3-Day Whanganui River Journey Guided Tour

(90km) If you have only 3 days but still want to relax or if you feel nervous, this Whanganui River journey guided tour is for you. Our Voyager canoes are 6 seater craft so the guide can navigate the river and control the canoe for you.

$ NZD Adult: 1145 | Child: 945

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DEPARTURE: Whakahoro

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Safe and Fun

DATES: Depart Fridays & Saturdays (October to May) Plus extra dates over school holidays and peak periods

Itinerary

What to Bring

(90km) If you have only 3 days but still want to relax then this is the trip for you.

We've had two six person open canoes built to offer three day Whanganui trips in fully guided canoes. These canoes are based on the early Voyageur canoes from the fur trading days in Canada. Comfort on this trip is a priority and it is the little extras that we've added that will make the trip unforgettable.

The trip includes excellent 3 course meals, bottled NZ wine, all camping equipment, one night at our pre-set campsite and one night at Bridge to Nowhere Lodge overlooking the river. Cruise in style in our Big Canoes.

Note - it is possible to book these canoes on our longer trips. They are ideal for family groups.

Trip Dates and Group Discounts: With a family of 2 adults and 3 children (14 and under) the third child pays 50% of the child rate. Group concessions are available.

*Trip start dates are a guideline only – with groups we can start a trip to suit you. We also run extra trips between Christmas and New Year and in early January.

Itinerary

Day 01

We depart Ohakune between 7.30 and 8.00am for the river. At Whakahoro we unload canoes and barrels and show you how to pack your canoe. The gorge starts to narrow and we leave the last road access point behind at Whakahoro - the second and final mooring point for the Houseboat. We pass Laceys and Wades landings and several old maori Kaianga. There is plenty of time for stops along the way and there are many safe places to get out and swim. We camp at John Coull Hut and campsite

Day 02

Breakfast and on the river at 9am. A morning paddle past the Tangarakau and Whangamomona rivers, Mangawaiiti campsite, and Otumangu landing - one of the post WW1 faming settlements. Shortly afterwards we see the first pine trees since Whakahoro (planted by the early settlers), and we stop at the Mangapurua for lunch and a walk to the Bridge to Nowhere (45 min each way). After the walk there is time for a swim before we paddle the last 1.5hrs down to BTN cabins - lodge if spaces are available (please book early for a place in the lodge)

Day 03

We pass Kahura landing and one of the locations for the filming of "River Queen". It is an hours paddle through the steep gorge until the river cascades through Ngaporo rapid and down to Ngaporo campsite for a break. We paddle past the Mangaio stream and Mangaio rock where several of the early eyebolts can still be seen that were winching points for the riverboats. Next it's the Pururoto caves and then Autapu rapid. From Autapu there are several small rapids before the Paparoa rapids swings the canoes past the old eel traps and down to the landing at Pipiriki. After unloading boats and loading the trailer we have a quick stop in Pipiriki and a short one hour drive back to Ohakune.

+ 4

5 Day Guided Whanganui River Trip

$ NZD Adult: 1445 | Child: 1295

This is our most popular Guided Whanganui River trip. To make the most of this once in a lifetime experience and for a real holiday away from all devices this is the ideal

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4 Day Guided Whanganui River Tour

$ NZD Adult: 1345 | Child: 1145

Starting at Whakahoro covering 90km to Pipiriki. Great for those with a little more time than the 3 Day Whanganui tour and would like to relax and experience as much as possible

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3 Day Guided Canoe Tour

$ NZD Adult: 1145 | Child: 945

A Popular choice for fit backpackers or fit adults who are short on time and enjoy a challenge. It is also a great option early in the summer season when the river is generally a

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2 Day Upper Whanganui

$ NZD Adult: 845 | Child: 845

Ideal if you have just a weekend to spare, or if you want to "test the water" before deciding on a longer trip.

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2 Day Bridge To Nowhere

$ NZD Adult: 945 | Child: 945

If you just don't have time for the 3 day trip then this is a great alternative.

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1 Day Lavender Farm Canoe

$ NZD Adult: 375 | Child: 375

This guided trip is ideal for families and beginners, even those simply wanting a "taste" of what it would be like to Canoe the Whanganui River, before deciding on a longer

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What our customers say

We did a family 4 day guided canoe trip, it was absolutely amazing. Very professional, our guides Morgan and Aiden were very knowledgeable and friendly. The food was way above expectation and the memories we have made will be with us forever. Highly recommend.

Leeann Morgan

We were part of a group of 8 friends doing the 3 day trip with Phil and Wai as guides. They were both terrific and very organised. Phil is excellent explaining how to manoeuvre through the rapids and the safety control was first class.

52Diane

peaceful, primal, professional, Challenging, adrenalin - I experienced all of these on a three day trip down the Whanganui river with a group of 18 people and two amazing guides - Simon and Aiden. These guys worked tirelessly to ensure we were kept safe and well fed and were happy to share their...

Michele Laurie

A couple of good mates decided we'd do this trip some time ago and Canoe Safari's helped make it happen. Alex, Bailey, Lesley and Canon our guides / hosts were absolutely amazing. Scenery was stunning - seems like little has changed on the landscape in hundreds of years... still...

Hawkdwn

Absolutely amazing experience with Canoe safaris! We did a 4-day canoe trip in the Whanganui river with Canoe safaris. Our guides, Phil and Ian are highly experienced, professional and helpful. Almost everything we need were provided, including tent, 3-meals everyday plus snacks, life jacket,...

Mandy Qiu

SIMPLY SENSATIONAL. Just completed the 3 day trip. Our guides Wilson and Gregor were fantastic. Cool, clear, calm (even when I tipped the wife out of our canoe). Always felt safe, always felt informed. The food was sensational. From the time we were greeted to the time we departed, I was very...

Warren J, Christchurch, NZ

I would like to thank Mike, Stefan and Sophie for a great rafting experience on the Mohaka River. They were all such fun, very experienced and wonderful chefs too. Certainly a fantastic holiday and one to be recommended. So a big thank you for making it happen.

Sinda Hall

We did the 5 day, fully guided and catered river journey, with our four children and three other families. This was truly one of the best holidays we have ever had. Phil and Ian, our guides, organised every detail. It was enormous fun canoeing down the river, jumping off rocks and canyoning. We...

Sarah Scott-Brown

Had the most enjoyable trip in my life. Took the 4 day canoe safari down the Wanganui river. We thoroughly enjoyed it, couldn't have asked for better guides, Erin and Jordan. Their knowledge and expertise was invaluable. The scenery was out of this world, at times we felt as though no one...

Sharon Gamble

Did the 3-day guided canoe trip down the Whanganui river with Phil and Simon as our guides. Even though all of us were first-time canoeists and a few of us were non-swimmers, they looked after us very well and were amazing at teaching us the skills we needed to keep ourselves safe. The...

Mark Loh