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1 Day Ruapehu Crater Lake Walk

Walking 10kms return & steep: About 6-7 hours

Days
1

Pricing From
$375

Difficulty

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Overview

Mt Ruapehu is the largest of the three volcanoes in Tongariro National Park and its last eruption was in 2007. Ruapehu's crater holds about 10 million cubic metres of water with a layer of liquid sulphur lining bottom. The lake changes colour from an amazing deep green to pale blue to solid dark grey depending on the craters temperature.

Mt Ruapehu has eight small glaciers on its high flanks and they are the only glaciers in the North Island. Ruapehu has three ski-fields, and usually a scenic chair-lift ride starts the walk off into the cool crisp air. The Ruapehu Crater Lake is not a poled or marked track and guides are strongly recommended.

Tour Grading: C

Summer Climbing

  • Good fitness is required to climb Ngauruhoe. It is steep with a rugged loose rock surface.
  • The climb is very steep (about 30°). 
  • Summer weather can be cold - snowfall, icy surfaces and sub-zero temperatures, heavy rain and strong wind, are all possible - be prepared we can kit you out with all gear requirements.
  • Altitude / elevation gain - you gain about 650 m in altitude from the South Crater to the summit, and about 1160 m from Mangatepopo parking area to the summit

Winter Climbing

  • Climbing and backcountry skiing are popular on Ngauruhoe in winter, for skilled and equipped people and you are guided by the best from Adrift.
  • Alpine equipment and experience using it are essential for climbing the mountain when it's covered in snow/ice - icy conditions can make climbing very dangerous on the steep slopes.

Ruapehu Crater Lake Walk

Ruapehu Crater Lake Walk

Ruapehu Crater Lake Walk

Ruapehu Crater Lake Walk

Ruapehu Crater Lake Walk

Ruapehu Crater Lake Walk

Transfers: Pick up / Drop off

Tour starts and finishes at the National Park Base.

Summer

  • National Park Base: Pick up 8:00am / Drop off 5:30pm
  • Whakapapa Village: Pick up 8:30am / Drop off 5:30pm
  • Turangi: Pick up 7:15am / Drop off 5:45pm
  • Ohakune: Pick up 7:30am / Drop off 6:00pm
  • Taupo CBD: Pick up 6:30am / Drop off 6:30pm

Winter

  • National Park Base: Pick up 7:00am / Drop off 5:30pm
  • Turangi: Pick up 6:40am / Drop off 6:00pm
  • Taupo CBD: Pick up 6:00am / Drop off 6:30pm

All times are approximate
Summer 1 October - 30 April, Winter 1 May - 30 September
Return transfers from the National Park base (53 Carroll St, National Park Village) are included in the price.
All other transfers an additional charge applies.
We do not offer Whakapapa Village and Ohakune transfers in winter.
All transfers require a minimum of 2 people.

Gear List

Summer

Water (1-2 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.

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.

Gear For Hire

Adrift Tongariro has available for hire 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, walking poles and sleeping bags and liners.

Transfers: Pick up / Drop off

Tour starts and finishes at the National Park Base.

Summer

  • National Park Base: Pick up 8:00am / Drop off 5:30pm
  • Whakapapa Village: Pick up 8:30am / Drop off 5:30pm
  • Turangi: Pick up 7:15am / Drop off 5:45pm
  • Ohakune: Pick up 7:30am / Drop off 6:00pm
  • Taupo CBD: Pick up 6:30am / Drop off 6:30pm

Winter

  • National Park Base: Pick up 7:00am / Drop off 5:30pm
  • Turangi: Pick up 6:40am / Drop off 6:00pm
  • Taupo CBD: Pick up 6:00am / Drop off 6:30pm

All times are approximate
Summer 1 October - 30 April, Winter 1 May - 30 September
Return transfers from the National Park base (53 Carroll St, National Park Village) are included in the price.
All other transfers an additional charge applies.
We do not offer Whakapapa Village and Ohakune transfers in winter.
All transfers require a minimum of 2 people.

Gear List

Summer

Water (1-2 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.

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.

Gear For Hire

Adrift Tongariro has available for hire 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, walking poles and sleeping bags and liners.

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