Private Sunrise Tongariro Crossing Guided Walk
Experience the night sky with the clarity that only the pre-dawn can achieve. See the sun rise at Red Crater and enjoy breakfast alfresco in the quietest time of the day on the crossing.
Located in the Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO Dual World Heritage site, the Tongariro Crossing is New Zealand’s best one-day walk. This 20.4km trek takes around 7-8 hours to complete. Run exclusively for you and your family or friends, private tours are more flexible and can accommodate different fitness levels and avoid weather-exposed sections.
Tongariro Crossing Sunrise
PRIVATE
Guided Walk
Summer only 1 October – 31 May
On application and confirmation
All additional boot and clothing hire included
Transport
Between the start and end of the walk and the Adrift Tongariro base included
Accommodation transfers
Not available with this tour
Sustenance pack an optional extra
Interested in a group tour?
Find out more
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. +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. Departure times vary daily and will be advised in accordance with the changing sunrise times but are 4.5 hours prior to sunrise and vary between 1:30am – 3:00am. Clients can park their vehicle outside the Adrift Tongariro base safely, at no cost for the day.
When you arrive, your private guide will be waiting to greet you and 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.
Your trip will then be tailored to you to accommodate different fitness levels and walking pace along with your customised pick up at the end of the walk to return 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: 20.4km (12.7 miles)
Elevation gain: 786m (2,578 feet)
Walking time: 7 – 8 hours
Track conditions: Surfaces vary from boardwalks, soil, rocky, loose scoria, steep in places.
The Sunrise tours route often varies between the standard route to the standard route in reverse, and sometimes a route that takes us back to the start. The chosen route is dependent on weather conditions, time of year and your needs and ability. The sunrise route is the same route as the daytime tour but with one obvious exception … NO CROWDS! Visit our Tongariro Crossing map page for more details.
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.
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