Days 4 - 5: Tongariro National Park

When traveling we have to learn to expect the unexpected and to always have a “plan B.” Even though it was springtime, on the day we were scheduled to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike, there were strong winds and heavy rain, and the park was closed. So, we changed the plans to do the spectacular hike the next day and do alternative hikes that day. They were nice fillers but nothing to write home about. We were there for what is New Zealand’s most famous day walk.

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Tongariro National Park has a World Heritage Status. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing spans the length of Mt Tongariro and takes about 8 hours to complete. Because we had changed the itinerary and had the long drive to Wellington post-hike, we only had 7 hours to complete the hike and be back on the bus and on our way.

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It is the most popular hike in the country for a reason. The trail runs through an active volcanic region featuring red craters, emerald lakes, and breathtaking views. It is very different from any other hike I’ve done before. The most fun and stunning part was the descent. Many people around me were either crab-walking down or sitting on their butt. I tried to remain upright, and discounting a couple of falls, I succeeded to gracefully ski through the gravel. I could not get enough of the lakes, colored by the mineral deposits of the volcanoes.