It was exactly what it said it was: a great bunch of people lead by an excellent guide into remote areas. Rob, UK

One of the best hiking experiences ever in my life so far. Truly inspiring. Jaana Koskela, Finland

I loved that we stayed well away from the hustle and bustle of busy tourist spots. Emily, Australia

The camaraderie amongst the group (and other travellers/hikers) at the huts each night was one of my favourite parts of the trip. Steve, Australia

Our guide had great risk management and was very knowledgeable. I appreciated her cheerful outlook. Grace, USA

Length 4 days

Grade D - medium, 1 multi-day hike
Extras - NZ$30/day kitty (food & accommodation)
Start - Whakapapa or Auckland
Finish - Whakapapa or Auckland

Lower the volcanoes. Paul, UK

I enjoyed the silence and view sitting on the summit of Tongariro. Jay, New Zealand

Thank you for a fantastic trip and showing me some beautiful places in New Zealand. Tom, UK

It was a great experience which I’d love to do again. Isabel, Portugal

Tongariro Volcanoes Hike

Experience the remote east side of Mt Ruapehu. Stay in a tiny alpine hut above 2000m and traverse the Rangipo Desert before joining the last section of the famous Northern Circuit and Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

Highlights

• Four days of trekking among Tongariro National Park’s active volcanoes
• Camping or sleeping in mountain huts
• Traversing the flanks of the perfect volcanic cone of Mt Ngauruhoe
• Climbing past emerald lakes to look into the vent of the Red Crater

Day 1

Meet up with your guide and group at the Visitor centre. Your guide will advise you on what to pack - some storage is available for surplus gear. We drive south, stopping to see The Mounds, an incredible series of small hills that tobogganed off the top of nearby Mt Ruapehu (2797m) coming to rest here - 14 kilometres away. We do a food shop before leaving the Desert Highway for a rough vehicle track that leads across volcanic ash to the base of Mt Ruapehu. The 300 metre ascent to our wee mountain hut, although not steep, crosses rough rocky ground. Perched above a jagged gorge at 2000 metres we get fantastic views.

Day 2

Hike to a viewpoint above the lava flows of the Whangaehu Gorge. This outlet from the Crater Lake released lahars (mudflows) in the 1996 eruption. There are impressive views up the gorge to the many pointed peaks of this active volcano. Note that late spring snow and ice, or bad weather, may prevent us from climbing very high on the mountain. We return to the hut, collect our packs, and begin our descent through Rangipo Desert. Passing gnarled hebe bushes and crossing many dry sand streams, the track leads us finally to Ohinepango Springs which gurgle out beneath old lava flows into the beech forest. Hut/camp beside Waihohonu stream.

Day 3

We traverse under the flanks of the perfect volcanic cone of Mt Ngauruhoe (2291m). We may make an off-track side trip to a remote turquoise-blue lake for lunch and a snooze. Frequent puffs of steam, or even smoke, can be seen spiralling out of the craters of the nearby volcanoes. We return to the track (and our packs) before continuing to Oturere Hut (1500m) in the late afternoon.

Day 4

The track follows the Oturere Valley, winding through the contorted lava mounds that jut out of the sandy valley floor. Climbing up past emerald lakes to 1900 metres gives us a view into the vent of Red Crater. This startling crater with its stratum of red ochre and charcoal greys last erupted in the early 1900s. If weather allows we may climb one of the other volcanoes too. The descent to the western side of the park leads down past the lava flows of the 1954 Ngauruhoe eruption and into the now tranquil Mangatepopo Valley. We drive back to Whakapapa Visitor Centre, usually arriving in the late afternoon.

Trip price

• Rates include guide, vehicle, tents, thermarests and stoves.

Notes

• June to September – we may take a different route, in the same areas, due to snow and river conditions.

Additional costs

• Kitty fund NZ$30/day (food and camp/hut fees). These must be paid for during the tour.

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