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The Tongariro
National Park has Dual World Heritage status and the Northern
Circuit is part of the Department of Conservation ‘Great Walks’
network. The three active andesitic volcanoes, Mt Tongariro
(1967m), Mt Ngauruhoe (2291m) and Mt Ruapehu (2797m), are
majestic and dominate the National Park. The Tongariro area has
grown over the last 300,000 years and was formed from many
different eruptions from at least six cones. Intense volcanic
activity and retreating glaciers from the ice age, have all left
amazing textures, colours and landscapes with the many stories
of fire and ice to tell.
Adrift has experienced and personable guides who will provide
you with a safe, enjoyable and memorable adventure of the
Tongariro area. We look forward to showing off beautiful New
Zealand at its best!
Stewart Barclay |
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1-day Tongariro Alpine Crossing -
Guided |
This walk has you
on the top of Red Crater watching the sun rise in unique
lighting and with the peaceful, still, quiet moments of the
dawn. During winter, crampons and ice axes are required. Winter
trips have the luxury of few other walkers and place mostly to
ourselves. No outdoor experience is necessary.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing starts at the Mangatepopo Valley
(1100 m), and the first 2 hours of the trek is an upward gentle
gradient to Soda Springs. The track leads up to the Mt Tongariro
and Mt Ngauruhoe saddle and it is steep. This section is taken
slowly to ensure we all enjoy the spectacle and scenery. |
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We have now
arrived at the South Crater (1650 m). Here we take a break and
photos. We then traverse up the side of Tongariro to the famous
Red Crater summit (1882 m). This takes approximately 1 hour.
After taking in the view of the active Red Crater with the
Otarere and Rangipo deserts in the background, we descend to the
Emerald Lakes for lunch, refreshments and a well-earned break.
From here we divert up and over Mt Tongariro to its summit
(1967m). The summit has a great photo opportunity of the Mt
Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu peaks. Once you are at the top of a
mountain, the only way off it is downhill and because the main
throng of walkers have already passed through, we take the main
track back over Mt Ngauruhoes pyroclastic flows with sunset
views of Mt Taranaki, 150 kms away. We are now back at
Mangatepopo and the finish … EASY! |
Winter
Tongariro Alpine Trek (1st June-31st Oct) - Guided
We guide the Tongariro Alpine Crossing all year and every day
mother nature allows us a safe and enjoyable passage. Winter
Guided Tongariro Alpine Treks are from 1st June-31st Oct. The
route follows the same route as in summer, the description is on
this web page just above under 1-day Tongariro Alpine
Crossing - Guided
Winter crossings
are guided in groups, with trips departing daily weather
permitting. Groups consist of individuals from all over who have
heard that the Tongariro is a magical place, especially in
winter. No experience is necessary just an average fitness. We
don’t judge people by their age but by their lust for life! We
pick up from your accommodation in either, National Park
Village, Taupo, Turangi, or Whakapapa Village. Or you meet us at
our base on the intersection of Highways 4 and 47 National Park
Village just behind the GAS station. The Group Price includes :-
A guide to customer ratio of 1:8;) crampon & ice axe, return
transport to and from your accommodation or our base, and a well
earned refreshment at the finish. We have a great range of
quality outdoor :- clothing, boots, and equipment designed for
winter conditions. Minimum number for a group is 4 people but
you don’t need to worry about that we will put you into a group
if you are an individual. You need no experience and you do not
need to have any out door clothing or equipment, we provide and
give guidance on the use of all equipment and any gear or
clothing needs for a safe day out. We ;limit our trips sizes to
a maximum of 4 guides and we like to mix the groups so that
everyone gets to enjoy the day regardless of their age ability
or fitness.
Weather. If a
booking is confirmed and the weather or snow conditions are such
that Adrift considers it to be unsafe or just plain awful then
we will postpone to another day, if this doesn’t prove to be a
good day or you cannot make it on the postponed day then we
cancel and no charge is made.
How to make a
booking
To ensure a
place in the tour then it is best to book a few days out. Once a
trip is confirmed and we go ahead with the tour then full
payment is taken on that morning of the tour. A booking is
confirmed with receipt of credit card details.
To confirm a
booking or to make an enquiry or to check out the conditions
please email or call us
You need
contact us between 6-8pm the night prior to the trip departure
to see if Mother Nature is allowing us to depart the next day,
so in the meantime be nice to her as, “Hell hath no fury like a
woman scorned”-----Stew
Email
tongarirowinter@adriftnz.co.nz
Call 07
8922751
and ask for Robyn or Stewart |
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Pre-Dawn Tongariro
Alpine Crossing - Guided
With the Milky Way at your fingertips and shooting stars
screaming in the clarity that only the pre-dawn can achieve,
come and see the sunrise at the Red Crater Summit and enjoy
breakfast alfresco. The route is similar to the daytime route
but with one obvious exception….NO CROWDS! Adrift supplies
headlamps, hats, gloves, warm tops, jackets and trousers and one
of us from adrift to make sure everyone is safe healthy on-track
and having a great time.
“The pre-dawn
hike was amazing and Stewart is a great guide. It was tough
waking up that early, but we really enjoyed the experience and
seeing the stars and sunrise was worth the effort. It was one of
those "once-in-a-lifetime" moments and we would do it again if
we ever return to NZ. Thanks again for recommending this trip.”
Ken & Mary Kolb.
Ken and Mary flew to Auckland and Drove to Ruapehu arriving at
10pm day 1. Got up at 2am on day 2 for the sunrise crossing then
drove off to wellington the same day after inhaling one of my
freshly roasted coffees to help keep them awake….They were
amazing-Stew. |
Pick up 1:30 am
Summit and dawn 5.00 am
Finish at 9.30 am
Times will vary with sunrise |
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FAQ :
“ I would like to do the sunrise tour but am afraid we may miss
out on some views”
Answer
Absolutely no! We walk up the mountain in the dark which is
actually a good thing as the sight of a 2 hour climb is mentally
harder than actually doing it, doing this in the dark eliminates
seeing the hill ahead. We time the walk so that we reach the top
with about 20 minutes before sunrise. This time of day is
stunning with the darkness turning into blue and pink then the
brilliant yellow sunrise. When on top we get to see all those
views that we would have been looking at during the climb, not
missing out on anything.-stew |
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3-day Northern
Circuit - Guided
The Northern
Circuit is a 3-day tramp starting on Mt Ruapehu and encircles Mt
Ngauruhoe. The circuit can be started from different points and
walked in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. The Tongariro
Alpine Crossing track, explosion craters, lava flows, Tama
Lakes, Taranaki Falls and the Rangipo and Otarere deserts, are
explored on this trek. This trek is a good way to enjoy the
Tongariro National Park at a less energetic pace, whilst
avoiding the crowds of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Mt
Ngauruhoe had sporadic action during its last eruptions of
1973-1975. Since 1839, Ngauruhoe has erupted 61 times with
breaks lasting no more than nine years (until 1975), and it is
this regular activity that formed the perfect symmetry of its
cone shape. |
Below is the route
I find my clients enjoy the most but is a template only and is
changed continually depending on the weather conditions and what
you want to see achieve and enjoy .
Day 1
Start at Whakapapa Village and head for the Tama Saddle and then
onto the Waihohonu Hut (6 hours approx). En-route is the Tama
Lakes and Taranaki Falls.
Day 2
Waihohonu Hut to the Oturere Hut. Approximately 3-4 hours on the
eastern flanks of Tongariro. This is a relatively easy day and
is a welcome rest after yesterday which some see as requiring an
intermediate level of effort. We can rest and enjoy the
leisurely pace or go exploring in the Otarere Desert where
fossilised charcoaled remnants of the forest destroyed by the
great eruption of Lake Taupo in 186 AD, can easily be found.
Day 3
Otarere Hut up to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and North to
Ketetahi. This is a 6-7 hour day where we climb up to the Red
Crater on the Tongariro Crossing and then descend to Mangatepopo,
following the traditional Tongariro Alpine Crossing route. This
leg covers the famous scenery spots of the Tongariro Alpine
Crossing including Red Crater and the Emerald and Blue Lakes. |
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Ruapehu Crater Lake Walk
Mt Ruapehu is the largest of the three volcanoes and its last
eruption was in 2007. Ruapehu’s crater holds about 10 million
cubic metres of water with a layer of liquid sulphur lining
bottom. The lake changes colour from an amazing deep green to
pale blue to solid dark grey depending on the craters
temperature. Mt Ruapehu has eight small glaciers on its high
flanks and they are the only glaciers in the North Island.
Ruapehu has three ski-fields, and usually a scenic chair-lift
ride starts the walk off into the cool crisp air. The Ruapehu
Crater Lake is not a poled or marked track and guides are
strongly recommended.
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Guided Tongariro Treks 2010-2011
Pricing
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1 Day
Winter Tongariro Alpine Crossing Group Price (1st
June-31st Oct) |
Pricing on
application |
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Group winter crossings are a scheduled trip departing
daily. Bus picks up from National Park Village, Taupo,
Turangi and Whakapapa Village. Price includes guide/s;
crampon & ice axe hire, and return transport for
National Park Village or Whakapapa Village. |
1 Day
Winter Tongariro Alpine Crossing
(1st June-31st Oct) |
NZ$199 pp |
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1 Day
Summer Tongariro Alpine Crossing |
NZ$199 pp |
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Includes; guide/s, return transport for National Park
Village & Whakapapa Village, lunch, and trekking/wet
weather gear hire |
1 Day
Winter Ruapehu Crater Lake
(1st June-31st Oct) |
NZ$195 pp |
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1 Day
Summer Ruapehu Crater Lake |
NZ$195 pp |
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1 Day
Summer/Winter Bush Tours |
NZ$195 pp |
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Includes; guide/s, return transport for National Park
Village & Whakapapa Village, lunch, and trekking/wet
weather gear hire |
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Half Day
Summer/Winter Bush Tours |
NZ$165 pp |
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Includes; guide/s and return transport for National Park
Village & Whakapapa Village |
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3 Day
Tongariro Northern Circuit |
NZ$799 pp |
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4 Day
Waikaremoana Circuit |
NZ$825 pp |
Includes; guide/s, full catering, return transport for
National Park Village & Whakapapa Village, cooking &
camping equipment (excludes sleeping bags), and
Department of Conservation Hut passes. Additional
porters can be arranged so that you carry a day-pack –
POA.
Transport only POA
Trekking and wet-weather hire gear NZ$5-$10 per item |
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Transport
only |
POA |
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Trekking
and wet-weather hire gear |
NZ$5-$10
per item |
All trips are a
minimum of 2 people or the equivalent fee except the Winter
Tongariro Alpine Crossing Group option which has a group minimum
of 5 people.
Guided Tongariro Alpine Crossings do not go from Mangatepopo to
Ketetahi - Route description is outlined above.
Rates
are valid until 31 March 2011 and include GST
For more details, suggested itineraries, booking form and gear
list, Contact us
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General Terms
and Conditions
Prices are based on a minimum of 2 people except for the Winter
Tongariro Alpine Crossing Group option which has a minimum of 5
people per trip. Single customers will be accepted upon
availability with a surcharge. If possible and agreeable, single
customers will be placed into a group, with no surcharge.
Pick up from Taupo, Turangi or Ohakune has a surcharge unless
otherwise stated. Minimum numbers apply.
Depending on the group and activity, restrictions will apply in
regard to age, level of fitness, and standard of health that is
required. These restrictions will apply in the instance of
safety and general enjoyment of the whole group. Where possible,
Adrift will offer an alternative option to accommodate clients.
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All trips have a
minimum of clothing and equipment requirements that clients must
adhere to. In the instance of clients being under the influence
of drugs or alcohol, refusal will be automatic and no refund
will be issued. Adrift must be informed of any medical issues
which could hinder your safety or the safety of the group.
Bookings
$100 pp non refundable deposit is required to confirm any
booking.
Payment in full is required 7 days prior to commencement of the
adventure unless other arrangements are made with Adrift
Cancellation
In the event of bad weather an alternative adventure will be
offered that is safe.
Adrift have the right to cancel an adventure should Adrift
consider the weather to cause too high a risk.
Cancellation of an adventure by the customer – If possible,
Adrift will organise for the customer to join another party on a
similar trip. If this is undesirable, the confirmation fee is
forfeited. If the customer cancels with 30 days notice then a
full refund will be made. No refund will be made on
cancellations within 30 days of the start of the adventure.
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