What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area Eight days of hiking and exploration Accommodation for 7 nights (cabins, camping, and backcountry huts) Tents Luxury 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 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 Thermarests Plates, cutlery, mugs, pots, etc. 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?

It’s best to bring two bags on your trip, a hiking backpack with an internal frame (minimum 50L) for overnight hikes, and a smaller daypack for day hikes. Several layers of wool, polypropylene and/or polar fleece will ensure you remain a comfortable temperature regardless of the weather. No cotton shirt hiking/kayaking in the wet, please! Cotton gets cold when wet and it’s difficult to dry. Clothing you should bring: Raincoat (gore-tex or similar) Thermal underwear (top and bottom, wool or polypropylene) Hiking boots or good hiking shoes Spare lightweight shoes or sandals Shorts or lightweight trousers (preferably quick-dry) Short-sleeved shirt (quick-dry, polypropylene or wool) Warm fleece/wool jersey (not cotton) Socks Warm hat or balaclava Sun hat Gloves or mittens (wool or fleece) Swimsuit Towel (lightweight travel towels are great) Extra socks and polypropylene layers are always handy—ensure you have enough warm items! Comfortable clothing for non-hiking days as well. Spare clothing can be left in the secure trailer when we are away on the hikes, so don’t worry about the extra weight! Note that there are only limited opportunities to do laundry during a tour, so quick-drying clothing is an advantage. Equipment you should bring: Backpack (minimum 50L) Sleeping bag (minimum 3 season, preferably down, lightweight, between 1-2 kg) Flashlight/headlamp Drink bottle or camelback (1L) Small daypack Sunscreen and sunglasses Insect repellent Personal toiletries, medication, and first aid Walking poles (optional) Gaiters (optional) This is what your guides will provide you with : 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 Thermarests Plates, cutlery, mugs, pots, etc. Tents

How fit do I need to be?

While you don’t need any prior multi-day hiking experience for this tour, you still need to be fit, agile, and enthusiastic enough for 8 consecutive days of hiking 4-5 hours a day on average (8-9 hours on longer days). You can see the day-by-day breakdown in the itinerary. Keep in mind that you will be carrying packs weighing up to 10-12 kgs (22-26 lbs). You will also overcome altitude gains of up to 800 m (2,620 ft), covering some uneven terrain and river crossings. Finally, some tracks can be slippery or rough and there will be some off-track hiking and river crossings.

What is the accommodation like?

During this hiking tour, you will have “wild nights” and nights in civilisation. With wild nights, you are truly in the wilderness, staying in backcountry huts or camping in locations that may be several hours away from the nearest road or populated area. Other nights you will stay in cabins, lodges, or camp by the vehicle. Huts and campsite fees will be covered by your guide. When you’re camping , you might camp under natural rock shelters, on remote beaches, or even sleep out under the stars! You will also occasionally camp near the vehicle in Department of Conservation or private campsites. You will also stay in huts on several nights. New Zealand has an excellent network of backcountry huts, equipped with mattresses, running water, and an outside toilet. You also have the option of camping near the hut if that’s your preference. For huts and camping you can either bring your own bag and liner or rent it from your guide, but you’re responsible for bringing your own private camping equipment. Lodges will also serve as accommodation on some nights. They are often conveniently located near the start or end of a hike and have multi-share or sometimes twin/double rooms. Regarding bathroom facilities once you’re in the wild, there will be long drop (pit) toilets. There will also be rivers or lakes nearby for a swim, sometimes even natural hot pools! The trip is set up so after a couple of nights of “roughing it out” in the wild, you will stay somewhere where you can enjoy a shower and even do your laundry.

What's the food going to be like?

Meal times are a great time to get to know your fellow travellers better, sit back, and enjoy the amazing surroundings, and enjoy some great food! Everybody has a turn with the preparation and cooking of meals: barbecues, salads, pancakes, curries, pasta, stir-fries, hangi… Vegetarian meals are no problem. On “wild nights”, the group will normally eat pasta and rice meals. There’s always lots of hiking food as well—chocolate, nuts, raisins, biscuits… Vehicles carry a full range of cooking equipment including gas burners, woks, frying pans, and cooking pots. When you go on an overnight hike, the group will cary a portable stove.

Group sizes and pricing

For this tour, the groups consist of up to 11 people, with a usual 11:1 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.

Getting there and meeting location

To start this tour, most people fly into Auckland International Airport. From there, you can take a bus, shuttle or taxi to the Auckland city center. You will meet your guide in the Sky Tower in downtown Auckland unless specified otherwise. The guide will then choose the appropriate terrain depending on weather conditions and the ability of the group.

Safety measures during the trip

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!

Mt Tongariro in the Tongariro National Park.

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

Powerful water currents in th Huka Falls, Taupo - New Zealand.

A panoramic image from above of Auckland, with the Sky Tower and CBD visible across Waitemata Harbor and the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

A mountain hut on Tongariro, New Zealand

North Island | New Zealand

Ultimate Hut-Based North Island Hiking Tour

5.00 ()

Season

November through April

Duration

8 days

Difficulty

Accommodation

Cabins, camping, and backcountry huts

Guides

Malcolm O’Neill, Daniel Murphy, Hiking New Zealand

Questions, additional dates, private groups

Book a call

From $2,410 () / 8 days

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Reviews
Things to know

Your New Zealand Kiwi adventure far away from the maddening crowds and into the real New Zealand. From here, you’ll criss-cross the island and enter the vast wilderness stretching between pockets of civilization. Witness volcanoes, dip your toes in the mineral-laden lakes and hot rivers, make your way through lush rainforest and surrender yourself to the irresistible beauty of New Zealand’s landscapes. You’ll get a chance to explore Tongariro Alpine Crossing, heralded as one of the greatest day hikes on the planet and journey through mystical lands that inspired Lord of the Rings.

Adventure highlights

Learn about the indigenous cultures

Enter the faithfully reconstructed villages and feel your heart pounding to the beat of haka
Explore the Tongariro National Park

Witness the power of its geothermal peculiarities, bathe in natural hot rivers and enjoy the view of the imposing Huka Falls
Explore Jurassic-like rainforest

Pass beneath giant tree ferns and New Zealand’s iconic podocarp rainforest trees

Ultimate Hut-Based North Island Hiking Tour

Itinerary

Experience the varied natural wonders of New Zealand’s North Island with a local guide. Explore the peaks, jungles, volcanoes, and waterfalls of Whirinaki and other iconic areas along New Zealand’s bucket-list trails. Spend your evenings in cozy campsites and bustling huts, swimming in pristine lakes, eating delicious food, and sleeping under the starry skies.

Meet your guides at 7 am in downtown Auckland before heading south to Rotorua, renowned for its steaming thermal vents, bubbling mud pools, and stunning lakes. Learn about the rich history of the area, before heading out southeast into the Whirinaki Forest. After a picnic lunch, take a hike in the rainforest before driving to the south end of this park. Your first hike is an easy one, on a descending track through native beech forest, to a cozy forest hut beside the Whirinaki River. Cook dinner as a crew and either stay in the hut or camp nearby, with an evening campfire and time to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Distance covered: 9.5 km/ 5.9 miles
Hiking time: 3 hours
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Continue down the valley track and off the tourist trail, meeting the local blue ducks and robins. Pass beneath giant tree ferns and New Zealand’s iconic podocarp rainforest trees. Later, drive east into the rugged forest ranges of Te Urewera, the traditional home of the Tūhoe (Māori tribe) and one of the last places to have been reached by European settlers. Explore the rainforest for two hours before reaching the northern arm of the remote Lake Waikaremoana. Continue around the lake before stopping at a camping area. After a meal cooked together, spend the night in the simple cabins or in nature.

Distance covered: 15 km/ 9.3 miles
Hiking time: 5 hours
Lunch: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Get ready for spectacular views as you drive to a trailhead at the south end of the lake. Start climbing the gnarled beech and bright green Tawa forest up the Panekiri Range, to a point over 500 m (1,640 ft) above the lake. Take in the vistas and enjoy lunch before heading back down the trail. If time permits, you’ll also get to explore the fascinating Onepoto Caves trail. Spend another night at the cabins.

Distance covered: 14 km/ 8.7 miles
Hiking time: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Kick the day off with a drive to the Volcanic Plateau. Explore an extraordinary thermal park, bathe in a natural hot river and experience the imposing Huka Falls and Waikato River.
Later, arrive at Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand formed by the most powerful volcanic eruption in recorded history. At Taupo, grab your takeaway food and head to an unusual pumice beach. Relax here and, if you want, enjoy an evening swim before continuing to your lodge accommodation in Whakapapa Village, Tongariro National Park.

Distance covered: 4 km/ 2.5 miles
Hiking time: 2 hours
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Explore Tongariro, the oldest national park in New Zealand. You’ll take some secret side trips, but you’ll also hike the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing, considered one of the world’s finest day walks. Sort out gear and pack our backpacks, then hike out of Whakapapa through tussock grasslands and over the low saddle that cuts between the Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe volcanoes. Spend your late afternoon at the modern Waihohonu Hut among patches of mountain beech forest beside a quiet stream.

Distance covered: 15 km/ 9.3 miles
Hiking time: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
The trail to the next hut takes just 3 hours, so we have the morning to explore. You can amble (about an hour) to the splendid Ohineopango Springs and visit a historic hut and then return to the hut for lunch. Or, you can take an adventurous off-trail hike over ash-moraine ridges and skirt lava cliffs to reach a viewpoint high above a lake. Enjoy fantastic views of the park’s three peaks, one of which starred as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings films. Then, retreat to the Oturere “sardine tin” hut where you’ll meet adventurers from all over the world.

Distance covered: 8-15 km/ 5-9.3 miles
Hiking time: 3-8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hike through a moon-like valley of lava flows and ash fields before climbing steeply to the remarkable Emerald Lakes. From there, join the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Spend the next few hours hiking an unforgettable wonderland of lava valleys, steaming craters, and brooding volcanoes before descending through bonsai-like alpine foliage and alongside mineral-infused streams. An evening drive will take you back to the heart of the National Park, where you can relax with a beer and enjoy some epic volcanic views.

Distance covered: 12 km/ 7.5 miles
Hiking time: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Drive south, leave the volcanoes behind, and descend through the beautiful river valleys of the Rangitikei and along the coast to Wellington, where you’ll have a coffee break. Explore the cultural and café hub of New Zealand at your leisure—visit the National Museum, watch the parliament, or check out the downtown area, ending the tour.

Distance covered: 1 km/ 0.6 miles
Hiking time: 1-2 hours

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Meet your guides

5.00

Malcolm O’Neill

Malcolm is the co-owner and North Island Operations Manager of Hiking New Zealand. Even before he could walk, he was carried through New Zealand wilderness in a pack on his father’s back. Since those early days, he has hiked, climbed, sea kayaked, a mountain biked throughout the country and the globe. Malcolm squeezed in time to get a degree in physical geography and co-authored a guidebook, Classic New Zealand Adventures. Based in Auckland Malcolm keeps the North Island team singing and itineraries humming.

5.00

Daniel Murphy

Daniel is the co-owner and South Island Operations Manager of Hiking New Zealand. He started out as a hiking guide in Spain in the 90s, and later on he became a backcountry guide in New Zealand. Daniel has the enviable job of tour research and development, so he’s always on the go. Other than hiking, he loves spending his time mountain running and biking.

5.00

Hiking New Zealand

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.

5.00 (6 reviews)

daneapalmer (source: TripAdvisor)

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.

Linda M (source: TripAdvisor)

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.

Bytown (source: TripAdvisor)

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.

nadine_emmenegger (source: TripAdvisor)

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!

Old_guy_and_wife_11 (source: TripAdvisor)

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.

Ian Caddy

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

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - Eight days of hiking and exploration
  - Accommodation for 7 nights (cabins, camping, and backcountry huts)
  - Tents
  - Luxury 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
  - 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
  - Thermarests
  - Plates, cutlery, mugs, pots, etc.
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
It’s best to bring two bags on your trip, a hiking backpack with an internal frame (minimum 50L) for overnight hikes, and a smaller daypack for day hikes.

Several layers of wool, polypropylene and/or polar fleece will ensure you remain a comfortable temperature regardless of the weather. No cotton shirt hiking/kayaking in the wet, please! Cotton gets cold when wet and it’s difficult to dry.

Clothing you should bring:
- - Raincoat (gore-tex or similar)
  - Thermal underwear (top and bottom, wool or polypropylene)
  - Hiking boots or good hiking shoes
  - Spare lightweight shoes or sandals
  - Shorts or lightweight trousers (preferably quick-dry)
  - Short-sleeved shirt (quick-dry, polypropylene or wool)
  - Warm fleece/wool jersey (not cotton)
  - Socks
  - Warm hat or balaclava
  - Sun hat
  - Gloves or mittens (wool or fleece)
  - Swimsuit
  - Towel (lightweight travel towels are great)
Extra socks and polypropylene layers are always handy—ensure you have enough warm items! Comfortable clothing for non-hiking days as well. Spare clothing can be left in the secure trailer when we are away on the hikes, so don’t worry about the extra weight! Note that there are only limited opportunities to do laundry during a tour, so quick-drying clothing is an advantage.

Equipment you should bring:
- - Backpack (minimum 50L)
  - Sleeping bag (minimum 3 season, preferably down, lightweight, between 1-2 kg)
  - Flashlight/headlamp
  - Drink bottle or camelback (1L)
  - Small daypack
  - Sunscreen and sunglasses
  - Insect repellent
  - Personal toiletries, medication, and first aid
  - Walking poles (optional)
  - Gaiters (optional)
This is what your guides will provide you with:
- - 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
  - Thermarests
  - Plates, cutlery, mugs, pots, etc.
  - Tents
While you don’t need any prior multi-day hiking experience for this tour, you still need to be fit, agile, and enthusiastic enough for 8 consecutive days of hiking 4-5 hours a day on average (8-9 hours on longer days). You can see the day-by-day breakdown in the itinerary. Keep in mind that you will be carrying packs weighing up to 10-12 kgs (22-26 lbs). You will also overcome altitude gains of up to 800 m (2,620 ft), covering some uneven terrain and river crossings. Finally, some tracks can be slippery or rough and there will be some off-track hiking and river crossings.
During this hiking tour, you will have “wild nights” and nights in civilisation. With wild nights, you are truly in the wilderness, staying in backcountry huts or camping in locations that may be several hours away from the nearest road or populated area. Other nights you will stay in cabins, lodges, or camp by the vehicle. Huts and campsite fees will be covered by your guide.

When you’re camping, you might camp under natural rock shelters, on remote beaches, or even sleep out under the stars! You will also occasionally camp near the vehicle in Department of Conservation or private campsites.

You will also stay in huts on several nights. New Zealand has an excellent network of backcountry huts, equipped with mattresses, running water, and an outside toilet. You also have the option of camping near the hut if that’s your preference.

For huts and camping you can either bring your own bag and liner or rent it from your guide, but you’re responsible for bringing your own private camping equipment.

Lodges will also serve as accommodation on some nights. They are often conveniently located near the start or end of a hike and have multi-share or sometimes twin/double rooms.

Regarding bathroom facilities once you’re in the wild, there will be long drop (pit) toilets. There will also be rivers or lakes nearby for a swim, sometimes even natural hot pools! The trip is set up so after a couple of nights of “roughing it out” in the wild, you will stay somewhere where you can enjoy a shower and even do your laundry.
Meal times are a great time to get to know your fellow travellers better, sit back, and enjoy the amazing surroundings, and enjoy some great food! Everybody has a turn with the preparation and cooking of meals: barbecues, salads, pancakes, curries, pasta, stir-fries, hangi…

Vegetarian meals are no problem. On “wild nights”, the group will normally eat pasta and rice meals. There’s always lots of hiking food as well—chocolate, nuts, raisins, biscuits… Vehicles carry a full range of cooking equipment including gas burners, woks, frying pans, and cooking pots. When you go on an overnight hike, the group will cary a portable stove.
For this tour, the groups consist of up to 11 people, with a usual 11:1 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.
To start this tour, most people fly into Auckland International Airport. From there, you can take a bus, shuttle or taxi to the Auckland city center.

You will meet your guide in the Sky Tower in downtown Auckland unless specified otherwise. The guide will then choose the appropriate terrain depending on weather conditions and the ability of the group.
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!
A 25% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 95 days prior to departure. For bookings within four (4) months of the departure, full payment is required.

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.
Secure your spot for the following season with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you’ll be the first one to know. Pick the month that suits you best and we’ll let you know once the dates are live—don’t risk missing out on your bucket list adventure!
- - 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.
  - Once the set dates for the following season are live, you can confirm your booking by the end of this year by paying another 25% of the total amount.
  - The final balance is due 3 months (95 days) prior to departure.
  - Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy applies.
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 95 days prior to departure.