Volcanic Plateau

Experience the best of New Zealand’s volcanic zone. Inhale the aromas of Rotorua, discover hot streams, and hike along lake tracks and among volcanoes. This is the perfect trip if you’re short on time or like a bit more comfort as the camping is optional. It includes one of New Zealand’s best overnight hikes, among the smoking volcanoes of Tongariro National Park.

Day 1. Monday. Join tour in Auckland/Rotorua - 7km/2 hours hiking.
Your guide gives a briefing before driving south to Rotorua, which is an optional pick-up point (by prior arrangement). Check into your Rotorua accommodation before heading off to raft (optional extra) the wild Kaituna River cascades or walk the scenic track, stopping for a picnic lunch on the way. Afterwards, hike through bush alongside tranquil Lake Okataina. Attend a traditional Maori concert (optional extra) or concert and hangi dinner (optional extra) or check out the local restaurants before coming back to soak in the lodge’s natural thermal pool.

Day 2. Tuesday. Rotorua/Taupo - 5km/2 hours hiking.
Explore one of the amazing thermal areas south of Rotorua (optional extra). Depending on the season, you can bathe in a natural hot river flowing through the bush or take a relaxing swim in Lake Taupo. Peer over the thundering Huka Falls before reaching Taupo. Lake Taupo, a 600sq km volcanic caldera crater created in 186 AD by the largest volcanic explosion known to human-kind, is the largest lake in New Zealand. After lunch, drive to Tongariro National Park. Established in 1887, it was New Zealand’s first National Park. It was gifted to the people of New Zealand by a far-sighted Maori chief who saw the gift as a way of protecting the tapu (respect, sacredness, preciousness) of this land, in particular the summits of its active volcanoes. Take an afternoon hike across alpine grasslands, between smouldering volcanoes, to a hut set in native beech forest beside a stream. In warmer weather, camp near the hut.

Day 3. Wednesday. Tongariro World Heritage Area - 7km/4 hours hiking.
Explore beech forest, springs, and desert landscapes before hiking to the next hut/camp on the remote side of Tongariro National Park. The volcanoes in the park rumble from time to time. They most recently erupted in 1995 and 1996, when Mt Ruapehu (at 2797m, it is the highest mountain in the park) spewed clouds of ash and steam. Another much younger volcano, Mt Ngauruhoe, is almost perfectly symmetrical and stands 2291m tall. All around this scarlet moonscape, turquoise and green-blue crater lakes add their surreal colours to the landscape.

Day 4. Thursday. Tongariro National Park - 11-14km/5-7 hours hiking.
Hike up through a moon-like valley of contorted lava flows and ash fields before climbing up a steep section to the emerald lakes, the usual lunch stop. Cross the volcanic plateau, which boasts lava valleys and steaming explosion craters, before descending on the western side. In good conditions, there is an option to climb one of the volcanic peaks. A short drive takes you to an excellent lodge in the National Park alpine village. Have a well-earned beer at the lodge bar with sunset and volcano views.

Day 5. Friday. Wellington/Auckland - 5km/2 hours hiking.
Have a relaxing morning if you need it – visit the Department of Conservation display centre or stroll the alpine gardens and short walks. Otherwise, hike the loop track to Taranaki Falls. The group will leave the lodge at noon to drop off those catching the early afternoon TranzScenic train to Wellington (arrives 7pm). On the return trip north, you can be dropped off in Waitomo (approximately 3pm) or return to Auckland, arriving between 5pm and 8pm. Central drop off only.

Grade: D
Average 4-5 hours physical activity per day, up to 7 hours on longer days.
Pack weights of 10-12kgs on some days.
Altitude gains of up to 800m.
Uneven track surfaces and river crossings.
No hiking experience necessary.
Agility and fitness required.

It is fair to say that a guide can make or break a trip, which is why we employ the best. Our guides are inspiring individuals who enjoy sharing their beautiful country with you. It’s amazing what you will learn from these superheros, from bird calls to bad jokes, survival skills to brewing camp coffee, keeping dry to enjoying being wet, and how to find your way through thousands of kilometres of wilderness. All guides are trained in Mountain Safety First Aid and have a wealth of outdoor and hiking experience

Please be gentle with your guide – good guides are hard to find!

Malcolm O'Neill has a BSc in physical geography and studied climatology, volcanism and glaciation. He co-authored the guidebook Classic New Zealand Adventures, which involved lots of adventuring all over the country. Malcolm’s interests include mountain biking, travel, skiing/boarding, photography, making furniture, and leaping down staircases. Malcolm does more business stuff than guiding these days but can still be found getting his hands dirty!

Graham Frith has a love of the outdoors and sharing that with people has taken Graham hiking, mountain biking, rafting, and kayaking all over the world. Graham also runs an outdoor safety company instructing and training guides. His most recent project was guiding in Tibet. In his limited spare time he likes to orienteer, sing, and practise his thespian skills.

Kath Watzig (DipORL) keeps bees, carves wood, and is very active in Northland conservation groups. Kath is an outrigger canoe champion and lives in a mud-brick house she built herself. She is a bundle of energy and sings whenever she has an excuse to. Kath has more charm than a politician’s PR company.

Malcolm Hughes is a keen multi-sport athlete who has worked as a UN peacekeeper in Namibia and an instructor at Outward Bound. Malcolm escapes constantly into the mountains, ensuring we never get to catch him on film!

Justin Cowen (MPhil) doesn’t just talk conservation, he’s written a thesis on it (biodiversity and sustainable development). He worked for more than 5 years for the Department of Conservation and is not fussy about where he directs his conservation efforts – a species of grass, weta, bat or bird – because he believes firmly in its benefits. Justin sometimes hikes in 1920s outdoor clothing (for our amusement or his, we are not quite sure).

Emily Hicks has a BSc(Hons) in microbiology and can answer any questions you have about nematode worms. She has returned to New Zealand from a Canadian jaunt with a wild enthusiasm for sharing pure, wild New Zealand experiences with visitors from around the world. Her interest in languages means she may occasionally break out in French.

Alison Perkins has a BSc(Hons) in biochemistry but prefers spending life in the outdoors to staring at flies down a microscope. She loves to tramp and travel, and as a guide she can combine both. She has a passion for scuba diving, so you’re just as likely to find her in the water as out of it. According to Malcolm, she gets far too excited about fish.

New Zealand’s weather is changeable and we can experience extremely cold weather at any time of year, especially in the mountains. Our huts/camps vary in altitude from sea level to over 1000m. It is necessary to have warm clothing. Jeans are not suitable for hiking.


Essential Items

hiking boots (not shoes)

backpack (at least 60 litres capacity)

backpack liner (plastic bag)

3-season sleeping bag

waterproof raincoat (gore-tex or similar)

warm fleece/wool jersey (not cotton)

shorts for hiking

polypro/thermal underwear – top and long-johns

3 pairs of socks (they get wet)

warm hat or balaclava

sunscreen and sunglasses

drink bottle (1 litre)

spare shoes or sandals

flashlight/headlamp

insect repellent (sandflies like foreign blood)

spare set of clothes

Optional items: Therm-a-rest sleeping mat (self-inflating foam mat), gaiters, binoculars, gloves/mittens, earplugs, walking poles, camera.

We supply: Sleeping mats (dense foam), tents, cooking equipment, plates/cutlery, first aid kit, safety equipment and maps.

Luggage: There is an allowance of 120 litres per person (one large pack plus one day pack). You may be required to forward excess luggage if you exceed this. If you can’t easily carry all your gear without falling over, then you have too much! Any gear you do not need while hiking can be locked in the vehicle. No responsibility for security of your luggage is undertaken. We highly recommend travel insurance.

Equipment Hire: You may hire high-quality hiking equipment for use on our safaris. Please arrange hire gear when you book. Requests for hire equipment must be made at least 5 days before the departure date. Cancellation of gear hire must also occur at least 5 days in advance or no refund will be given.

Equipment Hire (NZ$)	5 days
Sleeping bag	$20
Backpack	$30
Therm-a-rest	$20
Polypro top+bottom	$20
Fleece jacket	$20
Raincoat	$20
Full set (all of above)	$110
Walking pole	$20each

You will travel in a 10 or 12 seat minibus towing a trailer with camp equipment and your luggage. All vehicles have a public address system, and a stereo with a variety of music. It is also equipped with a range of natural history reference books. The average driving time per day is around 2-3 hours and there will be a range of roads - sealed and unsealed. The guide will often stop the vehicle for you to take photos. On some of the nights you will be camping by the vehicle. We try not to drive too much, but occasionally we might do a 5-hour drive.

Safaris are run on a food kitty system - each person contributes about $10 per day. The first stop is usually the supermarket where everyone helps with buying food for the next few days. Everybody is involved with the preparation and cooking of meals: barbecues, salads, pancakes, stews, pasta, dampers, hangi...Vegetarian meals are no problem. When you are on overnight hikes the group will tend to eat pasta and rice meals. There is always lots of hiking food - chocolate, peanuts, raisins, biscuits. The vehicles carry a full range of cooking equipment including gas burners, woks, frying pans and billies. When you go on an overnight hike the group will carry a portable stove.

The Hiking Safaris use a range of accommodation: camping, back-country huts, cribs (summer house), hostels and cabins. You will generally camp if the weather is fine, so you get to enjoy the outdoors more and it costs you less. In less pleasant weather your guide will arrange accommodation for the group. Note that the accommodation and food costs are not included in the price of the safari.

Camping - You will camp as much as possible in a range of range of locations; under natural rock overhangs, on the beach, Department of Conservation campsites, established campgrounds with showers. You are provided with a 2- person tents to share and closed cell foam sleeping mats. You may have a small campfire if fires are permitted.

Huts - Your guide will make use of excellent Department of Conservation huts. They are equipped with mattresses, running water and an outside toilet. Cooking is done on a portable stove. We do not have sole rights to huts and so must share with other hikers.

Cabins/Cribs - When the weather is bad your guide will seek out alternative accommodation. This can be anything that is available, from a private crib (summerhouse) to a cabin at a campground. Cost is never more than $20 per night.

You must be prepared to go for 3 days (sometimes more) without a hot shower. There is always a river or lake for you to wash in. Some campsites/huts have saunas or natural hotpools!

Do we all get involved with camp duties...?
Everyone is fully involved with the running of the safari, from collecting firewood, to setting up camp and cooking meals. You are expected to do your share of work. If you are not a great cook, don't worry - your guide and other people in the group will help you.

Does it matter if I am travelling alone?
Most of the people on safaris are travelling alone. The safaris are strong on group activities and participation including playing outdoor games, going for swims, helping one another to cross rivers and explore caves, and overcoming obstacles and challenges. You will be encouraged to participate in activities, but if it's not your thing that is also OK. We allow time for people to be by themselves on safari if they need it.

Can I do more than one safari?
Yes. More and more people are connecting safaris covering the whole of New Zealand. We really are the hassle-free way to experience New Zealand's best adventures.

I am travelling and have a lot of stuff that I will not need on the safari - what should I do with it?
You can store it at your accommodation if you plan on returning to the area. Or, you can travel with it on safari. There is an allowance of 120 litres per person (1 large pack plus a daypack). Depending how full the safari is, you may be required to forward excess luggage if you exceed this. During overnight hikes every thing is locked securely in the vehicle.

What do I do with my valuables (passport, airline tickets, money, etc) while we are hiking?
Keep them with you in your hiking pack. You will be given a small plastic bag to keep them dry and keep them with you while you are hiking.

Can I be picked up at my hostel or accommodation?
No. It is much easier for everyone to meet at a central location - usually the local Visitors Information Centre - and it doesn't cost much to get there on a taxi, shuttle or bus (or walking!). Leaving the city early means spending more time in the wilderness.

I'm a vegetarian - is that a problem?
Not at all. We often have vegetarians in the group. All the guides are familiar with vegetarian cooking. There are lots of excellent vegetarian recipes. Sometimes the whole group will cook vegetarian or there may be a separate vegetarian meal. The hangi is always a mixture of vegetarian and meat foods.

What is the weather going to be like?
New Zealand experiences very changeable weather - especially in the remote mountainous regions where a lot of time is spent. Some days the group can be broiling in 30 degrees and then the next day freezing in a cool southerly from the sub-Antarctic. It is best to be prepared for the worst conditions - see the 'What To Take' section. You may experience some rain on the trip so a good waterproof raincoat is important.

Which is the best trip to go on?
It depends on what you want, how much time you have and where you want to go. You can do anything from a 6-day Far North beach trip to a combination of safaris for 40 or more days! The Volcanoes and Rainforest trip has amazing volcanic scenery, the West Coast Wilderness has grand mountains and rain forests, the Secret South has a lot of tops travel and wildlife (dolphins, penguins, sea lions and seals) and the Arthur’s Pass is a great short getaway with spectacular scenery.

Will I be fit enough?
Our safaris are graded B, C or D. Read the section 'Hiking and Fitness' and choose a trip to suit you. If you are concerned about your fitness get out there and hike in the weeks prior to your safari departure.

Who is in my group?
A small group (maximum 11 people), with a range of ages, nationalities and work backgrounds. Seventy percent of people are between 20 and 40, though there have been people from 17 to 72. On average, half are women and half are men. Everyone shares an enthusiasm for outdoor adventure and an appreciation of nature.

How far in advance do I need to book?
The sooner the better for safaris departing in the peak season (November to April). We get many advance bookings so it is important to book early to avoid disappointment. Availability for trips is updated regularly on our departure dates page.

What type of gear should I buy?
If you intend to do a lot of hiking then it is worth buying quality equipment - good leather hiking boots and hiking clothing. If you think you might not do any more hiking after safari then you could buy cheaper alternatives - just remember that it won't last as long or do the job as well. You may also rent certain items.

What if I can't keep up with the rest of the group?
We hike together as a group, stopping often for snacks and a good lunch. Some activities are optional if you feel like having some time out.

Are we going to encounter dangerous animals?
New Zealand does not have any snakes, bears, lions or alligators. We have a small poisonous spider called the katipo that is so rare that it is a protected species. At certain times of the summer and autumn, wasps can be a problem in some of our beech forests. If you are allergic to their sting, then make sure you carry medication, and tell your guide about it at the beginning of the safari. Otherwise, it is great to climb through the bush and lie in the grass without a thing to worry about.

Kitty fund for food and camp/hut fees NZ$29. This costs more than other trips as we use lodges and National Park huts every night (there are some camp options which reduce your kitty cost by approx $8 per day if you choose them).
Optional activities: rafting NZ$72, Maori concert NZ$40 + dinner NZ$88, thermal park NZ$25, TranzScenic train to Wellington NZ$89.
Kitty fund and optional activities must be paid for during the trip. Prices correct at time of publishing.

Payment: For bookings 4 or more months in advance of the departure a 20% deposit can be paid with the remainder due 65 days prior to your trip. For bookings within 4 months of the departure, full payment is required.

Transferring: You can transfer to another trip/departure as long as you do so more than 20 days prior to your pre-booked departure. Transfers within 20 days will require a cancellation and new booking. All transfers are subject to seat availability.

Cancellations: More than 20 days prior to departure – 80% refund if full amount paid.
20 to 10 days prior to departure – 50% refund.
Less than 10 days prior to departure – NO REFUND.
Deposits are not refunded.

Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance. We ask you to fill out a disclaimer before you begin a trip. You must follow the instructions of your guide at all times.

Medical Conditions: When you book you must notify us of any medical condition or medical history and any medications that you are on. In particular, we want to know about asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, allergies to wasp/ bee stings, and food allergies.

Client Responsibilities: With any outdoor activity, there is an element of risk. This safari operates in remote and mountainous areas. Risks in undertaking this activity could include hypothermia due to adverse weather conditions, personal injury, or property damage from hiking over rugged and uneven terrain.

All practicable steps are taken to identify and minimise potential dangers. However, you must follow instructions of your guide (and 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.

The guides reserves the right to make any alterations to the itinerary in the interest of safety, comfort or unforeseen circumstances due to causes such as weather, illness, or misadventure. Every reasonable endeavour will be made to keep to published schedules but no guarantee is given. Costs incurred by change, delay, or the missing of connecting services are solely the responsibility of the client.

The guide reserves the right to exclude a person from a tour at anytime if that person may be likely to risk the health, safety or comfort (including unsociable behaviour) of other clients, him or herself, or the environment. In such circumstances the operator will not be obliged to offer any refund or transfer of ticket.