2 Hour Pre Sunset Guided Group Walk
One of Tongariro National Park’s best short walks, the easy 2 hour loop to Taranaki Falls is jam-packed with fascinating natural sights and excellent mountain views. A superb way to experience the Tongariro National Park and enjoy this stunning time of day.
The track is in two parts – an upper and lower – which form a loop with the Taranaki Falls around the halfway mark. Enjoy a refreshment while you take in the sights of the Taranaki Falls tumbling 20 meters over the edge of a large lava flow, which erupted from Ruapehu 15,000 years ago. Your guide will talk about the area with their local knowledge of geology, volcanology and New Zealand cultural history.
Summer tours finish in the golden hour just before sunset, outside summer the tour finishes on or just before sunset. Clients can stay and watch the sunset lighting up a majestic alpine setting after the trip.
This walk is a terrific option for tour groups and individuals short on time or looking to maximize a travel day to or from Tongariro National Park. The 2-hour sunset walk can be moved forward to a 2-hour day walk. This option is only available for groups on application.
2 Hour Pre Sunset
PREMIUM
Guided Group Walk
Additional boot and clothing hire
Included to the value of $40
Accommodation transfers
Not available with this tour
A refreshment included
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
Call to reconfirm the day before your tour and to organise any clothing and gear you may require. It can be surprisingly cold at this time of evening. Meet the team at the entrance to the Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre, Whakapapa Village. Clients can park their vehicle in the car park across from the Whakapapa Information Centre at no cost. When you arrive, our guides will check everyone in, go over the trip conditions and assess and provide the additional clothing and gear 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 walk to the start of the walk, and at the end of the tour we will return to the Whakapapa Information Centre. Once you arrive back at our base you then return in your vehicle back to your accommodation.
Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre
Whakapapa Village
State Highway 48,
Mount Ruapehu 3951
Track information
Total distance: 6km (3.7 miles)
Elevation gain: 143m (469 feet)
Walking time: 2 hours
Track conditions: Track is well formed. Surfaces vary between boardwalks, stairs, dirt or gravel. This is not a concrete paved walk. This walk is technically easy.
The track is in two parts – an upper and lower – which form a loop with the falls around the halfway mark. Walk for approximately 50 minutes on the lower track through tussock, alpine shrublands, beech forest and over the Wairere Stream to the Taranaki Falls. Take in the sights while enjoying a glass of New Zealand wine.
From the falls, the track climbs through forest, tussock, manuka and crosses old lava flows and eroded gullies. We take 45 mins to return, arriving back at the start to watch the sunset lighting up a majestic alpine setting. Summer tours finish in the hours just before sunset, outside summer the tour finishes on or just before sunset (see tour times below).
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
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Guided Walk
Looking for a challenge? Join us for lunch on top of the North Islands highest volcano. As you climb above the clouds you’ll see sweeping views of Tongariro National Park.
Half Day Tongariro Alpine
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Ideal if time is limited or you are unable to spend the whole day walking the Tongariro Crossing. Start on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing track and walk amongst the volcanoes up to the Soda Springs.
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