Tongariro Northern Circuit North Island New Zealand 4 Day Back Pack 50kms
Tongriro Northern Circuit –
The Tongariro Northern Circuit, one of the New Zealand’s Great Walks, It’s a three- to four- day tramp through Tongariro National Park New Zealand. Highlighted by the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, (New Zealand’s premier day tramp),
What an awesome time on the Tongoriro Northern Circuit – Great Group as we all had a blast and loved every minute of it. We were blessed by great weather (thankfully) Everyone in the group made it such a great experience.
A 6 hour bus ride from Auckland to the “National Park Village” Had us stay in the village the night before we started on trail. Schnapps Bar, you say? NO there was once Schnapps sold there as per the original owners :(((( . We were to become regulars here.
The Start of Our Tongariro Northern Circuit
Tongariro Northern Circuit , North Island New Zealand
Day 1 – Whakapapa Village to Mangatepopo Hut – 3-5 hr, 9.4km weather dependent
was only a short 9.4kms , So a Stop at MA and Mels before we started at Whakapapa Village.
The trek to our first hut was fairly easy on medium undulating terrain. We arrived at Mangatepopo Hut at midday. A few hours later a EYE balled a high ridge adjacent to the hut and thought it was a must to climb it, As we did well above the hut and almost to the saddle of Mt Tongariro.
Day 2, Mangatepopo Hut to Oturere Hut 12kms 5hrs
Was a completely different affair, was we left the hut at 08:30, we abruptly were walking with day walkers that are doing the Tongariro crossing day hike. This hike is one of the best day hikes and along with that comes hordes of people. “not so bad lol”
Our first Ascent into the crater and our final ascent were we saw the peaks of Tongariro and Ngrauruhoe and the very steep red crater not to mention the descent of the red crater. Which had a highway of “day trippers” which were on a schedule/ time limit for their shuttle/ pick up.
Lunch at Emerald Lake was amazing and thankfully here we left the day walk and continued on the TNC. Two big descents and a lava filed to navigate through had an arrive at Oturere Hut.
We pitched our tent right on a ledge overlooking the valley below.
Sally the hut ranger was fantastic…
Tongariro Northern Circuit
Tongariro Northern Circuit
Day 3 Oturere Hut to Waihohonu Hut 8kms 3hrs
Today was a much easier day of walking than the previous as a lot less elevation gain/ loss.
Waihohonu is the most modern hut on trail. Our camp tonight was on a nice little creek, so it was a of a walk up to the hut.
Sunrise Lighting Up Mt Ngauruhoe
Hiker rescue at Oturere Hut
Day 4 Waihohou Hut to Whakapapap village 15.5kms 5hrs
Side Trips – Tama Lakes , Lower and Upper lakes.
Early departure on trail for our 15kms walk to the Tama Lakes trail head. Beautiful clear day and you could indeed feel the warmth of the sun.
It was a gradual climb to Tama Lower lake and then a very steep climb up to Tama upper lake. OMG What a view across the valley to Mt Ruapehu @ 2,797 m
And from there north we had Mount Ngauruhoe @ 2291 m , we could just see the end of our trek in the distance (Whakapapa Village) However had another 8kms to walk via Taranaki Falls.
Tongariro Northern Circuit With Mt Ngauruhoe Behind
Climbing down from Upper Tama Lake , Tongariro Northern Circuit
Climbing down from Upper Tama Lake , Tongariro Northern Circuit
Norman Herfurth
Indigo Photography
Yours In Adventure
“This Blog is of the Opinion of my own Personal Experiences and are not necessarily Fact.. and is written to the best of my knowledge, but there may be omissions, errors or mistakes. This blog is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only and shouldn’t be seen as any kind of advice.”
