North Island

Glowworm Cave Tours Waitomo, New Zealand

Seek an authentic Waitomo experience? Glowing Adventures offers eco-friendly glowworm tours that go beyond the ordinary. Delve into untouched caves, teeming with millions of Waitomo glowworms (Arachnocampa luminosa), and witness their ethereal glow in a pristine natural setting.

Sustainable Exploration & Unparalleled Experiences:

• Off-the-Beaten-Path Glowworm Caves: Unlike crowded tours, Glowing Adventures takes you to untouched caves where you’ll experience the magic of glowworms in their natural habitat.
• Eco-Friendly Glowworm Tours: Explore Waitomo with our knowledgeable and passionate guides who prioritize sustainable tourism. Learn about the delicate cave ecosystem and our commitment to its preservation.
• Variety for Every Explorer: Choose from a range of Waitomo cave tours suitable for all ages and interests. Enjoy a leisurely guided walk, embark on a private glowworm cave tour, or capture the magic with a glowworm cave photography tour.

Uncover the Wonders of Waitomo with Glowing Adventures:

• Down to Earth Worm Cave Eco-Tour: Embark on this eco-friendly tour, starting with a walk through native forest before entering a spectacular limestone cave illuminated by glowworms.
• Private Glow Worm Cave Tour: Elevate your experience with a private tour tailored to your interests. Explore hidden passages and witness the glowworms in an intimate setting.
• Glow Worm Cave Photography Tour: Capture the mesmerizing beauty of the glowworms with an expert guide on our photography tour. Learn essential techniques to create stunning images of this natural wonder.

Book your unforgettable glowworm adventure with Glowing Adventures today! Explore untouched caves, witness the magic of the glowworms, and discover the beauty of sustainable tourism in Waitomo.

“Down to Earth” Guided Glowworm Tour Options:

Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tours – Off the beaten Track Eco tour

Price: $179 per person
Duration: Three Hours allowing approx 2 hours in the cave
Departure times:  8:30 am – 11:30 am & 2:00 pm
Group Size: Maximum 8 persons per tour

Embark on a brilliant eco-adventure with Glowing Adventures and delve into the magic of Waitomo’s glowworms! Our professional guides lead you on an unforgettable journey through stunning native New Zealand bush, culminating in the exploration of undisturbed caverns.

Unparalleled Access & Pristine Beauty:

• Limited Group Glowworm Tour: Experience the glowworms in an intimate setting with a maximum of eight participants per tour. This allows for a slow pace, maximizing your opportunity to appreciate, explore, and photograph the mesmerizing glowworm displays.
• Untouched Caves: Witness the glowworms in their pristine natural habitat. Our tours venture into undisturbed caverns, free from artificial lighting or modifications, offering an authentic Waitomo cave experience.

Adventure Awaits:

• Moderate Fitness Required for Caving Adventure: This is a true adventure tour! Be prepared for climbing boulders, ascending slopes, and wading through streams. A moderate level of fitness is essential for navigating the natural cave formations.
• All Gear Included: We provide everything you need for your exploration, including proper caving attire, boots, socks, and a helmet. Focus on the adventure and leave the dirty laundry to us!

Post-Adventure Relaxation:

• Refresh and Recharge: After your exhilarating exploration, enjoy the convenience of our shower facilities. We also provide hot beverages and a snack to help you unwind and reminisce about your unforgettable glowworm photography tour.

Book your Waitomo glowworm adventure with Glowing Adventures today! Experience the magic of untouched caves, explore with a limited group, and discover the thrill of sustainable tourism.

 

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Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tours – Guided Private Tour

Price: $899 per group (1 to 8 persons)
Duration: Three Hours allowing approx 2 hours in the cave
Departure times:  8:30 am – 11:30 am & 2:00 pm
Group Size: Maximum 8 persons per tour

Escape the crowds and embark on an unforgettable private adventure with Glowing Adventures! We are nestled off the beaten path near Waitomo Caves Village and the charming towns of Te Kuiti and Otorohanga, offering easy access to a hidden world of pristine glowworm caves.

Unparalleled Privacy & Pristine Beauty:

• Exclusive Glowworm Cave Tour: Enjoy the undivided attention of your professional guide on this private exploration. Immerse yourselves in the beauty of untouched glowworm caves and lush native New Zealand vegetation, far from the typical tourist trails.
• Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventure: Experience the magic of glowworms in their natural state. There are no handrails, electric lights, or concrete paths, offering an authentic Waitomo cave experience.

Moderate Fitness Required for Caving Adventure:

• Similar to our Eco-Tour, But Private: This private tour replicates the exhilarating adventure of our Glowing Adventure Eco-Tour, but caters exclusively to your group.
• Be prepared for climbing, ascending, and wading: Navigate the natural cave formations with a moderate level of fitness. We require climbing over boulders, ascending slopes, and wading through streams on this caving adventure.

All Gear Included, Memories Made:

• Focus on the Adventure: We provide all the necessary equipment for your exploration, including proper caving attire, boots, socks, and a helmet. Leave the dirty laundry to us!
• Capture the Moment: Small cameras are welcome on this tour. Our guides offer photography tips, and complimentary digital copies of their captures will be provided.
• Upgrade for Photography Enthusiasts: For those seeking to capture stunning landscape shots with heavier equipment, consider our dedicated Glowworm Photography Tour.

Post-Adventure Relaxation:

• Refresh and Recharge: After your exhilarating exploration, enjoy the convenience of our shower facilities. We also provide hot beverages and a snack to help you unwind and reminisce about your unforgettable private glowworm tour.

Book your exclusive Waitomo glowworm adventure with Glowing Adventures today! Experience the magic of untouched caves, explore at your own pace, and discover the thrill of sustainable tourism.

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Waitomo Photography Guided Glowworm Cave Tour

Price: $899 for upto 4 persons. 
Duration: Three Hours allowing approx 2 hours in the cave
Departure times:  8:30 am – 11:30 am & 2:00 pm

On our photography trips, we provide stunning New Zealand landscapes both within and outside the glow worm caves, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide. These excursions are private.

That is, only your group and your guide will be present on the tour. On photography tours, we accept between one and four participants.

Photography tours differ slightly from Glowing Adventures’ basic Eco-tour.

The primary distinction is that we concentrate on the cave’s entrance/exit and the scenic Mangapu Gorge. There are numerous options for photography, including stunning glow worms.

The cave system is one of only two in the Waitomo district designated as having “International Significance” by the New Zealand Department of Conservation. And it is entirely unspoilt!

We permit larger cameras and other equipment, such as compact tripods, on photography tours. And, unlike on our previous tours, you have the freedom to devote significantly more time to photography. Photographing glow worms can be challenging and time-consuming. However, the results can be stunning!

• For safety reasons we don’t take photography tours through some parts of the cave system. All equipment must also be carried in a backpack, as hands must be free when moving up and down the tracks.
• All cameras and equipment are taken at your own risk.
• 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.
• There is no public transport access to Glowing Adventures, and we are not able to pick people up. You will need your own transport to get to us.