Mt Cook Adventure Tour from Queenstown (Small Groups) - Bookme

So you wanna see New Zealand’s biggest mountain?

Big mountains have always fascinated and inspired men, women and children of all walks of life. Aoraki/Mt Cook is certainly no exception! In fact, this mountain draws more people each year than most of the world’s famous mountains.

Let Cheeky Kiwi not just take you there, but create an experience for you that allows you to fully embrace this, the most beloved of all New Zealand’s peaks. 

At 3 724m, Aoraki/Mt Cook is by no means amongst the world’s tallest but with the nearby Mt Cook village just 750m above sea-level, the mountain can be viewed without any acclimatisation whatsoever, and so our tour is perfect for people of all levels of fitness. 

Our guided tour begins with pickups in Qeenstown and Frankton, before we then travel through the stunning Kawarau gorge to Cromwell for the final pickups. After making a comfort stop in the quaint township of Omarama, we climb our way through Lindis Pass, one of only 3 alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps. As we exit the Pass, you may catch glimpses of the mighty mountain itself; but before arriving there is much more to see, including what many consider one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Lake Pukaki is one of the bluest lakes you will ever see, and is framed by the backdrop of Aoraki and his brothers in the Southern Alps. The location of several scenes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Lake Pukaki is a destination in and of itself. Even though we could spend all day just here the mountain continues to call and so our journey continues into the rugged alps. 

We soon pass the delta where the mountain’s various rivers, creeks and streams converge to form the lake, and the mountain continues to  grow steadily in stature and grandeur until the shear scale of the view makes you feel powerless. Arriving at the alpine village of Mt Cook and the Hermitage - home of the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre - you now have the freedom to explore in whatever way suits your energy levels and budget. 

Some options include:

Hikes and walks: Free

Multiple walks in the area, from the Tasman glacier lake short walk, to the 3-hour Hooker Valley Track. Of course, we will drop you off at and pick you up from the start of the walks if you don’t want the added distance and time required if starting from the Hermitage. Our guides are
well-versed in the local tracks and can help you choose which track is the right one for you, so that you remain comfortable in your walk whilst maximising the spectacular views you will encounter.

Scenic flight and Heli Adventures: $280 - $600

Heli-hiking/scenic heli-tours. Short scenic flights right up to extended adventures are also an option.

Boat trips and cruises: $170

Heading up the Tasman Glacier river and lake is an amazing experience. View ice bergs floating down the lake and at the terminal face of the glacier during an exciting jet boat ride.   

Sir Edmond Hillary Alpine Centre: $20

If you’re feeling like a relaxed day, the Alpine Centre has various informative cinema screenings, including 3D and planetarium-style, that show right throughout the day. Wander through the alpine exploration museum area, or simply relax in the café, observing the mountains from the comfort of your chair. Whatever you choose to do, whether relaxed, adventurous, or somewhere in between, you will have 4 full hours to enjoy the simply outstanding region of Aoraki/Mt Cook; and we’ll transport you to where you want to go.

Departing the village, we wind our way back around the lake, this time the mountains shrinking behind us. On the way out we stop in at a local salmon farm, where you can feed the fish. Or, of course, they can feed you, via a series of tasty salmon-based menu items. 

From there we continue back towards Cromwell, Frankton and Queenstown.

Choose Cheeky Kiwi, the small-group tour specialists, if you want a personalised, enjoyable, informative, and above all, unforgettable experience of the majestic Aoraki/Mt Cook and surrounding region. Our tours are never just about the destination; the journey matters too, and this is one journey you won’t want to miss!