What is the cancellation policy for this tour?

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

How long does this tour take?

This tour lasts approximately 4 hours.

Half Day, Grade 5, White Water Rafting on the Rangitikei River

Q: Where does this tour start?

This tour starts at: If you are using a GPS then our co-ordinates are – South 39°37-800 East 176°02-583 – however we do not recommend using GPS as it does not take you on the easiest route. The Details • If you are traveling South, turn left at the River Valley signpost, 18km after Waiouru. • If you are traveling North, use the Gretna Hotel in Taihape as your starting point, with the Gretna Hotel on your left. The 32km drive will last around 35 minutes after taking you through some of New Zealand’s finest and most picturesque hill country. Please follow the regular signs to River Valley. • After turning off State Highway 1, you will cross two bridges coming from Waiouru, and three bridges coming from Taihape. • The last 1.5 km’s are gravel and take you to the Lodge at the end of Mangahoata Road..

Overview

Our grade 5, white water rafting trip is often recognised as one of the best half day trips in the world! It was recently voted in the top 8 white water trips in the world by Red Bull.

With 10 major rapids on this 11 km run, plus numerous smaller rapids, there is plenty to get excited about.

This is a very active trip and you will need to work as part of a team to navigate your way through steep drops, chutes and major rapids in the grade 5 gorge. The trip starts off with some mellow grade 1-3 rapids, which are great practice for what lies ahead.

Throughout the trip you will see some amazing New Zealand scenery along the way.

And the trip finishes back at River Valley Lodge, for hot showers! You can also choose to add on meals or accommodation at the lodge after your trip.

Gallery

Half Day, Grade 5, White Water Rafting on the Rangitikei River — photo 1

Half Day, Grade 5, White Water Rafting on the Rangitikei River — photo 2

Half Day, Grade 5, White Water Rafting on the Rangitikei River — photo 3

Half Day, Grade 5, White Water Rafting on the Rangitikei River — photo 4

Half Day, Grade 5, White Water Rafting on the Rangitikei River — photo 5

Half Day, Grade 5, White Water Rafting on the Rangitikei River — photo 6

Half Day, Grade 5, White Water Rafting on the Rangitikei River — photo 7

What's Included

✓ Included

All equipment is provided - Wetsuit, helmet, lifejacket, neoprene booties, fleece top, paddle jacket, and on cooler days, neoprene gloves and neoprene socks.

✗ Not Included

Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Meeting & End Point

📍

Meeting Point

If you are using a GPS then our co-ordinates are – South 39°37-800 East 176°02-583 – however we do not recommend using GPS as it does not take you on the easiest route. The Details • If you are traveling South, turn left at the River Valley signpost, 18km after Waiouru. • If you are traveling North, use the Gretna Hotel in Taihape as your starting point, with the Gretna Hotel on your left. The 32km drive will last around 35 minutes after taking you through some of New Zealand’s finest and most picturesque hill country. Please follow the regular signs to River Valley. • After turning off State Highway 1, you will cross two bridges coming from Waiouru, and three bridges coming from Taihape. • The last 1.5 km’s are gravel and take you to the Lodge at the end of Mangahoata Road.

🏁

End Point

If you are using a GPS then our co-ordinates are – South 39°37-800 East 176°02-583 – however we do not recommend using GPS as it does not take you on the easiest route. The Details • If you are traveling South, turn left at the River Valley signpost, 18km after Waiouru. • If you are traveling North, use the Gretna Hotel in Taihape as your starting point, with the Gretna Hotel on your left. The 32km drive will last around 35 minutes after taking you through some of New Zealand’s finest and most picturesque hill country. Please follow the regular signs to River Valley. • After turning off State Highway 1, you will cross two bridges coming from Waiouru, and three bridges coming from Taihape. • The last 1.5 km’s are gravel and take you to the Lodge at the end of Mangahoata Road.

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Good to Know

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum of 4 people needed for this trip to go ahead - if you have a smaller group please contact us and we can fit you in with more people
All our rafting trips are river level dependent - if the river is higher than our safe operating level we will not run the trip
This is a very active trip - you need to be physically fit enough to paddle and move around the boat

Known For:

Extreme Sports in North Island, White Water Rafting in North Island, Rafting in North Island, On the Water in North Island

Special Instructions

• Departures are subject to a minimum of 4 people bring booked in, and are river level dependent. We will not put on if the river is outside our safe operating limits. In the unlikely event that we cannot run a trip you will be contacted to make alternative arrangements or to arrange a refund.

Under New Zealand law, we are required to advise you of the risks associated with this activity. Please follow this link - https://rivervalley.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/River-Valley-Risk-Disclosure.pdf

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