Limited availability December-March. Advance bookings essential
Glowing Adventures Logo

“Off the Beaten Track” eco tour from Glowing Adventures

The best glow worm caving adventure in Waitomo, New Zealand

Book now

Want to book a time that isn't available?

6.30pm tours are available during summer, on request. Other times are also available on request for private and photography tours, so give us a call or send us an email if you can't find a time that suits. We will do our best to accommodate you.

The Best Bits

  • An awesome local guide.
  • An intimate small group tour of no more than 8 people.
  • Walk through beautiful native New Zealand forest.
  • Wade through freshwater streams, climb over boulders.
  • Explore untouched limestone caves and spectacular rock formations.
  • See mesmerising glow worm displays.
  • Bring your camera.
  • Be amazed!

About the “Off the Beaten Track” eco tour

The best way to find out what to expect on the tour is to take a look at the two minute video at the bottom of this page.

Photograph of bush and cave entrance at Glowing Adventures

On an “Off the Beaten Track” eco tour our knowledgeable guides will escort you through beautiful native New Zealand forest and into untouched caves, here in the Waitomo district. We take small tours of no more than 8 people so have the ability to move slowly through the caves, to enjoy, explore, and take in the surroundings, including our mesmerising glow worm displays.

You’ll see the caves just as nature intended. There are no handrails, electric lights, concrete paths, or other modifications, and the tour involves climbing over boulders, up hills and wading through streams. A moderate level of fitness is required.

  • Allow 3 hours for the tour, of which approximately 2 hours is spent in the cave system.
  • Maximum group size is eight, and minimum group size is two.
  • Minimum age is 12 years. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • Maximum size is 120kgs (265lbs).
  • Please read our cancellation policy.
  • Please note that this tour is not suitable for the elderly or anyone with mobility difficulties. It involves climbing over boulders, walking up hills and wading through streams with rocks underfoot, so a reasonable level of fitness is required.

Bring your camera

Cameras are welcome on our adventures, as long as they fit in your pocket as you’ll need your hands free. A small digital camera or phone is best. Our guides also take photographs of you during the tour, and we’ll email them to you afterwards for free! Keen photographers hoping to bring larger equipment to capture the scenery may wish to consider one of our Photography Tours.

Photograph of a Glowing Adventure guide taking a photo of a tour group

Transport to Glowing Adventures

If you don’t have your own wheels there are several companies that offer transport to Glowing Adventures from nearby, depending on where you are in the Waitomo district. Check out our FIND US page for all the details.