Duration
Free cancellation
Guided tour
Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
Tucked away in Waitomo lies a cave glowing with millions of glowworms. Go on a raw caving tour with an expert guide, all the caving essentials, and only 8 guests.
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Take this 3-hour tour to hidden glowworm caves on a private farm far from the tourist trails. It's the perfect spot for a unique, quiet adventure.
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This tour keeps things cozy with a cap of 8 people. It starts with a scenic walk through lush forests and the Mangapu Gorge, led by your guide.
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Spend 2 hours climbing boulders, crossing streams, and exploring limestone caves. Inside, millions of glowworms light up the space in blue.
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After your cave adventure, switch out of your gear and enjoy some well-deserved snacks with tea and coffee to wrap up your day.
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Fun fact: Glowworms can actually dim their light! They control the amount of light they produce by contracting or expanding a light-emitting organ. See it for yourself at this cave.
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3-hour guided tour of Waitomo Cave including 2-hour hiking experience
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Expert local guide
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Small group of up to 8 people
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Snack
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Hot drinks
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Safety equipment
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Warm clothing (thermals, fleece jumper, shorts, boots, socks)
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Caving helmet
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You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
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Guests from United States, Germany, Australia and over 15 countries have loved this experience
Michelle
Jun, 2025Verified booking
This was a great start to my vacation! Having to change my clothes to participate was a bit of a surprise but I'm so happy I did! Ash, the tour guude, was so funny and his cousin Michelle were so friendly and welcoming. It was definitely a trek through rocks nd water that came up to my thighs, which I didn't expect, but it was well worth it to see the glow worms up close. Ash took some fantastic photos and I was shocked that I got access to them in just a few days. I HIGHLY recommend this tour to anyone who is up for an adventure. Also, having them provide tea and cookies (biscuits as the New Zealanders say) afterwards was a great finish to the tour!
Christopher
May, 2025Verified booking
This was a brilliant morning. We were in such good hands. Our guide, Ash, was informative and extremely entertaining, but most important of all we felt we were in safe hands. We were in a lovely small group of 6. We were fully kitted out with clothes (which did get wet!), boots, helmet and headlamp. Upon our return we enjoyed hot drinks and cookies whilst 'debriefing'. The caves were beautiful and the 10 minutes we sat in silence and darkness with the roof of the cave lit by the glowworms was just magical. The morning did involve wading through water, and clambering over and under rocks, but because Ash was so supportive it all felt very manageable. The icing on the cake was receiving a lovely collection of photos which Ash had taken during our adventure. Thank you Ash for a truly memorable morning, and also Michelle back at base for helping get us kitted out.
Kim
May, 2025Verified booking
Terri
May, 2025Verified booking
Luis
Apr, 2025Verified booking
A glimmering light show awaits at the hidden cave
This 3-hour Waitomo Caves tour is all about experiencing nature as it truly is, and a must for anyone seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure. These caves were formed millions of years ago by underground rivers carving through limestone rock. Found in the late 1800s by a Maori chief, these intricate caves hide a magical secret: millions of glowworms that light up the darkness.
The Hamilton Waikato region, where the caves are located, is also the same place where Peter Jackson filmed the Shire scenes for the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies. So, there's a bit of movie magic in the air too!
Explore like an adventurer
With no paths, lights, or handrails, you’ll see the caves just as they’ve always been, hidden from most tourists. With a local guide leading the way and no more than 8 people in a group, it’s like exploring with friends.
It starts with a relaxing walk through the New Zealand bush to the cave entrance. This is where the real fun begins. You'll climb over boulders and splash through streams. It’s a bit of a workout, but totally worth it for the incredible views and the glow worm show inside the caves.
Inside the caves, it’s all-natural and raw – just you, the sound of dripping water, and the soft glow of worms lighting up the cave walls.
After the tour, head back to base where you can change and warm up with some tea, coffee, and cookies.
What to bring
- 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
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Large cameras and tripods are not allowed on this experience.
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Safety is a priority. So, this experience is restricted for guests under the age of 12 years and over the weight of 120kg (264.55lb).
Accessibility
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Your safety comes first so elderly or visitors with mobility issues are restricted from participating in this experience.
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This experience involves 2 hours of hiking to get to Waitomo Caves. This involves climbing over boulders, walking up hills, and wading through streams with rocks underfoot, so a reasonable level of fitness is required.
Additional Information
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Facilities: Shower.
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Caving equipment includes thermals, fleece jumper, shorts, gumboots, socks, helmet & headlamp.
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Guests under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.
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Please arrive at the meeting point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.
Note : This experience involves 2 hours of hiking to get to Waitomo Caves. This involves climbing over boulders, walking up hills, and wading through streams with rocks underfoot, so a reasonable level of fitness is required.
Meeting point
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Meet your guide at Down to Earth - Waitomo Eco Tours.
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Address: 1199 Oparure Road, Waitomo 3985, New Zealand.
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Landmark: Drive directly to the farmhouse and it is sign posted along the way.
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