Premium Mt Ruapehu Summit Plateau Guided Group Hike
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Looking for a challenge? Make sure you tick Mt Ruapehu Summit Plateau off your list.
Climb above the clouds to see sweeping views of Tongariro National Park and the entire volcanic zone. Have lunch on the summit plateau on New Zealand’s highest volcano from where you can gaze down at the crater lake.
We guide all year, summer and winter, with snow up until the end of December. This is a fantastic snow experience using crampons and ice axes.
Our guides are personable, friendly, qualified and ready to guide you. Adrift provides instruction, transport, equipment and gear hire. We guide every day and guarantee trip departures with wind, rain, snow and even shine.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
It is essential all clients phone the Adrift Tongariro base between 10:00am - 5:00pm the day prior to trip date to confirm tour departure time and discuss exact timings. +64 7892 2751. Each participant is required to fill out a waiver prior to arriving on site. Look out for your link or QR code in your inbox 3 days before your tour date.
A minimum of 2 people is required for this tour to operate. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
Tour starts and finishes at the Adrift Tongariro Base. Transport between the Adrift Tongariro base (53 Carroll St, National Park Village)
All transfers meet at the Adrift base the morning of the tour where our guides will check everyone in, go over the days trip conditions and assess and provide the required equipment, and additional clothing and boots if needed.
Transfers from Taupo CBD, Turangi and Whakapapa Village are available on request for an additional charge. All transfers require a minimum of 2 people.
Please note this is not a track and is less stable walking than on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
The terrain is uneven and steep in places. It is possible to take the walk as far as Knoll Ridge Cafe if you are concerned about your fitness.
During winter and times of snow, surface conditions will vary from day to day. Crampons and ices axes are required and your guide will provide instruction on how to use them correctly.
Walking distance is 10 kms return or 7 kms return when the chairlift is utilised. Walking time is about 6-7 hours. This walk requires a good level of fitness.
Summer Gear List: Water (1.5-2 litres), Lunch, Personal medications (e.g. Asthma Inhaler, blister protection etc), sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, backpack per person, hiking boots/shoes, walking trousers, 1 light top and 2 warm top layers (wool, merino, thermals, fleece, soft shell etc. are good layers), Waterproof raincoat.
Winter Gear List: Water (1-1.5 litres), Lunch, Personal medications (e.g. Asthma Inhaler, blister protection etc), sunscreen, sunglasses, backpack per person, hiking boots, thermal longs and/or walking trousers & over-trousers, 3 warm top layers (wool, merino, thermals, fleece, soft shell etc. are good layers), Waterproof raincoat, Warm hat and gloves.
Minimum age is 12 years
If you have back, neck, lower back, joint, or muscular problems, you should carefully consider whether to participate. You should have good circulation and healthy, unblocked breathing.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What‘s Included
Professional and qualified guide/s.
All winter equipment. Crampons and ice axes if required for winter conditions.
Footwear and clothing to supplement up to a NZD60 free allowance.
Transport between the start & end of the tour and the Adrift Tongariro base (National Park Village)
Beverages, bottled water, or snacks
Available at a surcharge
Return accommodation transfers from Taupo CBD, Turangi & Whakapapa Villages available at a surcharge
What To Expect
Adrift Tongariro
Our base
Mt Ruapehu
A great mountain hiking experience
Options
Summer Full Day Guided Hike
Premium Mt Ruapehu Summit Plateau Guided Group Hike: Summer 26 September – 31 March 8:00am - 5.30pm
Winter Full Day Guided Hike
Premium Mt Ruapehu Summit Plateau Guided Group Hike: Winter 1 April – 25 September 7:00am - 5.30pm
Reviews
8 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Stunning journey
183yingl,
Oct 22, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing view on Mt Ruapehu. It was incredibly hot on the snowy mountain but the walking experience was cheerful and exciting. The guides are very professional and patient. What a happy day! Will definately recommend this trip to my mates!
Challenging Experience
214stj,
Dec 25, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Outstanding professional service from the booking with Robyn and our guide, Martin. This trip will definitely test your limits during the winter and shoulder seasons when there is snow/ice on the mountain. A strenuous climb on a normal day, the trip can really become a struggle without the help of a local guide and the right gear. It pays to come well prepared and fit, as this hike does not have a specific, well-maintained trail past the lift station. Heed the advice of the guides and you'll get up/down safely. Also be prepared to cut the trip short when the weather turns against you, which can happen in moments near the top. We didn't quite make the top in time to beat the clouds rolling in but still had a terrific experience.
Stunningly Beautiful
321leigha,
Oct 4, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely amazing! Would rate this 10 if I could. Our Guide Stewart was great - knowledgeable, great sense of humour, highly experienced and made us feel at ease. I've never walked in crampons or used an ice axe but after Stewarts instruction felt comfortable with both. A big day out on the mountain that was safe, fun and totally amazing. We live in such a beautiful country. I challenge everyone to do this at least once in their life! Once is not enough! Loved it.
AmazIng day
Gradonka,
Sep 25, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome experienced, led by knowledgeable and friendly folks who genuinely love the Mountain and what they do.
Great guided trek to Mt Ruapehu crater lake
matthewf610,
Aug 1, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great guided trek. I was a solo trekker in a group who were lovely. Stu and Hiro were great guides, very personable and really knew their stuff. Can't wait to go back again!
Excellent Adventure
WayneN795,
Jan 21, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Early January we were visiting the Turangi area and decided to do a walk either the Tongariro Crossing or up Mt Ruapehu. Looking at a couple guided walk operators in the area we chose Adrift Tongariro. They communicated well, answered any questions I had when making the enquiry and basically offered all the same options as the other operators, but I had a sense that they are much better organised than the competition. My wife and I are not regular hikers, so ascending Mt Ruapehu which is 2800m and has no walking tracks, it made total sense to be in a guided group. On arriving at Adrift office at the National Park Village we were kitted out with anything they thought we might need for the walk, including an excellent lunch. Boots, backpacks, socks, jackets the lot is available. Basically you just need to bring water for the day. The group loaded onto 2 mini buses and headed of to the starting point at Mt Ruapehu chair lift. The hike begins at the bottom of the chair lift, although you get the option to go up the chair lift and meet the hiking part at the top. This saves you an hour of walking each way. Given the Day is estimated to go from 800am-530pm this can prove to be a good option. But you’re responsible to pay the chair lift operator the $49NZ, so it adds extra cost. We chose the chair lift😀 From the top of the chair lift the 3.5hr ascent was over rocks, through ice and snow along narrow ridges and occasionally very windy conditions. It was challenging and a number of times we asked ourselves why😂😂😂 Eventually reaching the summit the views are amazing the crater lake captivating. It was extra special due to the perfect weather. Adrift Tongariro had 3 guides with our group of 12. They gave very clear instructions made the experience feel safe. The descent was faster and fun as we could slide down large patches of snow using our ice picks as brakes. The walk was tiring, tested both cardio and muscular fitness. Not for everyone. My wife and I handled it ok. We are both in our late 50’s and participate in regular walking and fitness activities. Can highly recommend Adrift Tongariro....great operators took care of everyone excellent communicators.
Unexpected astonishing hike
Merin 90,
Jan 11, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked the Tongariro crossing but due to some circumstances it wasn't possible to do it. So Adrift offer us to take the Ruapehu hike and it was fantastic. Quite taugh up but worth it with the amazing views. And we got the possibility to slide downhill on the snow. We've got lucky!
Rewarding climb, well worth the effort
OnlyStayInTopRated,
Nov 28, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Dan, from Adrift Tongariro, was supportive and patient with my daughter, who was attempting her first mountain hike. We feel very grateful to Dan. He never rushed her, and was always kind. The view from the crater was beautiful, even with the haze that day. It was a challenging walk at times but crampons helped us feel stable and we felt confident in Dan's choice of path to the top. He is really friendly and helpful. The company is very professional and reliable. I would definitely book with them again.
From NZ$508.00
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