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.
Tongariro Alpine
HALF DAY
Guided Group Walk
Winter equipment included
Crampons, ice axe and helmet if needed
Additional boot and clothing hire
Included to the value of $60
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
All customers are required to reconfirm between 10:00am – 5:00pm the day prior to trip date. Single bookings 3 days prior to establish if minimum numbers have been met.
Phone: +64 7 8922 751 WhatsApp: +64 274 462 364
Waiver
Each participant is required to fill out a waiver prior to arriving on site. Look out for your unique waiver link in your inbox 3 days before your tour date.
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 (1 October – 31 March) and 7:00am in winter (1 April – 30 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 – 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.
Private 1 Day Whanganui River Guided Canoe
Paddle one of New Zealand’s Great Walks by canoe. Experience the NZ wilderness as you paddle through a mix of farmland and native bush, wondering if you have taken a step back in time.