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: 2025-10-12T13:00:00
End: 2025-10-12T14:30:00
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

(1,279)

Jaiden

Aug 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Loved our cave experience seeing glow worms and stone formations. Our tour guide was funny, friendly, knowledgeable and local. He was able to explain the history and significance in a way that was engaging. Limited walking required and excellent boat ride at the end in the dark.

Amrita

Jul 2025

Verified booking

4/5

Ticketing experience was great. Roads very clean and accessible. The whole experience was systematic and well-organized. Plenty of parking (30-40 cars) and clean restrooms. Restaurant and cafe inside if a quick bite is needed before/after the tour. The limestone caves were beautiful and the glowworms on the boat ride were a surreal experience. Guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Gift shop was expensive and overrated -- we know that as we had already visited several stores earlier and the ticket prices here were by far the highest. After the experience, there is the option to go on a few short trails, either to the village or to a lookout point.

Catrin

Jul 2025

Verified booking

4/5

It was fascinating and informative, although we couldn't enjoy the whole cave. Due to ongoing rain, the cave was flooded, so we couldn't take the boat. We just walked down to the dome and watched from there. You can see a small part of the glowworms. Guide was great. We got half price back. Would have been nice to know, when we booked the tickets (one day prior to the visit) that most of the cave was closed. Then I wozld have chosen another day to get the whole expirience.

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
1,279 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
Nicola
Jul 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Our guide was so knowledgeable no matter what I asked. And friendly. Super funny. Such a shame all the rain has flooded the cave. I really hope not many Glowworms died. Thanks. 🐛
William
Sep 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Excellent knowledgeable guides, who gave a n outstanding descriition of the caves and their cultural snd geological significance.
Timothy
Sep 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Our visit was early in the week during winter, so not very busy, which make the experience very pleasant. Great guides, clear speakers, both the cave walk and glow worm boat ride were lovely. I thought good value for the money.
Jaiden
Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Loved our cave experience seeing glow worms and stone formations. Our tour guide was funny, friendly, knowledgeable and local. He was able to explain the history and significance in a way that was engaging. Limited walking required and excellent boat ride at the end in the dark.
Susan
Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
My daughter did this and absolutely loved it. I left straight away as I was feeling very claustrophobic and overwhelmed

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