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Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Guided Day Walk

Twenty kilometres between two volcanoes, past the Red Crater and the Emerald Lakes, with a guide.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing with a guide: 20.4km between Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro, past the Red Crater, Emerald Lakes and Blue Lake. Track transport and winter gear included; no alpine experience needed.

📍 New Zealand ⏱ 8 Hours 🔥 Pumping

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Booked with Wanderlust, an Australian travel business based in Byron Bay (ABN 34 636 612 523). We handle your booking ourselves, before and after you travel.

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Overview

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing runs through a UNESCO dual World Heritage park and across a landscape of lava flows, steaming vents and crater lakes: the Red Crater, the Emerald Lakes and the Blue Lake, walking between Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro.

It's 20.4km and takes 7 to 8 hours at about 3km an hour, with a short lunch stop. A guide walks it with you and makes the call on the day's route, since weather, ice and avalanche risk decide how far a group can safely go, so reaching the Ketetahi end isn't guaranteed. Summer (October to March) shows off the colours of this mineral-rich ground; in winter the crossing is snow-covered and crampons, an ice axe and a helmet are supplied.

Tours start and finish at the base on Carroll Street in National Park Village, with transport between the track ends included. You need reasonable fitness but no alpine experience, and there's a clothing and footwear hire allowance if you're short of gear. Bring your own lunch and 1.5 to 2 litres of water.

Why you'll love it

  1. 1

    Guided 20.4km crossing between Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro

  2. 2

    Red Crater, Emerald Lakes and Blue Lake

  3. 3

    Lava flows and steaming vents

  4. 4

    Winter crampons, ice axe and helmet supplied

  5. 5

    Clothing and footwear hire allowance

  6. 6

    No alpine experience needed

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What's included

✓ What's included

  • Guide
  • Transport between the track ends and the base in National Park Village
  • Winter equipment (crampons, ice axe and helmet when needed)
  • Clothing and footwear hire allowance

✕ Not included

  • ✕Lunch (an optional extra)
  • ✕Transfers from Taupo, Turangi or Whakapapa Village (an optional extra)

Common questions about this trip

  • How fit do I need to be?
    Reasonably fit. It's 7 to 8 hours of walking at about 3km an hour. Tell your guide before you start if you're worried, as there are options.

  • Will we definitely cross the whole track?
    Not always. The guide picks the safest route for the day's weather, ice and avalanche conditions, so reaching the Ketetahi end isn't guaranteed.

  • What time does it run?
    8am to 5:30pm from 1 October to 31 March, and 7am to 5:30pm from 1 April to 30 September, from the base at 53 Carroll Street, National Park Village.

  • Is there anything to do before the day?
    Fill in the waiver link you're sent three days before, and check the trip status on the operator's website chat after 9:30am the day before.

  • What's the cancellation policy?
    Cancellation terms for this trip are set by the operator and confirmed on your booking voucher. Refunds mirror the operator's policy, if they can refund, so can we. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 (including if the operator cancels) and we chase it on your behalf. Message us for the exact day-by-day terms before you book.

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