Two trampers have been rescued from Mt Ruapehu and are being walked to safety by emergency services.

The man and woman called for help last evening, after becoming lost on their 5 kilometre walk up the mountain.

A helicopter was available, but poor weather conditions meant it couldn't be used.

Instead, a team of Land Search and Rescue volunteers negotiated swollen rivers in cold conditions and heavy rain during the night.

The search party discovered the trampers cold and hungry but in their sleeping bags.