- 4-hour tour
- All training and equipment provided
- Abseil 100m into the Lost World
- Explore the gigantic vaults of the Mangapu Cave system
- 20-minute abseil (rappel)
- 1 guide per 4 participants
- Free photos available to download after tour
What's Included
Why do we love this
We love how epic the abseil is on this tour! It's a 100 metre, 20-minute drop which is extremely cool.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Get ready for a spectacular 100-metre abseil and dry caving adventure! Voted one of the best activities you can do in New Zealand by Lonely Planet traveller's guide, there is no way you can visit Waitomo without experiencing this epic tour.
No experience is required. You'll be accompanied by an expert guide and will receive a full safety briefing.
Itinerary:
Allow 4 hours for this trip. The abseil (rappel) descent takes around 20 minutes.
Before your descent, your guide will take you through everything you need to know. They'll ensure you feel completely comfortable before setting foot over the edge. You'll be able to familiarise yourself with all the equipment, including lots of practice using the rope system. Once you feel comfortable, you'll head over to the platform over the abyss and get ready to complete your abseil! It's here that you'll really appreciate the sheer depth and beauty of the cave.
You'll abseil slowly alongside your instructor (on a separate rope). They'll provide you with information, reassurance, and a backup safety tether. Your whole descent will take around 20 minutes as you descend 100 metres below the earth's surface. You'll be mesmerised by the lush rainforest habitat at the entrance to the cave - it really feels as if you're entering a lost world. As you head further down, you'll travel through surreals mists, past giant stalactites and alongside incredible rock formations. As you go, listen to the roar of the Mangapu River echoing up from the caverns far below.
Once down, catch your breath, because this is just the beginning. There’s a lot more to do and see as you explore the massive vaults and caves! See mesmerising glowworms, gigantic flowstone formations and massive caverns.
Take in the awesome views before commencing an even more adrenaline-fuelled trip back to the surface. Climb over massive slabs of rock, up a series of ladders, and come up close to the cave's famous glowworms and huge flowstone formations.
On this tour, there will be 1 guide per 4 people. Your guide will take photos on basic cameras throughout your experience. These are provided to clients via internet at no extra charge.