Mount Tarawera helicopter tour: Land on the volcano

Land on a dormant volcano, then fly over three geothermal reserves in one flight

A helicopter tour from Rotorua that lands on Mount Tarawera for an approximate 20-minute guided walk with your pilot, then flies over Wai-O-Tapu, Waimangu and the crater lakes. The tour includes headsets so you hear the guide clearly throughout the flight and the walk. A minimum of two adult fares is required for the tour to operate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Helicopter flight and volcanic walk

• Fly to Mount Tarawera
• Land on dormant volcano
• Take 20-minute guided walk
• Fly over Wai-O-Tapu geothermal park
• Fly over Waimangu geothermal park

The experience

The flight combines two things most visitors do separately: you land on the dormant volcano itself for a walk with your pilot-guide, then take to the air again to see the geothermal parks and Tarawera Falls from above. The helicopter does the work of getting you to the summit, no hiking required, and the pilot narrates what you're seeing as you circle back over Wai-O-Tapu and Waimangu, the two reserves that sit along the same fault line. Headsets keep the guide's voice clear through the noise of the rotor.

The walk on Mount Tarawera lasts around 20 minutes and suits all fitness levels. After you land and step out, your pilot leads you across the crater area and explains what you're standing in: a volcano that last erupted in 1886 and shaped the landscape you'll see from the air moments later. The flight itself circles the crater lakes and passes over Tarawera Falls before returning to base. The whole experience runs roughly an hour from start to finish.

What’s included

• Helicopter flight with a professional pilot-guide.
• landing on Mount Tarawera.
• approximately 20-minute guided walk on the volcano with your pilot.
• aerial views of Wai-O-Tapu, Waimangu, the crater lakes and Tarawera Falls.
• headsets for clear communication throughout the flight and walk.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 12:00 and 14:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Rotorua City Lakefront”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Volcanic Air

Is this one for you?The full tour runs about an hour, so it fits neatly into a morning or afternoon without consuming your whole day in Rotorua. If you want to see Mount Tarawera and the geothermal parks from both ground level and the air without spending hours on logistics, the helicopter handles both in one flight.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long does the helicopter tour take from start to finish?

The tour runs approximately one hour total, including the flight, the landing on Mount Tarawera, the 20-minute guided walk with your pilot, and the return flight over the geothermal parks.

What happens during the walk on Mount Tarawera itself?

Your pilot-guide leads a walk across the crater area for around 20 minutes, explaining the volcano's 1886 eruption and the landscape it created. The walk suits all fitness levels and requires no special gear beyond what you wear on the flight.

Can I hear the guide during the flight and the walk?

Yes. Headsets are included so you hear the pilot-guide clearly throughout both the aerial portions and the walk on the volcano, even with the helicopter noise.

What geothermal sites does the flight pass over?

After landing on Mount Tarawera, the helicopter circles Wai-O-Tapu and Waimangu geothermal reserves, the crater lakes, and Tarawera Falls, all visible from the air as you return to base.

Is there a minimum group size required?

Yes. A minimum of two adult fares is required for the tour to operate, so you'll need at least two passengers to book.