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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! |
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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.
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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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 2009-2010
Pricing
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1 Day
Winter Tongariro Alpine Crossing Group Price (1st
June-31st Oct) |
NZ$125 pp |
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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$195 pp |
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1 Day
Summer Tongariro Alpine Crossing |
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 |
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$155 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$750 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 till 31st March 2010 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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