What I Did Last Summer...Tongariro Alpine Crossing

KIA ORA!
 
Woweeee…Haere Mai AirAsia !
AirAsia X first flight from Kuala Lumpur to Auckland landed on 23 March 2016 this week at Auckland International Airport…Indeed its good news for all of us…
 
Tunggu apa lagiiiii…bak kata AirAsia “Now everyone can fly…” hehe…start planning and book your tickets travel lovers…Kiwi Land will welcome you with an open heart…and you will fall in love with the beauty of this country…Ikhlas Tours is ready to be part of your holiday journey…yeahhh promotion for AirAsia and Ikhlas Tours di situ…hihihi
 
I’m so excited to share with you about this week topic…my awesome life experience highlight in 2015
 
“What I did last summer?” … Just like Frodo and Sam in the land of Mordor...cewahhh…best niiii

Tongariro Alpine Crossing
 
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is heralded as the best one-day trek available in New Zealand, while others say it ranks among the top ten single-day treks in the world….You will be crossing 3 mountains as the back ground…
Mt Tongariro…Mt Ngauruhoe (Also known as Mt Doom in Lord of the Ring movie)…Mt Ruapehu (this one you can see from far in good weather)
 
Haaa giler tak excited when you get to know it’s the best and top ten in the world tuuuu…
 
I had the most amazing 3 days 2 nights adventure moment with one of my dear friend…just 2 of us went..sorry guys...this week iols have lots to share...a bit long to read...but I try not to be boring kayyy...hehe

 Let me walk you through my precious journey…
 
Bought promotion package in GrabOne NZ few months earlier (I think about 3-4 months early)…package include 3D2N accommodation, 2 breakfast, 1 packed lunch to bring for hiking day, 1 dinner and transport from hotel to start of the track and pick up from end track back to hotel.
 
We had to arrange transport from Auckland to nearest town caused it's not in the package…(budget ciput…ye la student kan...haha)...Instead of renting a car…we booked “InterCity Bus” from Auckland City to Ohakune (nearest town to stay to Tongariro National Park)...naik bus uolsss...but happeningggg naik bus ada katil double decker...can sleep maaa..hehe
 
Our journey starts…
 
Day 1
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By bus took us about 6 hours plus…if by car will be around 4.5 hours driving… Distance is about 356km (Auckland City – Ohanuke town) Reached Ohanuke around afternoon had our lunch at one of the best fish and chips shop I’ve ever tried so far…serious sedap weiii…then walked around the town…very small and quiet town I must say…koboi gak la…I guess people who stays there are busy with their adventurous activities…

Check in 3.00pm at Tussock Grove Boutique Hotel
 
First during briefing... they told us that we might need to cancel our trip tomorrow due to strong wind according to weather forecast for Mt Tongariro….They will update again latest by 9.00pm whether we can proceed “Hopefully the wind will drop for you guys…” That’s exactly what he said with a big smile on his face…meanwhile he told us other alternative walk we can do..there are few forest trails la…but your heart been waiting to do this crossing kan…but tu la…tipu la tak frust…giler I tell you…we were like “Noooooo….we came all the way here…” but then you can’t do much right…all this in God’s hand…so pray hard people that weather will be good…Allah knows best
 
While waiting in the room…still praying hard…like seriously we were like “Ya Allah pleaseeeeee help us…only You can change all this…” same time we were looking at other alternative walk…sedapkan hati since we ‘re already there and if there’s no choice…belasah aje lah…so be prepared for any consequences ya guys...seriously the group after us had to cancel it due to bad weather...
 
9.00pm…someone knock on our door…serious nervous hokayyyy…
“I have good news for you…the wind has dropped to 45km/h…so you guys can get ready tomorrow morning as planned.”
Fuhhhhhh….Sujud Syukur terus…punya la happy to go and Allah listened to our prayer…hehe…Syukur Alhamdulillah…now can see big smile on our face...haha

DAY 2
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The actual adventure day…hehe excited! (Please read the last part…coz I’m sharing good tips to prepare yourself for this hike…sounds like a pro hey…haha…takde la pro pun…speaking through experience…hehe…but very important to take note)
 
6.30am Had pancake for breakfast…yumss
Took our packed lunch prepared by hotel...2 vegetarian sandwich, 1 apple, 2 muesli bars, 1 bottle drinking water (1L)…cewah macam kiwi dah kan…hehe…feeling p laaa…
You definitely need more than 1L people…standby 2-3L of water coz you can’t refill any along your hike…no water supply
 
7.15am Departs from Hotel to starting point of the track called Mangatepopo
 
8.30am Arrived at Mangatepopo…Shuttle driver told us pick up time is 4.30pm at the other end Ketetahi Car Park….It’s a one way trail ya…you won’t have enough time to patah balik in a day
 
8.45am And…The fellowship journey begun…

The track

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing track spans the length of Mount Tongariro, covering 19.4 kilometres. On average the trek takes between seven and nine hours to complete. We completed around 7 hours plus the crossing passes over the volcanic terrain of the multi-cratered active volcano Mt Tongariro passing the eastern base of Mt Ngauruhoe which can optionally be climbed as a side trip.

The track starts at the Mangatepopo Valley and finishes at Ketatahi Road. Following the track in this direction means the least amount of climbing is involved, though first timers should be aware that the track is considered steep in parts.

Track has few stages…seriously you will be amazed throughout your journey…but don’t forget to set your walking timing ya…if not you won’t have enough time to reach the end…the shuttle won’t wait for you…they will only wait for 5-10 minutes…if not byeeeee…honestly hard to follow time especially when your eyes are stuck with God’s creations…Subhanallah you were like in different world I tell you…chek tak tau laaa…how to explain in words how crazy beautiful your journey will be… Cantikkkkk sangattttt

Ok…let me help you with some timing tips…this one also I got it from Tongariro Crossing journey plan official sites…I’m saving your time here people so you don’t have to Google and browse to find info here and there…

Mangatepopo Car Park to Soda Springs (1,350m)
Easy…allow 1 – 1.5 hours walk
 
Soda Springs to South Crater (1,650m)
Medium-Difficult….allow 40 minutes to 1 hour
 
South Crater to Red Crater
(highest point 1,886m ; 6,188ft…if you don’t do Mt Ngauruhoe peak side hike this will be your highest point) Medium-Difficult….allow 1 hour

​*This part is a bit tough due to strong wind…almost feel like flying there…I had to hold to one of the rock…plus here the temperature dropped…during our time…it was (-2 degrees)…sejuk nak mampus…
 
Red Crater to Blue Lake
Medium…allow 30 minutes
*All I can say…enjoyyyyyyy!!!!
 
Blue Lake to Ketetahi Hut
Easy-Medium…allow 1 hour
 
Ketetahi Hut to Ketetahi Car Park
Easy-Medium…allow 2 hours
*We were basically running here…haha…xcukup time cause we spent too much time being jakun on top there…

Important point to take note/tips:
 
Weather…very…very important to know this

• Always check the weather forecast before you plan and before you start so you will know what to bring
• Different season temperature
• From my experience (I went first week of December which is beginning of summer)…starting point was 9’ degree…highest point at Red Crater was (-2’) degree…end point was 17’ degree
• Best is to wear layers instead of one thick jacket…one coz it will be heavy to carry…two is you can take out or wear it layer by layer when the weather changes

 
Tips: How to check weather forecast…you could go to link below
www.metservice.com/mountain/tongariro-national-park

• Always check “RED CRATER” under “Wind” and “Wind Chill temperature”…”Wind” must be below 50km/h then only they will allow you to go up…”Wind Chill temperature” is for you to prepare your hiking gear….Pleaseeee check carefully as the weather will dropped from bottom start up to Red Crater…will share few other tips below

 
What to bring/wear

• Proper hiking attire depends on weather… Warm clothing layers…woolen or polypropylene thermals and fleece
• Proper hiking shoes/boots…as some parts can be very slippery if you wear normal sport shoes….remember you are trekking over uneven volcanic terrain
• Hand gloves…MUST! Very chilly up there…
• Hiking poles/sticks…1 or 2 it does help a lot…especially if it’s very windy
• Food and Drinking Water – 2-3L…especially in summer and you are planning on completing any of side summit tracks…additional water supplies would be good
• Waterproof and windproof raincoat and trousers
• Hat
• Sunscreen and Sunglasses
• First Aid
• Map
• Phone

 
Transport

• If you are driving on your own…please remember you need park at either start or end point caused it’s a one-way trails…
• So you still need to arrange shuttle to pick up from one point to take to where you park your car
• If you drive…best is to park at Ketetahi Car park…then you arrange pick up from Ketetahi Car park to Mangatepopo Car park
• Easiest is to just take the shuttle…minus point just that you need to follow their pick up time

 
Timing

• Please remember to monitor your trekking time
• Very important…each season is different…if you go during Autumn/Winter or early Spring…day light is shorter…so you don’t have much time as it gets dark early…and some point it will get very dark and they will advice you to finish early…shorter time means you can’t enjoy the view much
• Best time of course in Summer…but mid of Spring would good as well…basically will be between October to February…longer day light…you get to enjoy longer walk

 
Do you need a Guide?

• No…very clear and well maintain tracks…but you must follow the sign la…don’t get too excited and try to be too adventurous pandai-pandai create your own track memang takkkk la sayang…follow je…you won’t get lost there…
• Plus there will be lots of people will be hiking together with you…so make friends and you will be fine
• Alone? Not really a good idea unless you really plan to make new friend and go together with them there…at least you have one more friend to be together…

Truth is…I can’t tell you exactly the whole journey experience caused seriously words can’t describe the actual feeling when you are there… stunning view that made you just stunt and can’t moved…cantik MasyaAllah…the beauty was just beyond words….I was like walking in different movie scene…macam betul ke niiii…plus I better keep some of the surprises that awaits throughout the journey…if I tell you everything tak thrill la kannnn…hehe…different people will have different kind of experience and feel…but what I can tell you…definitely need to be in your bucket list...you don’t wanna miss it and you won’t regret doing this…CONFIRMED!!!!
 
Overall…you will need to arrange few things here…so for those yang need help/assistance…apa lagi…

​Contact Ikhlas Tours to arrange for you…Insha Allah everything will be sorted out for you…hehe

​It's a long weekend for us this week...Good Friday and Easter Holiday...Yayyy!!!

Till then...talk to you soon travel lovers...have a great week peeps!