Photo: Te Pania ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Lakes, ferns and geysers.
Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB runs among lakes and ancient forest around Rotorua, in the geothermal heart of the North Island. The trails are runnable and hardly technical: T102 is 102 km with 2,300 m of climbing, T50 is 52 km, the TMiler 163 km. A good race for a first hundred: warm, smooth trails and Māori welcomes at the aid stations. We arrive early to shake off the time difference, and after the finish we head for the hot springs.
- The Redwoods trails and Lake Tikitapu
- Tarawera Falls on the course
- The haka and Māori welcome at the start
- Hot springs after the finish
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Transfer
Arrival in Auckland, transfer to Rotorua
Three hours south through the Waikato hills to Rotorua on its sulphurous lake. We settle into the lodge, eat lightly and sleep long against the jet lag.
Overnight: Lodge in Rotorua - DAY 2 · 10 km, 250 m of climbing
Shakeout among the redwoods
Whakarewarewa Forest, better known as the Redwoods: 10 km on soft trails among Californian redwoods and tree ferns. The final part of the course runs here.
Overnight: Lodge in Rotorua - DAY 3 · 6 km, flat
Lake Tikitapu and the geothermal park
A short 6 km run around the Blue Lake (Tikitapu), then a walk through the geothermal valley with the Pōhutu geyser.
Overnight: Lodge in Rotorua - DAY 4 · Rest, briefing
Bibs and a quiet day
Bib collection at the lakeside race village and the kit check. Ivan covers fuelling for a runnable course — the pace will be faster than in the mountains. Pasta and an early night.
Overnight: Lodge in Rotorua - DAY 5 · Race, 102 km
T102: from Rotorua around the lakes
An early start with a haka. The course skirts lakes Tikitapu, Ōkāreka and Tarawera, passes the falls and returns through the Redwoods to the finish in central Rotorua. The crew meets runners at the lakeside aid stations and the finish.
Overnight: Lodge in Rotorua - DAY 6 · Recover account
Hot springs
A late breakfast, the award ceremony, then the thermal pools at the Polynesian Spa above the lake. Nothing else.
Overnight: Lodge in Rotorua - DAY 7 · Transfer
Back to Auckland
Transfer to Auckland for evening flights. Those who wish extend to the South Island.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
6 nights in a lodge in Rotorua with breakfast
Auckland — Rotorua — Auckland transfers
A group car
Two shakeouts in the Redwoods and at Lake Tikitapu
Ivan’s support at aid stations and the finish
Three shared dinners and hot springs on the recovery day
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Tarawera Ultra entry fee
NZeTA electronic travel authority
Lunches
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
The T102 needs a 50–60 km trail finish and a solid running base; the T50 suits a trail marathoner. Ivan prepares for runnable courses with tempo work and long even-paced sessions.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Trail shoes already tested in training
- A running vest, soft flasks and rain protection
- Layers for changing weather and familiar trail food
- Poles, if suitable for the route and you know how to use them
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.