Private Tongariro Crossing Guided Walk

Enjoy the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing with a private guide from Adrift Tongariro. This 20.4km trek is New Zealand’s best one-day walk, located in the Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO Dual World Heritage Park.

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 or crowded areas.

Emerald Lakes in Winter
Tongariro in Winter
Mt Ngauruhoe
Blue Lake

Tour Times

Walking time: Average 7 – 8 hours, maximum 10 hours

Summer 1 October – 31 March

Meet at the Adrift Tongariro Base: 8:00am
Return: 5.30pm

Winter 1 April – 30 September

Meet at the Adrift Tongariro Base: 7:00am
Return: 5.30pm

Tour starts and finishes at the Adrift Tongariro Base 53 Carroll St, National Park Village.

There is plenty of free on-street parking outside the Adrift Tongariro Base which has no time limit or vehicle size restrictions.

Included

  • Private Guide/s
  • Transport. Between the start and end of the tour and the Adrift Tongariro base included.
  • All winter equipment. Crampons and ice axes if required for winter conditions.
  • All additional clothing and footwear hire. See the Fitness and Gear Requirements tab below for recommended gear and gear available from Adrift Tongariro.

Not Included

Lunch is not included in this tour but is available as a separate booked item at an additional cost at the time of booking. We have two options: standard or vegetarian. Any other dietary requirements are not able to be catered for so clients must bring their own.

National Park Village is small and there are no cafes or supermarkets open early in the morning. You are not able to purchase your lunch before the tour in National Park Village.

Private Accommodation Transfers

We recommend that clients with their own vehicles self drive to our shop. Clients can park their vehicle outside the Adrift Tongariro base safely, at no cost for the day. If this is not an option, accommodation transfers from Whakapapa Village, Turangi and Taupo CBD can be booked as an additional service and cost over and above the tour cost at the time of booking.

Fitness Requirements

A reasonably good level of fitness is required. If you are concerned about your fitness please let your guide know before commencing the walk, as there are options we can discuss with you. Walking time is about 7 – 8  hours including stops and a 15 minute stop for lunch. Our walking pace is about 3 kms per hour which is easily achievable for just about everyone.  During winter we are limited for daylight hours and therefore need to keep a moderate pace during the day with an additional half hour stop to fit crampons and instruct in their correct use. No alpine experience is required. See Terms and Conditions.

Fitness and age are inversely proportional, unfortunately.
0-12 Years: Please call Adrift Tongariro for approval.
13-40 Years: The fitter you are the less one hurts the day after, just about everyone in this age bracket should be able to get over in the time allocated, unless exercise is a dirty word.
41-55 Years: Most should be able to get over in the time allowed, some may hurt the following day.
55+ Years: A good average level of fitness for the age is needed to ensure one can make it over in the time permitted.

Gear Requirements

Summer

  • Water (1.5-2 litres)
  • Personal medications (e.g. Asthma Inhaler, blister protection etc)
  • Sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
  • Backpack per person
  • Hiking boots/shoes
  • Walking trousers
  • 1 light top and 2 warm top layers (wool, merino, thermals, fleece, soft shell etc. are good layers)
  • Waterproof raincoat
  • Own lunch if not ordered via Adrift at time of booking

Winter

  • Water (1-1.5 litres)
  • Personal medications (e.g. Asthma Inhaler, blister protection etc)
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses
  • Backpack per person
  • Hiking boots
  • Thermal longs and/or walking trousers & over-trousers
  • 3 warm top layers (wool, merino, thermals, fleece, soft shell etc. are good layers)
  • Waterproof raincoat
  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Own lunch if not ordered via Adrift at time of booking

Gear Hire

Adrift Tongariro has available for hire personal equipment footwear and clothing to supplement that which you don’t have and need including boots, socks, thermal longs, fleece longs, waterproof pants, thermal tops, fleece tops, waterproof tops, warm gloves, warm hats, sun hats, sunglasses, backpacks and walking poles.

This is a Tongariro Alpine guided tour. We do not guarantee reaching the Ketetahi end. Safety regarding weather, avalanche, ice and hypothermia are taken into consideration when securing our exact route for the day. A minimum of two people are required to offer this private tour. See Terms and Conditions.

Tongariro Crossing

PRIVATE

Guided Walk

$ 850 per person

REFUNDS AVAILABLE*

Reschedule for up to 12 months

*Subject to Terms and Conditions

Winter equipment included
Crampons, ice axe and helmet if needed

All additional boot and clothing hire included

Transport
Between the start and end of the walk and the Adrift Tongariro base included

Private accommodation transfers an optional extra
Taupo CBD, Turangi, Whakapapa Village

Lunch an optional extra

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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.

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

Call the day before to reconfirm your tour and start time. Private trips have the luxury to be flexible with start times if pre arranged with Adrift Tongariro. Those that have booked private transfers will be picked up from your accommodation and driven to the Adrift Tongariro base. Clients who have self-driven can park their vehicle outside the Adrift Tongariro base safely, at no cost for the day.

Your private guide will be waiting to greet you. No need to wait in line, your private guide will organise any additional clothing and boots you may need. 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 day to return to the Adrift Tongariro base in National Park Village or 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: Average 7 – 8 hours, maximum 10 hours
Track conditions: Surfaces vary from boardwalks, soil, rocky, loose scoria, steep in places.

The track climbs the Mangatepopo Valley passing Soda Springs to the saddle between Mt. Ngauruhoe and Mt. Tongariro. The steep climb known as the Devil’s staircase takes you to South Crater before climbing again to Red Crater, the highest point on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing at 1886m. You will then descend on loose volcanic scoria rock to the vivid Emerald Lakes and then on to the Blue Lake. Finally zig zag your way down past the Ketetahi Hut through the natural alpine garden finishing with a final 45 minutes cathartic walk through NZ native forest to the end where Adrift Tongariro transport is waiting for you. 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.

Yes, we guide in Winter

Winter offers the opportunity to walk through the magnificent snow-covered landscape without the summer crowds. The winter season is based on snow levels on the track and is usually between April to the end of October / mid September.

Winter brings a new set of challenges including changes in weather and track conditions. These changes require more preparation, skills, winter equipment and the need for a guide. Check out our Winter Tongariro Crossing Guide for more details.

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