Waitomo’s Hidden Gem: Off the Beaten Track Glowworm Cave Tour

This was amazing! It was a bit more intense than I realized- crossing an underground river of cold water up to our knees, scrambling over rocks, climbing through a few tight spaces- my 13 year old son and I both LOVED it! The scenery on the way to and from the caves was also incredible. Our guide (Ash) was a lot of fun and did a great job. As long as you’re in good shape, definitely book this! It’s a wonderful adventure.

This was easily one of the highlights of our trip to New Zealand! The caves and surrounding native forest are absolutely breathtaking, and the fact that the tour takes you off the beaten track makes it feel even more special. A huge thank you to our guide, Ash, who made the entire experience unforgettable. He was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the area. He explained everything in such an engaging and easy-to-understand way, from the fascinating cave formations to the local history and nature, and he made everyone feel comfortable throughout the tour. You could really tell how much he loves what he does. We never felt rushed, had plenty of opportunities to ask questions, and the whole experience felt personal and authentic. If you're visiting Waitomo and want something beyond the typical tourist experience, this tour is an absolute must. Thank you, Ash, for an amazing day and memories we'll never forget. Highly recommended!

So, it was my daughter's 16th birthday and I told her that we were going to a worm cave. She was NOT excited. Happily, I can report that the whole family loved the experience. Ash, had my daughter laughing in a few minutes and we were all excited to go! The hike down to the caves was beautiful, and Ash was very informative about the land, area and history. Despite the boots, your feet get quite wet which only added to the fun. The caves were fun to weave through and the Glowworms were fascinating. After the tour, we were treated to coffee/ tea and biscuits. It was lovely and felt like we were sitting chatting with our long time friend, Ash. I think he would have let us talk forever, but I reminded my family that we were on a tour and should probably Ash get on with his day. I highly recommend this experience.

Fantastic tour. Everything was thought of. Great, likable people. Absolutely breathtaking experience!

Overall, this experience was incredible - from a warm welcome in the beginning, to the guide being an absolute riot, even though we had a small group (three people), the attention to each person in the group was fantastic, and the value for the money was perfect. The experience itself was mildly strenuous, but the payoff was well worth it. They even provided coffee and cookies afterwards, and a full set of clothing so nothing personal got wet during the experience. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to experience the glowworms up close and personal!

You will get your feet wet. But you have changed into tour clothes before, so that’s no worry. You can also have a quick shower afterwards. It’s a great experience and should not be missed.

i would definitely recommend anyone in the world to try this amazing adventure! Ash was a really awesome tour guide, one of my happiest moment in my life to explore the cave with rocks and flowing river by myself. I could’t even think that I’m able to do it, but Ash made it possible. Free photography by Ash was also included! Just bring yourself with you and other outfits, tools, equipments, they got you covered. And the glowworms (or maggots I should say?😂) were magical✨

I feel so lucky that I got to experience this tour! The whole process was so easy — I was given clear instructions on how to show up after I booked, there were easy road signs to follow, and they provide EVERYTHING you need (clothes, socks, boots, helmet, etc). Ash was super friendly from the beginning and lead a fantastic tour. He was so knowledgeable about the land and the caves, showed me so many cool features, took great photos, and was so perceptive and patient with me when I got nervous. I will always keep the memory of seeing the glowworms for the first time, and I cannot recommend Ash and this tour enough!

Prepare to enter a cave get your feet wet and be prepared to be awed ! Ash is an awesome guide with the knowledge and passion to make your day enjoyable.

Such an amazing, one of a kind experience. Ash was an awesome and funny guide, and the glow worms were beautiful. They even took great quality photos for us so we could enjoy the full experience. Would recommend!