Home > Taupo > Full-Day Tongariro Alpine Crossing Hike
USD $22.00
Full-Day Tongariro Alpine Crossing Hike
Turangi, New Zealand
Described as one of the best day hikes, this tour will provide you with the opportunity to experience some of the most scenic and active volcanic areas of the park. Reliable and flexible shuttle options are available to meet the needs of all hikers. A map and information sheet is given out in the morning to prepare you for your day ahead. An extensive hire gear range ensures that you are ready for the alpine environment and experienced staff make sure you are aware of the current forecast and track information.
Often described as one of the best day hikes in New Zealand, this tour provides an opportunity to experience some of the most scenic and active volcanic areas of the park. It takes 6-8 hours to do the main track. The extra optional side summit of Mt Ngauruhoe is 2 hours and Mt Tongariro is 1.5 hours.
The track winds up the Mangatepopo Valley to the saddle between Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. It climbs to the Red Crater, then drops down to the vivid Emerald Lakes. After passing the Blue Lake, the track descends around the northern slope of Tongariro, then descends further in a zig-zag to the Ketetahi Hut. From the hut, the track continues down the mountain through tussock plains, then into the native forest to the end of the track.
There are a range of different transport options available to you. If you are staying in Taupo or Turangi there is a return shuttle service to your hotel and back. If you are just outside of these areas you can get a return shuttle from an i-SITE in in Taupo or Turangi. Hire gear is available on the bus in the morning.
Choose the Base Camp option if you wish to be picked up from our Base Camp and returned there after the hike. Base Camp is a secure car park in front of the Tongariro Holiday Park. Hire gear available in the bus.
Choose the Ketetahi option if you wish to be more independent. With this option, you’ll drive your car to the end of the track where we will meet you. From here we will take you to the beginning of the track where you can hike the entire track back to your car. This option allows you as much time as you want on the hike, however, gear is not available for hire.
Regardless of which option you choose, a map and information sheet will be provided to you to help you plan and prepare for your day. It will outline safety considerations and help remind you to look after the beautiful National Park during your hike.
Depending on the weather could be a bit hard, but it is really worth it.
Review by: Srinivasa S, March 2018
This is just transportation but don't miss the transalpine crossing. It's a whipping! One thing is that I wish they were better prepared at the end parking lot with more buses as there was a huge wait.
Review by: Mukund A, February 2018
No need to book this in advance as there are plenty of stuttle services around. Even the motel you come to in Turangi can book you up on the day you check in. Also you can have very flexible return pickup if you book through the hotel and so don't have rush down the mountain to catch the last return bus. It is a ripoff charge but we travellers have not been left with any choice if we want to go up the mountain.
Review by: Kevin B, January 2018
The shuttle did exactly what they said they would do. Given that it seems difficult if not impossible to get to the start of the hike using your own car, this is a reasonablly priced service to facilitate the hike.
Review by: Andrew P, January 2018
Well organised and efficient service. We booked the Ketetahi option, which means you get somewhere to park getting around 4h limit and a shuttle bus to the start of the walk, they include a map and a few words of wisdom. They do know the conditions and advised us against a later start which proved to be sound advice - so listen._br/_ The walk itself offers excellent views and photo opportunities, the terrain is mixed and I'd say it's a medium to hard trek which could be much harder in bad weather conditions._br/_ For me it would be 5-Stars apart from the fact the route was very busy at least on the day we were there and felt a little overcrowded._br/_ Unusually for this type of walk there are toilets on-route - but remember to take your own paper.
Review by: KOH YAN H, January 2018
My wife and I arrived slightly before 7am at the designated pick up point Ketetahi car park for the transport. However, we waited for more than 2 hours but were not picked up. Eventually, we had to make other transportation arrangements to get us to our planned starting point at Mangatepopo. We did not finish our hike at the time as planned but were close to 4 hours behind our original schedule. As a result, our evening engagements were all affected. This has caused us not just a lot of inconvenience but also a lot of money and time. It is totally unacceptable.
Review by: anna, December 2017
Quite a difficult walk when not trained. Actually not really difficult but really long: I needed 8h30 you can see some people saying I'm not sporty and did it in 6h30, I think they are lying about the not sporty part ahah._br/_ Not really interesting when the weather is bad! low clouds hiding the mountains.
Review by: jordanjacobsd, November 2017
Pick up was on time we actually caught an earlier bus which was a huge bonus. The driver was great and the ride was safe and quick to the starting point. Pick up after the walk was disappointing as we waited 45 minutes and were exhausted so we just wanted to get to our vehicle. Looked like the company had several busses on the road so this was a bit surprising. A heads up that the finishing point of the walk is only a couple of KM's from where we were picked up, so if you wanted to walk it you certainly could back to your vehicle. The hike itself is fantastic and something you MUST do if visiting the area. Took us 6.5 hours at a relatively quick pace.
Review by: Victor Q, June 2017
excellent trip, all worth it !!!
Review by: Terence D, April 2017
They picked up on time and the drop off too.
Review by: Christopher C, March 2017
This was an excellent trip. Transport pick-up worked perfectly. The walk itself was wonderful, with a view into the volcanic crater itself as well as the spectacular volcanic scenery and lakes.
Review by: Sabrina M, March 2017
The shuttle from Taupo was very well-organised and punctual. I appreciated the possibility to hire some warmer clothes for my hike.
Review by: richardmilburn, February 2017
Did everything it said on the tin with no hassle. Basically a pickup and drop off service so not much to say but was run efficiently and correctly with no issues at all.
Review by: Jeffrey Esper, February 2017
The hike is 19 km long. The down hill portion seems to last forever. The views from the top are amazing and beautiful. Worth the hike. Recommend gloves and stocking hat for top of mountain. Can be very windy and cold. The shuttle was great.
Review by: Christopher R, January 2017
Excellent
Review by: David Chan, December 2016
Don't know which bus we should get on as there is no tour logo marked on it. Better if the pick up time for the return can be arranged at 5:00pm or 5:30pm such that we could have more time on the hill e.g have more time for the break, take more photos, walk at a slower pace etc
Review by: davina273, December 2016
Great transport option. I was picked up on time from Taupo. The weather wasn't very good that day, so they started picking people up earlier than scheduled and continued with each bus leaving as it filled up. They were also very helpful on the phone when I called to change the date I wanted to do the hike.
Review by: Terence D, November 2016
Picked up on time and the bus was available on the return immediately.
Review by: Dawn M, October 2016
Very Sadly our trip on this was cancelled due to bad weather. We did however drive to the village of Waikiki and walked for about two hours along beautiful trails to the falls, then had afternoon tea on our return. It was a wonderful afternoon.
Review by: Seungwhan M, July 2016
Rewarding mountain experience, staffs were helpful, but needs proper equipment.
Review by: Neeve, May 2016
I cannot rate this hike highly enough, there is no doubt that is physically demanding however there are plenty rest stops and it is easy to set your own pace, I was also relieved to see people of all ages on this trek. The crossing itself is well sign posted and you will not have to worry about getting lost along the way. It is important to be well prepared as there are no opportunities to buy food or water after the bus drops you off. Once you reach the Emerald Lakes the views are simply breathtaking, it is a certainty that this will be a lifelong memory of your New Zealand vacation.
Review by: Thomas C, March 2016
The hike was very challenging but beautiful.
Review by: Lee S, February 2016
Bus driver arrived 15 minutes early. We were not sure he was part of the Viator tour bus, but he took us. We and 10 other people traveled with him from the parking lot at the end of the Tongariro Crossing trail. He was young, friendly, and good natured. The travel was safe and drop-off prompt. No stops along the way at base camp. But he did radio in to base camp.
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