Rotorua Kaituna River White Water Sledging - Hotel Pickup

Gear up at the river base
and get a sledging briefing

Get picked up from your accommodation in central Rotorua, or come directly to the Kaitiaki Adventures river base, about 15 minutes from the city center. The base has changing rooms with lockers and plenty of free parking.

Put on a life jacket, wetsuit, booties, splash jacket and fins, and learn from your guide how to handle the sledge and the safety rules.

Steer yourself with fins
down the Kaituna rapids

Sledging takes about 1.5 hours, with about 1 hour on the water. Lying on your board and kicking to change direction, you will navigate fast currents and swirling rapids through the bush-clad gorge.

At the guide's discretion, you may be able to wear a GoPro on your chest.

Hear Māori stories of the river
and take home photos

Along the way, your guide shares stories about the history of the Kaituna River, its meaning in Māori culture and kaitiakitanga, the guardianship of the land and water. A professional photographer captures your ride, and photos can be purchased individually or as an album at the river base after the tour or online once you get home.

※ The whole experience takes about 3.5 hours including pickup and drop-off.