A Chilean tourist who spent Wednesday night in Tararua Forest Park near Masterton after getting disoriented has been found by searchers.

The 29-year-old had walked to Mt Holdsworth on Wednesday but became disoriented and lost the track on his return journey to Holdsworth Lodge.

He contacted police on a mobile phone but a helicopter could not find him due to low cloud and he spent the night in the bush.

Inspector Marty Parker of the police central communications centre said the missing man was found by a search and rescue team shortly after sunrise on Thursday.

He said the searchers were spending time with him and preparing to walk him out of the bush.

The tramper wasn't equipped for an overnight stay but he was thought to be in the sub-alpine zone below the bush edge and weather conditions were mild.