22 Aug 2025
My wife and I completed the Tongariro Alpine Crossing this August with Adrift, and it was nothing short of spectacular.
We met bright and early at Adrift HQ, where the team made sure everyone had the correct gear, with the option to borrow or rent anything we were missing. They also provided us with ice axes and crampons, which initially made us a little apprehensive but turned out to be absolutely essential.
After a short minibus ride, we began the 20km trek across the ridge between the volcanoes of Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe. Doing the crossing in winter meant deep snow on the ridge, so the technical equipment provided was vital for both safety and confidence.
Our group consisted of eleven hikers plus two fantastic guides, Phil and Ty. Both were extremely experienced, knowledgeable about the mountains and environment, and also shared fascinating stories about the local Māori history and lore surrounding the volcanoes.
The walk itself was tough on the legs—even for fit individuals like us in our 30s—but the views and sense of achievement made it more than worth it. It was truly a fabulous day and one of the highlights of our trip.
We would highly recommend Adrift and this guided crossing: 10/10. A couple of tips—pack sunscreen and bring a few extra chocolate bars to keep the energy levels up!