Waitomo Glowworm & Ruakuri Twin Cave Experience - Small Group Tour From Auckland
Overview
Available languages
11 hours
Mobile ticket
Get the most out of your visit with a package to explore more than just one unforgettable cave at Waitomo in this small group day tour from Auckland. Visiting the Waitomo Glowworm Caves is a must-do experience, with the Arachnocampa Luminosa species of glowworm only found in New Zealand. This most popular combo combines the famous Waitomo glowworm cave with a walking tour of the stunning Ruakuri Cave providing an ultimate Waitomo caving experience.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Please wear comfortable clothing suitable for the conditions, Sun protection, jacket/warm layer, & any essential personal items.
Easy and good fitness level required.
This is a guided walking tour and sensible walking footwear is recommended.
No photography is permitted inside the Waitomo caves, and cameras and Go Pros cannot be taken on the tour.
Photography is permitted in Ruakuri Cave so bring your camera to click the best shots.
No backpacks or large bags allowed in cave due to delicate formations.
Please do not touch the formation in the cave as it discoloured easily, please help us protect our cave.
You must be able to climb and descend stairs and walk on unpaved or uneven terrain.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Auckland Central
We pickup travellers from most locations in the Auckland CBD location. If your pickup location is not available on the list, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our very best to accommodate your request.
The Bombay Hills are a range of hills to the south of Auckland, New Zealand. Though only a small and seemingly insignificant range of hills, they lie at the southern boundary of the Auckland region, and serve as a divide between Auckland and the Waikato region. directly named after the ship Bombay, The ship itself was named after the Indian city of Bombay (now Mumbai). Bombay Means: a breed of black short-haired medium-sized cat.
What‘s Included
Leave you open-mouthed, awe-struck and humbled by the sheer majesty of nature
Stare up at thousands of glowing glow-worms above you
Complimentary refreshments and water on board
Fully guided return transfers from Auckland
Admission to fully guided 45 minutes experience Waitomo Glow Worm Cave
Luxurious temperature controlled transportation
Marvel at awe-inspiring stalactites and stalagmites during the the iconic Glow-worm Caves
Admission to fully guided 90 minutes experience Waitomo Ruakuri Cave
Walk through the Cathedral Cave and experience the amazing acoustics
Experience top best North Island destinations in one day on an all-encompassing tour
Boat ride on an underground stream through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Go deeper into the story as you descend the dramatic spiral entrance
Discover Waitomo’s longest underground guided walking tour as you explore Ruakuri Cave
Complimentary High-Speed Internet onboard the minibus
Marvel at unique rock formations, subterranean rivers, and thousands of glow-worms
Be captivated by the thousands of magical glow-worms as you glide silently by boat
A local English-speaking tour escort throughout the tour
Complimentary pick up and drop off from Auckland CBD
See more glow-worms than you could ever imagine all lighting up above your head!
Immerse yourself in geology and history of the Waitomo caves with the help of a tour guide
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Waitomo Ruakuri Cave (SMG)
Pickup included
Reviews
34 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Tour of the caves were...
Justin P,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Tour of the caves were great! Knowing what we know now would have just went with a larger group tour as it is more to drive you to and from the city and between the caves. Tour noted we would not get back until 7; we were back in Auckland by 4:00 pm.
Best memories
Culture34539044972,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was such a fun memory! The guide was friendly and had a great time! Thank you very much.
A great tour and guide
R7840HPjacobb,,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great trip! Everything went as planned and Mary was a great guide— very friendly and fun to talk with! Would highly recommend this to others!
Very enjoyable, informative and pleasant experience.
Compass13453070769,,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mary was very engaging and informative pointing out places of interest and some history behind it which made the drive more interesting.
Marty was AMAZING!!!
Ben W,,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Marty was an absolute joy to spend the day with. Such a knowledgeable host, incredibly friendly and very accommodating. We had many questions and asked for local recommendations on all sorts of things and he was happy to give us advice and made many suggestions we hadn’t thought of.
Awesome, thoroughly enjoyable day trip to Waitomo!
subramaniani2020,,Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lovely experience seeing both caves in one go ! Wanted to do both instead of just doing only the glowworm cave or combining this with Hobbiton ! Did Hobbiton yesterday. Did both caves today. Both caves are totally different and I would advise doing both these caves. Looked around for a tour giving the twin cave experience and stumbled upon ExperienceKart who seem to be the only travel group doing this tour. Karthik was our tour guide and he was very friendly and helpful. He was very informative and knowledgeable and gave us many helpful tips and advice. Pleasant day well spent. Would strongly recommend ExperienceKart for tours from Auckland.
Incredible experience and the tour guide made it worth it.
achintyai2025,,Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Definitely recommend this tour company. The tour guide was incredibly nice and knowledgeable about the history regarding the Waitamo and Ruakuri caves and it's significance in Maori Culture and New Zealand's history. It was also effective time-wise. We made great time and managed to make it back to Auckland to enjoy the rest of our day.
Ex(cellent)perience
radhikas770,,Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had an amazing day at the Waitamo cave. Mr. Karthik was super friendly and gave us a lot of information about the tours.A day well spent. Highly recommend his services.
Cool Caverns
TerriL O,,Jan 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00What a fun time! While it was a long drive sering the Waitomo AND the Ruakuri caverns was amazing. Our BMW minibus whisked us away with a quick coffee stop halfway. The glow worms cave was everything it promised. The Ruakuri caverns was unexpectedly fabulous. The spectacular spiral entry and seeing the black water rafters was especially great. Photographs are also allowed in this cave. Our driver was outstanding: on time, caring, and knowledgeable about where we were and where we were going. I definitely recommend this excursion.
A great day with Lulu!
Yvan S,,Jan 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide/driver was Lulu. She is energetic and her comments were very interesting. She is of Maori origin and decided to learn the language as an adult. Of course she had a lot to say about her culture, her country and, of course, what we were visiting. My favorite part was the Ruakuri Cave; the lighting of the concretions, the safe walking paths and the knowledgeable comments of the guide.
From NZ$475.00
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