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
443 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Unique, fantastic tour
Lisa S,,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A family-run operation, Down to Earth’s personal touch and small groups make the tour a very special experience. Our guide was fantastic and the caves themselves were beyond what we imagined. A reasonable level of fitness is required to clamber over larger rocks and squeeze through tight spaces.
Intimate yet impressive experience to view the glow worm, and not only :-)
mhpredhom,,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Enjoyable intimate experience, Down to Earth is really what it is. Nice family running it and warm welcome. Definitely recommend this tour rather than big venues.
What a treasure!
Excursion28352604471,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We knew this tour had a full 5 star rating and we soon found out why! Ash was a wonderful guide and joked and laughed with all of us on the tour, young and old were looked after and generally kept safe. I’m 64 and was a little unsure of my footing from time to time, but no fear, Ash was there to hold my hand where necessary (I must say I’m fairly fit for my age, but there are some parts of the cave that are tricky to get through/over). Clothing was provided and special wellies with holes around the sole/upper join, so the water could run out. From time to time we were wading through water up to our knees. The glow worms were just amazing. We turned off all our helmet lamps and allowed our eyes to adjust, and then the glow worms appeared like constellations of stars in the dark. Magical. Another unexpected bonus was that Ash took photos as we went, including with the glow worms, so we have some great photo memories to treasure from the tour. We can’t praise Ash and Michelle enough!
Best cave tour ever
OnAir37643256284,,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was entirely unexpected. Ash, the tour guide and Michelle, the organizer were absolutely on top of things. We loved the openness of the family and the professionalism in regards to the tour. The pictures taken by Ash in the cave were absolutely phenomenal. We are still talking about it
Best experience with Ash and Michelle!
adina85,,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I have done the black water rafting, the regular boat trip to the caves and now we tried the down to earth tour. Hands down, this may be the best experience we had in the north island! Ash and Michelle are kind, welcoming, professional and go out of their way to ensure a unique experience for each group, truly a family business who care about what they do. We were a group of six and ordered the private tour, from children to elderly - all of us enjoyed so much! It is simply incredible and unbelievable that they have this kind of nature in their backyard! Without a doubt, GO! I will say tha it requires booking in advance as the tour tends to sell out (small groups and not many trips each day).
Lovely Small Group
allisonkV8022SW,,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We didn’t want to do the touristy, traditional Waitomo cave tour with a large group. We also liked that this one allowed phone photos. It exceeded our expectations! Our guide was wonderfully goofy and knowledgeable. It was so nice to be a part of a small group and to feel like we had a good amount of time to really take in the magic of the glow worms. We loved getting to know the other couple and the family (and Nala!) afterwards over tea. Thank you for a fantastic experience!
Wonderful!
marelke,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful tour with our very friendly and helpful guide Ash. It was more challenging than we thought, but worth doing it. The glowwormcave was beautiful and walking through the cave and river exiting and much fun. We also appreciate, that we have been a small group. Thanks very much! Elke and Martin
Absolutely Magical — One of the Best Experiences of My Life!
596sophiek,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00One of the best experiences I’ve ever had — hands down. The Down To Earth Glowworm tour was absolutely magical, and our guide Ash made it unforgettable. Ash was not only incredibly knowledgeable, but also so fun, engaging, and genuinely awesome to spend time with. He brought such great energy to the tour, explained everything in a way that was fascinating and easy to follow, and made the whole experience feel special rather than scripted. Seeing the glowworms up close in such a natural, immersive setting was surreal and something I’ll never forget. From start to finish, this tour exceeded every expectation. If you’re even thinking about doing this — do it. I can’t recommend Down To Earth Glowworm Tours (and Ash!) highly enough.
This is The Real Thing
AJRubineau,,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Spending the afternoon trundling through millions-year-old caves with Ash and four other travellers was the perfect way to enjoy the wonder of Waitomo's glow-worms. The whole experience felt intimate and tailored, with a guide whose explored these caves for decades and knows them like the back of his hand. We sighted longfin eel, fossilized oyster shells, ginormous stalactites, stalagmites, and pillars. We learned about the life-cycle of the glowworms, as well as the formation of the caves. Because the group was so small, we never felt rushed; and because he was so skilled, we never felt anxious, even when scrambling through tight passages. And at the end, Ash took the time to snap photos of each of us - 30 second exposures - enjoying the glow. I'll treasure the photos, and the memories, for as long as the stalactites grow.
Best glow worm cave experience
P2947PQsamh,,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This experience was absolutely amazing! Ash and Michelle were so kind and welcoming. I absolutely loved climbing through the caves and having more of an adventurous experience. I brought my mom as we were traveling together and it was an experience I did not want to miss. Michelle was able to take my mom an an easier abbreviated route as my mom was not athletic enough to do the other which was GREAT! That way we both got to see the caves/glow worms at our respective paces. Ash was my guide and he was so personable and knowledgeable! The view of the glow worms and caves were breathtaking and I am SO glad I chose this over other tours! Would highly recommend!!
From NZ$219.00
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Operated by Down to Earth - Waitomo Eco Cave Tours