Mount Cook Experience - Incl. Hooker Valley Track
Mt Cook Scenic Tour / Incl. Hooker Valley Track
From
Highlights
**Mt Cook Day Tour from Queenstown incl. Hooker Valley Track (self-
guided)**
Join Altitude Tours and visit Mt Cook in a day from Queenstown. Experience
the unique alpine landscapes of the Southern Alps as you travel with us
through Mackenzie Country and into Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and hike
the famous Hooker Valley Track for an impressive view of Mt Cook “Cloud
Piercer”.
- Take the opportunity to visit Mt Cook on an easy one-day tour from Queenstown
- Travel in a specially designed premium Mercedes Sprinter for a comfortable touring experience.
- Enjoy a small-group sightseeing tour limited to just 16 people.
- Experience multiple scenic stops on the drive, including Cromwell, The Lindis, Omarama, Twizel, and many more.
- Benefit from informative and engaging commentary provided by an experienced guide.
- Enjoy up to 3 hours to hike the famed Hooker Valley Track (unguided).
- Take advantage of complimentary access to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre (if time allows).
Your Adventure Begins
Start your day by meeting our friendly local guide at your Queenstown
accommodation or nearby. You'll travel in style in a premium Mercedes van
designed for touring with only 16 seats onboard. As we depart Queenstown, the
first leg of our journey takes us through the Central Otago wine regions of
Gibbston and Cromwell. We then cross the dramatic Lindis Pass before making a
brief stop in Omarama for refreshments and an opportunity to purchase
lunch/snacks (you must bring food/snacks/water with you as there are no other
opportunities to purchase prior to your hike).
Welcome to Mackenzie Country
The scenery transforms as we enter Mackenzie Country, and our guide will
entertain you with stories and interesting facts as we trace the edge of the
Southern Alps. Along the way, we'll pass a network of lakes and canals near
Twizel, renowned for its fishing of fresh Mt Cook Alpine salmon. Once we veer
off the main road, we'll follow the stunning bright blue waters of Lake Pukaki
before arriving at Mt Cook Village.
Mount Cook Adventure & Hooker Valley Track
Welcome to Mt Cook! Arriving at approximately 12 pm, your guide will transport
you to the start of the Hooker Valley Track and provide instructions for your
pick up later that day. You can choose to shorten the hike, hiking to one of
the three swing bridges and returning back to enjoy the village, or you can
use the full amount of free time to complete the full trail (3 hours return,
medium fitness). Remember to come prepared with enough food and water, dress
warmly, and wear appropriate footwear, as the weather can change quickly, no
matter the season.
Those not intending to walk the full trail, can do a shortened version and
receive complimentary access to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, located
at The Hermitage. This museum and theatre offer insights into Mt Cook's unique
history and the adventures of one of New Zealand's most famed explorers.
The Journey Back
At approximately 3:30pm, you will rejoin our guide and van to commence the
return journey to Queenstown. Sit back, relax, and take in the views. This day
tour spans approximately 12 hours, and our smaller vehicles and attentive
guide ensure your comfort and entertainment throughout the journey.
Experience the Unforgettable
Let us take you on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Mount Cook and discover
more with Altitude Tours. The 12-hour Mount Cook day tour departs Queenstown
daily at 7:30 am, returning by 7:30 p.m.
*This is a DOC (Department of Conservation) hiking trail, and we recommend
those with medium fitness complete the entire trail. We have a strict
departure time from Mt Cook Village and all hikers must return by that time.
Additional information
Thank you so much for choosing Altitude Tours for your upcoming day exploring
Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. We're thrilled to be your hosts and can't wait
to show you the incredible sights around our tallest peak.
Pick Up Location:
Take note of your pick up location and time on this confirmation, and make
sure you are aware of where you need to be on the day. There is a handy Google
Maps link to help direct you to the right place. Aim to get there 10 minutes
before the departure time, and that way we can head off on tour without any
delay, and enjoy that extra time exploring Mt Cook. Tip - look out for a
Mercedes van!
Hooker Valley Track
Once we arrive in Mt Cook you will have approx. 3 hours to hike the Hooker
Valley Track. To do the full trail, this will take the full amount of free
time we have in Mt Cook Village. If you wish to do only part of the track and
come back early, just let your guide know before you set off. You can read
more about this hiking track at https://www.doc.govt.nz/hooker-valley-
track. Listen to your guide for
the meeting time back at the carpark, and keep an eye on the time as you walk.
Dress for all seasons:
No matter the time of year, Mt Cook weather can be very unpredictable. This is
an alpine town and the temperature and forecast can change very quickly.
Please come prepared, wear active-wear, bring a warm layer, a rain jacket and
wear hiking or sturdy walking shoes - leave those converse trainers and jeans
back at your hotel! This trail is exposed to the elements, so layer up with
suncream and a hat and protect yourself from our harsh NZ sun.
Food/Lunch:
We don’t include food and recommend you come prepared by either pre-organising
food in Queenstown to bring with you, or purchasing something during our
scenic drive from Queenstown that morning when we make a refreshment stop at a
cafe in Omarama.
Stay Hydrated and Eco-Friendly:
We're all about keeping things green! Please bring a trusty water bottle with
you, as we've taken the eco-conscious step of ditching single-use plastic. If
you don't have one, fear not – reusable water bottles are available for
purchase during the tour.
Should you have any questions or just fancy a pre-tour chat, feel free to
reach out to us at +6434414788 or drop us an email at
info@altitudetours.co.nz.
We can't wait to travel to Aoraki Mt Cook National Park with you!
Kind regards,
The team at Altitude Tours
Location
Provider
Altitude Tours