This trip dossier contains all the information you require for booking this trip. Please print off and read carefully before booking.

Please note: There is a GST (Goods and Services Tax) increase from 12.5% to 15% on the 1st of October 2010. This tour will increase in price to NZ$1280 on the 1st of October. Book and pay in full before the 30th of September 2010 and take advantage of the lower price, regardless of the date of travel.

Maximum 13

Itinerary

Tongariro National Park – a dual listed World Heritage Area – provides a stunning natural playground bursting with diverse landscapes for visitors to discover. With arid badlands, crater and alpine lakes, sparkling rivers, breath-taking lunar landscapes, lush rainforest and alpine meadows to be explored, a summer hiking vacation is an utterly unique experience not to be missed. The itinerary below is a basic outline. There are many other interesting hikes and sightseeing opportunities within the National Park. Your experienced local guide will help you choose the best walks to suit weatehr conditions and fitness levels.

Day 1.

Rotorua to Tongariro National Park.
Pick-up from Rotorua airport 3pm or central Rotorua 3:30pm. Travel to Tongariro National Park. En-route stop for a stroll around Taupo, a picturesque lakeside city.
Drive high up Mt Ruapehu, then walk for 5 minutes to our own alpine lodge. Settle in with a glass of New Zealand wine, while your guide briefs you on tomorrow's walk - The Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of the world's best day hikes.
Relish a delicious home-cooked meal while you get to know your guide and the other members of your small group. Retire to a cozy bed and hot shower.

Day 2.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing. 7- 8 hours walking
Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing - known as the best one-day walk in New Zealand and possibly the world. A challenging hike leads through stunning volcanic landscapes, past steaming craters, quirky coloured lakes and impressive dome volcanoes. Fantastic views over central North Island. Fair weather and a good level of fitness are required to undertake this hike.
Your guides will meet you at the end of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing Great Walk Track with a celebratory drink and snack. Head to a local hot spring for a well-earned soak, before returning to the lodge.
Note: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing will be walked without a guide, as currently this track can not be guided commercially.

A comprehensive briefing will be given for this hike and a cell-phone and trail map provided, as well as drop off and pick up from track ends. Your guides will ensure you are fully prepared and are just a phone call away.

Day 3.

Mt Ruapehu Crater lake 6-8 hours walking
Leaving from the lodge on the mountain take a chair lift up to 2000m, then hike up to the crater lake at the top of Mt Ruapehu (approx 2 hours up to 2660m). The lake reaches temperatures of up to 60 C. Impressive views of the central plateau and all its volcanoes are afforded from near the summit of the North Island's highest mountain. (This walk is very weather dependent, and may not be possible early or late season due to snow and/or chairlift being closed). If you fancy a more relaxing day you will have the option of joining a guide and heading down to the local visitor centre to do some of the shorter walks in the area, perhaps to the Tama Lakes on a section of the Tongariro Northern Circuit Track.
Tonight enjoy a final celebration dinner with your group in the lodge.

Day 4.

Taranaki Falls 3-5 hours walking
Pack up and head down the mountain to walk to the Taranaki Falls. Tumbling 20 metres over the edge of an old lava flow, which erupted from Mt Ruapehu 15,000
years ago, the falls plunge into a boulder-ringed pool.
The track passes through an interesting range of alpine meadows and beech forest.
Then hike through a variety of beautiful sub-alpine gardens to the creamy-white terraces of the Silica Rapids. Spectacular views of the mountains are enjoyed
on fine days.
Drop off in Rotorua by 7pm.

Grading & Fitness

Grade C
A reasonable level of fitness and agility is required for this tour. Walkers need to
carry a daypack containing lunch, drinking water and warm clothing for at least 3 hours a day. Track surfaces vary from well-formed paths to rough terrain broken by tree roots, rocks and loose scree.
A high level of fitness is required to undertake the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which is a strenuous hike of 7-8 hours, with a climb and descent of around 1000 metres through an alpine environment. The guide will provide advice on fitness and weather conditions. There is always the option of doing shorter hikes or relaxing in the lodge instead.

Guides & Safety

The guides are trained outdoor enthusiasts who take pride in providing a safe and friendly service. They will explain the natural and human history of the area you are walking in, and provide everything from a hot cup of tea or coffee to advice and support for your walk. Your guide will give you briefings on each day's walk, and demonstrate their culinary skills in the kitchen. All guides are trained in first aid and carry extensive first aid kits.

What to take

Equipment Provided and Required
You may borrow a 40-litre backpack, waterproof raincoat, or you can use your own. Weather conditions are highly variable so it is essential to have clothing that keeps you warm, even when wet. For this reason polypropylene or wool clothing is recommended to walk in, and not cotton.

Linen is provided.
We lend raincoats on request. See the equipment checklist for full details of what to bring.

Essential Items