traviia
Placeholder

Aranui Cave Guided Tour

Waitomo

4.0(13)

Overview

Discover the hidden beauty of Aranui Cave, the smallest and most delicate of the Waitomo Caves set within a natural forest reserve on a 1-hour guided walking tour.

Highlights

  • Take a guided tour through the Ruakuri Scenic Reserve to see its magnificent cave, beautiful rock formations, and cave weta colonies.
  • Explore the Maori legends and myths of Aranui Cave with your guide and discover their anecdotes and secrets.
  • Get a glimpse of the long, narrow chambers of the Waitomo cave and the high chambers of the Aranui cave, as well as the white, pink, and brown stalactites that adorn this cave.
  • Take a stroll at the Ruakuri Scenic Reserve for scenic walks among the native wildlife and an enchanted forest.
  • Fun fact: The cave was discovered by a local Māori hunter chasing a wild pig. Ask your guide about this story - each guide has a slightly different version!

Inclusions

  • 1-hour guided tour of Aranui Cave
  • English-speaking guide of Maori descent
  • Small group of up to 15 people
  • Photography allowed
  • Entry to Aranui Cave

Cancellation Policy

Tickets for this activity are non-refundable. If you are not satisfied with your experience, please contact us to cancel your booking.

Reviews

4/5

13 reviews

5
2220
4
427
3
142
2
29
1
29

Your Experience

Your experience

Why visit Aranui Cave

A magical, mystical place steeped in Maori legend and myth, Aranui Cave is a truly remarkable sight. This previously hidden gem was discovered by a local Maori man in 1910, Ruruku Aranui. Explore Aranui Cave by taking a scenic stroll through an enchanted forest at Ruakuri Scenic Reserve, 5 minutes from the visitor center. The only life inside Aranui Cave is a colony of native New Zealand cave wetas found just inside the cave's natural entrance. The cave has no river running through it.

What to expect

Enter the cave and explore the exquisite interior decorations. The best cave formations are found in Waitomo's narrow chambers, which can only be reached on safe boardwalks. There is nothing quite like the Aranui cave's high chambers, majestic limestone formations, and huge stalactites in shades of brown, pink, and white. This cave system boasts delicate, sparkling forms in pale brown, pink, and white around almost every corner.

Similar experiences you'd love

Starting From
₹ 4,191