Abseil 35 m into Ruakuri

About this experience

Black Abyss goes into Ruakuri Cave from above. It starts at the black water rafting base at 585 Waitomo Caves Road, just outside the village, where you check in 30 minutes before departure. Groups are capped at 8, per the listing. Discover Waitomo pitches it at people who want adrenaline and the most time underground, and asks for a good level of fitness. No caving experience is needed.

Allow 5 hours in total, including the briefing, kitting up, training and the van ride to the cave. You practice abseiling first, then abseil 35 m down into the dark of the cave. A flying fox zipline carries you on through a stretch thick with glowworms. Then the tubes come out and you float the underground river under the lights, past stalactites and stalagmites. The finish is the hard part, and the fun part: you climb up waterfalls and squeeze through gaps until daylight. Back at base, a hot shower and a bowl of soup wait, with the Long Black Café next door.

Included: the 5-hour trip, abseil training, all equipment (tubes, wetsuits, boots, helmets, abseil gear and safety equipment), soup and a hot shower. Bring swimwear and a towel. Cameras and GoPros are not allowed, but the guides take photos you can buy afterwards. You need to be 16 or older and weigh at least 45 kg (130 kg maximum, per Discover Waitomo). A friendly tip: book early in your trip if you can. Discover Waitomo marks Black Abyss as limited availability, with extra tours over summer.

• Among the highest rated Waitomo tours: 5.0 from 298 reviews
• A 35 m abseil into Ruakuri Cave
• A flying fox zipline through the glowworms
• Tubing on the underground river
• Climbing up underground waterfalls
• Hot soup and a shower after, 8 guests at most

How the day runs

1. 30 min beforeCheck in

   Arrive at 585 Waitomo Caves Road, check in and change into swimwear.

2. TrainingKit and ropes

   Your guides fit your wetsuit, helmet and harness and teach you to abseil above ground first.

3. The drop35 m abseil

   Ride the van to the cave and abseil 35 m into Ruakuri Cave.

4. The flying foxZipline in the dark

   Clip on and zip through a part of the cave full of glowworms.

5. The riverTubes and waterfalls

   Float the underground river on a tube, then climb waterfalls and scramble out to daylight.

6. AfterSoup and a shower

   Back at base for a hot shower, hearty soup and the guides' photos at the Long Black Café.

What's included

Who it suits

What guests say

Tips before you book

• Bring swimwear and a towel. The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co. supplies the wetsuit, socks, boots, helmet, light and tube, and it sells towels in its shop if you forget yours.
• Read the health and safety page on Discover Waitomo first. Heart, spine and some other conditions may rule you out.
• Eat a proper breakfast. You are on the go for 5 hours, much of it climbing and in cold water.
• Bring warm clothes for after. You will be wet and cold, and the hot shower is the reward.
• Start times change with the date and the season. The listing asks you to check availability to see the starting times, so pick your day first and the time slots appear.

Read next:

• Which cave is best?
• Photos and what to wear

Frequently asked questions

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