What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area Five days of hiking and exploration All accommodations for the duration of the tour Minibus transportation for the duration of the tour All activities outlined in the itineraries All meals outlined in the itineraries Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland Māori Village Experience What’s not included: Transportation to Auckland Transportation from the endpoint of the tour Accommodations before and after the tour Meals not outlined in the itineraries Travel insurance Guide gratuities — optional

WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED TO BRING?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Backpack with a minimum 60L capacity and small day pack Day pack with a 25-40L capacity Hiking poles — optional Gaiters — optional Water bottle or CamelBak (2L capacity) Hiking boots or good hiking shoes Spare lightweight shoes or sandals Spare clothes for layering Thermal underwear (top and bottom) Shorts or lightweight hiking trousers (preferably quick-dry) Short-sleeved shirts (quick-dry, polypropylene, or wool) Warm fleece or wool jersey At least 3 pairs of socks Raincoat (Goretex or similar) Sunhat Warm hat or balaclava Gloves or mittens (wool or fleece) Swimming costume Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Headlamp or flashlight Sunglasses Camera — optional (but recommended) Your guide will supply: Pack-liner to keep things dry inside your backpack Kit bag to hold your spare gear when you’re out hiking Emergency first aid kit Plates, cutlery, mugs, pots, etc. Your guide offers hiking gear rentals. If you need a hiking backpack, raincoats, or a walking pole, contact us and we’ll help set you up. Bring extra socks and polypropylene layers – ensure you have enough warm items. Also, bring some comfortable clothes for non-hiking days. Spare clothing can be left in the secure trailer when you are away on the hikes, so don’t worry about the extra weight.

HOW FIT DO I NEED TO BE?

The best thing about this tour is that there are options for all skill levels. The hiking tour suits all skill and fitness levels, but keep in mind that you’ll be doing around 4-5 hours of physical activity per day. The most you’ll hike is on day 4 when you’ll walk 23 km (14 miles) through the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. However, there is an option for a more restful day where you can choose how you want to spend your day. You’ll also be carrying a loaded daypack.

ACCOMMODATION: Hotels and lodges or cabins, campsites, and huts

During this 5-day tour , you will spend four nights in cozy hotels and lodges.

GROUP SIZES AND AGE REQUIREMENTS

For thistour, the groups consist of up to 13 people, with a usual 13:1 guest-to-guide ratio. It takes a minimum of 4 participants for the tour to run. If you happen to be a solo traveler, you’re more than welcome to join the group! Travelers will be added until the minimum group size to confirm the trip can be guaranteed. Anyone over the age of 18 can join these multi-day hiking tours, while minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join on a case-by-case basis. They must, however, be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

DEPOSITS AND CANCELLATION POLICY

Secure your spot for 2024 with a 25% deposit . The remaining amount is paid 95 days prior to departure. For bookings within four (4) months of the departure, full payment is required. Secure your spot for 2025 with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you can rest assured you’ve booked your dream adventure in time. Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure anytime in case the dates don’t suit you. This can be done by the end of the year. Another 20% needs to be paid by the end of this year. The remaining balance is due 4 months (120 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to ninety-five (95) days before the departure, Client gets an 80% refund of the deposit back. For cancellations twenty-one (21) to ninety-four (94) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of eighty percent (80%) of the full trip price. For cancellations twenty (20) to eleven (11) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking. After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.

GETTING THERE AND MEETING LOCATION

To start this tour, most people fly into Auckland International Airport (AKL) . From there, you can take a bus, shuttle or taxi to the Auckland city center. You’ll meet your New Zealand hiking guide and the rest of the group in the Heritage Hotel foyer at 7AM on Day 1 of your tour.

WHAT ABOUT BAD WEATHER?

Tours are scheduled to fit with the seasons and ideal hiking conditions. When the weather does not cooperate, your guide will know the correct course of action to take. Whether that’s shifting to a more favorable location or postponing until conditions approve, your guide will know just what to do. In New Zealand, there are plenty of backup options for rainy days. In the event of predictably bad weather, you will be contacted prior to the trip to discuss suitable alternatives.

WHY SHOULD I BOOK WITH 57HOURS?

With us, it’s all play and no work for you! 57hours is an open platform that connects you with trained and certified outdoor adventure professionals all over the world. Using our tech-savvy, we make it super easy to find and book adventures worth tackling, with guides worth booking, all gathered from the first-hand experiences of the locals who adventure in these amazing locations. Check out our guide on the best hikes on North Island made in collaboration with local guides if interested in more information!

SAFETY MEASURES IN NEW ZEALAND

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans. We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in New Zealand, please refer to the official New Zealand travel website. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

Venture Off the Beaten Path in New Zealand

Think of New Zealand as the master of metamorphosis. Its rolling green hills transform into glaciated mountains, volcanic fields become lush rainforests, while beaches and fjords reinvent themselves as bustling cities.

Floating in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, the country consists of two main land masses: the rugged South and the warmer North Island—the focus of this trip. Across five days, explore all those places you’ve been googling and surrender yourself to the irresistible beauty of New Zealand’s landscapes.

A landscape forged by fire and fantasy

Criss-crossing the island on your southward quest, you’ll chart a course into the vast wilderness stretching between pockets of civilization. Starting from the multicultural heart of Auckland to the capital city of Wellington, your seasoned guide will help you string together the highlights.

Get up close with volcanoes in Rotorua, traipse through glowworm caves in Waitomo, and dip your toes in the emerald lakes of Tongariro National Park—an adventurous concoction sure to convert you into an honorary Kiwi.

EPIC VOLCANIC RANGES
GEOTHERMAL WONDERS
MAGIC CAVES & FORESTS
PRISTINE EMERALD LAKES
RICH MĀORI HERITAGE

A river racing through a chiseled canyon in the lush rainforest of the Whirinaki Conservation Park

North Island—land of lakes and volcanoes

GREET THE DAY BEFORE ANYONE ELSE ON EARTH

Your New Zealand adventure starts in downtown Auckland, one of the first cities on the planet to greet the morning sun. A scenic drive from there takes you through green patchworks of farmland to the town of Rotorua, renowned for its bubbling mud-pools, crystal-clear lakes, and thermal vents. Let the plumes of rising steam lead the way!

Depending on your chosen itinerary, you’ll witness a host of unbelievable sights. Descend into the underground cave systems of Waitomo village, where thousands of tiny glow worms cling to the ceiling mimicking a starlit sky, or veer off the beaten path and explore the Whirinaki Conservation Park, one of the last remaining prehistoric rainforests in the world.

GET A TASTE OF INDIGENOUS CULTURE

Rotorua is the center of Māori cultural tourism in New Zealand, where visitors can learn about the traditional customs, practices and beliefs of the country’s indigenous people. The area has been enticing daring tourists since the 19th century, when the largest volcanic eruption in the country’s modern history occurred.

Enter the faithfully reconstructed villages and feel your heart pounding to the beat of haka dances. After taking part in an ancient welcoming ceremony, enjoy an evening Hāngī feast prepared by the customary method of placing heated rocks in a pit oven.

WITNESS THE EXPLOSIVE SIGHTS OF THE NORTH

When you enter Tongariro, New Zealand’s first national park, you will be transported to a world of legend and fantasy. Volcanic activity here started two million years ago and continues to this day, shaping a dramatic landscape bubbling with craters, old lava flows, colorful silica terraces and mineral-laden lakes.

It’s no wonder these heart-stopping backdrops made their way into the world of The Lord of the Rings. Places like Gollum’s Pool and even Mount Doom itself are located right here in the park! And don’t think about missing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, heralded as one of the greatest day hikes on the planet.

Fill your heart and mind with wonder

Watch The Whole Story in Our Webinar

Embark on your very own quest across Middle-Earth

Just as the valiant Fellowship of the Ring journeyed to the gates of Mordor, you will hike your way across these mystical lands to reach the sandy beaches of Wellington—no less epic, but much more comfortable!

If you’re looking for a shorter, less intensive itinerary, this all-inclusive 5-day tour of North Island is right up your alley. Previous outdoor experience is not required and the accommodation is in cozy hotels and lodges.

Explore the Land of the Kiwis with a local guide

DELUXE HOTEL-BASED 5-DAY NORTH ISLAND HIKING TOUR

This five-day itinerary will take you on a condensed journey through the lavish landscapes of New Zealand’s North Island without skipping any of the highlights—magical glowworm caves in Waitomo, traditional Māori villages in Rotorua, and the vast Emerald Lakes of Tongariro National Park. You’ll spend your days on leisurely walks and undemanding hikes before recharging your batteries in cozy hotels or lodges.

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CUSTOM HIKING ADVENTURE ON THE NORTH ISLAND

Are you looking to craft a completely unique New Zealand hiking experience suited to your tastes, skills, and needs? Then you’ve come to the right place. Custom tours are the best way to do your own thing at your pace! Whether you’re an adventurous family, a curious school group, or a bunch of like-minded friends—in a large or small group—we can customize a tour anywhere on New Zealand’s North Island just for you.

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Your guides

An Oregon native, Kath Watzig came to New Zealand in her early twenties. Her love of nature and a practical outdoor life have seen her work range from landscaping to running a small tree nursery, and nowadays—guiding, to which she brings an infectious enthusiasm for all things Kiwi.

Having grown up with an avid adventurer for a father, Chai Pyle feels very much in his element guiding guests through bush and over mountains. His love for learning and experience in the outdoor industry took him from New Zealand and Nepal’s whitewater kayaking scene all the way to employment as a hiking guide in NZ, where he finds great reward in going on adventures with friends and visitors alike.

Hiking New Zealand is a small, but very dedicated team specializing in matching adventurous travelers with their dream holidays, both in New Zealand and beyond. They are passionate about active travel, wild places, and their conservation, and extremely enthusiastic about sharing their wilderness discoveries with their guests.

Our guide (Justin) was awesome. Helped me do some climbs I never thought myself capable of. Very informative tour guide!

Justin was amazing. Very knowledgeable about the hike, culture and history of New Zealand. Very in tune with all the hikers needs and wants.

10/10 experience with Hiking New Zealand’s tour of the North Island. Our guide was knowledgeable, organized, accommodating, and a lot of fun! Comfortable accommodations, gorgeous hikes, and plenty of food. Highly recommend!

This tour was absolutely amazing. Our guide (Justin) was extremely knowledgable, friendly, and fun! He planned the adventure around the weather and everyone’s needs. This was an unforgettable experience and I highly recommend it.

In 5 days there is a lot packed in, but the pace feels about right. Lots of lovely walks, with the Tongariro crossing the last and most spectacular. Very good accommodation and meals along the way. A thoroughly enjoyable way to see the natural beauty of the north island.

Our experience with Hiking New Zealand, (Northern Portion ) and most particularly our guide, Justin, couldn’t have been better. Despite the unpredictable weather Justin assessed and reassessed the best routes and days in order to make our hikes successful. His knowledge of all things environmental added an element of interest we had not anticipated. Additionally , Justin was a great cook and an affable companion to our small group. It was an excellent experience and we would recommend Hiking New Zealand to anyone wishing to explore the beauty of New Zealand.

I enjoyed an unforgettable, amazing and well organised week with Hiking New Zealand. Our guide Grace did a brilliant job in bringing us New Zealand’s nature and practical tipps for this outdoor adventure closer. In a small group of 6 we discovered remote, stunning places which you might not visit on your own, cooked tasty meals and had lots of fun. Recommendable from A to Z!

Having made other plans for the South Island, we were thrilled that Hiking NZ offered a separate trip in the north. Our trip could not have been better. Because we are older (in our 70’s), we had some anxiety about whether we could do the hiking and whether we would hold others up. These concerns turned out to be unwarranted. Yes, on some hikes we were slower than some of our companions. This didn’t seem to phase either the other guests or our guides. Eva served as “sweep” and saw that we made it to the end of each hike without incident. For those of us at the back, she served as a lovely companion.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing was the highlight for us, and, with Justin and Eva guiding, we managed the hike, including the few hundred yards of scree that had been on our minds for days. Hikes and activities other than Tongariro exceeded our expectations. We enjoyed keeping very busy.
The food and accommodations were terrific. We hadn’t expected such luxury.

We certainly were given a very high adventure experience – some of the weather was very challenging, but it certainly made it a very memorable trip, especially the first day of the Northern Tongariro Circuit!
Justin was a truly wonderful guide- very knowledgeable, very caring and constantly thinking of how best to keep us safe & well