Adrift Tongariro

Terms and Conditions
Adrift Outdoors Ltd trading as Adrift Tongariro and Adrift Tongariro Guided Tours.

Adrift Specials non cancellation Policy. Special offers are greatly discounted off our standard product offer. We are happy to offer free postponement if trips cannot be completed for any reason, but not a refund. Refundable tour options are available, please see our premium tours.

Adrift specials include all tours that have been discounted and includes the following :
Adrift specials include all tours that have been discounted and includes the following :
Winter Tongariro Crossing Alpine Crossing Guided Walk Special
Summer Tongariro Crossing Alpine Crossing Guided Walk Special
Winter Mt Ruapehu Crater Lake Guided Hike Special
Summer Mt Ruapehu Crater Lake Guided Hike Special
Summer 1 Day Whanganui River Guided Canoe Special
All Stay and play Specials
Cheeky midweeky

Special offers, in conjunction with Alpine Chalets are based on 2 Adults twin share, minimum 2 nights stay with Alpine Chalets. Accommodation is subject to availability. Children are classified 12 – 16 years old. Younger children must be approved by Alpine Chalets before booking.

Special offers, in conjunction with Alpine Chalets, offer a great discount off our standard product offer. To enable this discount whilst we are happy to offer free postponement, we cannot offer a refund. For your benefit, it is essential you communicate with Adrift Tongariro 48 hours days prior to your arrival at Alpine Chalets in regard to your Adrift Tongariro guided tour.

At this time, Adrift Tongariro will offer its best interpretation of the forecasted conditions for the day of your tour, but this is a forecast and thus is not guaranteed. Adrift Tongariro reserves the right to cancel and postpone the tour on the morning of the tour. If the tour is cancelled and postponed subsequent to your arrival at Alpine Chalets, there is no refund or postponement of your accommodation.

If for any reason you want to or need to alter the date of this package deal for up to 1 year from the check-in date, then you can postpone your booking up to 48 hours prior to check-in date with Alpine Chalets, this must be via email bookings@adriftnz.co.nz. No refunds will be given.


COVID-19 Policy
COVID-19 Traffic Light System: Red
At Red we are fully operational.

Cancellation and Weather Policy
Individual and Group Bookings
We take all individual and group bookings. If you are traveling alone please book as we generally meet minimum numbers. Our minimum group size is two people. Prices are based on a minimum of two people. Single customers will be accepted but should the minimum number of two not be met we will charge a surcharge of an extra person(s) or re-book the client onto a date when minimum numbers have been met. If we are unable to find a tour date to suit you other than the date you have requested then we will refund the tour cost in full, this applies to full priced trips only, refunds do not apply to Adrift specials.. If possible and agreeable with all parties, single customers will be placed with a group and there will be no surcharge. We highly recommend that single person bookings phone 3 days prior to trip date to establish if minimum numbers have been met.

All tours commence from the Adrift Tongariro base and transport from here is included. Pick up from Taupo, Turangi or Ohakune and Whakapapa Village will also incur a surcharge of an extra person.

Health and Fitness, Drugs and Alcohol
Adrift Tongariro reserves the right to refuse to guide anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol. No refund will be offered.

Adrift Tongariro must be informed of any medical issues which could hinder your or the group's safety or the ability to complete the walk. Adrift Tongariro has the right to safely return a person to the start of the tour should that person not, in the guide’s opinion, meet the physical, mental or general fitness minimum requirement to complete the tour.

Adrift Tongariro reserves the right to refuse to guide anyone who in Adrift Tongariro’s opinion is under the influence of drugs or alcohol or is acting in a manner which is disruptive or refuses to take Adrift Tongariro’s directions, no refund will be offered.

All clients are to fill in their personal emergency and health and fitness details online prior to arriving at the Adrift Tongariro base.

In the interests of safety and general enjoyment restrictions may apply in regard to age, level of fitness and standard of health that is required in order to complete the tour.

All trips have a minimum clothing policy and equipment requirements that clients must adhere to.

Risk
In any adventure activity, there is an element of risk involved. Risks in undertaking this activity include a risk of hypothermia & a risk of slipping which could result in injury. You are walking on an active volcano with the safest possible NZ Volcanic Alert Level of zero. However volcanoes can erupt at any time without notice. Volcanic experts say that hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is vastly safer on our guided tour than driving a car. The staff & management of Adrift Tongariro take all practical steps to identify & minimise potential danger. However, you must follow our instructions & use the safety equipment provided at all times. Adults accompanying any person under the age of 18 must ensure that the underage person follows our instructions at all times. You agree to release or indemnify Adrift Tongariro & our staff against any liability we incur to anyone else resulting in your failure to follow our instructions or the failure of any person accompanying you under the age of 18. We reserve the right to withdraw any person who in our opinion is likely to endanger themselves or others. We reserve the right to cancel a trip if we become concerned for any reason for your safety or that of any other person.

Weather and Trip Decisions
New Zealand weather is extremely changeable and thus impossible to forecast accurately. Adrift Tongariro has the right to cancel an adventure should we consider the weather to cause too high a risk. Adrift Tongariro guarantees a departure in all weather conditions, provided we can offer one safely.

We thrive and excel in the wind, rain, sleet, snow and even hot and humid conditions. Our guides are fully qualified and have the experience to handle all conditions. However we do not guarantee reaching the intended objective. Safety decisions regarding client health and fitness weather avalanche ice volcanic activity and hypothermia are taken into consideration when securing our exact route for the day.

All decisions regarding the departure of the tour are made at the meeting time for that tour at the Adrift Tongariro base.

All departures meet at the Adrift Tongariro base 53 Carroll St, National Park Village.



Adverse Conditions
In the event of adverse conditions, Adrift Tongariro will offer one of the following options, this is solely an Adrift Tongariro decision:

Option 1 At the tour meeting time at the Adrift Tongariro base the Adrift Tongariro team will gauge the safety of the route. Adrift Tongariro will deem the weather to be unsafe if there is consistently 10mm or more of rain combined with wind gusts of 70 km/h or higher, forecasted for the 6 hour period starting at the commencement of the tour. If we believe that the advertised route should not be attempted for safety reasons, Adrift Tongariro will suggest either an alternate route where the client will get to see similar terrain as they would on the tour booked without the same exposure to the weather, or offer a postponement to another day. Adrift Tongariro tours excluding the Adrift Specials, a full refund will be offered if the above alternatives are not acceptable. If the clients accept an alternate route or postponement the option of a refund is forfeited.

Option 2 Adrift Tongariro commences the tour with the intention of completing the tour. If the weather is not safe to proceed along the stated route, then Adrift Tongariro will guide up to a point and turn around. If we return to the start of the hike within 4 hours of tour commencement and if the guide decides to turn the group around for safety as a result of the adverse elements (not client discomfort) or in the event the tour fails to reach the intended objective because of conditions, then Adrift Tongariro may offer another trip with a 50% discount applied. (The 50% discount does not apply to the Adrift Specials). If an individual is unable to continue the tour, as decided by either the client or the guide, then that client will return to the start, no refund will be given.

Cancellation and Postponement
All Adrift Tongariro Tours
If a tour is cancelled for any reason then, Adrift Tongariro will suggest either an alternate route where the client will get to see similar terrain as they would on the tour booked without the same exposure to the weather, or we will postpone your booking for up to 12 months from the original tour commencement date, providing Adrift Tongariro can place you into an existing tour. The postponed tour must meet with all other terms and conditions and no refund is available should the tour on the postponement date not eventuate.

Adrift Tongariro tours, excluding the Adrift Specials, a full refund is given to all cancellations made by clients up to 14 days prior to the tour date.

All Adrift Tongariro tours, Adrift Tongariro accepts no responsibility for the clients use of third party transportation nor any acts of god nor illness or injury, which affects the client’s ability to commence their scheduled tour. No refund will be made if the client does not show up for their scheduled tour. If possible Adrift Tongariro will endeavour to postpone the booking to a future date.


Bookings and Reconfirmation
Bookings
Bookings are best made online, once made a confirmation of booking will be emailed. You are required to fill in the online client emergency contact and health form prior to arrival at the Adrift Tongariro base for your tour. Confirmation of booking will serve as receipt and if applicable GST invoice. Payment in full is taken upon booking.

Reconfirmation
It is essential that all clients phone the Adrift Tongariro base between 10:00am – 5:00pm the day prior to trip date to reconfirm tour departure time and discuss exact timings. +64 7892 2751.

Child Policy
Adrift Tongariro will take children 12 years old and over. Children under 12 years old need approval from Adrift Tongariro.

Christmas and New Year Operations
All tour bookings on New Year’s Day will only be offered at the private price point with a minimum of two pax. Boxing day and the 2nd January incur at 50% surcharge on the normal tour rate, minimum of two pax. Adrift Tongariro is closed on Christmas Day.

Meals for Full Day and Multi Day Tours
Lunch is not included in tour pricing but is available as a separate booked item (see rate sheet), this must be advised at the time of booking, we have two options vegetarian or non-vegetarian (usually including ham in the filled roll). Any other dietary requirements are not able to be catered for so clients must make arrangements to bring their own lunch.

Return Transfers
All return transfers require a minimum of two persons to operate transfers. Return transfers are an additional service and cost over and above the tour booking, available with selected full day and half day guided tours with Adrift Tongariro only. Transport between the Adrift Tongariro base and the activity is included in the price.

All times listed are approximate and therefore essential all clients phone the Adrift Tongariro base between 10:00am - 5:00pm the day prior to the trip date to confirm transfer pick up time. +64 7892 2751.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing Guided Walk
This is a Tongariro Alpine guided tour. We do not guarantee reaching the Ketetahi end. Safety regarding weather, avalanche, ice and hypothermia are taken into consideration when securing our exact route for the day.

Sunrise Tongariro Alpine Crossing Guided Walk
In the event that Adrift Tongariro considers the weather to be of such a nature to expose the group to undue risk then Adrift Tongariro will defer the tour to a day tour. PLEASE ALLOW FOR THIS IN YOUR ITINERARY. If a day tour does not proceed and an alternative tour is not viable then a full refund will be given.

If Adrift Tongariro defer a sunrise tour to a day tour the difference in the cost of these two tours will be refunded.

This is a Tongariro Alpine guided tour. We do not guarantee reaching the Ketetahi end. Safety regarding weather, avalanche, ice and hypothermia are taken into consideration when securing our exact route for the day.

Adrift Tongariro External Endorsements
Adrift Tongariro is a registered professional commercial mountaineering, canoeing and biking company, with independently audited safety systems, registered with The Department of Health and Safety - our registration number is AAO869. Adrift Tongariro is also fully Qualmark endorsed and is a Department of Conservation concessioner for the Tongariro and Whanganui National Parks. Adrift Tongariro is a member of the tourism industry association New Zealand. Director Stewart Barclay is a member of the New Zealand Outdoor Instructor Association as a qualified alpine, canoe and bush instructor.