Tongariro Expeditions
Tongariro Expeditions
4.5
About
Often described as the best one day hike in New Zealand, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing provides an opportunity to experience some of the most scenic, volcanically active areas of the park. WE PROVIDE SHUTTLE SERVICES FOR THE TONGARIRO ALPINE CROSSING FROM MOST ACCOMMODATION IN TAUPO, TURANGI, AS WELL AS THE TONGARIRO HOLIDAY PARK (BASE CAMP).
Duration: More than 3 hours
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4.5
418 reviews
Excellent
258
Very good
85
Average
34
Poor
15
Terrible
26
Anne B
Hobart, Australia31 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
Great service for getting dropped off and picked up later in the day, for walking the Tongariro Crossing. Good price. Very efficient service! Perfect.
Written 20 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
julianna m
Christchurch, New Zealand47 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Excellent service with a friendly driver who gave us informative advice. Made us feel welcome and excited about our walk.Cheers Jared!
Written 24 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Well done Jared. You were lucky to get him Hes the bees knees.
Written 23 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BigMac18
Townsville19 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
Bus driver very informative and chatty. Gave advice on walking the track. Bus left slightly early as everyone had arrived so no pointless sitting around. One of the first companies offering this in the region so great to support them
Written 18 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much! Your feedback is much appreciated. I'm glad you were able to be amongst the first to freedom hike this season. Thank you for your support.
Written 20 October 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Magnus H
3 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
They said to take only a few brakes, on the shuttle over to the crossing, so we did. About an hour in total on the crossing. Then we had to wait 2,5 hours for the shuttle. They could have sent one or two of the shuttles since they had three that day. Everybody on those three shuttles waited an average of 1,5 hours at the end of the crossing that’s not optimized in my opinion.
Written 15 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our map shows how long it takes to do each stretch of the track so that you meet the bus at the correct time. When they advise not to take long breaks, that is because if you sit down and relax for too long your body can seize up and the final part of the track can be made more difficult for you.
If we have three buses there, we do fill one and it leaves as they fill. We would not wait for an hour and a half if the people were there and the buses were full. Remember other people at the end of the track may not be with us.
If those 3 buses are full in the morning, one bus cannot leave early, it must wait till it is full.
I hope this helps you to understand we would never make you wait if it was in our power to leave.
Also, if you are a fast hiker we do advise doing the Ketetahi one way shuttle. No need to wait for or rush for a bus for that option.
Written 18 November 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
George T
Hanoi, Vietnam32 contributions
Oct 2017
So a 5.20am start almost acceptable. Was told picked up from most locations but not mine!
Anyway main issue was the end.
7am start for a 7 hour walk. That’s the average time. Many people finished in 5 ours and everyone by 2pm
First shuttle 2pm pitches up at 2.15pm by which time over a hundred people waiting. Crowd mauled at bus. No organisation almost crushed and run over.
All it would take is one person with a clipboard to be at the end at 12 and log an order and drop off locations.
My bus stopped in 8 places. So much easier if sorted who stayed where, earlier buses and please please the order people finished. I waited over 2 hours to be trampled! Putme off whole experience
Anyway main issue was the end.
7am start for a 7 hour walk. That’s the average time. Many people finished in 5 ours and everyone by 2pm
First shuttle 2pm pitches up at 2.15pm by which time over a hundred people waiting. Crowd mauled at bus. No organisation almost crushed and run over.
All it would take is one person with a clipboard to be at the end at 12 and log an order and drop off locations.
My bus stopped in 8 places. So much easier if sorted who stayed where, earlier buses and please please the order people finished. I waited over 2 hours to be trampled! Putme off whole experience
Written 30 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi. The afternoon pick up system is usually very good. Sometimes there is a big day and slightly bad weather then everyone seems to come off at once. We have a system now where people are given wrist bands to help with the check in process. This helps us to quickly locate names on the list. It would help if people would wait patiently and not all try to check in at once.
Written 1 January 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Varunkrish
Chennai (Madras), India3 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
You pay for their shuttle and they ask you to hitch a ride back? So professional! Was stranded in the middle of the park with nowhere to go thanks to these guys. Luckily some one offered a ride to the national park area. They never picked me from the hotel in Taupo too and I had to take a taxi. Luckily the weather was good and I had enough supplies, else things would have been different. Though I did not even use the return shuttle, they refused to refund. Don't bother planning your hike with these guys and ruin your experience. Find a better company !
Written 14 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Just to make it clear, if you order a return shuttle you are paying to be picked up by 4pm. This gives you up to 9 hours to do a track that takes 6-8 hours to do. If you know you are a slower hiker you are best to do our one way shuttle from the end to the start. If you miss the bus you must find an alternative ride back. We advise asking people for a ride, as this is a free option. Alternatively we do offer the phone number of an emergency shuttle but this is at an extra cost. This is all explained clearly in the morning.
We do not pick up from all hotels in Taupo. If we cannot pick up from your hotel we pick you up from the Taupo isite. I am glad you shared this as it needs to be clear for people before booking.
Written 17 December 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lizzy G
Cardiff, UK153 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
Booked online 2 days before. The car park was well signposted ( brown sign pointing to tongariro shuttle car park) . I drove there from taupo and got the 6.30am shuttle one way for $35. Check in was easy...the driver just ticked my name off his list. They give you a little map guide too which was useful. The driver even pointed out some landmarks along the way and I started my walk at 7am. Nice being able to do the walk at my own pace knowing my car is safe waiting for me, which it was.
Made the whole experience very straight forward and easy.
Made the whole experience very straight forward and easy.
Written 3 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meander43058432475
1 contribution
Nov 2018 • Couples
In the bus they said the weather wasn't going to be good but we were able to do the hike. After hiking 5km we were sent back because of the very bad weather. After calling the shuttle company we had to wait for 2 hours in the rain for a bus to pick us up (for which we had to pay extra). It was a lovely day.
Written 20 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We cancel if the weather is going to be bad enough to have to turnaround. Unfortunately, sometimes the weather is worse than predicted. If you turn around and we pick you up from the start again there is no extra charge for that. Are you sure you came back with us? Did you jump on someone else's bus to get back?
Written 17 December 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tobias B
17 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
A decent shuttle service. The staff was extremely helpful and positive which is the reason why I'm leaving a 4-star review. The shuttle bus was dirty and I do think the shuttle service was too expensive. However, it was a very easy way of going to the Tongariro Crossing.
Written 12 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have cleaners on our buses every day over summer. I wish I new which bus you were talking about as I would be following this up. I will pass this on to staff.
Written 17 December 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Myron O
Orleans, Canada17 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
The bus arrived on time and delivered us comfortably and safely to the start of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Making a booking online was straightforward.
Written 10 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So easy to make it happen. Great to hear it all worked out so well for you.
Written 2 April 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi, siulansellers. What would you like to know about this attraction?
I would like to know the name of the hotels/motels in Taupo that have pickup and drop off services to the Tongariro National Park please.
Written 10 July 2017
Hi, We pick up from most. It is probably easier for you to say where you are thinking of staying and we can let you know if we pick up from there.
Written 2 October 2017
What are the drop-off/pick-up sites for the shuttle? How can I get there using public transportation?
Written 26 October 2015
Hi
We pick up from Taupo, Turangi, Base Camp or Ketetahi. We pick you up from your accommodation in Taupo or Turangi if it is central. We pick up from our secure car park at Base Camp right next to the Tongariro Holiday Park. Or we can do a one way shuttle from Ketetahi to Mangatepopo in the morning.
Written 28 October 2015
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