Waitomo Glowworm Caves

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves, located in Waitomo Caves, New Zealand, is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the North Island.

The caves are a natural wonder that has been attracting visitors for over 130 years. The tour of the caves is a unique experience that takes visitors through two levels of the cave system. The upper level is dry and decorated with stunning, delicate cave formations, while the lower level consists of stream passages, glowworms, and the Cathedral, the tallest chamber in the cave.The tour starts with a short walk through the cave and finishes off with a quick boat ride where visitors can marvel at thousands of magical glowworms. The glowworms are a spellbinding sight and are truly a unique experience. The tour guides are direct descendants of the Maori chief who originally explored the cave, bringing the cave to life through storytelling and explaining the history, features, and legends of the world-famous cave. Visitors can learn about the history of the cave's formation and the significance of the glowworms to the Maori culture.The Waitomo Glowworm Caves tours work like clockwork, and every guide knows when to be where with their group, shuffling visitors around in a seamless manner. Visitors can also explore other caves in the area, such as the Ruakuri Cave, which is less crowded and has become one of Waitomo's little-known secrets. The Ruakuri Cave tour is highly recommended, and visitors can learn about the cave's history and formation.The Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour costs NZD 49 for adults and NZD 22 for kids, while the Ruakuri Cave tour costs NZD 27 for adults and NZD 12 for kids. Visitors can check the website for tour combos and discounts. The temperature inside the caves is around 16-17 ºC year-round, so visitors should dress appropriately. The Glowworm cave will only be affected if there is a heavy amount of rainfall over a period of time. Photography and video are not permitted inside the Waitomo Glowworm Caves but are allowed in Ruakuri Cave and Aranui Cave.In summary, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves is a unique and magical experience that visitors to New Zealand should not miss. The tour takes visitors through two levels of the cave system, and the guides bring the cave to life through storytelling and explaining the history, features, and legends of the cave. Visitors can also explore other caves in the area, such as the Ruakuri Cave, which is less crowded and highly recommended. The tours are reasonably priced, and visitors can check the website for tour combos and discounts.