At a Glance
The world-renowned Tongariro Alpine Crossing through Tongariro National Park will enthral you with its rich cultural identity and dramatic natural scenery. Classed as one of 'New Zealand's Great Walks' and New Zealand’s best day walk, this 2-day hike amidst the incredible Tongariro volcanoes is an experience not to be missed. Encounter up close old lava flows, active craters and volcanic peaks on New Zealand's greatest walking journey.
This is a fully guided and all-inclusive 2-day walking tour, hosted by experienced local guides. Your small group (maximum 10) will walk 6 - 8 hours each day. You will only need to carry a day pack allowing more flexibility to immerse yourself in the dramatic alpine and volcanic landscapes.
At the end of each day you will return to your accommodation Powderhorn Chateau at ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- All transport and guiding
- Small group of 10 or less
- Return transport to/from Taupo
- 1 breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinners (three course)
- 1 night's accommodation at Powderhorn Chateau Ohakune
- All equipment required (including crampons and ice axes for winter)
- Guided walks each day with experienced guides
Itinerary
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Pick up from Taupo at approx. 5:30am to 6:30am. Other pickup locations & time: Other pickup locations can be arranged at additional cost. Pre-walk accommodation can be arranged at the same hotel. 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 This first section of the track is fairly flat. The track is well formed and board walked in damper parts. About 20 minutes from the car park is a sidetrack to the Mangatepopo Hut, and toilet facilities. The main track continues up the valley following the Mangatepopo stream and around the edge of old lava flows. Plants change along the track as you climb in altitude. At Soda Springs are the last toilet facilities until you get to the Ketetahi Hut. Walk Soda Springs to South Crater. Grade: Moderate Difficult. Allow 40 minutes to 1 hour Tongariro Alpine Crossing Walk Crater Lake 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 colours 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 your hotel at approx. 5:30pm. Enjoy three-course dinner at the hotel. Alcohol is not included. |
Powderhorn Chateau, Ohakune
Lunch, Dinner |
Walking Distance: 10 km, approx. 6 - 7 hours walking (Moderate Grade). After another delicious breakfast pack up and depart Chateau Tongariro. Please check out prior to your walk departure to avoid late check out fee. The climb to the Mt Ruapehu Crater Lake is equally as stunning as the Tongariro Crossing, but offers a different array of landscapes and is crowd-free. 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. You will enjoy your lunch on top of the North Island highest volcano from where you can gaze down into the geothermal waters of the crater lake. There may be an option of taking a chairlift up to 2000m. This option will depend on the group on the day and if the chairlifts are operating. Payment for the chairlift is about $35 NZD pp and is made to Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (situated at the start of the walk). Taking the chairlift is not compulsory. The lifts close at 4:00 pm daily. Should conditions deteriorate during the day the lifts may have to be closed earlier. 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 Taupo at approx. 6:30pm. Other dropoff locations & time: Winter Walk Season: 1 May - 30 September Other drop-off locations can be arranged at additional cost. Post-walk accommodation at the same hotel can be arranged at additional cost. Please enquiry at time of booking. |
NoneBreakfast, LunchAccommodation
Dates & 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.
Day 1: Approximately 19 km, 7 - 8 hours
Day 2: Approximately 10 km, 6 - 7 hours
Total: Approximately 29 km
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
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.
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.
