3 Day Guided Canoe Tour
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 little higher.
DEPARTURE: Whakahoro
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Bumpy and Fun
DATES: Depart Fridays & Saturdays (October to May) * A guideline only - More dates available over peak periods
and with a group we can open a trip up to suit you.
This is our Most common Whanganui River trip!
Covering 90km of the Whanganui Journey - This tour is a popular choice for fit backpackers or fit adults who are short on time and like a challenge. It is also a good option early in the summer season when the river is generally a little higher which helps to push you along.
Great for those who are a bit pushed for time but still want to see the amazing scenery in the heart of the national park and experience the wonder of the Whanganui River in the shortest amount of time.
Your experienced Whanganui River canoe guide will show you some hidden spots of to the side of the river for you to explore, all the while ensuring your safety and enjoyment on this once in a lifetime trip.
If you have an extra day or two and want to enjoy a more relaxed pace option then check out our 4 Day Whanganui River Guided Tours and our 5 Day Whanganui River Guided Trips!
Stay with us in our Ohakune Lodge the night before your trip, let us transport you to the river and expertly guide you for 3 days. We will provide you with all of your high quality camping and safety equipment and all of your food including cooked breakfasts. Get ready to be wowed by some gourmet camp cooking out in the wilderness.
Get in touch today to book your 3 day Whanganui River Canoe Safari!
*Trip start dates are a guideline only - with groups we can start a trip to suit you.
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 also available.
Itinerary
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. Once the guides are satisfied that everyone can steer their canoe then the group sets off on the river. 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. Later in the morning we pass Mangapapa campsite, Man of War Bluff, Kirikiriroa where the river does a huge horseshoe turn, the Verandah, the Whirlpool and on down to Tamatea's Cave and a possible lunch stop at Ohauora campsite. 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.
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). Dinner and hot showers at BTN cabins - lodge if spaces are available (please book early for a place in the lodge)
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.
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