What to do and see in Manawatu-Wanganui Region, North Island: The Best Walking Tours

If time is limited and you are unable to spend the whole day walking the Tongariro Crossing, then the 4-hour Half Day Volcanic Explorer Guided Walk is for you. Enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Tongariro National Park with this half day tour. When possible, we will start on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing track and head up to Soda Springs before returning to the start. At Soda Springs we give you the option to upgrade to the full day walk and join in with the full day guided party to complete the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. We will talk and show you all things relevant to Tongariro and New Zealand including recent and past eruptions, geology, flora and fauna discovery and settlement of NZ. These are the most popular Tongariro sites we choose from and include in the 4 hours: Lake Rotopounamu, Taranaki Falls, Silica Rapids, Soda Springs, Pukeonake, Whakapapanui River, Tawhai falls, Meads Wall.

Inclusions: Professional and qualified guide/s., All mountain equipment required (including crampons and ice axes during winter)., Footwear and clothing to supplement up to a NZD40 free allowance., Live tour commentary provided in English., Transport between the Adrift Tongariro base (53 Carroll St, National Park Village) and the activity.

Exclusions: Beverages, bottled water, or snacks, Lunch, Gratuities, Return transfers from Whakapapa Village are available on request for an additional charge.

For those who like a manageable challenge, try a guided walk to the top of Mt Ruapehu, the largest of the three volcanoes in Tongariro National Park. The walk begins at the Whakapapa Ski area at the top of the Bruce Road on Mt. Ruapehu. Enjoy lunch (included until 31 March 2021, purchase as additional from 01 April 2021 onward). on top of the North Island highest volcano from where you can gaze down into the geothermal waters of the crater lake. Please note this is not a track and is less stable walking than on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Our guides are personable, friendly, qualified and ready to guide you. Adrift provides instruction, transport, equipment and gear hire. We guide every day and guarantee trip departures with wind, rain, snow and even shine.

Inclusions: Professional and qualified guide/s., All mountain equipment required (including crampons and ice axes during winter), Footwear and clothing to supplement up to a NZD40 free allowance., Lunch until 31 March 2021, purchase as additional from 01 April 2021 onward, Live tour commentary provided in English., Transport between the Adrift Tongariro base (53 Carroll St, National Park Village) and the activity.

Exclusions: Beverages, bottled water, or snacks, Gratuities, Transport between accommodation and Adrift Tongariro base , from 01 April 2021 onwards

Experience the majestic Tongariro National Park and feel the crisp mountain air as you follow your expert guide across the Tongariro Alpine Crossing for a view of the volcanic landscape during this 8-hour trek. Soak in the snowy white expanse in winter or the lush, blooming beauty during summer on your 19km hike. Learn about the secrets and history of the landscape around you. Travel through volcanic craters, mountain springs, and vivid emerald lakes - natural wonders that leave you inspired and breathless. Notice the gradual change in flora as you climb higher in altitude. Witness the grandeur of Mount Ngauruhoe, which lies between Mount Tongariro, Mount Ruapehu. Your guides are well informed and keep you safe by constantly assessing the weather and track conditions, timing for your personalised pick-up, and other little details to maximise your enjoyment. Where possible, we take our clients away from the masses while making sure that the popular sights are still experienced.

Inclusions: Professional and qualified guide/s, All mountain equipment required (including crampons and ice axes during winter), Transport between the Adrift Tongariro base (53 Carroll St, National Park Village) and the activity, Lunch until 31 March 2021, purchase as additional from 01 April 2021 onward, Footwear and clothing to supplement up to a NZD40 free allowance.

Exclusions: Beverages, bottled water, or snacks, Gratuities, Transport from Taupo, Turangi, Ohakune, National Park & Whakapapa Villages available at a surcharge, from 01 April 2021 onwards

Enjoy the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing with a private guide from Adrift Tongariro. This 19km trek is New Zealand’s best day one-day walk. The track leads up to the saddle between Mt. Ngauruhoe and Mt. Tongariro. The landscape on Tongariro is peppered with the different coloured and shaped craters that have been active at different periods, scoured volcanic rocks, mountain springs, and brightly coloured emerald lakes. Our privately guided trips provide you with a really personal, informative and friendly experience you will never forget. Experience a majestic landscape of recent resultant volcanic activity. There is a vast array of colours and textures created from Sulphur, Aluminium, Silica, and many other mineral deposits released from within the Earth’s Crust. In summer this track can get crowded and where possible, we take our clients away from the masses while making sure that the popular sights are still experienced.

Inclusions: Professional exclusive guide, Private tour, Lunch, All mountain equipment required (including crampons and ice axes during winter), All clothing and footwear hire, Transport between the Adrift Tongariro base and the activity

Exclusions: Drinks, Gratuities, Transport from Taupo, Turangi, Ohakune, National Park & Whakapapa Villages available at a surcharge

With the Milky Way at your fingertips and shooting stars streaming in the clarity that only the pre-dawn can achieve, come and see the sunrise at Red Crater and enjoy breakfast alfresco. Sunrise tours route taken often varies between the standard route to the standard route in reverse, and sometimes a route that takes us back to the start. The route picked is dependent on weather conditions time of year and your needs and ability. The sunrise route is the same route as the daytime tour but with one obvious exception ... NO CROWDS!

Inclusions: Professional guide, All mountain equipment required (including crampons and ice axes during winter), Transport between the Adrift Tongariro base and the activity, Breakfast, All clothing and footwear hire

Exclusions: Drinks, Gratuities

Our privately guided trips provide you with a really personal, informative and friendly experience you will never forget. For those who like a little challenge, we offer a private Mt. Ngauruhoe guided walk. The near perfect volcanic cone of Mt. Ngauruhoe entices many visitors to its summit. It is 2287m high and last erupted in 1975. This is not a track and is less stable walking than on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. There are parts of the climb that are reasonably steep up to 33° (ropes are not required) however some section to feel slightly exposed. We follow the Tongariro Alpine Crossing track up the Mangatepopo Valley to the saddle between Mt. Ngauruhoe and Mt. Tongariro (up to 2hr). Then we take a route that leads to the foot of a ridge near the centre of Mt. Ngauruhoe. We follow the rock ridge or on either side of the mountain directly up toward the summit.

Inclusions: Professional exclusive guide, Private tour, Lunch, All mountain equipment required (including crampons and ice axes during winter), Transport between the Adrift Tongariro base and the activity, All clothing and footwear hire

Exclusions: Drinks, Gratuities, Transport from Taupo, Turangi, Ohakune, National Park & Whakapapa Villages available at a surcharge

We will host you and share this amazing park with you. Your expert guide will point out the unique geology, flora and fauna and cultural history that makes Tongariro special. The full day option involves; - Pick up/meet in Rotorua 8.00am / Taupo 9.00am (One-hour travel time from Taupo or 1 hour 45 minutes from Rotorua) - Start the day with the Taranaki Falls walk (2 hours), take in stunning views of Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe, continue on to the Tama Lakes if fitness allows (4 hours) or add Lake Rotopounamu if group is less fit). Lunch will be on route as day allows - Return to Taupo / Rotorua

Inclusions: Picnic lunch (sandwich, fruit, water, tea/coffee, sweet thing) with dietary requirements catered for., Private transportation

Exclusions:

Our privately guided trips provide you with a really personal, informative and friendly experience you will never forget. Your guides are well informed and keep you safe by constantly assessing the weather and track conditions, timing for your personalised transport pick-up, and other little details that will maximise your enjoyment. They can also tailor the trip to accommodate different fitness levels and avoid weather-exposed sections. For those who like a manageable challenge, we offer a full day private Ruapehu Guided hike. Mt. Ruapehu is the highest (2797m) of the three active andesitic volcanoes in the Tongariro National Park. The last eruption on Mt. Ruapehu was in 2007. Join us for lunch on top of the North Island highest volcano from where you can gaze down into the geothermal waters of the crater lake. Please note this is not a track and is less stable walking than on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

Inclusions: Experienced and qualified guide, All mountain equipment required (including crampons and ice axes during winter), Round-trip shared transfer from the Adrift Tongariro base, Lunch , All equipment, boots and clothing needed to ensure that you are safe and comfortable.

Exclusions: Drinks, Transport from Taupo, Turangi, Ohakune, National Park & Whakapapa Villages available at a surcharge