Waitomo’s Hidden Gem: Small-Group Off the Beaten Track Tour
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Set out on an adventure into our private caves, hidden in the rolling hills of Waitomo — untouched, unspoiled, and alive with glowworms.
This is caving as it was meant to be: immersive, awe-inspiring, and just a little bit magical.
Gear up and follow your guide through native forest before stepping into our secluded cave system. With your headlamp lighting the way, you’ll scramble around giant boulders, wade through shallow streams, and admire ancient limestone formations — all while millions of glowworms light up the walls around you.
Step away from the crowds — our small-group tours offer a truly authentic experience.
Pocket-sized cameras welcome — with plenty of time and space to capture the magic.
Connect with a guide who shares the caves’ secrets and stories, making your journey personal and unforgettable.
Loved by travellers worldwide, with thousands of glowing 5-star reviews.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not suitable for elderly or those with mobility issues — involves climbing, hills, and wading through streams.
Maximum of 8 people per tour.
Minimum age is 12 years.
Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
A reasonable/good level of fitness is required.
NO large cameras or tripods. Phones or pocket sized cameras are welcome.
Safety First — if flooding means we need to cancel, you’ll receive a full refund.
Not recommended for travelers with a low level of fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
You’ll be underground for about 2 hours, with the entire experience lasting around 3 hours. Here’s how it’s broken down: -We’ll start with about 20 minutes of preparation and safety briefing. -Then, a 10-minute walk to the cave entrance. -Enjoy a 10-15 minute stroll through the stunning New Zealand bush and Mangapu gorge—this is your warm-up. -Explore the caves for just over 2 hours, with glowworm displays along the way. -After the cave, we’ll take a 10-minute walk back through the bush to our office/house. -Feel free to take a little extra time to change and enjoy a well-deserved tea or coffee with some delicious cookies.
What‘s Included
Genuine Kiwi hospitality at its best
See the caves just as nature intended
All caving equipment & warm clothing provided
Adventure photos emailed after your tour
Coffee and/or Tea
Guided by a local with deep knowledge & connection
Pick-up and drop-off services
Public transport (not available in this area)
Options
Off the Beaten Track Tour
Reviews
430 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wonderful "natural" spelunking (caving) experience
bradleyk285,,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sm Group (3-couples); clothing & equipment provided; knowledgeable, experienced & attentive tour guide; short walk down into caves on private land; access well maintained; experience included rock scrambling & walking through water within caves; seeing glowworms up close was great; overall, a wonderful "natural" spelunking (caving) experience.
Incredible Glowworm-experience
LarssonPatrik,,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had an amazing time with Ash as our guide. He was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and really cared for our experience. Michelle was kind and very service oriented towards us. The tour was very private which certainly felt special. All in all it was an incredible adventure that I would recommend to anyone and everyone.
Mind blowing
patriciaherro,,Jan 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Unbelievable experience! This small group family run business is the real deal and as a result felt very special and personal. Our guide Ash, a family member, knew the cave system intimately and despite a reasonably challenging climb and walk through river and rock he always ensured your safety and had a ready hand to hold on to! It’s a beautiful and mesmerising underground world and when you see the glow worms you will be blown away. We never felt rushed unlike so many other tours where the next group are waiting - this one is everything and more it says it is. Michelle welcomed us back with hot & cold refreshment and lovely biscuits. All in all one of the most memorable experiences we have ever done.
Left me in awe!
bertshowbert,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I loved this eco cave tour. 100 recommend! It’s family owned and they were so friendly warm and knowledgeable. You could tell this wasn’t a “tour company” It’s family owned and you could feel their passion.
Down to Earth Eco Cave...
Melinda H,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Down to Earth Eco Cave tour in Waitomo was everything and more than I had hoped for our family of 5 (17yr to 50yr!)! There are many different types of tours which are owned by different groups. Something for everyone. I picked Down to Earth because of the extra adventure of exploring the flowing creek and climbing through the caves! We love added adventure! Heath was an excellent guide; and I loved hearing the history, and of his growing up there and exploring the caves since 4 yr old! We loved it all, so beautiful. The glow worms are amazing too. We even saw an eel in the creek! Our guide took excellent photos for us to have! We all Highly recommend Down to Earth. NB: you do need to be able to climb through occasional small places; and stairs. My kids asked for the challenging route and we did that! So great.
Absolute gold! Do this tour! Fun, adventure, beautiful. Family owned and run business!
T2357XQmelindah,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Down to Earth Eco Cave tour in Waitomo was everything and more than I had hoped for our family of 5 (17yr to 50yr!)! There are many different types of tours which are owned by different groups. Something for everyone. I picked Down to Earth because of the extra adventure of exploring the flowing creek and climbing through the caves! We love added adventure! Heath was an excellent guide; and I loved hearing the history, and of his growing up there and exploring the caves since 4 yr old! We loved it all, so beautiful. The glow worms are amazing too. We even saw an eel in the creek! Our guide took excellent photos for us to have! We all Highly recommend Down to Earth. NB: you do need to be able to climb through occasional small places; and stairs.
Excellent family run business in their own backyard
I1956NUpetert,,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Heath was a fantastic guide to invite us literally into his backyard to experience these magnificent caves. We had no caving experience but they give you all the gear you need, fill you with confidence and you leave with a sense of accomplishment you won’t get on a boardwalk glow worm tour. Finish up with a cuppa and an ANZAC biscuit back at the house.
Down to Earth Treat
449kevind,,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience had by my partner and myself exploring these caves. This would have been quite a challenge for us as we are both in our sixties, but our guide (Michelle) gave us a tailored experience just for us, whilst the main group were given the full tour by her brother in law. This is a very well run family run business, and is reflected in the comfortable atmosphere generated. The group size (Max 8) also helped. The trip lasted about an hour and cost £190 for the two of us. This may sound expensive, but this is a serious enterprise, quite strenuous and potentially dangerous. There is a demo video before the jump off. We certainly underestimated the effort involved, but don't let that dissuade anyone. It is well worth the trip.
Must do experience!
amaliar2026,,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Unbelievable experience! From the moment we arrived we were greeted with genuine warmth and hospitality. The adventure of the caves, glow worms and lush grounds was magical. My partner and I feel very fortunate to have experienced such natural beauty
Definitely Goes Into The Great Memories Category
Joanne L,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour/caving experience exceeded expectations. Excellent informative guide, small group, challenging passageways, and beautiful glow worms. Although I’m 65 and my partner is 70, I think one should be reasonably fit to do this tour. The guide took plenty of photos. Lovely people, fabulous landscape above and below ground. Highly recommend!
From NZ$219.00
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Operated by Down to Earth - Waitomo Eco Cave Tours