Tongariro National Park

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Tongariro Alpine Crossing Ketetahi Shuttle

Name: Tongariro Alpine Crossing Ketetahi Shuttle
Brand: Tongariro Expeditions
SKU: 22386P1
Price: 39.48 USD
Rating: 4.0 (69 reviews)

Tongariro National Park, New Zealand

Likely to Sell Out

From $39.48

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

8 hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Trek across stark volcanic terrain on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. This independent day hike takes you past Mt Tongariro, located within the UNESCO-listed Tongariro National Park. You’re provided with a round-trip transfer, map, and information sheet to prepare you for the 12.5-mile (20-km) trek which takes anywhere from six to 10 hours.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing self-guided day hike
Trek through the volcanic landscape of Tongariro National Park
Climb the Red Crater and descend to the Emerald Lakes
Map and information sheet provided

What's Included

Map and information sheet
Driver
GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

WMM8+RR Otukou
WMM8+RRV Otukou, Waikato, New Zealand
Peak: Park on the side of SH46. Do not go into a car park. It is free and safe to park on the side of the road all day. Arrive 30min early. Off peak: May to Oct go up the Ketetahi road and meet in the DOC Ketetahi car park at the end of the track. There is no time limit at this time of year.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for participants with back problems, heart complaints or other serious medical conditions, or pregnant women
Weather conditions can change, please dress appropriately
Infants must sit on laps

Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Damien_M

Great experience. Shuttle was on time and driver was very friendly. Definitely recommend booking with them

Reviews

4.0

69 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 69 reviews

Amazing but challenging hike.

Susan_B, Apr 2024

The driver of shuttle was very kind and cautious. He checked on conditions before letting us leave the shuttle. Windy, foggy day with high winds at the top making it difficult to stand up. Couldn't see very far due to fog and steady light rain all day. Still an amazing hike through alpine and then rain forest.

Do this hike!

Martha_E, Mar 2024

Fabulous hike. So nice to be picked up at our car and taken to the trailhead. Great support. Even though the weather was on and off, still amazing experience.

Fantastic

terri_P, Feb 2024

We got lost to the shuttle location. We arrived within a few minutes to spare. The shuttle driver was waiting in the street for us

A M A Z I N G

Michelle_L, Feb 2024

I loved running down the decent ☺️ I can’t wait to do it again and maybe run the whole way! Thanks so much

Tongariro Expeditions - a good shuttle company

Charles_M, Jan 2024

The “Tongariro Expeditions” shuttle was on time, the pickup point is very easy to find and there was a lot of space to park (maybe not a busy day). The Tongariro Crossing track is an absolute must!!! Incredible experience. Physically challenging but absolutely doable and the sceneries up there are worth every effort and much more.

Shuttle service review

Zafrir_R, Jan 2024

Great service for the hike, Dar parking location is well explained, bus arrived on time, had all passengers listings, gave map guide.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

We are pretty happy with our service and we are glad you were too.

Excellent

Sharon_C, Jan 2024

The Alpine crossing is truly amazing, with the beautiful topography from a volcanic mountain to a tropical rainforest. It is a once in a lifetime experience and highly recommended The shuttle provided the transit to the starting point. Our cars were parked on 46, which is about a mile from the end of the hike.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Ketetahi one way shuttle is a great way to give you the freedom and time to explore fully. Good on you!

Awesomely tough

Marty_S, Jan 2024

The whole walk amazing,weather amazing,scenery amazing so pretty much with luck on our side an amazing day 😀

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Wow! Great! Happy to hear. It's always great when luck is on your side.

Great Shuttle Bus...

YukYu_C, Jan 2024

Great Shuttle Bus Services. And many people park the car alongside of SH46, it's rather safe. No need to worry much.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Hi, thank you for your review. Parking on the side of the road has happened for many many years. It is safe and free.

Cool hike

Rebecca_A, Dec 2023

Our shuttle was on time and easy to find. Right on the side of the road where they recommend you park. The hike isn’t too difficult but it can be long. The views are spectacular as your make your way up, but try and get a nice clear day.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Great! We have put a lot of effort into making our communications clear about where to park and get picked up from. We are glad it all worked well for you. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a very cool hike.

Safe transport

Katherine_H, Dec 2023

We appreciated the map provided and the timeliness of the departure. It was stressful that you couldn’t call them the morning of your departure, we couldn’t figure out exactly where to meet them along the road by the car park.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

As you can imagine, the drivers are busy with checking people in and cannot answer phone calls in the morning. It is stressed to you to fully understand where you are going before heading out in the morning. We ask that you email the night before if anything is unclear. Our website explains it all very clearly and we would have sent this to you on request if you had emailed us the day before.

Very Satisfied and Thankful‼️

Kenneth_W, Dec 2023

We left on time the driver informed us of what to expect on the trek. We had a number to contact if we had to be picked back up because we had to turn back. I had some medical issues and the driver returned to pick me up and he was very nice about it wanting to know if I was sure I was ok and didn’t need any more medical attention. My son finished the trek and I was able to meet him back at the end of his trek. Thank you so much and he said the trek was a highlight of his trip to New Zealand.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

This is great to hear! I'm glad you are safe and sound. It is best to turn back if you need to for any medical reason. You did the right thing. We are glad that it was a highlight of your sons trip and that he was able to complete the hike.

Nice shuttle for a great hike

Damien_M, Nov 2023

Great experience. Shuttle was on time and driver was very friendly. Definitely recommend booking with them

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Thank you for your appreciation. It means a lot to us. We run a very reliable and experienced service.

Good

Paige_B, Apr 2023

Cancelled day before due to bad weather but taken the next day. Maps and usefully information given.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Thank you for taking the time of offer your kind feedback. I'm pleased that everything worked out well for you.

Do NOT book with these scammers!!!

Ty_D, Apr 2023

DO NOT BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY!! This company is a scam. Booked for a pick up in National Park Village and confirmed this via a phone call. The day before the booking they emailed me saying they didn’t pick up in National Park Village. They denied me a refund but my bank reversed the charge. If you go to Google Maps and search “Tongariro Crossing Ketetahi Park & Ride” you’ll see that they’ve told dozens of people they could be picked up in National Park Village only for them to let them know the day before that wasn’t an option. Conveniently they don’t let you know until after the refund timeframe has passed so you have to dispute the charge. They’ll also tell you that “we don’t answer phones” which is BS cause they’ve told me and everyone else via phone that they pick up in National Park Village.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

This customer has been abusive and bizarre. We do not pick up from National Park Village. Never have and would never tell people to go there if they were booked to be picked up by us with no car. He booked the wrong thing. He booked Ketetahi with no car. I helped him to sort a better option. But as I did not find out about his mistake till it was too late no refund was possible, as per our refund policy.

Great Tongariro Crossing.

Diane_T, Apr 2023

Great start with the driver of our bus giving out a map and good advice for the walk sprinkled with a good measure of humour. My favourite parts were when we were crossing the vast craters and bouncing down the scoria slope to the magical lakes below.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Great review! That is a fun part of the track for some and a scary part for others. You sound like a fun and happy person! We love hearing that our services worked well for you and that you loved the track.

On-time shuttle service to the start of the hike.

matt2flyi, Mar 2023

Parking was a little confusing because there's some companies that have you park at the car park and other just on the side of the road, like we did when booking through Viator. The shuttle was full, on-time and took is where we need to go to start the hike. There should be a note on the boarding passes that tell you that although the signs tell you that your hike is done, you still have over 1/2 mile to walk out to the road where your car is parked. On a side note, the first half of the hike up until the lake is great. The downhill decent seemed like it would never end.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Hi Did you get our email explaining the parking situation? Our map and information sheet explains that you need to walk out to the roadside. No one parks in the Ketetahi car park as there is a 4 hour time limit. You are not the only one who feels the hike down the Ketetahi side of the mountain is long. But there is nothing we can do to make this shorter. We are glad out service worked out for you. Mandy

Walking to the top in the...

Shanan_F, Mar 2023

Walking to the top in the fog then getting a wonderful view as it cleared up. Highly recommend this hike

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Clouds can be deceiving. They can block a view or add to it and make it even more magical. You were blessed with a wonderful moment.

Driver left before scheduled departure time

Dario_B, Feb 2023

Driver left before 08:30, had to pay for another shuttle with other tour company. Walk is incredible but definitely would not recommend this company

Response from Host, Feb 2023

It is a shame those who miss the bus try to blame us. You are meant to arrive half an hour before trip is due to leave to check in. This is so that we can leave on time as there are schedules to keep to. The driver called you at 8:26am. 26 minutes after you were meant to be there checking in. You did not answer. You tried to call back and the drivers call log says that you called back at 8:35am. He did not leave till 8:30am. We have a policy to never leave before the given pick up time. You were not there. Please do not blame us for you missing the bus.

Great hike

vgiambanco, Jan 2023

Prompt transportation to trail head, great for slow hikers like me that cannot keep up with a group but can still do 13+ miles. Parking was on side of the road,, not in a lot.

Response from Host, Jan 2023

The Ketetahi one way shuttle is great for slow or fast hikers. Once you are finished just jump in your car and go. Yes, parking is in the public parking area along the side of SH46. This is free and safe to park there all day.

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