Itinerary
Day One: Arrive Central Plateau
Pick-up from central Rotorua or Rotorua airport at approx 9am or Taupo at approx 10am and travel to the Tongariro National Park.
You’ll start your trip of the area with a 2-hour loop walk to Taranaki Falls, which is part of the Tongariro Northern Circuit Great Walk track. These falls fall 20 metres over the edge of an old andesite lava flow. You’ll continue to warm-up and stretch the legs with an easy, 20 minute walk in to see Tawhai Falls, better known as ‘Gollum’s Pool.’
Settle into your National Park Village accommodation with a glass of New Zealand wine, while the sun sets over the impressive Tongariro volcanoes.
Day Two: Tongariro Crossing
7-8 hours walking
Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing - known as the best one-day walk in New Zealand. A challenging hike leads through stunning volcanic landscapes, past steaming craters, quirky coloured lakes and impressive dome volcanoes. Fantastic views over central North Island. Fair weather and a good level of fitness are required to undertake this hike.
If conditions allow, an early start on the track will be made, so you can enjoy the pre-dawn solitude of the mountains and watch the sunrise over the volcanoes – a truly magical experience!
Your guides make this unforgettable hike even more memorable by sharing their local knowledge, setting a relaxed pace, and providing a well-earned celebratory drink and snack at the end of the track.
Return to your lodgings to soak your weary muscles in the hot plunge pool, before having a casual pub dinner with the locals.
Day Three: The Old Coach Road and Mt Ruapehu
5 hours walking
Travel around the southern side of Mt Ruapehu to experience some of New Zealand’s rail history on the Old Coach Road trail. Between 1906 to 1908 the road was used to carry passengers and goods by horse and coach, between two railheads on the main trunk line. Heritage features on the trail include a unique cobbled road, massive steel viaducts, a curved tunnel, railway bridge remains, and old campsites. The 15km walk takes around 5 hours, and also passes through some beautiful stands of native forest with sweeping views across the district.
If conditions allow, you will explore the dramatic, rock-strewn landscapes higher up Mt Ruapehu. At 2797 metres above sea level, the North Island’s highest mountain offers jaw-dropping views over the National Park.
Tonight, you will top of a brilliant hiking adventure with a final celebration dinner.
Day Four: Rainforest & Waterfalls
3-4 hours walking
After a final breakfast, you’ll bid farewell to the National Park and its majestic mountains. You’ll finish things off with a rejuvenating hike around the glistening Lake Rotopounamu (Greenstone Lake) nestled in the side of beautiful Mt. Pihanga, a mountain maiden central to the Māori legend that describes how this area was formed. From the carpark, you’ll make your way up a small incline to reach the lake level itself, where the track evens out to circumvent the lakeshore. You’ll enjoy your final picnic lunch on Five Minute Beach in the peace and serenity of lush, native forest.
You'll be returned back to Taupo between 3–4 pm or Rotorua around 5–6pm to meet your onward travel plans.
2024/2025 Departure Dates:
November 2024 - 17th and 27th
December 2024 – 4th and 17th
January 2025 – 15th and 25th
February 2025 – 11th and 27th
March 2025 – 11th and 25th
April 2025 – 1st and 15th
