Tongariro Alpine Crossing - Top 10 Best Day Walk in the world

Sunrising @ Whakapapa Village, with Mt Ruapehu in the background 

We woke up early (as it's a very very important day, we are finally walking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing!) and drove towards Whakapapa. Early enough even to watch the sunrise. Haven't seen a sunrise for ages in NZ with its cloud always hanging around. So we just park by the road side and take in the view together with our breakfast! OMG Look at the sky... so clear!

The best weather in 2 weeks, the shuttle bus driver told us! Yahoo....it's worth to wait for the weather after all :) we got on the ROAM bus service at 7am and started walking around 7.30am. The sun shines on us, this 17km (19.4km for the full track) should be one of the best tracks in NZ.

Mangetopopo Valley..

The unusual black formation is known as 'dike', formed as molten magma moved to the surface through a vertical channel in the crater wall, having solidified at its outer surface, the dike was later left partially hollow when the magma drained from below. Being more resistant than the surrounding scori! Erosion by wind and rain has now left this structure exposed.

The red colour is from high temperature oxidation of iron in the rock.

A long long way to go up, but we are too excited to be tired!

Passing by Mt Ngauruhoe, real close up view...

There's a side track to go up Mt Ngauruhoe (2287m) about 3 hrs return.

Mt Ngauruhoe, which is Mt Doom in Lords of the Rings movie. This was the scene where the ring was forged and the only place that it can be destroyed. It is around 5000years old, far younger than the 265,000 years old Mt Tongariro and Mt Ruapehu. It's shape is the classic volcanic cone with steep slope of 30degree.

Steepest part, South crater to Red Crater

Mt Tongariro summit, 1967m 1.5 hrs return walk

LOVE this VIEW...!!! @ Emerald Lakes

To get this picture is not easy for me, (Ange) as the terrain is so steep, with loose small rocks, so slippery.. and I'm scared of falling of the hill =.=

Emerald Lakes

Minerals leaching from the adjoining thermal area cause their brilliant colour. "Greenstone-hued lakes"... So beautiful.. Unfortunately, the track beyond this point is closed due to the hazardous area.. Although you may see some people down the lake.. Walk at your own risk! There may be eruptions anytime though... We stayed up here, to see these beautiful green lakes, recharging our energy with our yummy lunch =)

Red Crater, the red part in the foreground.. 

Is really stunning! The summit of Red Crater, 1886m is the highest point on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Though not the first time looking inside a crater, this one definitely raises our hair as it's still active & steaming!  It looks kind of red devilish though, after imagining those scenes from Lord of the Ring.. hehe.. 

Mt Ngauruhoe

The weather is so clear that we can see Lake Taupo (About 90km away) from Red Crater.

Admiring the beauty of nature...

Soda Springs

Finally we get to walk on this track which we have waited for long. Since arriving NZ. Now with only less than 10 days in NZ, our hearts are ever more captured by this land. Yes indeed, the best day walk ever. Although we weren't able to walk the full track, the stunning volcanoes, colored lakes and lava traces can all be seen in this 3 hr one way walk which is so easily accessible =) 

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Scott Track

Arthur's Pass National Park 

Morning Daisy =)

Today we are going to take the Scott Track to Avalanche peak 1877metres , the track takes 7-8 hrs return. The weather is cloudy and looking to rain but the I-site mentioned that we have to be careful and advises us to take the Scott track instead of Avalanche Track as Avalanche track is more dangerous and has more snow covered track.

Excellent view of Devil's Punchbowl Falls, this time from atop!

A great full day walk with plenty of views to take in! So happy to see the snow capped mountains =)

So beautiful view of the valley

The cheeky Kea

So colorful beneath its wings...

The track to Avalanche Peak is well known for being quite dangerous and avalanche might happen during winter.We did not climb to the top because it looked quite dangerous on the ridge up there and some who climbed it said it offers really nice view, but we also saw nice views even before the summit. And also it has a bit of track covered in snow. So we climb up to probably 1500metres, take in the view and have a good lunch. We saw snow anyway, there were pools of snow froze at where we stop.. We made snowman for christmas =)

The mountains looks different everyday, with the cloud changing the landscape frequently. Amazing....

Mount Cook - Sealy Tarn Track

Good morning salmons!! @ Twizel Salmon Farm..

Yes, we are excited too!!! Making our way to Mount Cook today!

From highway 8, turning into SH 80, we saw Mount Cook for the very first time. The road towards the tallest mountain of NZ, Mount Cook (world heritage listed) is so beautiful, with Lake Pukaki on the right hand side.

We visited the DOC info center to learn about the weathers and short walks available. We knew that today's weather going to be sunny while tomorrow is looking at rain and cloudy. So we will try to do the Sealy Tarn track (3hrs return) today! But the weather forecast in NZ is always not so accurate :p The weather can change anytime, especially here at Mount Cook where the westerly winds blows towards the mountain....

Reaching Mount Cook Village.. Oh no cloudy again...

So we proceed with our walk at Sealy Tarn*****, accessed from the White Horse Hill campground. It was a steep climb! More like climbing a long long staircase for 1.5 hours. So much pressure on the ankles and knees. But finally we made it! And the view is so so rewarding....

A good view of Mount Cook and two glacier lakes, Hooker Lake and ... Forgotten Lake Name =P

While taking our time to capture Mt Cook, avalanche is happening every now and then.. The sound is so loud and large snow falling down so heavily.. GOsh imagine having to hike under such condition...

Sealy Tarn track View

Ma Ma Miaaaa~~~

Sunset view @ Kea Point

Mueller glacier moraine wall (the grey part), the glacial debris formed this massive wall..

There is a Mueller Hut 3 hrs climb to the top of Mount Sealy to get a panorama view and watch Mt Cook during sunset &sunrise! But the track is covered in snow, so we did not even try to think of going. Not to our limits with only one sleeping bag and unsuitable footwear. So we can only try to see Mt Cook during sunset at Kea Point, again. We did not manage to see the 'pink' colour of the Mt Cook during sunset, it was too cloudy, but we did manage to see the peak of the mountain, finally!

This cute cloud formation keeps appearing then disappear above Mt Cook =)

The only DOC campsite at Mt Cook village, White Horse Hill Campground $10 pp... With good cooking shelter and clean toilets... Shower available for $2 for 5mins at the Day Shelter near the info center at the village.