Hiking & Walking
Family-friendly Tours
Day Tours
INCLUSIONS
- 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.
- NZ$60 clothing and footwear hire allowance.
NOT INCLUDED
- Lunch (can be purchased as an add-on)
RECONFIRMATION
All customers are required to reconfirm between 10:00am – 5:00pm the day prior to trip date. Single bookings 3 days prior to establish if minimum numbers have been met.
AGE INFORMATION
- Children: 11 years & under must receive approval before joining the tour
CANCELLATION FEES & REFUNDS:
- 14 days or more before travel: Full refund**
- Within 14 days: No Refund
- Postponements within 14 days: Reschedule allowed within 12 months, subject to availability & approval. No refunds if subsequently cancelled.
- Insufficient group size: Options to pay extra, reschedule within a year, or get a refund**
- Weather-related cancellations: Safe alternative provided, or option to reschedule within a year, or receive a refund**
Note: **Refund excludes credit card, payment or booking fees if applicable, which are non-refundable.
Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.*
In any adventure activity there is an element of risk involved. Examples in undertaking this activity are: hypothermia, slipping on ice and/or loose terrain, and volcanic eruptions to name some. The staff & management of Adrift Tongariro take all practical steps to manage, mitigate, and at times eliminate, exposure to potential danger. Clients must follow our instructions & use the safety equipment provided at all times. Adults accompanying any person under the age of 18 must ensure that the underage person follows our instructions at all times.
We reserve the right to withdraw any person who in our opinion is likely to endanger themselves or others. We also reserve the right to cancel the trip if we become concerned for any reason for your safety or that of another person.
You agree to release or indemnify Adrift Tongariro and our staff against any liability we incur to anyone else resulting from your failure to follow our instructions or the failure of any person accompanying you under the age of 18 to follow our instructions.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Mt Ruapehu: Environmental risks in undertaking this activity include but are not limited to:-Volcanic activity, avalanche activity, hyperthermia and slipping, all of which could result in injury. You are walking on an active volcano with Tongariro has a NZ Volcanic Alert Level of zero and Ruapehu an alert level of 1 both of which are deemed by the Department of Conservation as to be safe for Adrift to conduct commercial activities, however volcanoes can erupt at any time without notice.
Summer
- Own lunch
- 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
Winter
- Own lunch
- Water (1-1.5 litres)
- Personal medications (e.g. Asthma Inhaler, blister protection etc)
- Sun hat, 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
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a full-day walk (7–8 hours including breaks) and requires a moderate to good level of fitness. The average walking pace is around 3km per hour, which is manageable for most people. In winter, additional time is needed for fitting crampons and receiving basic instruction—no alpine experience is required.
If you're unsure about your fitness level, please speak with your guide before starting the walk. We're happy to discuss options to help ensure an enjoyable experience.
Age Guidance:
- 0–12 years: Please contact us directly for approval.
- 13–40 years: Most will complete the walk comfortably; regular exercisers will recover easily.
- 41–55 years: Most complete the hike within the time frame, though some muscle soreness the next day is common.
- 55+ years: A solid average fitness level is recommended to complete the hike safely within the allotted time.
