Horsemtrails Tongariro
513 meter
Beautiful local family with very well trained horses.nWe did the short trek and could...
Reviews
12 members of our Tramping Club, Auckland Korean Tramping Club did the Whanganui River Journey from Feb. 2nd to 5th 2026. Our average age is around 70. We were very lucky to meet the Owango Adventures.nnThe staff were very friendly when they gave us safety training. They said that it was raining for two days, so the water level increased and the flow went faster, so they recommended a guide, Shane te Wiki. Shane has professional abilities as a guide and is a very kind person. We have unforgettable memories. We all thank him.nnAnd it was thankful for allowing us to use the accommodation for free. We were able to stay comfortably when we arrived. The rest of our club members is sure to visit the Whanganui River Journey someday.nnOnce again, I would like to say thank you for helping us complete this trip successfully.nHan Gun Kim
We wanted to do a 3-day self-guided canoe trip in late autumn end of May, off-season and Grant was the only tour provider we could find who still rented out canoes. The whole endeavor was very spontaneous but Grant supported us with everything we needed. He let us sleep in his very basic guest house for free the night before and gave us a thorough instruction for the canoeing in the morning before we started the trip. He checked back on us daily using the satellite-run emergency device. His staff was nice too, both shuttles were convenient and very reliable.nIt was an unforgettable trip and we had the entire river and the huts for ourselves, just as Grant had predicted as other operators had already closed down for winter season. What an experience for a really fair price!nnA comment to the equipment: the barrels to store your stuff are not 100% waterproof, which is why Grant provides dry bags additionally for the really sensitive stuff like electronics and sleeping bags. I expect it is similar with other providers. In any case, if your electronics get damaged because you didn't store them in the dry bags provided, it's your fault.
Amazing experience and attention to safety.nnWent with a group comprised mostly of sea scout leaders and two long time 17 year old scouts, so we were all very experienced on water and in the bush, and all understood how to stay safe. Grant respected and understood this well. The first day, Willy covered in the briefing that the weather may turn for the worst, and that since our group was starting at pipiriki we were more likely to be caught in it, and that they were open to taking us out at whakahoro the next day if we felt unsafe with a refund.nnWilly and Grant went absolutely above and beyond the next day by driving down to Whakahoro to talk to us in person about the conditions, and have a discussion about the potential risks should the weather become worse, as well as the risks for if it stayed the same. They respected our decision to continue despite the risk of potentially needing to be jet boated out should the water rise much further. They were very clear that we would be perfectly fine should we choose to reschedule or ask for a refund, and that it was a fine decision to not continue in light of the risks.nnThe weather fortunately did not worsen beyond what was forecasted so we were okay, and even had the huts to ourselves the first two nights another company had offered clients to be jetted up the river to canoe down part way once the worst of the rain had passed, so we encountered a couple of groups on the 3rd/last night. Grant also went out of his way to contact us at Tieke Kainga by phone on our last day to tell us we would likely be better off leaving sooner rather than later for weather concerns again, and offered to meet us at pipiriki at an earlier time than was standard. The people who came to pick up our canoes and transfer the car were also very polite.nnOur two 2 person canoes and 1 kayak were all in good condition and very hardy, and held up to minor bruising during rapids. Only one barrel let in a small amount of water on one occasion, despite minor challenges with closing the barrels correctly it can be tricky, always double check them!. The dry bags were about as good as dry bags get, most kept eveything dry but some got a little damp. would reccomend keeping everything in the barrels and dry bags in ziploc or smaller dry bags, as we had no actual issues with we food or equipment.nnOverall, a very accomodating and personal experience hosted by considerate and honest people. Hoping to plan another trip with Owhango adventures soon.
We booked a last-minute canoe trip on the Whanganui River, and everything from Grant and the team was excellent: canoe, instructions, transport. It even includes a night before you depart in a simple hotel room! Recommended.
Highly recommended these guys. We just completed the three day canoeing trip on the Whanganui River and had an excellent time. We did not book a guided tour, but kind of ended up alongside one, and if you are on the fence, go for the guided tour. Shout out to Willie who is an excellent river guide, full of local knowledge, and ever so kind and helpful. Our canoes were fine, the barrels worked well and Willies great knowledge of the river meant we stayed in our canoe watching several others go for a swim at the 50/50. I also liked how Willid set out the mini powhiri and got to attend it twice - first as a visitor then as an adopted member and he let me murder Te Aroha twice, too. We had a fun and safe time!
Horsemtrails Tongariro
513 meter
Beautiful local family with very well trained horses.nWe did the short trek and could...
