North Island · Central Plateau
Tongariro
Dual World Heritage area — the Tongariro Alpine Crossing day hike.
Emperor penguins? No — volcanoes. The Alpine Crossing is a 19.4 km walk between active craters and emerald lakes, often called the best day hike in New Zealand.
Best time
Nov–Apr
Island
North Island
Region
Central Plateau
How we would build it in
Tongariro works best as a two-night stop on the North Island circuit, especially if you are combining it with Rotorua or Taupō. Tell us your dates and we will fit it into a route that makes sense.
Estimate a trip hereJourneys that include it
Sample itineraries
New Zealand Best Heaven
Our signature 12-day journey through both islands — geothermal Rotorua, the Southern Alps, Wānaka and Queenstown, finishing in Christchurch.
From
NZ$5,150per adult
North Island Thermal Explorer
Eight days from Auckland to New Plymouth — Rotorua's steam, Taupō's lake, the Tongariro crossing and the surf coast.
From
NZ$1,959per adult
Keep exploring
Nearby places
North Island · Bay of Plenty
Rotorua
Geothermal wonderland and heartland of Māori culture — hāngī, kapa haka and mud pools.
North Island · Waikato
Hobbiton, Matamata
The real Shire movie set — guided tours and a drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
North Island · King Country
Waitomo Caves
Glowworm grotto boat rides and black-water rafting underground.
Make it part of the plan
See Tongariro on your own itinerary.
Start with an estimate, or send us a message and we will design the route around your dates.