At 3724m, Aoraki/Mt Cook is home to New Zealand’s highest peak and Haupapa/Tasman Glacier; the country's longest glacier. Leaving Lake Tekapo, this tour adventures towards some of the most beautiful parts of the South Island, including the heart of the Mackenzie country, Mt Cook, and Queenstown.

You will be driven in comfort in our modern Mercedes Sprinter or similar vehicle packed with extras, just to make your journey that bit easier. Led by our fun, knowledgeable and passionate tour guides, this journey will come to life in a new way for you.

Memories made, hearts happy and photos a plenty in this tour!

Highlights:

• Lake Tekapo
• Lake Pukaki
• Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
• Tasman Glacier (Optional)
• Hooker Valley Track (optional)
• Transfer to Queenstown

Itinerary:

Lake Tekapo (10:00am) - Be waiting at 10:00am to depart Lake Tekapo. Begin your adventure in the charming village of Lake Tekapo, surrounded by the beauty of the Mackenzie Basin. Depending on the season, wild lupins may line the lakeshore, adding to the charm.

Lake Pukaki (10 mins) - This glacier-fed lake stands out from other alpine lakes with its shifting colors, ranging from ice to deep blue depending on the weather. On clear days, enjoy uninterrupted views of the majestic Mt Cook rising from the lake’s edge.

Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park (2.5 hours) – Welcome to the heart of our journey! Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak, is named after famous explorer James Cook. Once you arrive, you'll have the option to embark on one of two spectacular walks: the **Hooker Valley** or the **Tasman Glacier** walk. Alternatively, if you’d prefer an aerial view of the mountains, we can arrange a scenic helicopter ride for you and your group.

- **Hooker Valley Walk (2-2.5 hours)** – As one of New Zealand's most renowned day hikes, the Hooker Valley track takes you alongside ice-covered cliffs (you might even hear them creaking) to a glacial lake with stunning views of Mt Cook.
- **Tasman Glacier Walk (2-2.5 hours)** – This track leads through the old terminal moraines of the Tasman Glacier, offering incredible views of the glacier, surrounding river, and lake.

PLEASE NOTE: THE DOC ADVERTISED TIME FOR MT COOK IS 3 HOURS. HOWEVER, DUE TO POTENTIAL DELAYS FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS OR ROAD CONDITIONS, WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THIS TIMEFRAME.

At 2:15pm, please follow your guide's instructions for the pick-up time as we head towards Queenstown.

PLEASE NOTE: CUSTOMERS WILL CHANGE VEHICLES AS WE CONTINUE OUR JOURNEY TOWARDS QUEENSTOWN.

High Country Salmon - Departing Mt Cook, wee stop at High Country Salmon, where you can feed the fish and taste fresh salmon.

Lindis Pass - Next, we ascend Lindis Pass, a scenic spot with breathtaking views of the valleys and mountains.

Jacksons Orchard - Approaching Queenstown, we often stop at Jacksons Orchard for fresh fruit or real fruit ice cream (season dependent)

Kawarau Suspension Bridge - We pass through Kawarau Gorge and the Kawarau Suspension Bridge, a famous bungee jumping site, and the Roaring Meg Lookout.

Queenstown - As we reach Queenstown, we bid farewell, leaving you with memories and stunning photos of one of New Zealand’s most beautiful regions.

Please note: Additional stops for bathroom breaks will be included as needed.

Inclusions:

• Small Group
• Carbon Neutral
• Fully Guided Tour (except walks)
• Bottled Water
• Local Kiwi Snacks
• Wi-Fi and USB charging
• Pre-ordered lunch from Fairlie Bakehouse
• Commentary from our expert guide
• 100% Kiwi experience

Add ons:

• Scenic flights 
• Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre

As this is a one-way tour, luggage is included with your booking. Each person can bring one standard check in bag up to 23kg and 1 carry on type bag. If you have additional or overweight baggage, then additional charges will apply. Please select the number of additional or overweight bags on the extras page while booking.

We at Cheeky Kea Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey, and all those little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles, complimentary refreshments, and many other fun surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember. 

See More, Do More, Spend Less

** The second half of this journey is run by our partners at Cheeky Kiwi Travel.