All you need to supply for these tours is a sleeping bag and personal gear. We will provide all other equipment needed including food, tent and cultural river navigator/s.
Day One:
Starting in Whanganui or Ohakune, the day begins with a drive to Whakahoro, the home of the Blue Duck. From here, following a whakatau (formal welcome), safety brief and packing the waka (canoe) you’ll embark with a river navigator towards Mangapāpapa Kāinga, an old māori settlement. Along the way you’ll pass some historic sites, hear some stories passed down through generations and enjoy the beauty that this section of river boasts. This first days paddle is the longest of the three days but the mystical scenery makes it all worth while.
Day Two:
Breakfast prepared by your guide sets you up ready for departure at around 9am. A morning paddle past the Tangarakau and Whangamōmona River takes you to the home of the Patupaiarehe – People of the Mist, a campsite called Mangawaiti. After morning tea you’ll make your way towards the bridge to nowhere, a popular bush walk (45min each way) and then continue paddling towards Tieke Kāinga, one of the most beautiful marae along the Whanganui River. Be prepared to sing a waiata (song) for the traditional welcoming process and with a kōhā to the marae you might be able to sleep with the locals in the wharenui (meeting house.)
Day Three:
A small sleep in followed by a poroaki (traditional farewell) will set you up for a respectful departure of Tieke Kāinga. An hour and a half of paddling through steep gorges and magical reflections bring you to the untouched waters of the Manganui o te Ao. After making it through one of the rivers most exciting rapids ‘Ngāporo,’ you’ll find yourself nestled up in the private campsite of Puraroto. Whilst a hāngi (traditional ground cooked food) is being prepared for you, you can visit the caves, have a swim or just relax around the warmth of the fire as you wait for dinner to be served.
Day Four:
Climb the peaks of the hills in the background and you’ll see the sun rise gracefully through the morning mist. Breakfast cooked on an open fire will set you up for the journeys last 3 rapids adding a little more excitement to the final stretches of your journey on the Whanganui River towards the once busy, river boat hub, Pipiriki.
5% discount for 6-11 people and 10% discount for 12-17 people. The bigger the group, the bigger the discount.
All of our multi-day tours include canoe, equipment, riverguides and lunch. All you bring is your personal river gear and your own snacks and nibbles. Click here for full gear list
All you need to supply for these tours is a sleeping bag and personal gear. We will provide all other equipment needed including food, tent and cultural river navigator/s.