking tours on the Himalayas. There is also a 18-hole golf course in Islamabad.
Islamabad travel information and practical tips
Although Islamabad is not a big tourism destination, it is an important travel hub in Northern Pakistan. The city has a dry climate with very hot summers and cooler, more pleasant winters. The temperatures in Islamabad are a bit lower in the higher altitude hill areas. Rainfall is mostly brought by the south-westerly monsoon during July and August.
Fountain inside the King Faisal Mosque in Islamabad
Traveling to Islamabad from abroad is done predominantly by air.
There is an international airport with flights to Islamabad from many Asian and some European countries, as well as domestic flights from elsewhere in Pakistan. There are also many buses to Islamabad from all parts of Pakistan, although the majority of buses arrive to its twin city, Rawalpindi, a short taxi ride away from Islamabad. There are also railway connections to Rawalpindi from elsewhere in Pakistan.
Wide boulevard in modern Islamabad
Once in Islamabad, the local public transport includes buses and abundant taxis. While using taxis, always agree on the fare before getting in. Auto rickshaws that are common in other cities in Pakistan are banned in Islamabad. Car rental in Islamabad is well available and a good way of getting around. Rental cars are available also with local drivers.
Safety. Islamabad is generally a safer place than many bigger cities in Pakistan. Violent crime is uncommon, but political violence and terrorist attacks do happen. With this in mind, visitors should exercise caution at all times and avoid large gatherings and political demonstrations. In general, the local people are very hospitable, but they are also often conservative, so it is important to respect their traditions and religion. You should also avoid taking photos of any military or police establishments or officers.
King Faisal Mosque in Islamabad
Visitor services. There are plenty of guesthouses and hotels in Islamabad, ranging from five star hotels aimed at visiting politicians to cheap and basic local hotels.Restaurants in Islamabad are also plentiful with dozens of cuisine options to choose from. Islamabad hosts a large number of foreigners working in embassies or international organizations, and has a modern atmosphere with good shopping and some international nightlife options. English is an official language in Pakistan, and most people in Islamabad speak good English.
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