Price from:
1522 USD
A fulfilling and enriching journey that will create lasting memories
Tour Duration
Three Days & Two Nights
Tour Summary
Embark on a 3-day private luxury tour from Auckland that showcases the powerful beauty of New Zealand’s volcanic heartland. With your personal driver-guide and curated itinerary, explore the legendary Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its dramatic volcanic peaks, emerald lakes, and panoramic alpine views on a self-guided walk. This package also includes the magical Waitomo Glowworm Caves and the geothermal highlights of Lake Taupō, where you’ll witness the thunderous Huka Falls and steaming valleys dotted with natural hot springs. A perfect balance of nature, culture, and adventure, all experienced at a relaxed pace.
Itinerary At a Glance
- Day 1: Waitomo Glow Worm & Ruakuri Twin Cave Experience Overnight Stay in Tongariro National Park Village.
- Day 2: Tongariro Alpine Crossing Experience. Overnight Stay in Tongariro National Park
- Day 3: Lake Taupō Māori Rock Carvings Cruise & Huka Honey Hive & Honey Tasting. Return back to Auckland
Tour Highlights
- Explore the magical Waitomo Glowworm Caves by boat, surrounded by thousands of glowing lights.
- Discover dramatic limestone formations and spiral descent inside Ruakuri Cave — NZ’s longest underground walk.
- Hike across the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a UNESCO World
- Heritage site known for volcanic landscapes and emerald lakes on a self-guided walk.
- Witness panoramic views of Red Crater, Soda Springs, and ancient lava flows along the alpine trail.
- Learn about local geology, volcanic history, and native flora from your personal guide.
- Cruise across Lake Taupō to view the iconic Māori Rock Carvings, accessible only by water.
- Enjoy stunning lakeside scenery at New Zealand’s largest freshwater lake.
- Get water-level views of the thunderous Huka Falls, one of NZ’s most powerful waterfalls.
- Visit Huka Honey Hive and discover the sweet world of New Zealand’s native honey.
- Travel in a private luxury vehicle with scenic stops and a flexible, fully guided experience throughout.
Journey Inclusions
- Fully guided private return transfers from Auckland.
- Pick up and drop off from Auckland.
- Refreshments and water onboard.
- Complimentary high-speed Internet onboard.
- A local English-speaking tour escort throughout the journey.
- Luxurious temperature-controlled transportation.
- Exclusive immersive activities and interaction with local communities.
- Built-in leisure time, to explore destinations as you wish.
Tour Inclusions
- Waitomo Glowworm & Ruakuri Caves (guided group tours).
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing (self-guided walk with shuttle).
- Lake Taupō cruise to Māori Rock Carvings.
- Huka Falls visit & honey tasting at Huka Honey Hive.
- Café-style lunch in Waitomo.
- Packed lunch for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
- 3 Star Hotel Accommodation on Twin Sharing Basis including Breakfast.
Tour Requirements
- Please wear comfortable clothing suitable for the conditions, walking shoes, sun protection, jacket/warm layer & essential personal items.
- Extreme level of fitness is required. This is a self-guided walking & hiking tour and sensible walking; strong & sturdy boots footwear is recommended.
- No alpine experience is required, but you must be able to climb and descend stairs and walk on unpaved or uneven terrain.
- Bring a camera or a phone with camera capability as these locations are the perfect place to get some great travel photos.
- Walking time is about 7 hours including stops and be prepared for a long and challenging day out.
- Take plenty of food and drink especially in the summer months.
- Tongariro Alpine crossing is subject to unpredictable weather, and conditions can change quickly. It is important that all walkers carry the essentials for their journey across.
- Not suitable for children under 12 years, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, people with heart problems, people with back problems, neurological issues.
- No photography is permitted inside the Waitomo caves, and cameras and Go Pros cannot be taken on the tour.
- No backpacks or large bags allowed in cave due to delicate formations.
- Photography is permitted in Ruakuri Cave so bring your camera to click the best shots.
Booking Notes
Kia Ora!
Thank you for booking with ExperienceKart, we’re really looking forward to hosting you.
We hope you enjoy the experience as much as we do.
Below are a few important details to ensure everything is well prepared for your experience.
We kindly ask that you review this information prior to travel and keep your voucher accessible during your experience.
Should you have any specific preferences or requirements, please feel free to let us know.
If you have any questions at any time, please feel free to reach out, we’re here to help.
# Departure Information
This is a fully guided private tour, with convenient pickup available from any hotel or Airbnb location in Auckland. Please provide your pickup details at the time of your booking.
The operator will confirm your exact pickup time closer to your travel date. To ensure a smooth departure, kindly be at your designated pickup location at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time.
# General Information
- Make sure you check the weather or ask your guide. It’s a high plateau of the North Island and conditions can change quickly.
- The caves are accessible to those with reasonable mobility, as there are good handrails and paths. There is no wheelchair access.
- Caves average at a temperature of 16-17 degrees Celsius year-round.
- Please do not touch the formation in the cave as it discoloured easily, please help us protect our cave.
# What to bring
- Plenty of water & food.
- Comfortable clothing suitable for the conditions; warm layered clothes work best.
- A comfortable closed toe footwear with a good grip.
- Sunscreen / Sunglasses / Sun hat.
- Swimming costume and Towels.
- Please also bring a jersey or coat as the weather can be dynamic and extreme.
- Bring your camera/GoPro to click the best shots.
- A light rain jacket (just in case).
- Essential personal items & medicines.
# Tour Requirements
- Please wear comfortable clothing suitable for the conditions, walking shoes, sun protection, jacket/warm layer & essential personal items.
- Extreme level of fitness is required. This is a self-guided walking & hiking tour and sensible walking; strong & sturdy boots footwear is recommended.
- No alpine experience is required, but you must be able to climb and descend stairs and walk on unpaved or uneven terrain.
- Bring a camera or a phone with camera capability as these locations are the perfect place to get some great travel photos.
- Walking time is about 7 hours including stops and be prepared for a long and challenging day out.
- Take plenty of food and drink especially in the summer months.
- Tongariro Alpine crossing is subject to unpredictable weather, and conditions can change quickly. It is important that all walkers carry the essentials for their journey across.
- Not suitable for children under 12 years, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, people with heart problems, people with back problems, neurological issues.
- No photography is permitted inside the Waitomo caves, and cameras and Go Pros cannot be taken on the tour.
- No backpacks or large bags allowed in cave due to delicate formations.
- Photography is permitted in Ruakuri Cave so bring your camera to click the best shots.
We look forward to having you aboard!
Ngā mihi nui,
ExperienceKart
Phone: 0800 EXP KART | 0800 397 527 | +64 21 026 60993 (Outside NZ)
Office Hours: 07:00am - 07:00pm (Mon - Sun)
Email: bookings@experiencekart.co.nz
Website: https://www.experiencekart.co.nz/
Cancellation Policy
#Cancellation Policy
In case you have made a booking through an agent or affiliate, please refer to the cancellation terms and conditions as applied by your agent or affiliate. If you have made a booking with ExperienceKart directly and not through an affiliate, the following terms will apply to your booking.
In the event, you have purchased an overnight tour and subsequently wish to cancel it, ExperienceKart may refund your booking at its sole discretion, in which event you will be charged a cancellation fee as follows:
- Bookings cancelled more than 60 days from date of travel will incur a cancellation fee of 20%.
- Bookings cancelled more than 30 days and less than 60 days from date of travel will incur a cancellation fee of 50%.
- Bookings cancelled less than 30 days from date of travel will incur a cancellation fee of 100%.
# Booking Amendment Policy
- If you need to modify your booking, please reach out to our reservations team via email as soon as possible.
- Changes can be made up to 24 hours before your tour departure time.
- Please note that all changes are subject to availability. If your preferred date or time is unavailable and you choose to cancel, a cancellation fee will apply as per our cancellation policy.
- There is no amendment fee for changes to your small group tour or premium/private tour bookings as long as you provide a 24 hours notice.
- An amendment fee of NZD $250 will apply for changes to overnight tour bookings to cover our administration and communication costs. We may also need to pass on any amendment/cancellation fees as imposed by our suppliers.
# Terms & Conditions
- All reservations and changes must be made by contacting our reservations department.
- You agree to indemnify ExperienceKart Limited against any loss, damage or expense suffered or incurred by ExperienceKart Limited, its officers, employees, agents or related companies as a result of any claim by any third party whose claim arises from your use of your ticket or your acts or omissions while travelling on any ExperienceKart Limited tours & services.
- For full Terms and Conditions see https://www.experiencekart.co.nz/terms-and-conditions
- These terms are subject to rights and remedies you have under the Consumer Guarantees Act 2003.
