Tongoriro Alpine crossing Walk

Tongoriro crossing has been considered as the one of the finest one day walk in the world. The 19.4km walk covers spectacular volcanic geography, from an active crater to steaming vents and beautiful coloured lakes.
We had been planning to this walk for longggggg time. But one or the other reason we were unable to do this. It was either rain at Tongoriro national park or we were unable to make up our mind. But finally we planned to do it during this easter weekend. Previous night to our walk, we landed at Discovery Lodge which is at the foothills of Mt Rupehu.
We were checking the weather every day as it is a big factor in this part of the world. Next day weather was supposed to be great. But our motel owner who was going to drive us to the starting point of the walk said "We will see the weather report early morning".

Next day as the weather was clear. We started at 6.10AM from our motel. As we started at 6.30AM from Mangatepopo hut, it was pitch dark. But the moonlight was sufficient for us to start the walk. Intial 3km went off with out much action. Then suddenly we saw this board . Oops..... I thought should we go ahead ???
Then we thought, We will do it, let us see what happens.
Then there was a sudden ascend. When we were climbing, we could see the Sunrise on the other side of the mountain. Then we saw the Mt Ngauruhoe. We reached the first plateau.
 Mt Ngauruhoe (2287 mts) better known as being the setting for Mt Doom in the Lord of the Rings films.



 
 
 
 
 
 
It was 8.45AM, and time for breakfast. We were so hungry, I never loved bread-jam so much in my life. It was an amazing moment, having breakfast at a place with such great view. We started from there, after breakfast and couple of photographs. We then went thro' South Crater. Then we went up again to the second plateau. Then we had an amazing view of south crater, Mt Ngauruhoe on one side and Desert road, Oturere valley on the other side. We took small break and photos, before we started our walk again.

We moved on to the next plateau, from where we can see Mt Tongoriro (1967 mts). Some people were going to Mt Tongoriro summit which is another 1.5 hour return. But we moved on to the highest point on the Tongoriro crossing. On to our right we saw Red crater. Then, suddenly there was no walking track infront of us. I went little more front and I saw the blue lake and Emerld lakes. What an amazing sight, of blue/green water in a browny deserted land. But how to reach there ?????? Oooops........ we need to decend 1126 mts, to reach those lakes. It was most terrifying as the land was steep and loose.    When we reached down, it was just amazing sight of Emerld lakes.Our whole walk was worth the effort. We spent lot of time in clicking photos.... I just love this scenic beauty.

When we started back mud had gone in my shoes and shoe had started giving problem. We went up again, to see the blue lake. From here we had to walk another 10km to reach to the other end. We reached Ketetahi hut and had our lunch. But my legs had boils.
We had lunch and we started to walk, noooooooo.... literally, I started running as it was going down the hill and I was unable to control my body to stop as I was tired. We finished last 6km in 1.5 hour. When we reached the finish point, every inch of my body was crying for rest. So, our walk come to an end after 7 hour 45 minutes after our early start. I don't mind coming back here again for another look at Emerald lakes. What a day it has been with some breath taking photos and to finish the day this was the view from our motel.

I am writing this blog at home, with my legs in hot salty water to reduce my leg pain, but I don't mind going back again and endure those pain for one more walk.

For more photos check  Flickr photos  or My Photo Album