Overview
Enjoy an exclusive Mt Ngauruhoe Guided Walk in Tongariro National Park in New Zealand, if you are keen for more adventure. Mt Ngauruhoe was also known as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. Available for your own private use, this trip is available with your own private guide(s).
Mt. Ngauruhoe’s almost-perfect volcanic cone, which last saw eruption in 1975, attracts many visitors to the top. Standing at 2287m, Mt. Ngauruhoe offers a relatively steep climb of up to 33° (ropes are not necessary), with some parts feeling somewhat exposed. Unlike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, walking on Mt. Ngauruhoe is less stable, with no established tracks to the summit.
Taking up to 2 hours, the walk starts by following the Tongariro Alpine Crossing track on our way up the Mangatepopo Valley, and then on to the saddle that separates Mt. Tongariro from Mt. Ngauruhoe. We then take a route that brings us to the base of a ridge close to the centre of Mt. Ngauruhoe. On both sides of the mountain stands guard a rock ridge that will keep us on the route leading straight up toward the summit.
Past the ridge, there’s a band of ochre rock we have to cross over to get to the outer crater gully. Then we continue the climb to the top of the outer crater rim (viewed to your left) or to the peak of the inner crater rim (viewed to your right). On the outer rim, watch out for steam vents. To descend, we follow the red scoria, and continue on the loose scree found on either side of the ridge. This will surely get your adrenaline flowing, so brace for a great New Zealand adventure ahead!
Fitness and Experience
Please note this is not a track and is less stable walking than on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. There are parts of the climb that are reasonably steep up to 33° (ropes are not required) however some may feel slightly exposed.
Good fitness is required to climb Mt. Ngauruhoe. It is steep with a rugged loose rock surface. During winter and times of snow, surface conditions will vary from day to day. Crampons and ices axes are required and your guide will provide instruction on how to use them correctly.
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.
Details
Difficulty: 4
Start: National Park
Finish: National Park
Includes:
- Price includes private guide/s
- All equpment required (including crampons and ice axes for winter)
- Footwear and clothing to supplement that which you don't have and need
- packed lunch
- return transport from National Park.
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
Our office 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.
Overview
Enjoy an exclusive Mt Ngauruhoe Guided Walk in Tongariro National Park in New Zealand, if you are keen for more adventure. Mt Ngauruhoe was also known as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. Available for your own private use, this trip is available with your own private guide(s).
Mt. Ngauruhoe’s almost-perfect volcanic cone, which last saw eruption in 1975, attracts many visitors to the top. Standing at 2287m, Mt. Ngauruhoe offers a relatively steep climb of up to 33° (ropes are not necessary), with some parts feeling somewhat exposed. Unlike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, walking on Mt. Ngauruhoe is less stable, with no established tracks to the summit.
Taking up to 2 hours, the walk starts by following the Tongariro Alpine Crossing track on our way up the Mangatepopo Valley, and then on to the saddle that separates Mt. Tongariro from Mt. Ngauruhoe. We then take a route that brings us to the base of a ridge close to the centre of Mt. Ngauruhoe. On both sides of the mountain stands guard a rock ridge that will keep us on the route leading straight up toward the summit.
Past the ridge, there’s a band of ochre rock we have to cross over to get to the outer crater gully. Then we continue the climb to the top of the outer crater rim (viewed to your left) or to the peak of the inner crater rim (viewed to your right). On the outer rim, watch out for steam vents. To descend, we follow the red scoria, and continue on the loose scree found on either side of the ridge. This will surely get your adrenaline flowing, so brace for a great New Zealand adventure ahead!
Fitness and Experience
Please note this is not a track and is less stable walking than on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. There are parts of the climb that are reasonably steep up to 33° (ropes are not required) however some may feel slightly exposed.
Good fitness is required to climb Mt. Ngauruhoe. It is steep with a rugged loose rock surface. During winter and times of snow, surface conditions will vary from day to day. Crampons and ices axes are required and your guide will provide instruction on how to use them correctly.
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.
