Combos

Combo (Save 3%): Ruakuri Cave Guided Tour + Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Name: Combo (Save 3%): Ruakuri Cave Guided Tour + Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour
Start: 2026-04-07T15:30:00
End: 2026-04-07T17:00:00
Location: Waitomo

Spiral walkway inside Ruakuri Cave, New Zealand, illuminated with warm lights.

Person walking through illuminated Ruakuri Cave tunnel, New Zealand.

Group enjoying boat tour in Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand, with glowing ceiling.

Glowworms hanging in Waitomo Caves during a guided tour.

Duration

45 min - 1 hr 30 min

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Guided tour

4.5/5

(1,490)

Jennifer C

Group

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

The tour was excellent. The guide was friendly, professional and knew her subject. She had the right mix of humour and authority to make everyone feel welcome, relaxed and safe. I had arthritis and limited mobility, so found the stairs hard and was slow. The guide was helpful and supportive in directing me to the stairs and boat. In all a very exciting and pleasant experience. Thank you for making it possible for a slow moving old lady .

Martyn C

Group

Verified booking

Feb 2026

An excellent self-guided tour starting with the Lady Knox Geyser experience which involved the seeding of a volcanic cone to cause a small geyser eruption. A beautiful waiata sung by the Maori presenter started the show before the climax of the show. The stroll through the largest and most colourful volcanic area in the Taupo volcanic area was awesome. Signage was excellent, very informative, the tracks and wooden pathways well maintained.

Alexander M

Group

Verified booking

Feb 2026

The Waitomo Caves are nothing short of spectacular, unbelievable to see the thousands of tiny glowworms shimmering from the cave roof top and the amazing limestone formations. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the caves and Maori culture his presentation was both educational and fun. This is a must see for anyone visiting New Zealand.

Beverley C

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

The tour of the cave was very assemble as had wheelchairs ramps Having no stairs made it easy to walking. The guide was full of knowledge and was very happy to answer any questions. She ensured we moved at a reasonable pace but still had time to see all the wonderful formations in the cave.

Wendy G

Group

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

Our guide! I have been to the caves before but was taking friends from Australia this time, who also loved it. Our guide was informative, funny & a great singer. It's always an amazing feeling to be in a space that was created millions of years ago but is on my doorstep.

Lori L

Couple

Verified booking

Feb 2026

We had high expectations and it did not disappoint. The boat gave us a fabulous view of the main glow worm area, and the whole thing was amazing. Our guide sang in the cathedral area and she had a BEAUTIFUL voice. It was cool that she is a descendant of the founder

Explore the magical Ruakuri Cave and Waitomo Glowworm Caves with expert local guides and save 3% when you book both together.

Journey through Ruakuri Cave’s twisting passages, crystal-lined walls, and flowing streams on a 1.5-hour guided tour with just 14 people.

Glide silently on a boat beneath thousands of glowworms lighting up the cave ceiling, on a 45-minute tour led by a local Māori guide.

Ruakuri Cave

1.5-hour guided tour of Ruakuri Cave

English-speaking guide of Maori descent

Waitomo Glowworm Cave

45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Cave

English-speaking guide of Maori descent

Waitomo River boat ride

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

1,490 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
1K
307
79
32
28
Guests from Australia, United States, United Kingdom and over 35 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Inge G
Couple
Verified booking
Today
The guide of ourt Santana singing a song in Maori. I was moved by the fact that the Maori culture is more than exploitation of the caves.
Jennifer C
Group
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
The tour was excellent. The guide was friendly, professional and knew her subject. She had the right mix of humour and authority to make everyone feel welcome, relaxed and safe. I had arthritis and limited mobility, so found the stairs hard and was slow. The guide was helpful and supportive in directing me to the stairs and boat. In all a very exciting and pleasant experience. Thank you for making it possible for a slow moving old lady .
Beverley C
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
The tour of the cave was very assemble as had wheelchairs ramps Having no stairs made it easy to walking. The guide was full of knowledge and was very happy to answer any questions. She ensured we moved at a reasonable pace but still had time to see all the wonderful formations in the cave.
Wendy G
Group
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Our guide! I have been to the caves before but was taking friends from Australia this time, who also loved it. Our guide was informative, funny & a great singer. It's always an amazing feeling to be in a space that was created millions of years ago but is on my doorstep.
Sandy W
Family
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Loved the guide & the small groups & the efficient timing amazing! Didn't love that pricing on headout was higher than what was available at Cave entrance i.e. the family pass didn't seem to be an option with the app.

Explore two epic experiences just 15 minutes apart and save 3%. Cruise through the glowworm-lit grotto of Waitomo Glowworm Caves, then dive deep into New Zealand’s longest underground walking tour at Ruakari Cave, all in one day.

Getting started

Your combo ticket gives you access to Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Ruakuri Cave. Both tours are led by local guides of Māori descent, who bring the stories and science of the caves to life. Arrive at each cave at least 30 minutes early and have your ticket ready for check in.

What to expect

Ruakuri Cave

Descend through a spiral entrance: Start your journey with a walk down a lit spiral ramp into the depths of Ruakuri Cave.

Walk through ancient formations: Follow your guide through sculpted tunnels lined with stalactites, stalagmites, and unique ribbon-like formations—some shaped like cascading crystal drapes.

Hear nature at work: Listen to the rumble of distant underground waterfalls and feel the temperature drop as you go deeper below the surface.

Learn sacred stories: Along the way, listen to your guide share Māori legends and the cultural significance of this sacred place.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Explore nature’s underground artwork: Begin by walking through the upper levels of the cave system, where you’ll see limestone columns and delicately carved formations.

Stand in the Cathedral: Enter the tallest chamber in the caves, known for its natural acoustics and incredible scale.

Float beneath the glowworms: Take a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto where thousands of tiny glowworms light up the ceiling, creating a scene that feels like sailing under a galaxy of stars.

What to bring

Ruakari Cave

Bring a warm jacket as the cave can get cool.

When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

Waitomo Glowworm Cave

Wear non-slip shoes as the cave floors are wet and slippery.

Bring a warm jacket as the temperature of the cave can be cool.

When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

Ruakari Cave

Large backpacks are not allowed inside the cave.

Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.

Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Waitomo Glowworm Cave

Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.

Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

Ruakari Cave

This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible. Please note that the wheelchair and pram/ stroller should not exceed a width of 65cm due to the narrow passageways in the cave.

Waitomo Glowworm Cave

This experience is suitable for guests with reasonable mobility, with well-maintained paths and sturdy handrails throughout. However, it is not accessible for wheelchairs or prams/strollers.

Additional information

Ruakari Cave

Photography and video are permitted in selected areas of the cave.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please display the same at each meeting point along with a valid photo ID.

Meeting points

Ruakuri Cave Guided Tour

Meet your guide at Ruakuri Visitor Centre.

Address: 204 Tumutumu Road, Waitomo Caves 3985, New Zealand.

Get directions to the meeting point

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Meet your guide at Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

Address: 39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Caves 3977, New Zealand.

Get directions to the meeting point