Tongariro National Park

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Tongariro Alpine Crossing One Way Shuttle from Ketetahi

Name: Tongariro Alpine Crossing One Way Shuttle from Ketetahi
Brand: Active Outdoor Adventures
SKU: 212258P2
Price: 36.52 USD
Rating: 4.0 (34 reviews)

Tongariro National Park, New Zealand

30 to 40 minutes
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket

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Overview

Simplify your day hike on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing with a handy one-way shuttle service. If you have your own vehicle, leave it at the end point of the hike, then be driven back to the starting point. There’s no need for a shuttle at the end of the day as you can just hop into your own car. This is a cost-effective alternative to a two-way transfer.

Receive personalized attention on a small-group transfer
Minimize the cost of hiking this epic trail
Leave your car in a free, secure spot for the day
Benefit from a hike safety briefing from your driver

What's Included

Manaakitanga/ genuine Maori hospitality & Care
Safety briefing

Guide
Food

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

Active Outdoor Adventures Ltd
Lake Rotoaira Road, Otukou 3382, New Zealand
Look for the big brown sign into the Tongariro Shuttle Car Park.

Drop-off point

Mangatepopo Road, Manawatū-Whanganui 3989, New Zealand
This is the start of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. 6-8 hour self guided hike back to your own car.

Pickup details

Pick up is in the ONLY secure off road car park located opposite the end of the hike at Ketetahi on highway 46. Please tell us your pick up time. 7am, 8am. You must arrive at least 15 minutes early so you don't miss the shuttle. Times are subject to change due to availability or weather conditions. *PLEASE NOTE* NO babies or toddlers are permitted to travel as we do not provide car seats.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 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

Viktoria_B

Everything was super easy; we parked the car in the car park and were driven to the start of the hike by a bus. Stuff was very friendly and everything was easy to find.

Reviews

4.0

34 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 34 reviews

Shuttled worked as promised

LaDonna_K, Apr 2024

The shuttle delivered us from Ketetahi car park to the beginning of the hike as promised. This option seemed easiest as we were unsure the best way to park on the road, and where, exactly, another shuttle would pick us up if we were parked on the road and not in the car park. The pick-up/boarding was easy, if a little unorganized, as there were two vehicles from two different companies available. We were told to jump in either one as they "were both going to the same place". I guess that works but it was a bit confusing! The toilet was locked when we returned to the car park, which was a bummer. There was also less driver/guide commentary about the trail & national park on our drive there than what I had read about, but it was a mostly smooth experience using this service to shuttle us to the beginning of the Tongariro Crossing.

Get a group, not a shuttle

Vetle_R, Apr 2024

Shuttle was cancelled because of weather. Upon checking the forecast there was no weather hazards that day, but maybe it was cancelled because it was a bit cold. Apparently they don’t trust people to be prepared, which is fair. I met someone by the shuttle parking lot who also wanted to do the crossing that day so we decided to team up. The crossing was wonderful and the weather was perfect, just needed to dress up a little.

Service not provided, left waiting in the dark and cold for 1,5 hours

Maarten_v, Apr 2024

The service was not provided. The 6 AM shuttle did not arrive, we were left waiting outside for 1,5 hours in the dark and cold. The trip was cancelled by the provider at 6.15 AM after we were waiting for over half an hour and tried to call and text the shuttle service, but we got no answer. At the same time though he did respond by text to the parking space operator who also trying to reach the operator on our behalf. The generic email we received at 6:15 AM stated the reason for the cancellation according to the operator was ‘extreme weather conditions’, this was a lie, as the weather was perfect. This was also confirmed by other shuttle operators who were operating perfectly fine at 6 AM that day.

Great driver and service

ryan_h, Mar 2024

Had a great driver have an induction of the track and reminded people of things they need. It had help as one lady had forgotten her water and went to collect it as the driver was reminding people of items. Showed us were the end of the track was so we had a reference point.

Excellent

Louise_L, Feb 2024

The summit with the lakes view. Amazing walk with different landings, everything was fabulous even if there were a lot of people on this track

Price is in US Dollars,...

Krisztian_M, Feb 2024

Price is in US Dollars, not NZ Dollars, very misleading and manipulative. Seats on the bus were really tiny, I felt really uncomfortable. Overpriced.

Great experience

Juho_N, Feb 2024

Booked the 8 am bus from Kehetai car park to Tongariro Alpine Crossing start. Everything went smoothly and I had a great hike.

Seeing that big angry...

Jim_N, Jan 2024

Seeing that big angry volcano up close was an unforgettable experience. The walk was challenging but the changing landscape was Lord of the Rings like and incredibly interesting.

Useful

SHOTA_K, Jan 2024

Useful but a little expensive. If you come by a rental car, this service will be one of the best choice.

The car park is easy to...

Nicholas_A, Jan 2024

The car park is easy to find and well organized. Hikers are provided quick and efficient transport to the starting point.

Everything was super...

Viktoria_B, Dec 2023

Everything was super easy; we parked the car in the car park and were driven to the start of the hike by a bus. Stuff was very friendly and everything was easy to find.

Active Outdoor Adventures - Shuttle Driver Never Arrived

Cameron_K, Nov 2023

This is not a negative review for Viator - their customer service was exceptional to work with. I booked a shuttle through Viator with a company called Active Outdoor Adventures. In the few days before the hike, I was sent a note from Active Outdoor Adventures ensuring I'd be at the pickup location on time. They even sent me a note the morning of the hike ensuring I'd be at the pickup location on time. I arrived and waited for 30 minutes and the shuttle driver never showed up - I tried calling the company and never received an answer. I left a voicemail and still haven't heard back from them (it has been 2 weeks). 30 minutes AFTER the scheduled pick up time the shuttle drive sent a note saying there would be no shuttle service due to "bad weather." I was fortunate enough to be able to pay for a shuttle ride from another driver who was bringing in a different group and was able to do the hike - the weather was PERFECT all day. For your own peace of mind, please do not book with Active Outdoor Adventures and book with a more reliable shuttle company.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Thanks for the feed back. Unfortunately the weather predictions are never 100% accurate. If Metservice or Niwa predict bad weather for the following day, we must cancel all shuttles for visitor safety, in doing so we must individually email customers. We sent numerous cancellation emails and you were mistakenly left out. Following on, we responded with an apology. Although we did refund you, we didn't reimburse you the extra money (as you requested) for your booking with another company, hence the bad review. It was an honest mistake.

Didn’t even get picked up!!!

Camilla_D, Nov 2023

Ses meant to pick me up at 7 am. Didn’t show up. Tried calling them a billion without any luck. Got an email (luckily I had data!) 7:24 say they had cancel the trip because of bad weather. Ended up taking another shuttle and doing the hiking in perfect weather conditions!! Worst experience I’ve every had with a company. Oh, and the secured carpark, where they said we would get pick up and where the car would be safe doing the day, was under construction, guess they forgot to mention that. So I had to park my campervan on the side of the highway! Such an unprofessional experience!!

Great service, enjoyed...

teneille_o, Mar 2023

Great service, enjoyed the guide on the way to the mountain. Easy to book. Would recommend to friends.

Well organised. Beautiful scenery

Hilary_W, Mar 2023

The pickup and access was very efficient despite the very high frequentation on this track. The scenery was beautiful, so it was worth the effort.

Great driver who gave...

Joan_B, Mar 2023

Great driver who gave alot of info about the crossing and even a Mauri blessing! Thanks to the driver!!

Well run operation

tamara_k, Jan 2023

The whole process was quite efficient. Our driver was friendly and interesting. He made the short ride quite enjoyable.