Formerly Glowing Adventures. We're now Down to Earth! Learn more...
November through May is our busiest time. As a small, family-run company, we offer just two tours per day—morning and afternoon—and will be booked out every day through this period. To avoid disappointment, please book early. If we’re fully booked online, unfortunately no other options are available.
No, we started out as "Glowing Adventures" in 2015 and rebranded in 2022 to become "Down to Earth – Waitomo Eco Tours."
Why the change, you ask?
It just felt right for us...
Down to Earth – Because we embrace warm Kiwi hospitality.
Down to Earth – We are truly committed to sustainable tourism.
Down to Earth – Because that's where we'll take you!
Same great adventures, just with a fresh name!
Here’s what makes us special:
We’re not your average tour company—and that's what makes us unique!
Nothing at all! We provide everything you’ll need, including boots. You’ll likely get a little wet, but don’t worry—we’ll take care of the clean-up while you enjoy the rest of your day!
Unlike other tours, once you arrive at our office, you're already right at the start of your adventure! No need to hop on a minivan and bump down country roads. Our caves are just a short, scenic stroll through beautiful farmland and bush from where you park.
You’ll be underground for about 2 hours, with the entire experience lasting 3 hours. Here’s how it’s broken down:
Booking ahead is a good idea! As a small, family-run business, we only offer two tours per day. Lock in your spot, and we can guarantee a memorable adventure.
Of course! Bring a small camera, and we’ll even provide a handy zip-up pocket in the gear for your phone or camera. If you prefer not to bring one, don’t worry—the guide will take photos throughout the tour and email them to you afterward—at no extra charge!
Please note, large cameras, tripods, or selfie sticks are not allowed for safety reasons, as we need your hands free for exploring. If you're into photography and have bigger gear, check out our private photography tours!
The entire tour covers about 2km at a slow pace, with plenty of time to stop, take photos, and soak up the atmosphere.
As there are no footpaths, handrails, or modifications inside our cave, the activity is adventurous and requires a moderate to good level of fitness.
If you answered "Yes," it sounds like you're ready for our adventure!
Please note: The Photography Tour not as adventurous, as less time is spent exploring and more time is spent concentrating on photography.
There are a few narrow spaces where you need to bend/crawl through to reach large caverns. There’s no extended crawling, and nothing that requires you to wriggle on your stomach.
As a small operation, we don’t offer pickups. And just so you know, there aren’t Uber-style services in this area. For local transport options, try reaching out to the Waitomo Information Centre.
We have plenty of free parking on-site!
If your plans change, let us know as soon as possible. If you give us enough notice, we can offer a refund. Unfortunately, we can’t provide refunds within 24 hours of your tour due to the difficulty of filling spots last minute. Please refer to our cancellation policy for more details.
A little rain won’t stop us! You might get a bit wet on the walk to the caves, but that's all part of the adventure. We have raincoats available if needed. If there’s heavy rain or flooding, we may have to cancel for safety reasons. You’ll receive a full refund if this happens, and we’ll contact you as soon as possible.
Quick tip: Always provide a contact number when booking, so we can reach you if anything changes.