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Get away from the crowds and immerse yourself in the “explosive” natural beauty of the Tongariro Northern Circuit on this 3-day fully guided hiking adventure. This hike is one of New Zealand’s 10 Great Walks.
Centred upon 3 volcanoes – Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu – Tongariro National Park is home to some of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscapes. Named New Zealand’s first national park in 1887, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed national park is a spectacular showcase of volcanic wonders including emerald lakes, old lava flows, steaming craters, colourful silica terraces and unusual alpine gardens. Volcanic activity started here around 2 million years ago and continues to this day. Ruapehu and Tongariro, which date back before the last ice age, are two of the most active composite volcanoes in the world, with Ruapehu ...
Centred upon 3 volcanoes – Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu – Tongariro National Park is home to some of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscapes. Named New Zealand’s first national park in 1887, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed national park is a spectacular showcase of volcanic wonders including emerald lakes, old lava flows, steaming craters, colourful silica terraces and unusual alpine gardens. Volcanic activity started here around 2 million years ago and continues to this day. Ruapehu and Tongariro, which date back before the last ice age, are two of the most active composite volcanoes in the world, with Ruapehu last erupting in 1996. Ngauruhoe – geologically considered a ‘vent’ – last erupted in 1975.
Over 3 exhilarating days, set out with a local guide to hike the Tongariro Northern Circuit, one of New Zealand’s 10 Great Walks. Starting on Mount Ruapheu and encircling Mount Nhauruhoe, this trek is a great way to enjoy the Tongariro National Park at a less energetic pace, while avoiding the crowds of the Tongariro Crossing. From alpine herb fields to forests, from tranquil lakes to desert-like plateaus, this is a place of extremes and surprises. You’ll see stunning and unique landscapes including ancient volcanic craters, brilliant blue lakes, steaming geothermal areas, and glacial valleys.
This fully guided 3-day hiking adventure includes 2-nights’ camping accommodation at Department of Conservation campgrounds. These “billion-star” accommodations are made more comfortable with tents and sleeping mats (sleeping bags, liners and other gear are available at an additional cost). All meals and transport are included, and a knowledgeable and experienced guide will accompany you throughout the trip.
Discover why the Tongariro Northern Circuit is considered one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. The stunning natural beauty and rich history of the region will inspire you.
NOTE: You will be required to carry minimal group equipment along with your own personal gear unless you request a porter (additional charge applies). Your backpack should not be carrying more than 10-12kg in weight.
This tour is eligible to earn ONLYLUXE reward points.
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Walking Information: National Park to Oturere via the Tongariro Alpine Crossing:16km/10mi | 800m/2625ft height gain | 6-7hrs
Meet at the Adrift Tongariro Base at 8:00am (7:00am winter) and transfer to the start of the Northern Circuit. Follow Mangatepopo Stream up the valley, climbing over old lava flows from Mount Nhauruhoe (aka Mount Doom). A steady ascent to Mangatepopo Saddle will reward you with views of the valley and, on a clear day, Mount Taranaki to the west. From the saddle, the track crosses South Crater, a large plateau between Mount Tongariro and the conical peak of Mount Ngauruhoe.
This is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing Track, one of the world’s best day walks. A quick scramble up to reach the highest point of the track, and you will be blown away by views over the North Island. Red Crater must be seen to be believed, with its spectacular magma formations underneath the rim. Take your time to admire the vistas and recharge with a picnic lunch amid this geothermal wonderland.
Skirt along the crater rim and drop down to the eye-catching Emerald Lakes, aquamarine pools filling old explosion pits. From here, descend into the Oturere Valley and meander through jagged lava forms from early eruptions from Red Crater. Your journey culminates at Oturere Hut, a magical place to visit especially on a misty day. There is a pretty waterfall over the ridge from the hut.
Walking Information: Oturere – Waihohonu: 8km/5mi | 200m/656ft height loss | 3-4hrs
Traverse the lunar landscapes of the eastern side of Mount Ngauruhoe. The track undulates over a number of stream valleys and open gravel fields. Plant life here has been consistently repressed by volcanic eruptions, altitude and climate. Loose gravel means that recolonisation by plants is a slow process on the open and bare countryside.
There are some great photo opportunities during this part of the walk. Take time to admire expansive views across old lava fields to the Rangipo Desert (New Zealand’s only desert) and Kaimanawa mountains, with the snow-capped hulk of Mount Ruapehu as a breathtaking backdrop.
The track gradually curves around the foothills of Mount Ngauruhoe, dipping into a valley and crossing a branch of the Waihohonu Stream. Continue on through a beech-clad valley before ascending to the ridgetop. Waihohonu, your home of the second night, is in the next valley.
After lunch, explore the Ohinepango freshwater springs and enjoy a leisurely afternoon in this splendid setting. The springs are crystal clear and positively freezing after percolating through the earth for thousands of years. You can have a very memorable swim here and taste some of the freshest water on earth!
Walking Information: Waihohonu Traverse to Whakapapa Village: 14km/9mi | 200m/656ft height gain | 5hrs
Follow the Waihohonu stream and gradually climb to Tama Saddle. The track passes through beautiful pocket of native forest and open tussock fields with great views of Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu. The saddle acts as a funnel for prevailing westerly winds, so windproof clothing is recommended. From here, there is a very worthwhile side trip to the Tama Lakes, which occupy several old explosion craters.
After a short break, head down the western side of the saddle to Taranaki Falls. One of Tongariro National Park’s best short walks, this easy loop is jam-paced with captivating natural sights including the Taranaki Falls themselves, which tumble 20-metres into a boulder ringed pool.
The end of the trail brings you back to Whakapapa Village, where you can celebrate a job well done with lunch and a cold brew!
NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.
Daily departure on request. Please contact us for group bookings and private departures.
It is possible to hire personal equipment to supplement that which you don’t have and need including boots, socks, thermal longs, fleece longs, waterproof pants, thermal tops, fleece tops, waterproof tops, warm gloves, warm hats, sun hats, sunglasses, backpacks, walking poles and sleeping bags and liners
Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu are all considered to be active volcanoes. They are all closely monitored by various government agencies. Your safety is our top priority. Your guides will check the up-to-date volcanic alert level status, on the GeoNet website, both before departure and each day during the trip. As Tongariro National Park approved operators, your guides are also included in additional notification systems from the Department of Conservation.
* You will be required to carry minimal group equipment along with your own personal gear unless you request a porter (starting from $1,050 per porter). Your backpack should not be carrying more than 10-12 kilograms (22-26lbs)
** It is possible to hire personal equipment to supplement that which you don’t have and need including boots, socks, thermal longs, fleece longs, waterproof pants, thermal tops, fleece tops, waterproof tops, warm gloves, warm hats, sun hats, sunglasses, backpacks, walking poles and sleeping bags and liners
Tour starts and finishes at the National Park Village. Trip departures available all year on request.
Summer (1 October - 30 April)Meet at the National Park Village office: 8:00amReturn: 5:30pm
Winter (1 May - 30 September)Meet at the National Park Village office: 7:00amReturn: 5:30pm
We endeavor to remove the risk of guest not having adequate clothing and equipment for the conditions. To achieve this, we request guests to meet at the office to improve both safety and service as this is outfitted with all equipment and clothing needs for the conditions of the day.
Return TransfersReturn transfers are an additional cost and please confirm at time of booking.
Whakapapa Village $40pp.Summer Pick up 7:50am / Return 5:30pm Winter Pick up 6:50am / Return 5:30pm
Turangi $145ppSummer Pick up 7:15am / Return 5:45pm Winter Pick up 6:15am / Return 5:45pm
Ohakune $145ppSummer Pick up 7:30am / Return 6:00pm Winter N/A
Taupo CBD $260ppSummer Pick up 6:20am / Return 6:30pm Winter Pick up 5:20am / Return 6:30pm
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.Payment DetailAll pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.Single SupplementAll accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.General Cancellation Policies- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurancePlease Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.LiabilityThe participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.Child PolicyPlease consult travel consultant on age limit.Changes to ItinerariesLocal conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.Changes in PricesWhile we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age LimitsYou need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.Cancellation by The Tour OperatorThe walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.Force Majeure'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.EvacuationsIn rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.Travel InsuranceIn view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.