We’ll pick you up between 7.30am and 7.45am from your accommodation in National Park Village. We’ll give you a call the day before to confirm your exact pick-up details, and for an update on weather conditions. From National Park Village, we’ll travel just 15 minutes to Mangatepōpō to begin the walk.

The Tongariro Northern Circuit track follows Mangatepōpō Stream up the valley, climbing over a succession of old lava flows from Mt. Ngauruhoe. A steady climb to the Mangatepōpō Saddle rewards us with views of the valley and if clear, Mt Taranaki to the west. From the saddle, the track crosses South Crater, a large plateau sandwiched between Mt Tongariro and the classic conical peak of Mt Ngauruhoe (aka Mt Doom). 

This is part of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing track, one of the world’s best walks, and you’ll definitely need to keep your camera handy! A quick scramble up to reach the highest point of the track, and we are rewarded with mind-blowing views over the North Island – not to mention the incredible Mars-like landscape immediately surrounding us! Red Crater is a sight to behold with its spectacular magma formations underneath the rim. We’ll take our time to soak up the vistas and recharge with a wholesome lunch amidst this volcanic wonderland. We then skirt along the crater rim and drop down to the brilliantly-coloured Emerald Lakes, aquamarine pools filling old explosion pits.

From Emerald Lakes, the track descends east into the Oturere Valley and weaves through unusual jagged lava forms from early eruptions from Red Crater. We’ll arrive at Oturere Hut, a magical place to visit especially on a misty day, nestled on the eastern edge of these flows. This is the best spot for sunsets in the Tongariro National Park!