Lord of the Rungs Level 3

Level 3 is the full climb. All 450 metres to the top of the waterfall, and then a helicopter ride down.

On the way you'll cross seven suspension bridges, climb behind a 60 metre waterfall and pull through an airy overhang. The top is the highest point of any waterfall cable climb in the world, and the helicopter is how you get down from it.

Allow five to six hours. This one asks for real fitness and strength, because you'll be climbing and scrambling on steep ground for most of the day. Lunch is included.

What to know

Advanced. Good fitness and strength needed, with climbing and scrambling on hilly ground for five to six hours
About five to six hours
The helicopter descent is included
Runs on morning trips, Monday to Saturday
All climbing and safety gear provided, plus a training route before you touch the waterfall
Lunch included or a snack on summer afternoon trips
Minimum age 15, minimum height 120cm, weight between 40kg and 110kg
Minimum of two climbers for the trip to run

Highlights

The full 450 metres to the top of the world's highest waterfall cable climb
Seven suspension bridges
Climb behind a 60 metre waterfall and through an airy overhang
A helicopter ride off the top, with the whole climb underneath you
Views out across the lakes and the ranges
You may get a little wet in high water or wind

Minimum age 15. If your child is younger, call us and we'll talk it through. Minimum height 120cm. Weight between 40kg and 110kg, set by our safety equipment and the WorkSafe rules we operate under. If you're over 100kg you'll want good upper body strength for this one.
Our harnesses fit up to a 100cm waist and a 70cm upper thigh. If you're close to any of these, give us a call.
You can book groups of up to eight on our daily tours. For more than eight, get in touch about a custom climb.
Five to six hours from Wānaka and back. The climbing takes one to two hours longer than Level 2, and there's no walk down, you come off the top by helicopter.
Level 3 runs on morning trips, Monday to Saturday.
We need a minimum of two climbers for this one to run. If you're on your own, get in touch and we'll do what we can to get you on a trip.
If there's no availability online, join the waitlist. We check it daily and we'll either open more spaces or tell you what else we can offer. Groups of three or more, get in touch and we may be able to open a trip for you.
Sturdy walking shoes with good grip. No jeans, and no open-toed shoes or sandals.
Active wear you can move in, and layers for the weather.
A full bottle of water. There's no fresh water at the falls.
Sunblock and sunglasses.
Small cameras and phones at your own risk. Some helmets have GoPro mounts. If you drop it, it's unlikely we'll get it back.
We'll refund you in full if you cancel at least 48 hours ahead (10 days for groups of more than eight), if we cancel for weather and you can't reschedule, or if we cancel because the trip doesn't reach minimum numbers.
We can't refund cancellations inside 48 hours (10 days for groups of more than eight), late arrivals or no-shows, or deciding not to climb once you're here.
So please book the climb that's right for you. We reserve the right to cancel if minimum numbers aren't reached, or if the weather or anything else makes it unsafe.