Overview
This small group, fully-guided day trip combines all of the key highlights such as Hooker Valley, Hooker Lake & Hooker Glacier, Mt Cook & Aoraki National Park, Lake Pukaki, Kawarau Gorge, Lindis Pass, and High Country Salmon. If you plan to embark on the Hooker Valley hike or any other trek during your Mount Cook tour, it's advisable to bring along a light lunch or grab some food when we stop in Omarama.
Low carbon footprint
What you will be doing
Your tour starts in the stunning city of Queenstown. As we drive out of the city your guide will not only set the scene for your adventurous day but also point out and guide you past some of the areas top highlights.
Departing Queenstown, we then make our way through the stunning Kawarau Gorge, passing stunning views, the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and the famous Roaring Meg Lookout. Time and light permitting we will stop for that first great shot of the tour.
Exiting the Kawarau Gorge, we enter the fruit and wine growing region of Cromwell. Passing huge fields of vines, we cross Lake Dunstan and follow this beautiful lake towards Lindis Pass.
Climbing in altitude, Lindis Pass has amazing views down through the valleys. Being one of only three alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps, we stop at the famous lookout at the top of the pass for an essential photo.
While driving through the endless plains of the Mackenzie district, we will spot several of the famous Merino breed of sheep before stopping at the quaint township of Omarama. While in Omarama we have time for a break or even to try the best creamy chicken pie in NZ (in our opinion)!
Turning west, we begin to enter the Aoraki National Park, and Lake Pukaki begins to emerge in front of us. Lake Pukaki is one of the bluest lakes you will ever see and is stunningly framed by the backdrop of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. We stop for some amazing photos and to just marvel at the sight that we are beholding. It's not hard to see why many Lord of the Rings scene were filmed nearby and we will point them out for you.
Arriving at Mt Cook Village, weather depending, we should get some amazing shots of the mountain itself. At 3724m, Aoraki/Mt Cook is New Zealand's highest peak, however, the mountain can be viewed without any acclimatisation whatsoever from the village which is just 750m above sea level.
While in the national park, you have 3 hours of free time to enjoy free walks/hikes or one of the extra optional activities. Some of our recommendations include: The Hooker Valley hike is thought to be one of New Zealand's most beautiful hikes. Heli Hike - this adventure on the Tasman Glacier is the ultimate way to enjoy the area. Scenic flights - see the region from the air and land on the Tasman Glacier. Whatever you decide to do we will pick you up and drop you off where you need to go and make sure you are well looked after.
Farewelling Aoraki/Mt Cook Village and making our way back to Queenstown, we stop in at High Country Salmon, a local salmon farm, where you can feed the fish and taste some of the freshest salmon in New Zealand.
During summer months when the sun is still up, as we get close to Queenstown, we often stop at Jackson's Orchard to try or buy some delicious local fruit or real fruit ice cream.
Sadly the tour must come to an end as we re-enter Queenstown and say our goodbyes.
Where we'll meet
🧭 Meeting/pick-up point: Queenstown, New Zealand
🗺️ Instructions: We will pick you up from Queenstown.
Things to know
Accessibility:
Children friendly
Fitness requirement
Moderate fitness level
Tour Language
English
License requirement
None
Additional information:
Children under the age of 7 must be in a child safety seat, as it is a legal requirement in New Zealand. If you need a safety seat or booster seat these can be added during the booking process.
Inclusion ✅
Tour guide
Water
Snack
Pick up and drop off transport
Exclusion ❌
Lunch
About your host
Cheeky Kiwi TravelWe are all about giving you a real Kiwi Adventure. Our tours and day trips have a maximum of 16 guests! We believe it's the small extra things we do, combined with being flexible, that make all the difference to your experience and give you an amazing trip. Our trips have been described as fun and informative, with, of course, a little bit of cheekiness. From the outset, our mission has been to nurture both our communities and the environment, aligning with and advocating for The Tiaki Promise. We've reduced our carbon emissions by adopting fuel-efficient vehicles and closely monitoring fuel usage. Our drivers are incentivised to follow eco-friendly practices, ensuring your journey is as environmentally responsible as possible. We pride ourselves on being a fully paperless office, and we prioritise responsible waste management during our operations. We encourage our guests to travel responsibly with Wild Kiwi and to commit to The Tiaki Promise to care for New Zealand, for now, and for future generations.
Qualmark Gold: Qualmark works with Tourism New Zealand to help the tourism industry deliver high-quality experiences and maintain a high level of visitor satisfaction. Only businesses that deliver a quality sustainable experience, ones that have undergone an independent evaluation, and showcase true New Zealand hospitality, are recognised through a Qualmark accreditation. It has three levels: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
For every trip booked, Kodama Travel donates £1 to Just One Tree to restore our forests and the ocean.