It felt as if I had just closed my eyes when the alarm sounded. I felt around for my phone in the direction of the annoying buzzing. Found it, 4:30am. It took a second for me to remember why I had set it for that time, but I needed to get up, get ready and catch a bus in the front of the hostel at 5:30am for the start of the Tongariro Crossing. The epic Tongariro Crossing is one of New Zealand’s best day hikes, it’s also one of the Top 100 Travel Adventures in the world, and although it’s tough, it’s an excellent way to experience the volcanic, alpine landscapes of the North Island. The Tongariro Crossing takes you through a unique world that is quite unlike anywhere else on the planet, and you’ll trek through otherworldly landscapes and ancient lava flows while being continuously surrounded by high mountain peaks. You’ll even see the infamous Mount Doom, the peak that featured in the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. As beautiful as the trek is, it’s a real challenge at the same time, but nothing great ever comes too easily, and it’s worth tackling the steep inclines and high…