Duration
3 - 3.5 hours
Type
Guided
Group Size
8 People Max
Difficulty
Moderate
About this Glowworm Cave Tour
On our “Off the Beaten Track” glowworm tour, you’ll be joined by one of our friendly, knowledgeable guides as you explore the untouched caves of Waitomo, set within a rare karst landscape we’re actively working to protect and restore.
We keep things intimate with small groups (max 8 people), so you can fully enjoy every moment. It’s all about slowing down, taking it in, and getting lost in the mesmerising glowworm displays.
Nature is the star here — no handrails, no artificial lights, no paved paths — just the raw beauty of the caves. Expect to climb over boulders, navigate hills, and walk through streams underfoot. A moderate level of fitness is required to get the most out of the experience.
Tour Highlights
Rated #1 on Tripadvisor
We’re TripAdvisor’s #1 rated activity in Waitomo, with hundreds of 5-star reviews fromtravellers who call our glowworm caves the highlight of their trip to New Zealand.
Beyond the Crowds, Closer to Nature
Forget the crowds and commercial tour buses. Our small-group cave tours (max 8 people) take you off the beaten path to where glowworms shine brighter in their natural surroundings — an intimate, unhurried experience that lets you truly connect with nature
The Waitomo Cave Tour Nature Intended
Venture into private caves hidden in the hills of Waitomo — untouched, unspoiled, and alive with glowworms. This is caving as it was meant to be: immersive, awe-inspiring, and a little bit magical.
Small Cameras Welcome
You’re welcome to bring a small camera or phone to snap a few memories — something most glowworm tours don’t allow. Our small-group approach helps protect the glowworms’ delicate habitat, and our guides capture great shots of you beneath the glowworms too, which we’ll send after your tour.
Step Into a Rare Natural Jewel
As you explore, your guide will share how this rare karst landscape works — and how our restoration efforts help protect the caves, waterways, and native species that depend on it.
Family Run Caving Adventure
You’ll be welcomed into our farmhouse for some proper Kiwi hospitality. Our family has lived in Waitomo for over 100 years. We grew up exploring the incredible glowworm caves and pristine native bush on our family farm, and now we love sharing our piece of paradise with new friends.
How To Find Us
Down to Earth is located at 1199 Oparure Road, Waitomo District.
If you enter our official address (1199 Oparure Road, Waitomo District or Te Kuiti, depending on your GPS), it might take you past our entrance—about 500 meters too far!
We’re not sure why, but most GPS systems struggle to find us. So, trust our signs over your GPS when you get close!
Approximate Travel Times
We’re a small team, so we don’t offer pick-ups, but the Waitomo Information Centre can help with transport options.
- 25 min from Waitomo Caves Village
- 20 min from Te Kuiti
- 25 min from Otorohanga
- 1 hr from Hamilton
- 2 hr 40 min from Central Auckland
- 2 hr 30 min from Auckland Airport
- 2 hr from Taupo & Rotorua
A Surreal Journey through Glowworm Caves
Visiting the Waitomo Glowworm Caves with Down to Earth was an unforgettable experience. Even though it was raining when we arrived, it somehow made the whole setting feel even more atmospheric and special. The glowworms themselves were absolutely magical—like a sky full of stars hidden underground. It felt surreal drifting through the caves and taking in such a unique natural wonder.
- Himanshi_Saxena
Top of our experience for our first NZ trip
So far, top of our experience for our first New Zeeland trip. Ash is great, funny and patient. Warm full service includimg clothing, boots, socks, helmets, and everything. You will get wet, and that is a good thing :) The glow worms are like looking at the stars. Great experience made better being family-run giving back to the environment.
- Tuan Le
A unique and magical experience in the caves
A unique and magical experience, a very fun guide, a family welcome, we recommend this visit to the caves.
- Charlotte V
Will 100% be coming back
For anyone who wants to do the glowworm tour I highly recommend doing it with ‘Down To Earth’ the tour was such an experience. Our tour guide Ash made it really come to life and gave us many interesting facts. Cannot express how nice the people are there.
- Tom May
No stairs, no walkways, no lights. Walk back in time in this cave!
This tour was so cool! I looked at several cave experiences to see the glowworms. I have two active teenagers and they really want to “do” things. This ruled out the passive tour. This family run tour fit the bill perfectly. If you love the feeling of being in nature and want a small, organic, natural experience, I highly highly highly recommend this tour.
- Elizabeth K
Great fun!
We loved our small, personal and fun tour with Ash! Walking through the stream and climbing over boulders was great fun. And the caves and glow worms were amazing.
- Katrin B
The Real Deal Cave Experience
Ash gave us an amazing experience that was challenging, fun, and super memorable. I highly recommend using his family-run operation to tour a Waitomo cave, glowworms included!
- Maggie M
Such a great time!
Absolutely wonderful! So much more than the typical Glowworm tour. Truly unique, fun, and memorable. Highly recommend for anyone fun and adventurous!
- Departure
Cave exploration + amazing glow worms
This was such an adventure! The cave exploration was so exciting and beautiful. I didn’t think the glow worms were real but the DEFINITELY ARE and so pretty! Highly recommend this tour, is a small group and that made it so much fun!
- Grace S
Best cave tour I have ever done
This was the best cave tour I have ever done, and I’ve done a few over the years. The main cavern with the glow worms was breath-taking. The route through the system was varied, from big open passageways to narrow sections. An unexpected bonus was the professional quality photos Ash took of my wife and I with the glow worms.