Waitomo’s Hidden Gem: Off The Beaten Track Glowworm Cave Tour

So fun! Ash made this trip with his humor, preparation and kindness. I loved the quirky “costumes”, and mystery. He made the challenge of exploring the unknown a laughter filled joy. We had a great, diverse group and everyone was remarkably pleasant. What a great day 2 in New Zealand.

Great trip into the Down To Earth caves. There were 4 of us plus Ash, the guide. The tour was fun and informative, and he gave us plenty of time to look closely, ask questions, and take photos. You do need to have reasonable mobility for the tour which involves so light scrambling. They provide ALL your clothing, top to toe, take several photos which were very good, and hot tea and shower if needed afterwards. It rained and was cool weather, but we never got frozen to the bone. The glowworm section of the caves was magical. Highly recommend!

Tremendous experience - Ash was a great guide and Michelle was very welcoming. Small group made the whole trip much more enjoyable. Thoroughly recommend!

Ash was a fantastic guide and matched our tour to our comfort level. Funny and supportive, informative. Great up close views of the glow worms in all their stages of life. Also took beautiful pictures for us. Highly recommend this trip.

great experience with Ash, he is a great host and guide, heaps of stories to tell abour the caves, life around them, discoveries, early settlers, everything.

Ash was a fantastic guide. We had a sensational time caving under his guidance. We felt safe throughout the entire experience. Thanks Ash for your enthusiasm, entertainment and professionalism. We were given loads of interesting and relevant information about the cave and the Glowworms, and constantly monitored by Ash as we transversed the more difficult parts of the cave. The Glowworm display was amazing and well worth the effort to get there. Thanks Ash for a fantastic tour! Michael and Dena Busselton Western Australia

Our guide was Ash and he was amazing. His knowledge was incredible and the tour itself was amazing. It was a really fun experience and something a bit different. I’ve never seen anything like it and overall from start to finish it was great :)

A super amazing caving experience! The guide was super knowledgeable and took great photos of us!

Ash, our tour guide, was absolutely amazing! He knew the area incredibly well, including all the little secrets and hidden spots, and kept us laughing throughout the whole adventure. He was also very patient with us and made the experience even more enjoyable. The Off the Beaten Track Tour was truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. You enter a beautiful private forest surrounded by incredible greenery and water before making your way into the cave from one side and eventually coming out the other. Inside, you climb over rocks, squeeze underneath them, crawl on your knees, and make your way through the river. Be prepared to get wet—and to be completely speechless by what you see! And, of course, the highlight of the tour: the glowworms. Seeing them covering the ceiling of the cave in complete darkness was magical. It looked like a sky filled with thousands of stars. An unforgettable experience from beginning to end, and one we would absolutely recommend!

Such a brilliant experience- I could not recommend more highly. Ash was fantastic- so knowledgeable and competent. I was the only one booked for this tour, so was very lucky to have a 1:1!. If you’re not sure whether or not to book this tour - do it! You won’t regret it.

This was amazing! It was a bit more intense than I realized- crossing an underground river of cold water up to our knees, scrambling over rocks, climbing through a few tight spaces- my 13 year old son and I both LOVED it! The scenery on the way to and from the caves was also incredible. Our guide (Ash) was a lot of fun and did a great job. As long as you’re in good shape, definitely book this! It’s a wonderful adventure.

This was easily one of the highlights of our trip to New Zealand! The caves and surrounding native forest are absolutely breathtaking, and the fact that the tour takes you off the beaten track makes it feel even more special. A huge thank you to our guide, Ash, who made the entire experience unforgettable. He was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the area. He explained everything in such an engaging and easy-to-understand way, from the fascinating cave formations to the local history and nature, and he made everyone feel comfortable throughout the tour. You could really tell how much he loves what he does. We never felt rushed, had plenty of opportunities to ask questions, and the whole experience felt personal and authentic. If you're visiting Waitomo and want something beyond the typical tourist experience, this tour is an absolute must. Thank you, Ash, for an amazing day and memories we'll never forget. Highly recommended!

So, it was my daughter's 16th birthday and I told her that we were going to a worm cave. She was NOT excited. Happily, I can report that the whole family loved the experience. Ash, had my daughter laughing in a few minutes and we were all excited to go! The hike down to the caves was beautiful, and Ash was very informative about the land, area and history. Despite the boots, your feet get quite wet which only added to the fun. The caves were fun to weave through and the Glowworms were fascinating. After the tour, we were treated to coffee/ tea and biscuits. It was lovely and felt like we were sitting chatting with our long time friend, Ash. I think he would have let us talk forever, but I reminded my family that we were on a tour and should probably Ash get on with his day. I highly recommend this experience.

Overall, this experience was incredible - from a warm welcome in the beginning, to the guide being an absolute riot, even though we had a small group (three people), the attention to each person in the group was fantastic, and the value for the money was perfect. The experience itself was mildly strenuous, but the payoff was well worth it. They even provided coffee and cookies afterwards, and a full set of clothing so nothing personal got wet during the experience. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to experience the glowworms up close and personal!

You will get your feet wet. But you have changed into tour clothes before, so that’s no worry. You can also have a quick shower afterwards. It’s a great experience and should not be missed.

i would definitely recommend anyone in the world to try this amazing adventure! Ash was a really awesome tour guide, one of my happiest moment in my life to explore the cave with rocks and flowing river by myself. I could’t even think that I’m able to do it, but Ash made it possible. Free photography by Ash was also included! Just bring yourself with you and other outfits, tools, equipments, they got you covered. And the glowworms (or maggots I should say?😂) were magical✨

This was such an adventure! Our tour guide Ash was so fun, he took so many photos, gave us lots of fun facts and gave us a once and a life time experience. The cave exploration was so exciting and beautiful. I didn’t think the glow worms were real but the DEFINITELY ARE and so pretty! Highly recommend this tour, is a small group and that made it so much fun!

I feel so lucky that I got to experience this tour! The whole process was so easy — I was given clear instructions on how to show up after I booked, there were easy road signs to follow, and they provide EVERYTHING you need (clothes, socks, boots, helmet, etc). Ash was super friendly from the beginning and lead a fantastic tour. He was so knowledgeable about the land and the caves, showed me so many cool features, took great photos, and was so perceptive and patient with me when I got nervous. I will always keep the memory of seeing the glowworms for the first time, and I cannot recommend Ash and this tour enough!

Prepare to enter a cave get your feet wet and be prepared to be awed ! Ash is an awesome guide with the knowledge and passion to make your day enjoyable.

Such an amazing, one of a kind experience. Ash was an awesome and funny guide, and the glow worms were beautiful. They even took great quality photos for us so we could enjoy the full experience. Would recommend!

This tour was such a fun and delightful experience. Ash was wonderful, full of fascinating facts about everything one might want to know about the glow worms and caves. Definitely the highlight of our New Zealand visit.

An extraordinary adventure but not for the faint of heart . You wade thru rushing waters and wriggle between boulders but the rewards of the cave are breathtaking and our guide Ash was the best.

Visiting the Waitomo Glowworm Caves with Down to Earth was an unforgettable experience. Even though it was raining when we arrived, it somehow made the whole setting feel even more atmospheric and special. The glow worms themselves were absolutely magical—like a sky full of stars hidden underground. It felt surreal drifting through the caves and taking in such a unique natural wonder. A big highlight of the tour was our guide, Ash, who was both hilarious and incredibly knowledgeable. He shared fascinating insights about the caves and glow worms while keeping everyone entertained the entire time. His energy really elevated the experience for us.

a unique and magical experience, a very fun guide, a family welcome, we recommend this visit to the caves

This tour was so cool!!! I looked at several cave experiences to see the glowworms. They range from zip lining in a cave to getting on a boat and looking up and then being paddled out. I have two active teenagers and they really want to “do” things. This ruled out the passive tour. We were already zip lining elsewhere, so I wanted to do something unique. This family run tour fit the bill perfectly. First of all, I love that it is a cave on a family’s property that has been going back for generations. You pull up to a small home that has been transformed into the tour starting point, with changing rooms, a small gift shop, and facilities. Second, except for some steps down to the entrance of the cave, there is nothing “built”. No man made walkways, no lighting, no rails. You feel like a family friend is like “hey do you want to see these cool caves behind my house?” But don’t let the casualness fool you. Ash was an expert guide, ensuring our safety the entire time. There is some easy scrambling up and down rocks, and in between slabs, and Ash guided us all the way! The kids were thrilled as it felt like real exploring. Don’t worry about getting muddy or dirty, the experience provides you with clothes and boots so you don’t have drive away wet or cold. Helmets and headgear flashlights are provided. Ash guides you through the labyrinth, and you feel like you are stepping back into time. He talks about even finding a candle once while exploring the cave, and you can imagine several generations back exploring the area. Of course, the best part was getting to see the glow worm lights. The best best part? Five (5!!!) people on this tour, plus Ash. It was just us in the cave the entire time, and Ash took some beautiful long exposure pictures. If you love the feeling of being in nature and want a small, organic, natural experience, I highly highly highly recommend this tour. Thank you Ash!!!

A unique and adventurous way to see the glow worms. Friendly owners, loved the cup of tea and biccies at the end. Ash is a funny and passionate guide and he took great photos for us. An exciting entrance with a bit of wading through the underground river and over some rocks but nothing anyone with a reasonable level of mobility couldn’t handle. Great to see the glow worms up close and in an intimate setting with such a small group.

What a great tour - I highly recommend it. We enjoyed that this was a small (6 of us total), non commercial family run tour. Ash our guide was so entertaining, informative, helpful and kind. It should be noted that this tour required wading through a stream, a bit of ducking, and some bouldering in the cave to get to the glowworms, but that is all part of the fun and Ash was really good in guiding and helping with where to put your foot and hands, There are no paved paths or artificial lights in the cave here, just natural beauty. Ash also took pictures of everyone and they were emailed to us for free. The tour ended with coffee/tea and cookies and a nice chat around the table about life.

Our family of five had the best experience! Ash was an incredible guide, full of knowledge on the caves and super personable and funny. It was just our group and we loved the personalized attention and we got to ask all our questions. This tour is a bit adventurous which was what we wanted. We felt like cave explorers and these caves were so cool! One of the highlights of our whole trip!

This is a unique non-commercial experience for those who prefer small groups and a little side of adventure with their slice of nature. No crowds! But you will see glowworms! In fact, I saw the actual larvae and mucus strings just a few feet above me, as well as the larger constellations spread out like stars in a large cavern. But you will also walk through a beautiful verdant canyon, wade into a stream, and explore part of a private cave. My guide, Ash, was knowledgeable and helpful, offering interesting info about the glowworm life-cycle and pointing out unique stalactites and stalagmites. Boots, helmets (with lights), and warmer outerwear are provided. I felt safe but not coddled. It was an exceptional experience!

Ash the guide made my group feel so safe, was patient and reassuring in some of the areas. He explained alot prior to heading out, gave the group a chance to change their mind and not feel pushed. Just a lovely tour operation, felt so comfortable and my group were so happy they did it. Worth the Admission fee.

It was a bit more physical than expected but it was fun and adventurous. Ash is an entertaining guide. Gloworms were amazing. We really enjoyed it!

Ash was fantastic! Went out of his way to ensure we were safe and comfortable in this amazing environment! We learnt so much!!

Great tour, tour guide and incredible experience we would highly recommend to anyone wanting to visit the caves!

Wonderful experience, Ash is a great guide that managed to make my wife (who suffers from a slight claustrophobia) very comfortable. The caves are really fascinating and there are many magic moments. Greatly recommended if you're looking for a more intimate experience

A family-run operation, Down to Earth’s personal touch and small groups make the tour a very special experience. Our guide was fantastic and the caves themselves were beyond what we imagined. A reasonable level of fitness is required to clamber over larger rocks and squeeze through tight spaces.

Enjoyable intimate experience, Down to Earth is really what it is. Nice family running it and warm welcome. Definitely recommend this tour rather than big venues.

We knew this tour had a full 5 star rating and we soon found out why! Ash was a wonderful guide and joked and laughed with all of us on the tour, young and old were looked after and generally kept safe. I’m 64 and was a little unsure of my footing from time to time, but no fear, Ash was there to hold my hand where necessary (I must say I’m fairly fit for my age, but there are some parts of the cave that are tricky to get through/over). Clothing was provided and special wellies with holes around the sole/upper join, so the water could run out. From time to time we were wading through water up to our knees. The glow worms were just amazing. We turned off all our helmet lamps and allowed our eyes to adjust, and then the glow worms appeared like constellations of stars in the dark. Magical. Another unexpected bonus was that Ash took photos as we went, including with the glow worms, so we have some great photo memories to treasure from the tour. We can’t praise Ash and Michelle enough!

This was entirely unexpected. Ash, the tour guide and Michelle, the organizer were absolutely on top of things. We loved the openness of the family and the professionalism in regards to the tour. The pictures taken by Ash in the cave were absolutely phenomenal. We are still talking about it

I have done the black water rafting, the regular boat trip to the caves and now we tried the down to earth tour. Hands down, this may be the best experience we had in the north island! Ash and Michelle are kind, welcoming, professional and go out of their way to ensure a unique experience for each group, truly a family business who care about what they do. We were a group of six and ordered the private tour, from children to elderly - all of us enjoyed so much! It is simply incredible and unbelievable that they have this kind of nature in their backyard! Without a doubt, GO! I will say tha it requires booking in advance as the tour tends to sell out (small groups and not many trips each day).

We didn’t want to do the touristy, traditional Waitomo cave tour with a large group. We also liked that this one allowed phone photos. It exceeded our expectations! Our guide was wonderfully goofy and knowledgeable. It was so nice to be a part of a small group and to feel like we had a good amount of time to really take in the magic of the glow worms. We loved getting to know the other couple and the family (and Nala!) afterwards over tea. Thank you for a fantastic experience!

Wonderful tour with our very friendly and helpful guide Ash. It was more challenging than we thought, but worth doing it. The glowwormcave was beautiful and walking through the cave and river exiting and much fun. We also appreciate, that we have been a small group. Thanks very much! Elke and Martin

One of the best experiences I’ve ever had — hands down. The Down To Earth Glowworm tour was absolutely magical, and our guide Ash made it unforgettable. Ash was not only incredibly knowledgeable, but also so fun, engaging, and genuinely awesome to spend time with. He brought such great energy to the tour, explained everything in a way that was fascinating and easy to follow, and made the whole experience feel special rather than scripted. Seeing the glowworms up close in such a natural, immersive setting was surreal and something I’ll never forget. From start to finish, this tour exceeded every expectation. If you’re even thinking about doing this — do it. I can’t recommend Down To Earth Glowworm Tours (and Ash!) highly enough.

Spending the afternoon trundling through millions-year-old caves with Ash and four other travellers was the perfect way to enjoy the wonder of Waitomo's glow-worms. The whole experience felt intimate and tailored, with a guide whose explored these caves for decades and knows them like the back of his hand. We sighted longfin eel, fossilized oyster shells, ginormous stalactites, stalagmites, and pillars. We learned about the life-cycle of the glowworms, as well as the formation of the caves. Because the group was so small, we never felt rushed; and because he was so skilled, we never felt anxious, even when scrambling through tight passages. And at the end, Ash took the time to snap photos of each of us - 30 second exposures - enjoying the glow. I'll treasure the photos, and the memories, for as long as the stalactites grow.

This experience was absolutely amazing! Ash and Michelle were so kind and welcoming. I absolutely loved climbing through the caves and having more of an adventurous experience. I brought my mom as we were traveling together and it was an experience I did not want to miss. Michelle was able to take my mom an an easier abbreviated route as my mom was not athletic enough to do the other which was GREAT! That way we both got to see the caves/glow worms at our respective paces. Ash was my guide and he was so personable and knowledgeable! The view of the glow worms and caves were breathtaking and I am SO glad I chose this over other tours! Would highly recommend!!

It was an excellent adventure. The guide was super knowledgeable and very attentive. The small group size was really nice. We appreciated the family farm feeling and the eco friendly tour.

Sm Group (3-couples); clothing & equipment provided; knowledgeable, experienced & attentive tour guide; short walk down into caves on private land; access well maintained; experience included rock scrambling & walking through water within caves; seeing glowworms up close was great; overall, a wonderful "natural" spelunking (caving) experience.

Had an amazing time with Ash as our guide. He was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and really cared for our experience. Michelle was kind and very service oriented towards us. The tour was very private which certainly felt special. All in all it was an incredible adventure that I would recommend to anyone and everyone.

Unbelievable experience! This small group family run business is the real deal and as a result felt very special and personal. Our guide Ash, a family member, knew the cave system intimately and despite a reasonably challenging climb and walk through river and rock he always ensured your safety and had a ready hand to hold on to! It’s a beautiful and mesmerising underground world and when you see the glow worms you will be blown away. We never felt rushed unlike so many other tours where the next group are waiting - this one is everything and more it says it is. Michelle welcomed us back with hot & cold refreshment and lovely biscuits. All in all one of the most memorable experiences we have ever done.

I loved this eco cave tour. 100 recommend! It’s family owned and they were so friendly warm and knowledgeable. You could tell this wasn’t a “tour company” It’s family owned and you could feel their passion.