Private Tour
Private Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tours
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Our knowledgeable guide will escort you through beautiful untouched caves here in the Waitomo district.
This option is our
Private Tour which consists of just your party of 2-8 people, plus a guide. We will tailor the tour for your group giving you the ability to move slowly through the caves to enjoy, explore and take in the surroundings, including our mesmerising glow worm displays.
Come and check out why we are the
#1 cave tour in Waitomo!
Our eco-tours are through completely untouched and beautiful New Zealand scenery on our family farm. We are off the beaten track away from the crowds, we
LOVE it that way and so do our customers!
Don't forget small pocket-sized cameras are welcome.
Within a short drive of Waitomo Caves Village and the small towns of Te Kuiti and Otorohanga.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
A maximum of 8 people per booking
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Minimum age is 12 years
Not recommended for anyone with physical difficulties.
A reasonable level of fitness is required.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Down To Earth - Eco Cave Tours In Waitomo
1199 Oparure Road, Maungarongapu Cave
What‘s Included
Shower facilities for after the tour
Local guide
Private tour
Snacks
We provide all the equipment and clothing you will need for your adventure. We supply you with: Thermal top Thermal pants Fleece top Shorts Gumboots Even socks! This way once the tour is over you can pop back into your clean clothes and leave us to deal with your dirty laundry! On the tour you will also be required to wear a helmet and head lamp which we provide.
Tea, coffee, and a snack, after your tour
Coffee and/or Tea
You must have your own transport to get to 1199 Oparure Road. There is no public transport and we can not pick up or drop off.
Options
Private glow worm cave tour
Reviews
51 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Slip, Slide and Away through the Glow Worm caves at dusk!
MichaelW7533,Apr 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a fun and unique experience. Getting all dressed up in their clothes and galoshes and then wading into the tunnels at night was such a treat. Ash was a great guide. He put up with our American humor and helped us navigate through the caves on his families land! I would totally recommend this tour over any where you sit in a boat for 20 minutes. We spent 3+ hours in god's magnificent wonderland, full of glow worms and other critters!
Amazing
Companion59558696863,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00So much fun. Ash was both entertaining and accommodating to make sure we had fun and were safe the entire way. The cave were beautiful and the experience is like no other.
Unforgettable Experience
hamishm942,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Down To Earth was an excellent stop on our tour of showing family and friends around NZ. The tour guide, Ash, made the experience unforgettable with a great dose of kiwi humour and extensive knowledge of the caves to go along with it. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a great experience off the beaten track. Family owned and operated.
A visit to the bottom of the Earth
estherrC5109PI,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great experience. Always watching over us, the caves very nice. A highly recommended experience.
Extraordinary Once in Lifetime Glow Worms
bvillebox,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Choose this Glow Worm tour. Unique Hidden Gem. Been on others and this is so Much more, with personal touch, small group.TONS of time in cave - no rush Pics w glow worms no charge. Experienced guide, Ash, knows SO much about the caves and glow worms because he lives there. He’s fun, personable interesting. Beautiful countryside farm and scenery. Lovely short stroll through beautiful woods and hills into and out of caves. Its tops notch with a family touch.
Great time! Exceeded expectations! Was great on all fronts, from the beginning to the end!
David T,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It is very hard to imagine that there is any other tour that can match this one! 100% custom to your group’s ability and confidence level. If you are interested in exploring caves, experiencing the glowworms and going on an adventure, this is the tour for you! Well worth the time and money.
Even Better Than the High Expectations We Had Going In!
richardstrezo,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Without a doubt one of the bestest, funest, most uniquest things we did during our month Down Under (and we crammed lots of terrific things into this trip)! The cave alone with its subterranean features, river, and eels was a spectacular adventure. But wait, there’s more: the Glowworms! Simply extraordinary. Like looking at the night sky on a pitch-black night. And I have to mention Ash, tour guide extraordinaire. He was knowledgeable, engaging, and funny and made sure we had an enjoyable and safe experience. Well worth the drive we made from Auckland for the day.
Great People and a Great Time
janbJ3328FN,Nov 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderfull time on the tour. Ash is a Great Guide. We did mess up the rebooking and appeared on the wrong day. They were really concerned about us Not turning up. Us showing up on the next day was no Problem what so ever.
Challenging, exhilarating, fun!
Happiness68058088345,Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We loved our private cave tour! Unique experience & certainly not like the 'normal' cave tour. Ash was a fantastic guide - fun, competent & encouraging. Loved all the pics he took for us & his personal knowledge of the caves. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
Unique, amazing experience
Y7358DIjosephc,Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience. Ash was an awesome guide- knowledgeable, encouraging, interesting and just what the group needed. I would give it six stars if I could!
Related Experiences
Operated by Down to Earth - Waitomo Eco Cave Tours