Tongariro Alpine Crossing - Winter

Tongariro Alpine Crossing - Winter Guided

We guide the Tongariro Alpine Crossing all year and every day mother nature allows us a safe and enjoyable passage. Winter Crossings are from 1st June-31st Oct or when snow and ice are on track.

Winter Special

Come and experience the magic of the Tongariro region in Winter, Adrift Outdoors have some fantastic winter specials for the whole family. Choose from a Guided Tongariro Alpine Crossing where 1 child per paying adult gets to go for half price! Or experience a 2 hour sunset guided walk where kids go FREE (1 per paying adult).

Tongariro Winter Crossing Description

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing over Winter (June 1 to 15 October) has all that summer offers plus one key ingredient that summer doesn't , SNOW. Beautiful white pristine often shimmering snow, sometimes stretched for as far as the eye can see. Often whilst I am walking in one of the snow laden craters my mind wanders off imagining I am walking on a expedition to the South Pole or Iceland or even the North Pole, not a person in sight nothing but a snowy expanse....heaven! ( or as close to it as I'm going to get)
Yes it is colder than summer, but we supply all the warm gear needed to make you feel like you are back in the tropics again, well almost.
Does the snow make it harder? I hear you ask. No! is my answer. What the snow does is fill in the holes around the rocks and smooths out the otherwise rugged volcanic landscape into an almost perfectly smooth surface. Sometimes this perfectly flat surface can turn icy, which gives us the opportunity to have a fun time learning how to walk in crampons. So not only do you get to complete The world famous Tongariro crossing in winter, you also get taught how to walk in crampons and how use an ice axe without clobbering your buddy next to you, this also makes for fantastic photo's!

Crampons and ice axes are required and our guides are there to show you how to use them safely. The guides will also check if you have the right gear to undertake the walk, and will be constantly assessing throughout the day to make sure everyone is doing well. Daylight hours are shorter in winter and the guides will be doing the time management for you! No alpine experience is required when undertaking a guided trip.

Please click here to view the full Tongariro Alpine Crossing Track Route. A reasonably good level of fitness is required. If you are concerned about your fitness, please let your guide know before commencing the walk as there are options they may be able to offer if your concerns come to fruition.
Health & Fitness
The Winter time taken for the trek is approximately 8 hours and because we are limited for daylight hours in winterwe need to keep a moderate pace during the day. We start walking at approximately 8:30am and finish at approximately 4:30pm with a number of stops including a half hour stop to fit crampons and instruct in their correct use and a 15 minute stop for lunch. Our walking pace is about 3kms per hour which is easily achievable for just about everyone.
Fitness and age are inversly proportional, unfortunately.
15-40 Years - The fitter you are the less one hurts the day after, just about everyone in this age bracket should be able to get over in the time allocated, unless exercise is a dirty word.
40-55 Years - Most should be able to get over in the time allowed, some may hurt the following day.
55+ Years - A good average levle of fitness for the age is needed to ensure one can make it over in the time permitted.

Please click here to view a full description of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing Route.

Cost of Tour

Please click on the book now button for prices. Prices include return transfers for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, your guide/s, Ice axe and crampon hire, post trip refreshment and additional warm and waterproof clothing and footwear (if required).

You need to...

Call Adrift the day prior to your walk so we can advise on the weather conditions and confirm your meeting place and pick up time (times below are approximate) and any other details regarding your booking. Telephone +64 7 892 2751 between 10am-8pm.

Bring the following: A good lunch, water 1.5-2 litres per person, sunscreen, personal medications, plasters in case of blisters.

Also bring what you can of the following, what you do not have Adrift will supply: Sturdy hiking/traming boots, warm socks, thermal leggings, waterproof over trousers, 3 warm top layers(ie thermal fleece, soft shell, wool, polypro etc) waterproof raincoat, warm hat and gloves, sunglasses and day pack.

Meeting Place & Time

- Taupo - 6am. Pick up from accommodation outlets or meet at Whitewater World, 46 Ruapehu Street, Taupo.

- Turangi - 6:45am. Pick up from accommodation outlets or meet at the Turangi i-SITE, Ngawaka Place, Turangi.

- National Park Village or Whakapapa Village - 7am. Meeting place is the Adrift base at 3 Waimarino-Tokaanu Road, National Park Village. The Adrift base is located behind the petrol station at the State Highway 4 and 47 intersection. All day parking is available down the side of Macrocarpa Cafe (Adrift is downstairs and around the back of the cafe)

How to make a booking

Before making a booking, read all the terms & conditions

There are three ways to make a booking. Please choose the option that best suits you.

Book on-line with the Book-it button shown on each web page. Follow the simple instructions.
By telephone for personal service. A credit card number will be required to confirm your booking.
By email. Please email at least 3 days prior to your trip date. A credit card number will be required to confirm your booking.

Clients will need to contact Adrift between 5.00-7.30pm the night prior to the trip departure. Adrift will then advise on weather conditions for the next day and confirm meeting places and times.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing - Winter