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: 2025-12-02T08:50:00
End: 2025-12-02T09:50:00
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

1 hr - 1 hr 30 min

Free cancellation

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

Guided tour

4.5/5

(1,323)

Birgitta

Nov 2025

Verified booking

5/5

One of the best things I ever done! It's such an amazing experience to go through the cave- and to be guided in a smal group makes it personal and an unforgettable moment in life. The caves are astonoshing beautyful, and of course the highlight are the glowworms. I hope I rate the right tour - I did another one as well- but the eco tour, down to earth is special. Everything is provided, the outfit is incredible and that it is in family business makes me thankfull to have the opportunity to even be invited to this wonder of nature.

Arth

Oct 2025

Verified booking

4/5

I really loved the Waitomo Glowworm Cave tour. It was amazing to witness the stunning rock formations, especially the stalactites and stalagmites, and to see the glowworms in their natural habitat. Although there were not many glowworms during our visit, the experience was still magical. It would be great if they allowed accredited photographers to take pictures inside the cave using controlled lighting without flash. But I completely respect the rules since they help protect the cave environment and its unique wildlife.

Denise

Nov 2025

Verified booking

5/5

managed to change up the tickets to an earlier session on the same day which was great as we were going to travel back to wellington after. really impressed with the tour guide and amazed by the cave system and glow worms. the only thing that would enhance the experience is to be able to touch one of the rocks inside the cave to know what it feels like but fully understand why we can not.

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.

4.5
1,323 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.
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Guests from Australia, United States, United Kingdom and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Sidal
Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
From the moment I stepped into the Waitomo Caves, it felt like crossing into another world. The air grew cool and still, and the dim lighting revealed limestone formations that looked like something from a fairytale — rippling curtains of stone, delicate stalactites, and smooth cathedral walls carved by water over millions of years. Our guide spoke softly, his voice echoing gently as he told the information of the cave’s Māori history and how the glowworms live their tiny, luminous lives. . Then came the part I’ll never forget: the boat ride through the glowworm grotto. We glided silently across the black water, the guide pulling us along hand-over-hand on a rope, and as we drifted further in, the ceiling above began to shimmer. At first, it was just a faint sparkle — a few dots of blue light in the darkness. But as our eyes adjusted, the ceiling came alive with thousands of glowing pinpricks. It looked like the night sky had been inverted and lowered just above us. The water reflected the lights perfectly, so it felt as though we were floating between two galaxies — one above, one below.
Birgitta
Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
One of the best things I ever done! It's such an amazing experience to go through the cave- and to be guided in a smal group makes it personal and an unforgettable moment in life. The caves are astonoshing beautyful, and of course the highlight are the glowworms. I hope I rate the right tour - I did another one as well- but the eco tour, down to earth is special. Everything is provided, the outfit is incredible and that it is in family business makes me thankfull to have the opportunity to even be invited to this wonder of nature.
Denise
Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
managed to change up the tickets to an earlier session on the same day which was great as we were going to travel back to wellington after. really impressed with the tour guide and amazed by the cave system and glow worms. the only thing that would enhance the experience is to be able to touch one of the rocks inside the cave to know what it feels like but fully understand why we can not.
Rita
Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
We visited the caves with my cousin from the UK while she was here on holiday, we Absolutely loved it! It was an amazing experience to sing in the cave with our guide Lucas, seeing the glowworms was fantastic and learning about the caves. Highly recommend a visit, I will be taking other visitors here.
Brent
Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
We had an excellent trip the the glow worm caves; apart from the tranquility of the glow worm boat ride, my highlight was our guide Sachs singing in the dark of cathedral cavern to demonstrate the acoustics.

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