Once you’ve checked in it’s time to meet your guides, and you’ll figure out quickly that you’re in good hands. Our guides are some of the friendliest and most-passionate cavers around, and they know Ruakuri like the back of their hands. They’ll get you kitted out in a wetsuit, rubber boots and helmet, before taking some pre-cave team photos for you.
Then it’s time for a practice run. If you’re doing the Black Labyrinth, this means perfecting jumping into the water in a tube. If you’re doing the Black Abyss, you’ll get to practice basic abseiling skills ahead of your 35-metre abseil into the caves.
Then it’s time to head into the caves. For team Black Abyss this means getting rigged up and doing an exhilarating abseil into the depths of the cave. Of course, your guide will be there to keep you safe and take some photos. You’ll then be hooked up to a zip line, and proceed to fly through the pitch-black cave.
For both tours, it’s then time to get in your tubes and raft the underground river, below a sky of glow worms. You’ll also get to raise your adrenaline levels and jump off a few waterfalls. For those on the Black Abyss, you’ll have extra time to explore the cave tube-free, including climbing up waterfalls and floating through the caves. Guides will be on hand with sweet treats throughout both tours to keep your energy levels up.
Once your tour is over you’ll head back, remove your caving gear and get to enjoy a well-earnt hot shower, then onto the Waitomo Homestead, where this tour ends. The photos your guide took on your tour will be sent straight to your email, so check them out there!

All bookings must be reconfirmed 48 hours in advance by contacting your tour provider directly using the contact information listed on your tour voucher.

You may either re-schedule directly with the supplier or you can email our support team on [email protected] and include your voucher number, name of product you booked, planned departure date and your contact details. Once you’ve emailed us, you can drop us a line at +61 2 5633 1149.

Yes, we do have open dated/flexible tickets available. Most tour vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of purchase, however please be aware that you may be subject to supplier price fluctuations. All ticket validity is specified on the tour voucher. If you are unsure of the validity of your voucher, just ask one of our wonderful staff.

Some tours have extra costs and you should be aware that there may be added expenses. These expenses will differ for each service provider, but some of the more usual extras are: EMC tax, stinger suit hire, luggage storage, sleeping bag hire, linen hire, national park fee, food, insurance, accommodation, equipment hire, petrol levy, etc. We will alert you to extra costs to the extent reasonably practicable. However, you must also check with each individual service provider when you re-confirm your booking.

We endorse the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that all travellers take out travel insurance. If you already have travel insurance, please understand that it is your responsibility to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all of the adventure style travel you have booked with us.

Absolutely, we understand that paying off a big trip in one go isn’t always that easy. We offer flexible payment plans to suit all types of travellers with zero interest or fee’s (minimum $100AUD deposit required).

Most tour vouchers will specify if your trip is BYO however we recommend asking your tour provider if your trip is BYO when you reconfirm your booking 48 hours prior to departure.