Spellbound Explorer

Spellbound Explorer
From NZD $75.00
  • Duration: 145 Minutes (approx.)
  • Location: Oparure, King Country
  • Product code: EXPGT


Tour Description

Take a 5 minute van ride across a scenic limestone studded farm, then wander down down into the beautiful Mangawhitikau Gorge. Here you will discover our Glowworm Cave where the highlight is boat ride with spectacular glowworms. After this explore the further by walking along an ancient dry river bed to Te Ana o Te Atua, the  Cave of the Spirit. Inside, be impressed by its limestone formations, fossils and spectacular views to the sky up through tomo (sinkholes). The tour also includes a tea/coffee refreshment stop between the 2 cave visits.

Booking ahead 

Is strongly recommended because we have only 12 people per departure and tours fill quickly during holiday periods. Morning trips tend to fill first year round.

Winter hours

During May, June, July, August and the first half of September we intend to be open for 4 days a week. These days will be Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. From May 17- 30 we will be running a Cave Managers Conference and tours will be less frequent. Please check the booking system for availability.


Summer Hours

Tours run daily except for Christmas and Boxing Day (December 25 and 26).


Check in/Cancellations

We depart from 334 Boddies Rd Te Kuiti. Make sure you look up this address on Google Maps so you know where to find us and how long it should take to get there.

Our tours depart at the advertised time. Check in is 20 minutes prior to departure. Please be on time! Allowances can sometimes be made, so it's worth calling as soon as possible to discuss.

Cancellations; We need  24 hours notice that you wish to cancel for a full refund.  

For less than 24 hours notice,  no refund will be given. 


Fitness and Mobility

You do need to be able to walk for at least 40 minutes at a time over gentle terrain and pathways. We do not ever climb or crawl anywhere in our caves. There are no stairs in our caves. For those with mobility concerns, you will need to step into and out of a transit van and also into and out of our raft. We do not take wheelchairs or walking frames.


The minimum tour size is 2 participants.

 If you are travelling on your own, you can book, but your booking will only be confirmed once minimum has been reached. We will contact you if this is looking unlikely and we need you to reschedule(normally there will be another tour on the same day).


Flooding

Our glowworm tour operates beside and on a natural river. Heavy rain can cause the river to flood. We will cancel the tour at any time which the river becomes unsafe or we forecast that it is likely to flood. In the event of a partial tour we will offer a partial refund, for a full cancellation we will fully refund the tour. Your safety is our highest priority and our team are among the most experienced and qualified cave guides in NZ.


Children

Children are the responsibility of their caregivers, children must be supervised by their caregivers, and our guide's instructions must be followed for safety.

Please be aware that the caregiver of any upset or crying children may be asked to leave the cave and wait outside to reduce disturbance to others on the tour. 

Bring along 

A warm top or jacket, walking shoes (trainers) and your camera. If you have any questions about visiting our caves, please contact us for more information. We do like to know about any fitness issues or injuries which may affect you during your tour, then we can give you a good indication if our tour will be suitable for you