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Down to Earth - Waitomo Eco Glowworm Cave Tours

5.0
666
An “off the beaten track” 3 hour adventure into the stunning limestone and glow worm caves on our family farm. Waitomo’s top-rated, most authentic glowworm caving experience.

An “off the beaten track” 3 hour adventure into the stunning limestone and glow worm caves on our family farm. Waitomo’s top-rated, most authentic glowworm caving experience.

Highlights

  • Amazing glow worm displays!
  • Just the right amount of adventure
  • Away from the crowds
  • Only 2 - 6 people per group!
  • Cameras welcome
  • Authentic eco experience
  • Family owned and operated
  • #1 Trip Advisor rated tour in the Waitomo District

Our personalised 3 hour guided tours are for small groups of 2-6 people. We’ll welcome you to our farmhouse and give you all the clothing, footwear and equipment you need.

You’ll begin your adventure walking through beautiful native bush, climbing over boulders and wading through the freshwater stream that flows into our cave system.

What’s really special about Down to Earth Waitomo Eco Glowworm Cave Tours is that we have left our caves in their purest and most natural state. With no concrete paths or electric lighting, this is a genuine eco-adventure into the heart of New Zealand’s magical glow worm environment.

Once inside the caves, you can explore magical glow worm displays and stunning limestone formations at your own pace, stopping to take photos along the way. You’re welcome to bring a small camera along on the tour. Your guide will also take great pictures of your adventure which we’ll email you afterwards for free.

After your tour, enjoy a hot shower and refreshments back at the farmhouse. We love meeting new friends from all over the world and sharing our local knowledge and travel tips.

The incredible cave system on our family farm is one of only two in Waitomo classified as ‘of international significance’ by NZ’s Department of Conservation. Come and experience a true piece of New Zealand paradise!

Per Person $179.00

What's included

  • Photos of your adventure
  • Light refreshments
  • All the equipment you’ll need (helmet, head lamp, thermal top, thermal pants, fleece top, shorts, gumboots and socks)

Duration

  • Allow approximately 3 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • 1199 Oparure Road
  • Te Kuiti. Approx 25 mins from Waitomo Caves village
  • 1 hour from Hamilton and 2 hours from Rotorua. Please be aware that Down to Earth do not provide any pick up services.

Restrictions

  • Children must be 12 years of age or more. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian..

Notes

  • Please be aware that Down to Earth - Waitomo Eco Glowworm Cave Tours do not provide any pick-up services. IMPORTANT: This tour is not suitable for elderly or anyone with mobility difficulties as it involves climbing over boulders, walking up hills and wading through streams with rocks underfoot. A reasonable level of fitness is required..

  • Cancellations: Strictly no refund given if you cancel with less than 24hrs notice, or just don't show up for your booking.

Available Bookings from 31 Dec to 13 Jan 2025

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Tue 31 Dec
Wed 1 Jan
Thu 2 Jan
Fri 3 Jan
Sat 4 Jan
Sun 5 Jan
Mon 6 Jan
Tue 7 Jan
Wed 8 Jan
Thu 9 Jan
Fri 10 Jan
Sat 11 Jan
Sun 12 Jan
Mon 13 Jan

  • Per Person$179.00

  • Per Person$179.00

  • Per Person$179.00

  • Per Person$179.00

  • Per Person$179.00

  • Per Person$179.00

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

5.0

666 reviews

Showing all 666 authenticated Bookme reviews

Chrystelle from France wrote on 22 March 2023

Une expérience magique !

Nous avons adoré ce parcours dans les caves. L'endroit est magnifique, entouré d'une belle forêt. Équipé de la tête au pied nous avons exploré les caves à pied pour plusieurs instants magique. Ayant una anglais approximatif notre guide articulait super bien et nous avons compris beaucoup de choses lors de ces explications. À vivre absolument !

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From Down to Earth - Waitomo Eco Glowworm Cave Tours

Thanks for taking the time to write this AMAZING review :-) We are glad you enjoyed coming to hang out with us in our backyard in Waitomo. Take care and safe travels around New Zealand

Héléna from France wrote on 21 January 2020

Une expérience magique

L'accueil est chaleureux et enthousiaste. On nous habille de pied en cape pour une expédition spéléo en petit groupe (nous étions 6). On marche avec nos bottes dans une rivière, on se fraye un chemin entre les rochers entre lesquels on se contorsionne pour passer. De belles grottes avec plein de concrétions : stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, plusieurs salles avec des Glow Worms. Dans l'une d'elle, on reste 10 minutes dans le noir, si ce n'est ces "étoiles". C'est tellement beau que ça donne envie de pleurer.

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From Down to Earth - Waitomo Eco Glowworm Cave Tours

Thanks Helena, it was lovely to meet you. We LOVE sharing our families backyard with visitors from all over the world everyday. We feel very blessed to have a cool job like this :-)

lenal from France wrote on 01 September 2019

Expérience incroyable

Le personnel est adorable, nous avons apprécié l'ambiance familiale. La visite de 3 heures était merveilleuse; vers luisants, escalade de rochers, balade dans un paysage à couper le souffle seront au rendez-vous! Magique

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From Down to Earth - Waitomo Eco Glowworm Cave Tours

Thanks for your review, sometimes we sit back and are just amazed that we have the best job in the world!

Juline Salesse from France wrote on 14 May 2018

VRAIMENT SUPER

Cetait une expérience magique ! Jai adorée l'activité. Je recommande vivement. En 3h tu apprend plein de chose et tu vois plein de chose. Le guide était trop cool !

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Guillaume from France wrote on 13 April 2018

Super aventure!

Une excursion parfaite, une affaire familliale très bien tenue un personnel au top. Mention spéciale au guide qui nous a fait découvrir cette grotte magnifique. A ne pas manquer!

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Qualmark Certification

This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

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