Hiking Mount Taranaki: 4-Day Getaway in New Zealand

Included:

• • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 4-day Mount Taranaki hiking adventure
  • Pickup and drop-off from and to Rotorua City or Rotorua Airport
  • All meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Accommodation: 3 nights in a boutique ensuite lodge
  • Raincoats
  • Hiking poles

Add-ons:

• • Single supplement

Not included:

• • Flights to and from New Zealand
  • Transfers outside of New Plymouth & Rotorua City
  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Medical expenses
  • Guide gratuities — optional
  • Travel and medical insurance — optional

The walking trails on the hiking Mount Taranaki adventure are a range of easy to moderate difficulty, with some short sections classified as hard. We’ll be walking anywhere between 4 to 10 hours per day and you’ll need to carry a daypack with your lunch, water, raincoat, and warm layers.

One or two walking tracks are easy-going underfoot, with a level gradient and little elevation gain. On Day 2 we’ll do the longer, more challenging walk on the Pouakai Crossing where the track surface will be less even, rockier, steeper, and with more infrastructure to negotiate like steps, platforms, boardwalks, and balustrades. Some tracks reach high points or lookouts near steep drop-offs, so those with vertigo or issues with heights may find some of the walks challenging.

On the Pouakai Crossing in particular, we’ll be making elevation gains of 900m. The fitter you are, the more you’ll enjoy it. It’s a good idea to work in some stair training into your regular walking schedule before we go. If you are a regular walker, you’ll manage beautifully. The guides will provide a detailed briefing every evening about what is planned for the next day so you can be fully prepared.

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Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

• • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  • Hiking poles — recommended
  • Worn-in hiking boots
  • Light shoes or sandals for the evenings
  • Warm hat
  • Sleepwear
  • Personal toiletries and medications
  • Sunscreen & sunhat
  • Blister kit & plasters
  • Mobile phone and battery charging bank
  • Bathing suit & towel

Clothing:

• • Several layers of wool, polypropylene or polar fleece (avoid cotton!)
  • Shorts or lightweight trousers, preferably quick-dry
  • Short-sleeved shirts, preferably quick-dry, polypropylene or wool: merino wool is ideal
  • Long-sleeved shirt or sweater, wool or polypropylene
  • Warm, windproof outer layer – Goretex or soft-shell jacket, or something similar
  • Socks, wool, at least 2 pairs
  • Leggings, wool or polypropylene
  • Casual attire for informal evening meals
  • Extra socks and thermal layers are always handy.

Optional items:

• • Waterproof over-trousers
  • Warm gloves
  • Facecloth or small towel for washing
  • Insect repellent (sandflies and mosquitoes are not often present, but it’s handy to have just in case)
  • Motion sickness tablets if you are prone to car sickness
  • Personal hand sanitiser
  • Face mask

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and pricing

• • For this hiking Mount Taranaki adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1.
  • It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 14 participants.

Hiking in New Zealand can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

The accommodation is a 3-star boutique lodge set high on a ridge, surrounded by native bush beside a meandering river. Rooms are of generous proportions, providing the perfect place to relax at the end of each day. They are studio twin or double with ensuites, heating, fridges, TVs, hairdryers, and tea & coffee making facilities.

All meals, snacks, one complimentary pre-dinner drink, and nibbles are included. Additional wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages are available to be purchased throughout the evening meals at your own expense.

The starting point of your hiking Mount Taranaki adventure is Rotorua City. To get there, most people fly into Rotorua (ROT) Airport. Your guides will pick you up from central Rotorua City or the Rotorua Airport between 8am and 8:30am.

If you will have a private vehicle, you’re most welcome to meet your guides at Pureora Forest Park at 10am on Day 1. It’s also possible to meet your guides at the accommodation in New Plymouth on the evening of Day 1.

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!