Guided Canoeing Trips on the Whanganui River
Whanganui River Canoe Guided Trips
Explore Scenic Beauty
Ruapehu spans two wilderness National Parks through Tongariro and Whanganui. The mighty Whanganui River is a popular destination for canoeing trips from just one day to three day guided trips with Adrift Tongariro experiencing the natural and historical beauty of the Whanganui River.
For a real slice of something more traditional, you can paddle the Whanganui River dories that are a North American inspired dinghy that make for a relaxing and interesting journey through this rugged terrain covered in beautiful and lush native forest and also part of New Zealands Ten Great Walks.
The three day Whakahoro to Pipiriki sectionis the most popular for canoeing. From Whakahoro, the only access out of the river is by canoe. It is this remoteness and the forest filtered fresh-air that makes this trip and truly rejuvenating holiday.
The Canadian canoes used on this river are well suited for the water, with gentle rapids and stretches of still water in the beautiful gorges. The canoes also hold plenty of gear. You can Bring your luxuries on this trip!
The Whanganui River is rich with Maori and European history. The greatest of which is the famous Bridge to Nowhere. Just like the early explorers, you will see the spectacular 
sheer gorges rising hundreds of metres to distant ridge.
You may even hear a Kiwi calling while you relax under the stars.
Adrift Tongariro provides qualified, experienced and personable guides whose sole purpose is to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and memorable adventure.
There are many marvels and obstacles on the journey. Our guides will willingly offer their experience and anecdotes. Equally there are times where we will leave you to absorb the tranquility and solitude.
Whanganui River One Day Guided Canoe Trip – (Taumarunui to Ohinepane)
Price: 195:00 per person This Tour not currently operating
Pickup/Drop off: Tour starts and finishes at the Adrift Tongariro Base.
Departs: 9:oo am Trip departures available summer only (1 October – 31 May) on application and confirmation.
Duration: 8 Hours
This is a unique way of spending time in another of New Zealand’s wonderful National Parks. The Whanganui National Park has rugged terrain covered in lush native forest with the Whanganui River flowing through the heart of it, rich with Maori and European history, the largest reminder of which is the famous ‘Bridge to Nowhere’.
Just as the early explorers did, you will see and experience the NZ wilderness, wondering if you have taken a step back in time.
This one day canoe trip is designed for those who want to experience the beautiful Whanganui River, but may not have enough time for the 3-day trip.
You will still
experience a fantastic section of one of New Zealand’s Great Walks by canoe Paddling downstream, you will travel through bush-clad hills, observe waterfalls, bask in spectacular sheer gorges, see some classic kiwi farmland, and experience the thrill of paddling rapids in your canoe.
Adrift Tongariro provides qualified, experienced and personable guides whose sole purpose is to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and memorable adventure. There are many marvels and obstacles on the journey.
Our guides will willingly offer their experience and anecdotes. Equally there are times where we will leave you to absorb the tranquility and solitude.
Prices Includes:
- Transport between the Adrift Tongariro base and the activity is included in the price.
- All clients making their own way (self-drive) should meet at the Adrift Tongariro base in time for a 9am departure.
- Your vehicle can be left at our base whilst we are canoeing
- Guide/s, transport between the Adrift Tongariro base and the river. lunch (vegetarian and gluten free available on request at time of booking), all equipment required (canoe, dry barrels for your gear, PFD’s, paddles)
Gear List to Bring & Gear for Hire at Bottom of Page:
Water (2 litres), Personal medications (e.g. Asthma Inhaler, blister protection etc), Sun hat, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Suntan lotion, covered sandals, shorts, light top, 1 warm top layer (wool, merino, thermals, fleece, soft shell etc. are good layers), waterproof raincoat, 1 set of spare warm clothing to change into at the end of the day.
Adrift Tongariro has available for hire personal equipment and clothing, to supplement that which you don’t have and need.
Gear For Hire:
Adrift Tongariro has available for hire personal equipment footwear and clothing to supplement that which you don’t have and need including boots, socks, thermal longs, fleece longs, waterproof pants, thermal tops, fleece tops, waterproof tops, warm gloves, warm hats, sun hats, sunglasses, backpacks, walking poles and sleeping bags and liners.
Canoe the Whanganui River – Private One Day Guided Canoe Trip – (Taumarunui to Ohinepane)
Price: $650.00 per person
Pickup/Drop off: Tour starts and finishes at the Adrift Tongariro Base.
Departs: 9:oo am Trip departures available summer only (1 October – 31 May)
Duration: 8 Hours
Our privately guided trips provide you with a really personal, informative and friendly experience you will never forget.
The beautiful scenery does a lot of the work for us but we have tailored this trip so that your group is private to you, your guides are well informed and keep you safe by constantly assessing the weather and river conditions, timing for your personalised transport pick-up, and other little details that will maximise your enjoyment.
They can also tailor the trip to accommodate different fitness levels and avoid weather-exposed sections.
This tour is designed for those who want to experience one of New Zealand’s Great Walks by canoe. This is a unique way of spending time in another of New Zealand’s wonderful National Parks.
The Whanganui National Park has rugged terrain covered in lush native forest with the Whanganui River flowing through the heart of it.
The Whanganui River is rich with Maori and European history, the largest reminder of which is the famous ‘Bridge to Nowhere’. Just as the early explorers did, you will see and experience the NZ wilderness, wondering if you have taken a step back in time.
Paddling downstream you will travel through bush-clad hills, see waterfalls, spectacular sheer gorges, farmland as well as some rapids en-route.
Included:
Private guide/s, transport between the Adrift Tongariro base and the river put in, lunch (vegetarian available on request at time of booking), all equipment required (canoe, dry barrels for your gear, PFD’s, paddles), all clothing hire.
3 Day Whanganui River Guided Canoe Adventure (Whakahoro to Pipiriki)
Price: 1295:00 per person
Pickup/Drop off: Tour starts and finishes at the Adrift Tongariro Base.
Departs: 9:oo am Trip departures available summer only (1 October – 31 May) on application and confirmation.
Duration: 3 Days/2 nights
This amazing canoe trip is designed for those who want to experience the Whanganui River, NZ Great-Walk by canoe.
The three day Whakahoro to Pipiriki section is the most popular for canoeing. From Whakahoro, the only access out of the river is by canoe. It is this remoteness and the forest filtered fresh-air that makes this trip and truly rejuvenating holiday. The Canadian canoes used on this river are well suited for the water, with gentle rapids and stretches of still water in the beautiful gorges. The canoes also hold plenty of gear. Bring your luxuries on these trips!
The Whanganui River is rich with Maori and European history. The greatest of which is the famous Bridge to Nowhere. Just like the early explorers, you will see the spectacular sheer gorges rising hundreds of metres to distant ridge. You may even hear a Kiwi calling while you relax under the stars.
Adrift provides qualified, experienced and personable guides whose sole purpose is to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and memorable adventure.
Paddling downstream, you will travel through bush-clad hills, observe waterfalls, bask in spectacular sheer gorges, see some classic kiwi farmland, and experience the thrill of paddling rapids in your canoe.
There are many marvels and obstacles on the journey. Our guides will willingly offer their experience and anecdotes. Equally there are times where we will leave you to absorb the tranquility and solitude.
Route Description:
Day 1: Whakahoro to John Coull Hut.This day involves a 6-hour paddle to John Coull Hut. We will be passing Tamateas Cave at approx 4 hours.
Day 2: John Coull Hut to Tieke Marae. Today we have a 5-hour paddle from John Coull Hut to Tieke Marae
stopping at the Bridge to Nowhere along the way (1.5 hour return walk).
Day 3: Tieke Marae to Pipiriki. It is a four-hour paddle to Pipiriki where we will be met by our transport which will take us back to the Adrift Tongariro base by 5:00 pm. We will successfully negotiate the 3 largest rapids of the journey including the Ngaporo Rapid and the infamous Autapu Rapid.
Prices Includes:
- Transport between the Adrift Tongariro base and the activity is included in the price.
- All clients making their own way (self-drive) should meet at the Adrift Tongariro base in time for a 9am departure.
- Your vehicle can be left at our base whilst we are canoeing
- Guide/s, transport between the Adrift Tongariro base and the river. lunch (vegetarian and gluten free available on request at time of booking), all equipment required (canoe, dry barrels for your gear, PFD’s, paddles)
- Department of Conservation hut or camping passes, meals (vegetarian available on request at time of booking), nourishment’s and needs whilst on tour. Adrift Tongariro also provides all cooking, camping and canoe equipment (canoe, dry barrels for your gear, PFD’s, paddles, tents and sleeping mats).
Gear List to Bring
Water (2 litres), Personal medications (e.g. Asthma Inhaler, blister protection etc), Sun hat, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Suntan lotion, covered sandals, shorts, light top, 1 warm top layer (wool, merino, thermals, fleece, soft shell etc. are good layers), waterproof raincoat, 1 set of spare warm clothing to change into at the end of the day.
Gear For Hire:
Adrift Tongariro has available for hire personal equipment footwear and clothing to supplement that which you don’t have and need including boots, socks, thermal longs, fleece longs, waterproof pants, thermal tops, fleece tops, waterproof tops, warm gloves, warm hats, sun hats, sunglasses, backpacks, walking poles and sleeping bags and liners.
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