Included:

• • One or two experienced, local hiking guides with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 8-day guided walk on North Island, NZ
  • Accommodation for 7 nights (double occupancy) — 6 nights in 3-star boutique lodges/cabins, 1 night in a 4.5-star hotel (bed linen, bath towels, pillows, blankets, toilet paper, soap, and hand sanitiser included)
  • Transport during the tour
  • All meals:
    • 7 continental breakfasts
    • 8 fresh packed lunches
    • 5 two-course Kiwi-style dinners
    • One complimentary glass of crisp New Zealand wine or craft beer with dinner (non-alcoholic options available)
    • Trail snacks
    • Tea and plunger coffee
  • Complimentary hire of hiking equipment; day packs, raincoats and hiking poles

Add-ons (available to add at checkout)

• • Single occupancy room

Not included:

• • Transportation to New Zealand
  • Domestic flights
  • Pre or post-tour accommodation
  • Evening meal on Day 4
  • Additional alcoholic beverages
  • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
  • Guide gratuities — optional

In order to join this guided walk on North Island, NZ, great fitness is required. You’ll carry only a daypack containing lunch, water, and warm clothing for 4–7 hours of walking, usually weighing between 3–6 kg (6.5-13 lb) depending on how much water you bring. The evening before the hike, guides provide a detailed safety briefing so you can ask questions and understand what to expect. If at any point the walk feels beyond your comfort level, you have the option to join a shorter hike on selected departures or take the day to relax at the lodge instead.

Throughout the journey, you’ll be supported by your group and one or two professional hiking guides. The guides are qualified First Aiders, carry emergency beacons, and know the local conditions well. You’ll be able to walk at your own pace and enjoy the experience with the reassurance that help is always close by if needed.

The most challenging day will be Day 6—the Tongariro Alpine Crossing—it involves a demanding 7–8 hour hike, a 900-m (2,950 ft) ascent and descent through alpine terrain, with the possibility of crossing thin patches of snow or ice early in the season in November. The climb up Devil’s Staircase over the Mangatepopo Saddle is particularly challenging, so it’s important to include steep stair climbs in your pre-departure training.

Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more New Zealand hikes here!

Essential items

• • Hiking boots (well worn-in)
  • Light shoes or sandals for evenings
  • Warm hat
  • Sleepwear
  • Reusable drink bottle (minimum 1 litre for Days 1, 3 & 4; at least 2 litres for Day 2 on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing), please have it full before pickup on Day 1)
  • Personal toiletries and medications
  • Sunscreen and sunhat
  • Blister kit and plasters
  • Mobile phone and battery charging bank
  • Bathing suit and towel

Clothing

• • Several layers of wool, polypropylene, or polar fleece for warmth in varying weather (no cotton shirts, as they stay cold when wet)
  • Shorts or lightweight quick-dry trousers
  • Short-sleeved shirts (quick-dry, polypropylene, or wool; merino is ideal)
  • Long-sleeved shirt or sweater (wool or polypropylene)
  • Warm, windproof outer layer (Gore-Tex, soft-shell jacket, or similar)
  • Wool socks (at least two pairs) — well-fitting hiking socks reduce the chance of blisters
  • Leggings (wool or polypropylene), especially for October, November, and April
  • Spare clothing — extra socks and thermal layers for unexpected cold conditions

Optional Items

• • Bathing suit and towel for beach swims
  • Walking sticks (recommended for those with weak knees, ankles, or hips)
  • Sandals or jandals for sandy shore walks
  • Insect repellent (insects are rarely a problem)
  • Personal hand sanitiser and face mask
  • Hair dryer

Your guides supply

• • Generous, nutritious meals featuring fresh local produce, packed lunches, trail snacks, chocolate, fresh fruit, and hot and cold drinks
  • One complimentary glass of crisp New Zealand wine or craft beer with dinner (non-alcoholic options available)
  • Bed linen, bath towels, pillows, and blankets
  • Toilet paper, soap, and hand sanitiser

Group sizes and pricing

• • For this guided walk on North Island, NZ, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 10:1. 
  • It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 13 participants.

Guided walks on North Island, NZ 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 older than 8 may be permitted to join the guided walk on North Island, NZ on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

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

The price for this guided walk on North Island, NZ is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.

The starting point of your guided walk on North Island, NZ is Rotorua. To get there, most people fly into Auckland Airport (AKL). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Rotorua.

Your guide will pick you up on Day 1 between 8 and 8:30 am from your accommodation in central Rotorua. Alternatively, they can pick you up from your central Matamata accommodation between 9:30 and 9:45 am.

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors 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.