A scenic flight over Mt Ruapehu and Tongariro and Ngaruahoe with Taupo float plane.
Heading off after two days skiing at Mt Ruapehu our first stop was Turangi and then the scenic drive to Taupo . Arriving at lake Taupo we check into the Gables Motor Lodge for the night .The weather was clear and crisp but the temperature was around 10 degrees So we headed to the AC Baths location in the heart of Taupo to warm up . AC Baths has a huge indoor leisure pool that links into an outdoor leisure pool so you can swim indoors then outdoors without leaving the warmth of the heated water. So after warming up in the hot pools we headed back to Breakers for lunch and a couple of beers .We had a scenic flight arranged for that afternoon but the wind and cloud were getting up and after two days of skiing we decision we should take a break to chill out in the motel hot pool with a bottle of wine why the kids explored the beach and played rugby in the park
.That evening we went out to the local Indian then back for a good night’s rest
The next morning it was a beautiful clear crisps sunny day. With no wind and no cloud over the mountains The perfect conditions for our scenic flight over Mt Ruapehu and Tongariro and Ngaruahoe with Taupo float plane.
We arrived at the Taupo float plane office at around 10 am for a 1 hours flight to the mountains We had taken a flight the year before with Taupo float plane that took us around Taupo and a view of Huka falls etc but had not managed to take the flight that year to the mountain. so we were all very excised including young jack our 4 year old .We were all keen to get up close to the mountain by air that we had been skiing just two days before
After signing in with Neil the manager who introduced us to the pilot Emma and a quick safety brief we taxied out and powered up it was great taking off from the water .Once clear of the lake we headed off with a steady climb to get up to the correct height for the mountains.
The conditions were perfect with very little turbulent. Emma our pilot took us up past Tongariro and Ngaruahoe and on to Mt Ruapehu where we could see the cater. It was amazing we were right next to the mountain. We flew to the east side of the mountain round the back of the mountain as the winds over the top of the mountain can make it unsafe to fly directly over it because of the down draft caused by Mountain .Heading back we got a good view of the Tongariro and where they do the Tongariro trek and a look at all of the mountains in a line .The flight was amazing and very smooth .But sadly it was then time to head back for the 20 minute flight back to lake Taupo. Viewing Taupo and surrounding area by air was great. We landed on the water in lake Taupo with no wind to hinder us. Emma the pilot did a great job and the kids all loved it. We got heaps of great shots for our Travel web site as welland it was a experience we will never forget
So thanks Neil and Emma from Taupo float plane . It was a great trip ,Being in the travel for many years I have been on many scenic flights and this one was one of the best for sure
Look forward to doing another trip next time we are in Taupo
After the Taupo float plane it was time for us to head off to Rotorua
So check out our next blog
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