At a Glance
Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing & Mt Ruapehu, and paddle up the Whanganui River - New Zealand's only Great Walk by canoe! This is a unique and spectacular walking and canoeing journey for you to accomplish two of New Zealand's 9 Great Walks over three incredible days. This journey takes you beyond the clutches of modern civilisation. In it's place you'll find peace and quiet as well as dramatic alpine and volcanic landscapes, native forest and beautiful birdsong, and rich Maori and European history.
Rated as New Zealand’s best day walk, trek amidst the incredible Tongariro volcanoes is an experience not to be missed. Hike Mt Ruapehu, the highest (2797m) mountain of the three active andesitic volcanoes in the Tongariro National Park, and encounter up close old lava flows, active craters ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- All transport from Tongariro Park base and guiding
- 2 breakfast, 3 lunches and 2 dinners (three-course)
- 2 nights' accommodation at Powderhorn Chateau, on a twin share basis
- Premium Tongariro Crossing and Mt Ruapehu guided group hikes including guide/s, transport between the start and end of the tour and the base. All winter equipment. Crampons and ice axes if required for winter conditions. Extra hire (hiking boots, clothing, backpacks, walking poles) is available at an additional cost
- Full day Whanganui River guided canoe tour including guide/s, transport between the start and end of the tour and the base, all canoe equipment. Canoe, dry barrels for your gear, PFD’s, paddles. All clothing hire
Itinerary
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Walking distance: approx. 19 km circuit, 7 - 8 hours walking (Moderate Grade). Pickup location & time: Winter Walk Season: 1 April - 30 September Guests self drive to arrive at the meeting point. Other pickup locations can be arranged at additional cost. Please enquiry at time of booking. 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. The walk starts at Mangatepopo (1100m), and commences at Ketetahi (750m). The highest point on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is Red Crater (1886m). Walk from Mangatepopo to Soda Springs. Grade: Easy. Allow 1 hour - 1 1/2 hours Walk Soda Springs to South Crater. Grade: Moderate Difficult. Allow 40 minutes to 1 hour Walk South Crater to Red Crater. Grade: Moderate Difficult. Allow 1 hour Walk from Red Crater to Blue Lake. Grade: Moderate. Allow 30 minutes Walk from Blue Lake to Ketetahi Hut. Grade: Moderate. Allow 1 hour Walk from Ketetahi Hut to Ketetahi Carpark. Grade: Moderate. Allow 2 hours Summer Season Walk offers a majestic landscape of recent resultant volcanic activity. There is a vast array of colors and textures created from Sulfur, Aluminum, Silica, and many other mineral deposits released from within the Earth's Crust. In summer this track can be crowded and where possible, you will be taken away from the masses, while making sure that the popular sights are still experienced. If you prefer to walk with no crowds and watch the sunrise on the top of Red Crater with the peaceful, still, quiet moments of the dawn, you can change the day walk to a pre-dawn walk, departing times from National Park Village vary between 1.30am-3.00am in accordance with the changing sunrise times. There is an extra $50 per person for the pre-dawn walk. Please advise at the time of booking if you prefer to change to the pre-down walk. Winter Season Walk offers the opportunity to walk through the magnificent snow covered landscape without the summer crowds. No outdoor experience is necessary, all training and tuition is given on the day. Crampons and ice-axes are supplied by Adrift Tongariro for a fantastic alpine experience. Return to the base at approx. 5:30pm. Guests self drive to hotel for check in. Enjoy three-course dinner at hotel. Alcohol is not included. |
Powderhorn Chateau, Okahune
Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: 22 km, approx. 4 - 5 hours canoeing (Easy Grade). Guests self drive to the Tongariro Park base and meet at 9:00 am. Today, you'll complete the great walk by journeying on Whanganui River by canoe - New Zealand's only Great Walk by canoe, not foot! The Whanganui National Park has rugged terrain covered in lush native forest with the Whanganui River flowing through the heart of it. You’ll pass through a mixture of farmland and patches of native bush. Paddling downstream you will travel through bush-clad hills, waterfalls, towering river gorges as well as some rapids en-route. Walk to the world famous Bridge to Nowhere. Returning World War 1 servicemen once worked the land within what is now the Whanganui National Park. The farmers have long-since gone and this bridge is all that remains. Enjoy your picnic lunch, and lie back and listen to the sounds of the bush, the birds, and see nature at its finest. Your guide will share stories of the river and of years gone by. Return to National Park Village at approx. 4:00pm. Enjoy three-course dinner at the hotel. Alcohol is not included. |
Powderhorn Chateau, OkahuneBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Walking distance: 10 km, approx. 6 - 8 hours walking (Moderate Grade), Elevation gain: 1,010m (3,313 feet) After another delicious breakfast pack up and depart Powderhorn Chateau. Self drive to Tongariro Park base: Pickup location & time: Winter Walk Season: 1 April - 30 September Looking for a challenge? Make sure you tick Mt Ruapehu Summit Plateau off your list. Climb above the clouds to see sweeping views of Tongariro National Park and the entire volcanic zone. Have lunch on the summit plateau on New Zealand’s highest volcano from where you can gaze down at the crater lake. The Ruapehu Summit Plateau is not a pole or marked track and guides are strongly recommended. This is not a track and is less stable walking than on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This is not a track and is less stable walking than on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Walking distance is 10 kms return or 7 kms return when the chairlift is utilised. Walking time is about 6 - 7 hours. This walk requires a good level of fitness. The terrain is uneven and steep in places. During winter and times of snow, surface conditions will vary from day to day. Crampons and ices axes are required and your guide will provide instruction on how to use them correctly. This walk is weather dependent, and may not be possible early or late season due to snow and/or chairlift being closed. Return to Tongariro Park base at approx. 5:30 pm and guests self drive to depart. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
NoneBreakfast, LunchDates & Prices
Daily departure on request. Please contact us to book if you have a group of more than 12 people.
More Info
The departure point is Taupo, New Zealand.
By Road:
- 3.5 hour drive from Auckland
- 4.5 hour drive from Wellington
By Air:
- 50 min flight from Auckland
- 1 hour flight from Wellington
- Air New Zealand and Sounds Air operate flights between Taupo and Auckland/Wellington.
The Tongariro National Park volcanoes, the Kaimanawa Ranges to the east and the high country to the south, all influence the weather of the park. There is no wet or dry season or month in the park. The weather pattern is highly unpredictable, and rain and snow can fall at any time of the year. Daily and monthly temperatures can vary greatly. At Whakapapa Village frosts can occur all year round. However, temperatures average 13°C with a maximum temperature of 25°C and a mid-winter minimum of -10°C. Click here forTongariro National Park Weather Forecast
A reasonably good level of fitness is required for Tongariro and Mt Mt Ruapehu walking. If you are concerned about your fitness please let your guide know before commencing the walk, as there are options we may be able to offer if your concerns come to fruition. Walking time is about 6 - 8 hours including stops. No alpine experience is required.
During winter and times of snow, surface conditions will vary from day to day. Crampons and ices axes are required and your guide will provide instruction on how to use them correctly.
Whanganui River guided canoe is easy graded.
Day 1: Approximately 19 km, 7 - 8 hours guided walking
Day 2: Approximately 10 km, 6 - 7 hours guided walking
Day 3: Approximately 22 km, guided canoeing
Total: Approximately 41 km
FOR WALK
Summer Walk Season: 1 October - 30 April
Water (1-2 litres), Personal medications (e.g. Asthma Inhaler, blister protection etc), sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, backpack per person, hiking boots/shoes, walking trousers, 1 light top and 2 warm top layers (wool, merino, thermals, fleece, soft shell etc. are good layers), Waterproof raincoat.
Winter Walk Season: 1 May - 30 September
Water (1-1.5 litres), Personal medications (e.g. Asthma Inhaler, blister protection etc), sunscreen, sunglasses, backpack per person, hiking boots, thermal longs and/or walking trousers & over-trousers, 3 warm top layers (wool, merino, thermals, fleece, soft shell etc. are good layers), Waterproof raincoat, Warm hat and gloves.
FOR CANOE
Water (2 litres), Personal medications (e.g. Asthma Inhaler, blister protection etc), Sun hat, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Suntan lotion, covered sandals, shorts, light top, 1 warm top layer (wool, merino, thermals, fleece, soft shell etc. are good layers), waterproof raincoat, 1 set of spare warm clothing to change into at the end of the day.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All 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 Supplement
All 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 insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The 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 Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local 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 Prices
While 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 Limits
You 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 Operator
The 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.
Evacuations
In 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 Insurance
In 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.
