Private Mt Ruapehu Summit Plateau Guided Hike
Worthy of a place on anyone’s bucket list. The volcanic crater of Mt Ruapehu and its milky blue waters are an impressive sight, making this a hike to remember. The lake changes colour from an amazing deep green to pale blue to solid dark grey depending on the craters temperature.
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. We guide all year, summer and winter, with snow up until the end of December. This is a fantastic snow experience using crampons and ice axes. Please note this is not a track and is less stable walking than on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Mt Ruapehu Summit Plateau
PRIVATE
Guided Hike
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
Taupo CBD, Turangi, Whakapapa Village
Lunch 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. 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.
Waiver
It is essential for each participant to fill out a waiver prior to arriving on site. Look out for your unique link or QR code 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 at the Whakapapa Ski area at the top of the Bruce Road. If the chairlifts are operating there may be an option of taking a chairlift up to Knoll Ridge cafe. 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: 10 kms return or 7 kms return when the chairlift is utilised
Elevation gain: 1,010m (3,313 feet)
Walking time: Average 6 – 7 hours, maximum 10 hours
Track conditions: Unformed route and the track is not marked. Less stable walking than on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The terrain is uneven and steep in places.
The walk begins and ends at the Whakapapa Ski area at the top of the Bruce Road (1640m) on Mt. Ruapehu. We like to break down the climb into 3 stages.
Stage 1: Starting at the Carpark (1640m) we follow the gongola line up through the ski field passing through “The Rock Garden” up to “Hut Flat”, then on and up “ the Waterfall” section before heading into the entrance of Te Heu Heu Valley, finishing this stage at “The knoll Cafe” (2000m). This takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
Stage 2: We then head up, aiming slightly south towards the top of the “Far West“ T Bar until we reach the ski field boundary (2300m). The time for this stage 2 is approx 1 hour
Stage 3: Walk up “Restful Ridge” to the “Notch” (approx 2650m), the entrance to the Summit Plateau and our first view of Mt. Ruapehu Summit. If conditions allow, we hike 15 minutes to the Summit Dome overlooking Crater Lake, spending just enough time at the lookout to take photos before returning to the notch for lunch. Time for stage 3 is approx 1 hour 30 minutes.
Finally we retrace our steps back to the Carpark, finishing approximately 6 hours after we start. There may be an option of taking a chairlift up to Knoll Ridge cafe. This option will depend on the group on the day and if the chairlifts are operating. Payment for the chairlift is about $40 pp and is made to Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (situated at the start of the walk). The lifts close at 4.00 pm daily, should conditions deteriorate during the day the lifts may have to be closed earlier.
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
Mt Ruapehu Summit Plateau Guided Walk
Looking for a challenge? Climb above the clouds and join us for lunch on top of the North Islands highest volcano. Our group tours offer an informative, friendly and safe experience you will never forget.
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.
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.