Private guideTransport from Adrift Tongariro baseWinter crampons and ice axe when requiredAdditional clothing and footwear hireGuided hiking commentaryFlexible private itineraryOptional add-on: lunchWhat to BringSummer: Water, sunscreen, sunglasses, backpack, hiking footwear, warm layers and a waterproof raincoatWinter: Add thermal layers, warm gloves and a beanieEquipment hire: Additional clothing, footwear and winter equipment can be supplied when required

Fitness and Age Information

Fitness: Moderate level of fitness requiredDistance: Approximately 17.6 km returnWalking time: Around 5–6 hours including stopsExperience: No previous alpine experience requiredChildren: Ages 12 and under require prior approval from Adrift Tongariro. Please contact us.Upper Tama Lake: Steeper and better suited to fit, confident walkers

Cancellation & Refund

14 days or more before travel: Full refund**Within 14 days: No RefundPostponements 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: Any refund approved under our terms and conditions will be subject to a 5% admin & processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount. Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.*

Overview Itinerary FAQs Dates & Pricing Book now

Private Tama Lakes Guided Hike in Tongariro National Park

North Island

Adrift Tongariro

from

US$1530

per group

Book Now

Upper Tama Lake surrounded by snow-covered volcanic peaks in Tongariro National Park

Experiences

Hiking & Walking

Private Tours

Family-friendly Tours

North Island

Start: Waimarino (National Park)

Locations: 4 See all

Travel Time: 6 hours

Distance: 17.6 kms

Difficulty: 2

Minimum Age: 12

The Private Tama Lakes Guided Hike is an approximately eight-hour guided experience in Tongariro National Park, departing from Adrift Tongariro's base in National Park Village. Operating year-round, with seasonal meeting times, the tour includes approximately five to six hours of walking to Taranaki Falls and the Tama Lakes viewpoints. Private guiding, trail transfers and winter equipment when required are included. Suitable for walkers with moderate fitness.

Discover the Volcanic Beauty of the Tama Lakes

Follow one of Tongariro National Park's most rewarding alpine walking routes, beginning near Whakapapa Village and passing through native vegetation, open tussock grasslands and ancient volcanic terrain. Along the way, discover Taranaki Falls, where water plunges over an old lava flow into a rocky pool below. Continue towards Lower Tama Lake, nestled within an ancient volcanic explosion crater at approximately 1,240 metres above sea level. The surrounding landscape offers striking views of Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngāuruhoe, two of the North Island's most recognisable volcanic peaks.

For a greater challenge, continue to the Upper Tama Lake viewpoint, where a steeper climb across loose volcanic sand and rock rewards confident walkers with expansive views across the crater basin. Your private guide can adjust the walking pace, rest stops and route to suit your group, while sharing insights into the area's geology and natural environment. The approximately 17.6 km return hike offers a quieter alternative to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, with impressive volcanic scenery throughout. During winter, snow and ice can transform the landscape, adding an entirely different character to this alpine adventure.

Hiker crossing alpine terrain with Mount Ngauruhoe in the background

Volcanic plateau landscape viewed from the Tama Lakes Track

Hikers walking through alpine tussock on the Tama Lakes Track

Hikers at the Lower Tama Lake viewpoint in Tongariro National Park

Mountain stream flowing through native forest near the Tama Lakes Track

Mount Ruapehu overlooking Lower Tama Lake and the Tama Saddle

Lower Tama Lake filling an ancient volcanic crater in Tongariro National Park

Upper Tama Lake surrounded by volcanic cliffs and alpine terrain

Lower Tama Lake with Mount Ruapehu in the distance

Lower Tama Lake with Mount Ngauruhoe towering above Tongariro National Park

Upper Tama Lake crater basin viewed from the Tama Lakes Track

Tour Highlights

Private guided Tama Lakes hike
Around 17.6 km return
Taranaki Falls and Lower Tama Lake
Optional Upper Tama Lake viewpoint
Views of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Ngāuruhoe
Flexible pace for your private group
Less uphill exposure than the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Winter alpine equipment included when required

Private guide
Transport from Adrift Tongariro base
Winter crampons and ice axe when required
Additional clothing and footwear hire
Guided hiking commentary
Flexible private itinerary
Optional add-on: lunch

What to Bring

Summer: Water, sunscreen, sunglasses, backpack, hiking footwear, warm layers and a waterproof raincoat
Winter: Add thermal layers, warm gloves and a beanie
Equipment hire: Additional clothing, footwear and winter equipment can be supplied when required

Fitness: Moderate level of fitness required
Distance: Approximately 17.6 km return
Walking time: Around 5–6 hours including stops
Experience: No previous alpine experience required
Children: Ages 12 and under require prior approval from Adrift Tongariro. Please contact us.
Upper Tama Lake: Steeper and better suited to fit, confident walkers

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: Any refund approved under our terms and conditions will be subject to a 5% admin & processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount. 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.

Itinerary

Frequently asked questions

The track can be walked year-round, but summer generally offers easier conditions. Winter may bring snow, ice and alpine hazards, so extra equipment and experience may be required.

Yes. Lower Tama Lake is the main viewpoint, while Upper Tama Lake requires an additional steeper climb. The upper section is best suited to confident walkers with enough time and suitable conditions.

Generally, yes. The Tama Lakes Track has less sustained climbing and is less exposed than the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, although weather can still change quickly in Tongariro National Park.

The Tama Lakes Track is approximately 17.6 km return and usually takes around five to six hours, depending on pace, stops and whether you continue to the Upper Tama Lake viewpoint.

The track requires a moderate level of fitness. Most of the route is well formed, but the optional climb to Upper Tama Lake is steeper and includes loose rock and sand.