Half Day Tongariro Alpine Guided Group Walk

If time is limited or you are unable to spend the whole day walking, join us on a half day tour, perfect for families and travellers of all ages and fitness levels. Start on the Tongariro Crossing track and experience some of its splendour as you walk amongst the volcanoes up to the Soda Springs waterfall.

Mt. Ngauruhoe’s cold water springs create a small oasis of lush yellow mountain buttercups and white foxgloves, and the pure Soda Springs allows us to refill our water bottles with Tongariro pure spring water, whilst having morning tea. Here we will talk and show you all things relevant to Tongariro and New Zealand including recent and past eruptions, geology, flora and fauna discovery and settlement of NZ. At Soda Springs we give you the option to return to the start or if conditions and logistics allow, upgrading to the full day walk to complete the Tongariro Crossing and see other key highlights such as the Blue and Emerald Lakes.

Emerald Lakes in Winter
Tongariro in Winter
Mt Ngauruhoe
Blue Lake

Tour Times

Summer 26 September – 31 March

Meet at the Adrift Tongariro Base: 8:00am
Return: 12.30pm

Winter 1 April – 25 September

Meet at the Adrift Tongariro Base: 7:00am
Return: 12.30pm

Tour starts and finishes at the Adrift Tongariro Base 53 Carroll St, National Park Village. We endeavor to remove the risk of clients not having adequate clothing and equipment for the conditions. To achieve this we request clients to meet at the Adrift Tongariro base to improve both safety and service as this is outfitted with all equipment and clothing needs for the conditions of the day. Adrift Tongariro provides our vehicles to transport you and the guides from the Adrift Tongariro base in National Park village to the start of the walk, and at the end of the tour we transport you from the end of the walk back to the Adrift Tongariro base in National Park Village. Once you arrive back at our base you then return in your vehicle back to your accommodation. You can park your vehicle outside the Adrift Tongariro base safely, at no cost for the day.

Included

  • Guide/s
  • Transport. Between the start and end of the tour and the Adrift Tongariro base included.
  • All winter equipment. Crampons and ice axes if required for winter conditions.
  • $40 clothing and footwear hire allowance. See the Fitness and Gear Requirements tab below for recommended gear and gear available to hire from Adrift Tongariro.

Not Included

Lunch is not included in this tour.

Upgrades

Whilst on this tour and in reaching Soda Springs, you can decide to upgrade to a full day tour at an additional cost (difference between full day and half day tour cost). You must have the fitness and lunch and adequate water, to upgrade.

Accommodation Transfers

We recommend that clients with their own vehicles self drive to our shop. Clients can park their vehicle outside the Adrift Tongariro base safely, at no cost for the day. If this is not an option, accommodation transfers from Whakapapa Village can be booked as an additional service and cost over and above the tour cost at the time of booking.

Fitness Requirements

A low 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 we can discuss with you. Walking time is about 3.5 hours including stops and a stop at Soda Springs. The walk is 10 – 12 kms and our walking pace is about 3 kms per hour which is easily achievable for just about everyone. The gradients on this walk are easy and there are no steep inclines or declines. This walk is suitable for children however for children 0 – 12 years please call Adrift Tongariro for approval. No alpine experience is required. See Terms and Conditions.

If the Tongariro Alpine Crossing walk is not suitable on the day, we have a menu of smaller walks we can enjoy. These are the most popular Tongariro sites we choose from and include in the 4 hours: Lake Rotopounamu, Taranaki Falls, Silica Rapids, Soda Springs, Pukeonake, Whakapapanui River, Tawhai falls, Meads Wall.

Gear Requirements

  • Water (1.5-2 litres)
  • Personal medications (e.g. Asthma Inhaler, blister protection etc)
  • Sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
  • Backpack per person
  • Outdoor shoes with grip
  • Walking trousers
  • 1 light top and 2 warm top layers (wool, merino, thermals, fleece, soft shell etc. are good layers)
  • Waterproof raincoat

Winter

  • Water (1-1.5 litres)
  • Personal medications (e.g. Asthma Inhaler, blister protection etc)
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses
  • Backpack per person
  • Hiking boots
  • Thermal longs and/or walking trousers & over-trousers
  • 3 warm top layers (wool, merino, thermals, fleece, soft shell etc. are good layers)
  • Waterproof raincoat
  • Warm hat and gloves

Gear Hire

Adrift Tongariro has available for hire personal equipment, footwear and clothing to supplement that which you don’t have and need.

Pricing

  • Boots: $20
  • Clothing items: $10 each (thermal longs, fleece longs, waterproof pants, thermal tops, fleece tops, waterproof tops)
  • Clothing accessories: $5 each (socks, gloves, warm hats, sun hats and sunglasses)
  • Day backpacks: $10 each
  • Walking poles: $5 each

Safety regarding weather, avalanche, ice and hypothermia are taken into consideration when securing our exact route for the day. We take all individual and group bookings. If you are travelling alone please book as we generally always meet minimum numbers, especially on good weather days. See Terms and Conditions.

Tongariro Alpine

HALF DAY

Guided Group Walk

$ 315 per person

REFUNDS AVAILABLE*

Reschedule for up to 12 months

*Subject to Terms and Conditions

Winter equipment included
Crampons, ice axe and helmet if needed

Additional boot and clothing hire
Included to the value of $40

Transport
Between the start and end of the walk and the Adrift Tongariro base included

Accommodation transfers an optional extra
Whakapapa Village

Lunch
Not available with this tour

Reconfirmation

It is essential all clients phone the Adrift Tongariro base between 10:00am – 5:00pm the day prior to the trip date to confirm the tour departure time and discuss exact timings. We highly recommend that single person bookings phone 3 days prior to the trip date to establish if minimum numbers have been met. +64 7892 2751.

What to expect on the day

After calling to reconfirm the day before your tour, meet the team at the Adrift Tongariro base the morning of the tour at 8:00am in Summer (26 September – 31 March) and 7:00am in winter (1 April – 25 September). Clients can park their vehicle outside the Adrift Tongariro base safely, at no cost for the day. When you arrive, our guides will check everyone in, go over the day’s trip conditions and assess and provide the required equipment, and additional clothing and boots if needed. Once we meet you, you are under our guidance so you can then relax and enjoy the journey with Adrift.

We will then transport you and the guides from the Adrift Tongariro base in National Park Village to the start of the walk, and at the end of the tour we transport you from the end of the walk back to the Adrift Tongariro base in National Park Village. Once you arrive back at our base you then return in your vehicle back to your accommodation.

Adrift Tongariro Base
53 Carroll Street
National Park 3948

Track information

Total distance: 12km (7.5 miles)
Elevation gain: 280m (918 feet)
Walking time: 3.5 hours
Track conditions: Track is well formed. Surfaces vary between boardwalks and soil.

The track to Soda Springs is a well-formed boardwalk which follows the Mangatepopo Stream in a gradual climb through the Mangatepōpō Valley and is part of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

Sacred Mountains
The alpine lakes and peaks of the mountains are sacred to the local Māori tribe Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro. Respectfully, they ask that peaks are not climbed and waterways are not to be touched. Additionally we like to show our respect by ensuring we leave no trace, and even helping the environment by retrieving wrappers from those who have gone before us.

More Guided Tours from Adrift

Tongariro Crossing
Guided Walk

New Zealand’s best one-day walk, located in the Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO Dual World Heritage site. Walk between Mt. Ngauruhoe and Mt. Tongariro, past craters and the Blue and Emerald Lakes.

2 Hour Pre Sunset
Guided Walk

An easy walk amongst the Tongariro volcanoes, a superb way to enjoy this stunning time of day. Enjoy a glass of New Zealand bubbles while taking in the sights of the Taranaki Falls.

Whanganui River 3 Day Guided Canoe Tour

Paddle through the scenic middle reaches of the Whanganui Journey. Pass through deep gorges, native forest, Tamatea’s Cave and hopefully hear a Kiwi calling, while eating dinner under the stars.