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

Mangatepopo Car Park - Soda Springs
Grade: Easy - allow 1 - 1 and a half hours
Your transport will drop you off at the Mangatepopo carpark and the first section you cover is fairly flat, the track is well formed and board walked in damper parts, poles mark the way. About 15 minutes from the car park the track to Whakapapa branches off to the right. Five minutes after this junction a side track leads left 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.
You will notice the change in plants as you climb in altitude, the last toilet stop is at Soda Springs until you get to the Ketetahi Hut.

Soda Spring to South Crater
Grade: Moderate – Difficult allow 40 minutes to an hour
This section is steep - climbing from 1400 up to 1600 metres above sea level (known as the devils staircase) Take your time and on a clear day the view down the valley and out across the surrounding countryside is well worth it! You may even see Mt Taranaki, another volcanio on the western horizon.

Take care as you are walking over layers of ancient and modern lava flows and other volcanic debits so the track surface is not smooth. The track veers slightly to the left 5 minutes before reaching South Crater. To continue on the Crossing follow the marked route.

If Mt Ngauruhoe is clear and you have a beautiful day with plenty of time, you can make the decision to climb to the summit. Head for the old lava flow as it is very difficult if you try to climb up the scree.

South Crater to Red Crater
Grade: Moderate – Difficult allow 1 hour
It is great to be on the flat, but once you have crossed South Crater there is another short climb on an exposed ridge. The track follows the ridge to Red Crater.
If you have plenty of time you can make the decision to summit Tongariro, just before reaching the crater, the route heads off to the left.
The main track continues around Red Crater. You have spectacular views over the Oturere Valley, Rangipo Desert, Kaimanawa Ranges and down to the emerale lakes, but it can be a little scary on a windy day.

Red Crater to Blue Lake
Grade: Moderate 30 minutes
Care is required with the descent from Red Crater, as this part of the track is steep and you are on loose scoria which can move under foot.
To the left you will see an old lava flow from Red Crater spreading out across the floor of central crater. To the right are the Emerald Lakes. The colour is caused by minerals leached from the surrounding rock. The steam vents above the lake are responsible for the sulphurous smell.

You will notice the Track to Otureree Hut, part of the Tongariro Northern Circuit, branches off just past the lowest lake. The Tongariro Crossing track follows around the edge of Central Crater then climbs up to Blue Lake (A cold acidic lake). The lake is tapu (sacred) and it is disrespectful to eat or drink around its shores.

Blue Lake to Ketetahi Hut
Grade Moderate - 1 hour
A short easy climb to the edge of North Crater, this was once filled with molten lava and then cooled and solidfied to give an level surface more than 1000m wide.

You have a sensational change in your outlook, in good weather there are spectacular views out over Mt Pihanga and Lake Rotoaira to Lake Taupo.
You then zigzag your way down to the Ketetehai Hut, the ground can be quite boggy and the pumice base is easily eroded - please stay on the main track.

Ketetahi Hut to Ketetahi Carpark
Grade: Moderate - two hours
The track crosses the stream that flows down from Keteahi Springs, the rocks are stained by minerals in the water. Visitors are asked not to leave the track, as the springs are on private land.

You will need to follow the poled route down through the open tussock land to the clearing with some seats. At this point the track drops steeply to the Mangatetipua Stream.
A short side track leads down to a waterfall a few minutes before reaching the car park.

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 can pick up from your accommodation in either, National Park Village, Taupo, Turangi, or Whakapapa Village, if prearranged (surcharge applies). The Group price includes:-meeting us at our base on the intersection of Highways 4 and 47 National Park Village just behind the GAS station, a guide to customer ratio of maximum 1:10 (generally 1:6-8) crampon & ice axe, meeting at our base at 7.30am with return transport to our base at approx 5pm 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

“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

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

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.

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 2012 and include GST

For more details, suggested itineraries, booking form and gear list, Contact us

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.

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 and payment

Bookings can be made preferably through the booking button on the website, or by email. Payment in full is required 7 days prior to commencement of the adventure unless other arrangements are made with Adrift.

Inclement weather and cancellation policy

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.

In the event that the weather is wet and generally not very nice Adrift will not cancel but offer our clients two options.

Option 1: To commence walking the Tongariro or Ruapehu with the intention of completing the tour but if the weather and client are not good then we will guide up to a point where the client requests to turn around or if Adrift considers it too risky for the group to proceed then Adrift will turn the group around, there is no refund.

Option 2: Adrift will suggest alternate walks where the client will get to see similar terrain as they would on Tongariro or Ruapehu without the same exposure to the weather.

Should Adrift deem the weather to be unsafe to attempt the tour Adrift will cancel an adventure should we consider the weather to cause too high a risk. Adrift will cancel the tour on the morning of the tour, in this situation no charge is made or a refund will be organized.

Cancellation of an adventure by the customer – If possible, Adrift will organise for the customer to join another party on a similar trip. No refund will be made on cancellations within 30 days of the start of the adventure.