North Island
NZ$375.00
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. ...
Overview
Pre-dawn departures on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in Tongariro National Park has you on the top of Red Crater watching the sun rise in unique lighting and with the peaceful, still, quiet moments of the dawn.
This 19km trek is New Zealand's best day one day walk. The track leads up to the saddle between Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro and then diverts over Mt Tongariro. Mt Tongariro is not a single volcano, but a complex of craters that have been active at different periods. The landscape on Tongariro is peppered with the different coloured and shaped craters, scoured volcanic rocks, active geothermal areas, mountain springs, and brightly coloured emerald lakes. In summer this track can be crowded and where possible, we take our clients away from the crowds, while making sure that the popular sights are still experienced.
Itinerary
With the Milky Way at your fingertips and shooting stars screaming in the clarity that only the pre-dawn can achieve, come and see the sunrise at the Red Crater Summit and enjoy breakfast at the Ketetahi hut. The route is the same as followed during the day with one exception....NO CROWDS! We supply headlamps, hats, gloves, warm tops, jackets and trousers and a guide to make sure everyone is safe, healthy, on-track and having a great time.
After taking in the view of the active Red Crater with the Otarere and Rangipo deserts in the background, we descend to the Emerald Lakes for refreshments and a well-earned break.
From here it is a 2 hour trek past the Blue Lake down to the Ketetahi Hut and a natural thermal area. At the hut we take another break before the last 2-hours of downhill through beautiful native forest and beside a stream rich in minerals. We have now finished ... Easy!
Tour Grading: C
Fitness and Experience
A reasonably good level of fitness is required. If you are concerned about your fitness please let your guide know before commencing the walk, as there are options we may be able to offer if your concerns come to fruition. Walking time is about 7 hours including stops. No alpine experience is required.
"The pre-dawn hike was amazing and Stewart is a great guide. It was tough waking up that early, but we really enjoyed the experience and seeing the stars and sunrise was worth the effort. It was one of those "once-in-a-lifetime" moments and we would do it again if we ever return to NZ. Thanks again for recommending this trip." Ken & Mary Kolb.
"Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I got in touch with Stewart and he treated me great! If I could only describe the crystal clear sky we had as we walked up the volcano! Every time we took a break we would turn off our head torches and just stare up into the heavens, I personally counted 3 falling stars! The sunrise was a remarkable birthday present, apart from going up to the summit of Tongariro in a cloud, we came down in warm weather!" - Gene
Gear Hire
Adrift Tongariro has available for hire personal 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 and walking poles.
Details
Difficulty: 3
Departure Dates
Daily 1 October to 31 May
- Pick up 1:30 am
- Finish at 9.30 am
Start: National Park or Whakapapa Village (about 1:30-3am)
Finish: National Park or Whakapapa Village (about 9:30-11am)
Includes:
Included
-
Private Guide/s
-
Transport. Between the start and end of the tour and the Adrift Tongariro base included.
-
All additional boot and clothing hire. See the Fitness and Gear Requirements tab below for recommended gear and gear available from Adrift Tongariro.
Not Included
Breakfast is not included in this tour however a Sustenance Pack is available as a separate booked item at an additional cost at the time of booking. We have two options: standard or vegetarian. Any other dietary requirements are not able to be catered for so clients must bring their own.
Private Accommodation Transfers
Accommodation transfers are not available with this tour.
Overview
Pre-dawn departures on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in Tongariro National Park has you on the top of Red Crater watching the sun rise in unique lighting and with the peaceful, still, quiet moments of the dawn.
This 19km trek is New Zealand's best day one day walk. The track leads up to the saddle between Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro and then diverts over Mt Tongariro. Mt Tongariro is not a single volcano, but a complex of craters that have been active at different periods. The landscape on Tongariro is peppered with the different coloured and shaped craters, scoured volcanic rocks, active geothermal areas, mountain springs, and brightly coloured emerald lakes. In summer this track can be crowded and where possible, we take our clients away from the crowds, while making sure that the popular sights are still experienced.
Itinerary
With the Milky Way at your fingertips and shooting stars screaming in the clarity that only the pre-dawn can achieve, come and see the sunrise at the Red Crater Summit and enjoy breakfast at the Ketetahi hut. The route is the same as followed during the day with one exception....NO CROWDS! We supply headlamps, hats, gloves, warm tops, jackets and trousers and a guide to make sure everyone is safe, healthy, on-track and having a great time.
After taking in the view of the active Red Crater with the Otarere and Rangipo deserts in the background, we descend to the Emerald Lakes for refreshments and a well-earned break.
From here it is a 2 hour trek past the Blue Lake down to the Ketetahi Hut and a natural thermal area. At the hut we take another break before the last 2-hours of downhill through beautiful native forest and beside a stream rich in minerals. We have now finished ... Easy!
Tour Grading: C
Fitness and Experience
A reasonably good level of fitness is required. If you are concerned about your fitness please let your guide know before commencing the walk, as there are options we may be able to offer if your concerns come to fruition. Walking time is about 7 hours including stops. No alpine experience is required.
"The pre-dawn hike was amazing and Stewart is a great guide. It was tough waking up that early, but we really enjoyed the experience and seeing the stars and sunrise was worth the effort. It was one of those "once-in-a-lifetime" moments and we would do it again if we ever return to NZ. Thanks again for recommending this trip." Ken & Mary Kolb.
"Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I got in touch with Stewart and he treated me great! If I could only describe the crystal clear sky we had as we walked up the volcano! Every time we took a break we would turn off our head torches and just stare up into the heavens, I personally counted 3 falling stars! The sunrise was a remarkable birthday present, apart from going up to the summit of Tongariro in a cloud, we came down in warm weather!" - Gene
Gear Hire
Adrift Tongariro has available for hire personal 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 and walking poles.
FAQ : " I would like to do the sunrise tour but am afraid we may miss out on some views"
Answer: Absolutely no! We walk up the mountain in the dark which is actually a good thing as the sight of a 2 hour climb is mentally harder than actually doing it, doing this in the dark eliminates seeing the hill ahead. We time the walk so that we reach the top with about 20 minutes before sunrise. This time of day is stunning with the darkness turning into blue and pink then the brilliant yellow sunrise. When on top we get to see all those views that we would have been looking at during the climb, not missing out on anything.
Pick up / Drop off
Tour starts and finishes at the National Park Base.
Departure times will be advised in accordance with the changing sunrise times. Summer only.
Pick up: These vary in accordance with the changing sunrise times. Departure times from the Adrift Tongariro base vary between 1.30am-3.00am. If possible, we would prefer to meet clients the day prior between 3pm-6pm to check clothing requirements etc. This will make for a quick morning departure.
Drop off: Depending on the time of the year, drop off times to the National Park base will vary between 9.30am-11.00am
All times are approximate
Return transfers from the National Park base (53 Carroll St, National Park Village) are included in the price.
Gear List
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. Breakfast is provided.
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.
FAQ : " I would like to do the sunrise tour but am afraid we may miss out on some views"
Answer: Absolutely no! We walk up the mountain in the dark which is actually a good thing as the sight of a 2 hour climb is mentally harder than actually doing it, doing this in the dark eliminates seeing the hill ahead. We time the walk so that we reach the top with about 20 minutes before sunrise. This time of day is stunning with the darkness turning into blue and pink then the brilliant yellow sunrise. When on top we get to see all those views that we would have been looking at during the climb, not missing out on anything.
Pick up / Drop off
Tour starts and finishes at the National Park Base.
Departure times will be advised in accordance with the changing sunrise times. Summer only.
Pick up: These vary in accordance with the changing sunrise times. Departure times from the Adrift Tongariro base vary between 1.30am-3.00am. If possible, we would prefer to meet clients the day prior between 3pm-6pm to check clothing requirements etc. This will make for a quick morning departure.
Drop off: Depending on the time of the year, drop off times to the National Park base will vary between 9.30am-11.00am
All times are approximate
Return transfers from the National Park base (53 Carroll St, National Park Village) are included in the price.
Gear List
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. Breakfast is provided.
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.
