Unforgettable Tongariro: Premium Guided Alpine Odyssey

We managed 8km of the hike as the guides advised us that the wind speed was too strong and it wasn’t sensible to continue Our guides Kai and Matt were knowledgeable, patient and considerate for the whole group and very informative. Thanks for a great day out. Legs a bit achy at the end of the day

A grand day out from start to finish. The team at adrift are incredibly helpful, calming last minute jitters and explaining exactly what was involved beforehand with great reassurance. The weather on the day we went was not perfect, but before we left base the team made sure that everybody had the right kit and talked through what to expect. Our guides Kenny and Stu did a great job. Kenny led us up the mountain at a steady pace that kept us warm and comfortable, as a local Maori he was able to tell us so much about the history of the mountain and of his people. He constantly watched both the group and the sky adjusting the pace so that we arrived at the summit just as the clouds cleared for a few minutes allowing magical glimpses of the volcano. An experience to remember forever I can't recommend highly enough.

This was a great activity. Although the weather was mainly cloudy, our guide Kenny used his amazing knowledge of the weather and the mountain to get us to the top to see great views coming and going through the cloud. He shared a lot of information about the mountain and the Maori traditions while at all times keeping us safe. Great memories! I would definitely recommend this trip!

My wife and I completed the Tongariro Alpine Crossing this August with Adrift, and it was nothing short of spectacular. We met bright and early at Adrift HQ, where the team made sure everyone had the correct gear, with the option to borrow or rent anything we were missing. They also provided us with ice axes and crampons, which initially made us a little apprehensive but turned out to be absolutely essential. After a short minibus ride, we began the 20km trek across the ridge between the volcanoes of Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe. Doing the crossing in winter meant deep snow on the ridge, so the technical equipment provided was vital for both safety and confidence. Our group consisted of eleven hikers plus two fantastic guides, Phil and Ty. Both were extremely experienced, knowledgeable about the mountains and environment, and also shared fascinating stories about the local Māori history and lore surrounding the volcanoes. The walk itself was tough on the legs—even for fit individuals like us in our 30s—but the views and sense of achievement made it more than worth it. It was truly a fabulous day and one of the highlights of our trip. We would highly recommend Adrift and this guided crossing: 10/10. A couple of tips—pack sunscreen and bring a few extra chocolate bars to keep the energy levels up!

We had an amazing time doing the tongariro crossing with adrift and Phil. He was an amazing tour guide with great knowledge about the area and just in general! Everything went super smoothly and they were well organized. The hike itself was amazing and we had plenty of breaks along the way to break up the length. We would absolutely recommend using adrift to do the tongariro crossing!

We had a good and friendly guide which explained a lot and was helpul. We got fully equipped with everything we needed. On the tour it was cold, windy and in certain parts of the trail we didn‘t see much. In the end there is a lovely part where you are walking through the forest where you can relax after the adventure. It was great and a challenging and wonderful experience for us with our 16 year old son. Chantal from Switzerland

I had a great time and the scenery was fantastic. I joined at the last minute and ended up with a school group for half the hike, but this did not pose a huge issue. All the guides were great; in particular, Kenny shared a lot about his people’s culture and the history of the volcano with me, including a special waterfall, which was a very meaningful experience.

The Alpine Crossing was just amazing. Kenny, our knowledgeable and friendly tour guide, looked after us the best way possible. Our small group had a great time. I can definitely recommend this tour! Especially in the off season, we were practically alone on the track and we got really lucky with the weather. ☀️

Fantastic. Kenny the guide was incredible. Hugely knowledgeable. Having a guide made the experience really enjoyable. He understood the pace we needed to go at and provided rests and stops to take photographs. Also gave details of the iwi and the meaning behind the place names. I think you get so much more than walking unguided. Highly recommended. A must do.

I did the Tongariro Crossing Guided Hike with Adrift Tongariro and it was an incredible experience from start to finish. Our guide, Ty, was fantastic — he was so patient as we puffed our way up the hill, but what really stood out was how knowledgeable he was. He didn’t just share facts about the landscape and the mountains, but also gave cultural context and stories as one of the few Māori guides on the trail. That made the whole experience even more special. It felt like such a privilege to be shown this sacred area by someone local, and it helped us understand why it’s so important to treat it with respect. We were also lucky with the weather — clear skies and stunning views in every direction, far more beautiful than I expected. The whole day ran smoothly, thanks to the team at Adrift. The pick-up and drop-off made everything easier, and Robin gave me such a warm and friendly welcome at the start of the day. If you're thinking about doing the crossing, I can’t recommend Adrift highly enough. Their knowledge, care, and connection to the land really elevate the whole experience.