Limited availability December-March. Advance bookings essential
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Private Glow Worm Cave Eco-tour — Glowing Adventures, Waitomo

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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

  • Just you and your private group take the tour.
  • Explore at your own pace.
  • An awesome local guide.
  • 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 Glowing Adventures private 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 web page.

On a Private Glowing Adventures Eco-Tour our expert local guides will escort your party on an exclusive private tour through beautiful native New Zealand forest and into untouched caves here in the Waitomo district. Our Private Tours are similar to the standard Off the Beaten Track tour, but consist of just your party, plus a guide.

You will 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. As the tour involves climbing over boulders, up hills and wading through streams, a moderate level of fitness is required.

We provide all the safety equipment and warm clothing you need for your adventure, including thermals, a fleece jumper, shorts, boots, socks, and a caving helmet.

We also offer shower facilities, hot drinks, and a snack once the tour is over. For workplace teambuilding tours catering can be provided either before or after the tour. Please contact us at contact@glowing.co.nz for details.

  • 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.
  • 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.
Photograph of a Glowing Adventure tour group in Mangarongapu Cave

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.

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.