Waitomo Glowworm & Ruakuri Twin Cave Experience - Small Group Tour From Auckland | 11 hours

25 Reviews | Auckland
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 15 travelers in total.
Adult (12-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15
2
Child (3-11) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
0
Infant (0-2) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
0
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
TG2025
2 Adults x $262.64
$525.28
Approx Total
$525.28
Pickup included

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
  • 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

Overview

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.

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We pick up passengers from selected hotels in Auckland CBD. If your hotel is not in this list, please choose the closest alternative pickup location. If you require assistance in choosing the closest alternative pickup location, please contact the operator in advance so that we can assist you. Please see ... below timings of your pickup based on your selected pickup location. Please make sure you are present at the pickup location 10 minutes prior to your scheduled pickup time. We cannot hold the bus if you are late, and no refunds will be provided to late or no-show passengers. Scheduled Pick-Up Timings [06:00 AM - Sofitel Auckland, Park Hyatt, Swiss Bel-Suites Victoria Park]; [06:05 AM - M Social, Hilton Auckland]; [06:10 AM - Mövenpick Hotel, Nesuto Stadium Hotel and Apartments, Adina Apartment Hotel]; [06:15 AM - Pullman Auckland, JW Marriot, voco Auckland City Centre, Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre, ibis Budget Auckland City Centre]; [06:20 AM - Crowne Plaza Auckland, SkyCity Hotel, The Grand By SkyCity, Heritage Auckland, Rydges Auckland]; [06:25 AM - Four Points By Sheraton Auckland, Grand Millennium Auckland, VR Auckland City Hobson Street]; [06:30 AM - Cordis Auckland, Mercure Auckland, Kiwi International, VR Queen Street Hotel & Suites] Read more ▼

OR

Meeting points

Our central meeting point in Auckland City is in front of Movenpick Hotel (8 Customs Street East, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010). This meeting point is well connected with Auckland's public transport network. Kindly advise us if you will be meeting us at this location.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

  • 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.

    15 minutes

  • N/A (Pass By)

    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.

  • N/A

    We stop to get some great coffee at your own expense and a comfort break before we continue our journey into the Waikato region.

    15 minutes

  • Te Awamutu (Pass By)

    Te Awamutu calls itself the ‘Rose Capital of New Zealand’. During the blooming season, November to April, the garden next to the visitor centre is a technicolour dream as 2000 rose bushes turn on the charm.

  • Waitomo Glowworm Caves

    Be amazed by thousands of magical glowworms above as you glide silently by boat in the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. The enchanting Waitomo Caves have been attracting visitors for more than 120 years, thanks to their incredible limestone formations and luminescent glowworms. The subterranean cave system is located beneath the rolling green countryside of the Waikato, one of New Zealand’s prime farming regions. Your guided Waitomo Caves tour will be an unforgettable sightseeing experience as you walk through majestic caverns, explore limestone shafts, marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites and enjoy a boat ride through a grotto lit by thousands of tiny native glowworms. ​ Glowworm caves in New Zealand offer visitors the chance to explore dark caves that are lit up by thousands of tiny glowworms (scientifically known as Arachnocampa Luminosa) who shine bright as a way to attract their prey.

    1 hour

  • Ruakuri Cave

    Offering a captivating blend of the most compelling subterranean experiences (including glowworms), it will leave you open-mouthed, awe-struck and humbled by the sheer majesty of nature. Begin the tour by journeying down through the spectacular, man-made spiral entrance, marvel at the softly folding shawl-like limestone formations and crystal tapestries while listening to the distant thunder of subterranean waterfalls. If you want to see glowworms up-close and personal and learn about their fascinating life, then this is the tour for you.

    2 hours

  • Auckland Central

    After an exhilarating fun-filled experience at Waitomo , it is now time to head back to Auckland to conclude your evening and drop-off at your hotel in Auckland. We can also drop you at your accommodation in Waitomo if you are staying locally in the region.

    15 minutes

Sample Menu

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.

Free Cancellation

June 18100% refund
June 19No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Reviews

5.0

25 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    25
  • 4 stars
    0
  • 3 stars
    0
  • 2 stars
    0
  • 1 star
    0

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 25 reviews with 5 stars

Cool Caverns

Published on Jan, 2025

What 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!

Published on Jan, 2025

Our 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.

Best time at NZ

Published on Dec, 2024

Trip was great. Driver was very good. We were very happy with the trip. Everything was excellent . Really enjoyed the trip

Great experience

Published on Dec, 2024

Our guides were excellent. Marty was our driver and was a wealth of information. We made an extra stop or two to learn more about the small towns on the way. Additionally, our cave guides were incredibly knowledgeable with great personalities. Lockey in particular was super. We enjoyed the Ruakuri caves more than we expected and they ended up being our favorite!

Perfect title the "Twin Caves"

Published on Oct, 2024

Ama our tour guide and driver gave an excellent history of the Maori people. She made sure that everyone in our small group (6) were happy, comfortable in the mini-bus, had plenty of breaks to buy food, go to to the toilets, stretch our legs. She was very well organized, efficient, and a fun person to have during the full day tour.

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