Tongariro Upper Gorge

Tongariro Upper Gorge trip – Only twice a year!

This is a great chance to sample the steeper cousin of our normal Tongariro white water trip, dam released and flowing but twice a year, this trip has heaps of thrills with superb scenery, making it one hot ticket!

The Tongariro River is a dam-controlled river that enables us to raft all year round; sadly there are some sacrifices that have to be made in order to have that happen – when the hydro dam was built, a portion of the river was re-routed underground. However, twice a year the wonderful people at the power company ‘release’ the water from the dam which floods that particular area we call Access 14.

The flooding of the otherwise dry section of the Tongariro River creates rare Grade 3+ rapids – an absolutely wild ride. It also returns the Tongariro River to its natural levels – the levels, current and rapids that our forefathers (Tupuna in Maori) would have experienced the Tongariro River at, before the age of industrialisation.

This makes our Access 14 trip even more spiritual for local New Zealanders as well as our international whanau (family) that want to experience an otherwise once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Our professional guides make sure you remain safe on this adrenaline-fuelled rollercoaster ride – Access 14. This is an incredibly rare opportunity to experience one of the most natural, untouched river environments in New Zealand and an authentic experience riding the fine line between fear and adrenaline rush best given to you by New Zealand’s best, safest and most awarded rafting company.

You get

• To raft awesome Grade 3+ rapids through ancient native forests and volcanic cliffs
• Fun, professional, river guides
• Excellent river gear and apparel
• The opportunity to purchase a great CD of photos from your trip