Be guided on your visit

We have been providing authentic small group guided walks since 2001. Our experienced and knowledgable guiding team love sharing their stories about this amazing project. They're in the know about what's happening and where we are heading. At the end of your guided walk your guide can provide you with ideas of where in the forest to explore next, depending on your interests.

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For you, your partner, friends

We recommend either our classic Ancient Forest Guided Walk (1.5 hours) or our Seasonal Forest Highlights (50 minutes) if you're limited on time. These leisurely paced walks will introduce you to some of our local plants and trees and the history of this ambitious conservation project that has most recently reintroduced kōkako and rifleman. You’ll listen to the awesome birdsong and try to spot the numerous bird species that call the maunga their home. Alternatively the Tautari wetlands (visited only with a guide) is home to our two taonga species. Enjoy spotting tuatara or watch the takahē receive a supplementary feed.

For the family

Our guides are great at engaging with all ages and children often delight us with their own observations and contributions to the guided walk. We recommend either our Seasonal Forest Highlights walk (50 minutes) if you'd like to explore the variations of the seasons: fungi, flowers, seeds and nesting birds. The Tautari wetlands (visited only with a guide)  is home to our two taonga species, the tuatara whose ancestors were on earth when the dinosaurs roamed and the beautiful takahē family. There are less than 500 takahē left. Enjoy spotting tuatara or watch the takahē receive a supplementary feed.

For seniors

We recommend our classic Ancient Forest Guided Walk (1.5 hours). These leisurely guided walking tours will introduce you to some of our local plants, trees and birds and the stories of the history of this ambitious conservation project. Our guides can accommodate you on gently graded walking tracks at your pace.

For schools

Our fabulous team of educators, full of both teaching and local experience deliver curriculum-linked education programmes.

For something different...

Rōngoa Rākau, Māori herbal medicine 
The Rōngoa Rākau walk is a recent and special addition to our guided walk. Led by a local rongoā rākau practitioner you'll learn about local plants and trees used in traditional Māori healing and wellbeing. The guide will introduce you to the tikanga associated with harvesting, preparing and using plants for rongoā.

The night forest
Join us in exploring the magical night-time world of Sanctuary Mountain® Maungatautari with our experienced guides leading you in search of nocturnal forest wonders. This is a private guided walk, scheduled by request only with a minimum of 48 hours notice at a time and day that accommodates your plans. They usually commense 15 minutes before sunset.
 

Guided walk details

Please check the specific guided walk, generally:

Meeting place: Manu Tioriori visitors centre, 99 Tari Road

Length: 50 minutes - 1.5 hours

Scheduled times: 2-3 times a day, Tuesday-Sunday, check in at least 10 minutes prior to your guided walk

Price: ranging from $37-58 adult, concessions available for students, gold card and community card holders. Book online for a discounted rate.

Group sizes: 1-10

Inclusions: complimentary same day Explorer pass to Te Tūī a Tāne southern enclosure, visitor guide and map

What to bring: your questions

By booking a guided walk your contribution helps Sanctuary Mountain continue to protect the rare and endangered species that live wild on Maungatautari.

Tourism award winners

Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust
Community Engagement Award 2021

The award acknowledged "that this is the way our tourism industry should be in the future. Sanctuary Mountain Maungatatari’s model is how tourism will survive in New Zealand.   What they have achieved, all starting with the vision of one landowner, is incredible. It is the kind of offering that will make New Zealanders proud and offers a true point of difference on the world stage."