Waitomo
Waitomo is most famous for its magnificent glowworm caves but that's not all you can enjoy here. Black Water Rafting, cave abseiling (rappelling), cave eco-tours, horse riding, hiking, fishing and of course the wonderful landscapes.
Close by are Otorohanga and Te Kuiti. These friendly country towns offer great service, shopping and dining experiences. To the west the charming seaside villages of Kawhia, Marokopa and Mokau have stunning beaches, fabulous fishing and a laid back lifestyle.
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Explore a 30 million year old cave network spread across three levels. You'll travel deep underground through the limestone caves viewing stalactites and stalagmites as well as hearing about the caves historical and geological significance. You'll then hop into a boat and glide silently through the glow worm grotto - a galaxy of tiny living lights.
Lost World Caving Tour with Waitomo Adventures
Abseil 100m into a spectacular world of prehistoric forest, glow-worms, rivers, flowstone formations and massive caverns. Explore the depths before ascending a gigantic ladder through the craggy upper levels of the 'Spider Hole'. Nothing short of sensational, this underground adventure is 4 hours in length.
The Black Labyrinth Subterranean Adventure
The Legendary Black Water Rafting Company has been guiding adventurous visitors through Ruakuri Cave since 1987. They've found the very best underground location for their unique style of adventure which will see you black water tubing, clambering, jumping and serenely floating through the subterranean waterways of Ruakuri Cave. Over three hours you'll take leaps of faith over cascading waterfalls, gaze up at limestone ceilings awash with glowworms and lazily float through the dark Ruakuri river. At the end of your caving adventure you'll emerge into the daylight of the Waitomo forest.
Lost World Epic Tour with Waitomo Adventures
This is Waitomo's Ultimate Adventure. Abseil 100m into the surreal Lost World. Descend slowly bouncing and turning as the mist filtered light gives unreal qualities to the strange plants and formations. The abseil into the Lost World is at least twice the height of any other cave at Waitomo and the beauty of this iconic cavern is unsurpassed. The descent takes about 30 minutes. Then after lunch take the wet way out! In probably the strangest setting you have ever eaten, you'll head upstream, walking, swimming and climbing through cathedral-size vaults. You'll see waterfalls, ancient whalebones and oyster fossils as well as the magnificent glowworms. Emerge several hours later and enjoy a hot shower and well-earned dinner BBQ meal near the cave before heading back to Waitomo. Includes all drinks and meals.
Glowworm and Cave Tour with Spellbound
Be absolutely Spellbound on this tour that allows you to take in the truly spectacular display of glowworms in their natural habitat - over 30,000 of them gently lighting the entire cave. This relaxed and gentle tour will also treat you to the beautiful Cave of the Spirit where you will walk through an incredible succession of chambers to find speleothems, fossil remains of extinct moa and cathedrals filled with natural light, softly falling to the floor.
Ruakuri Cave Guided Tour
Ruakuri cave features amazing cave formations and underground secrets and the guided tour offers a comprehensive experience.
Winding passageways, vast echoing caverns, deep crevices and the distant thunder of subterranean waterfalls bring a different energy and character to Ruakuri. Be led along narrow corridors and across low-lit walkways suspended high above the river, sometimes glimpsing the black water rafters on the Huhunui River below. Tours of Ruakuri take two hours and offer Waitomo's longest guided walking tour along 1.6km of cave passages where you marvel at the interesting formations in this living work of nature.
Waitomo Triple Cave Combo - Glowworm, Ruakuri and Aranui Caves
Deep underground in the heart of the Waikato are a series of unique caves that will take your breath away. Deep underground in the heart of the Waikato are a series of unique caves that will take your breath away. Ruakuri Cave is home to an innovative spiral entrance, echoing waterfalls, and limestone that flow into delicate shawl-like formations. Nearby, at the Waitomo Glowworm Cave, thousands of tiny glow worms cling to the cave ceiling, creating a starry sky within the underground night. You'll also see a deep limestone shaft and a soaring subterranean cathedral that will leave you speechless. Take a journey through the forest to magnificent Aranui Cave. With a natural cave entrance, it is the smallest and most delicate of Waitomo's three main caves. Take pictures of the most beautiful collection of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and decorative formations.
Haggas Honking Holes with Waitomo Adventures
This is Waitomo's most concentrated Action Adventure. Feel like Indiana Jones in a washing machine. Do a series of abseils, rock climbs, crawling and cruising as you explore this fabulous cave. Haggas Honking Holes is very exciting fast moving action. It's an adventure that crams lots of action into only 4 hours. See unique formations and glowworms close up. Participants should be fit and brave but no prior experience is required. Full training and equipment is supplied. Allow 4 hours for this trip, including 2 hours underground. Enjoy a hot shower before heading back to Waitomo.
Off the Beaten Track Eco Tour with Down To Earth Waitomo
On this incredible eco-tour the knowledgeable guides will escort you through beautiful native New Zealand forest and into the untouched caves of the Waitomo district. Here you will move slowly through the caves, enjoying, exploring, and taking in the surroundings, including the mesmerising glow worm displays.
A popular style of touring is to take a preplanned self drive road trip. After a thorough consultation with you we expertly plan and create your self drive tour around New Zealand. These tours allow you the freedom to explore at leisure with the comfort and security of pre-booked activities and accommodations. Route suggestions, APP guidance plus local support mean your New Zealand vacation is in safe hands. See self drive ideas here
If you prefer to let someone else do the work then an escorted small group tour might be for you. Our sister company at New Zealanbd Coach has a range of hand picked small group itineraries are ideal if you prefer to travel in the company of like minded people. Tours are limited to a certain number of participants which means different accommodation options, exclusive activities and of course a knowledgeable guide ensures you get to see the best of New Zealand. See small group tours here.
A private guided tour offers true flexibility and the security of a knowledgeable local guiding you all the way. Well planned itineraries ensure you see exactly what you want to see but with your own driver-guide you can adapt to suit the day or your preference. 100% tailor-made to suit you a private tour is a great option when travelling as a small group. All our self drive itineraries can be replanned and priced using a private driver and guide, so if it is what you fancy just contact us to discuss.
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