Four-Day Guided Whanganui River Canoe Trip incl. All Meals & Accommodation

Includes:

• All food included. Hot cooked breakfasts with fresh coffee, healthy lunches, and 
  3-course dinners with NZ wine.
• Transport & accommodation. Stay at Ohakune Lodge for a seamless start and finish, with shuttles to and from the river included.
• All gear provided. High-quality and updated fleet of Canadian Canoes. Spacious tents & thick mattresses.
• Experienced, qualified and safe guides
• All campsite and national park fees

Day 1:Whakahoro to Ohauora

• Paddle distance: 27km/ 5-7 hours from launch to camp
• We depart Ohakune between 6:45am and 7:00am and head to Whakahoro, where you’ll learn how to pack your canoe. The journey begins as the river narrows, passing historic sites like colonial houseboat moorings and old Māori settlements (Kāinga). Enjoy a possible lunch stop at Mangapapa, then paddle past dramatic river bends, waterfalls, and hidden caves before setting up camp at Ohauora. If time allows, we’ll take a short side trip to explore canyons or enjoy a swim.

Day 2: Ohauora to Mangapurua

• Paddle distance: 31km/ 5-7 hours from camp to camp
• After breakfast, we’re back on the river at 9am and paddle through a deep gorge before stopping at John Coull Campsite for a break. As we continue, we’ll pass the confluence of the Tangarakau and Whangamomona Rivers before reaching Mangawaiiti, an ideal lunch and swim spot. The journey then takes us past Otumangu landing, a post-WWI farming settlement, before arriving at Mangapurua for the night. From here, we can take an optional 45-minute walk to the famous Bridge to Nowhere.

Day 3: Mangapurua to Ramanui

• Paddle distance: 11km paddle & 5km walk/4-6 hours camp to camp
• In the morning, you’ll have the chance to explore the Bridge to Nowhere before paddling downstream through striking geological formations. Along the way, we stop at an abandoned colonial farm before arriving at Ramanui Campsite. Here, you can unwind with a hot shower and a hearty dinner. If you’d like, you can upgrade to a shared cabin for added comfort—be sure to book early!

About Canoe Safaris:

Founded in 1979, Canoe Safaris offers fun-filled river holidays for folks with little or no paddling experience. After more than three decades in operation and thousands of happy customers, they are confident that their guided canoe trips have the right balance of fun, relaxation and exploration. Their guides are well versed in local flora and fauna as well as the rich history of the Whanganui river. They have a well-deserved reputation as simply the best in outdoor dining, so leave your preconceived notions of camping food at the door and enjoy one of their superb three-course meals. They also take great pride in providing the highest quality river and camping equipment, designed for durability and comfort. Canoe Safaris has a river holiday for all ages, from families with young children to those over 70 years young.