Mount Cook Experience in Queenstown
Mount Cook Experience
Mt Cook Scenic Tour
From
Highlights
Mt Cook ** Small Group ** Day Tour from Queenstown
**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,
with free time in Mount Cook Village to enjoy local walks or activities.
- 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 3.5 hours (approx.) of free time to explore Mt Cook Village, with options to sightsee, hike, or join an optional activity (we recommend booking in advance to secure your spot).
- Take advantage of complimentary access to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre.
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
(highly recommended for those planning to hike, Heli Hike, or join the Glacier
Explorers experience).
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
Welcome to Mt Cook! Arriving at approximately 12 pm, you'll have around 3.5
hours to explore at your leisure. Choose from various options such as a self-
guided hike, taking a scenic flight for an up-close view of the mountain,
participating in a Heli Hike on the Tasman Glacier, or witnessing the icebergs
on the Tasman Glacial Lake with Glacier Explorers. Your guide will assist you
in getting to your chosen activity and provide instructions for the remainder
of the day. If you're planning to get outside and explore, remember to come
prepared with enough food and water, dress warmly, and wear appropriate
footwear, as the weather in this alpine town can change quickly, no matter the
season.
For those seeking a more relaxed experience, all guests 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 7:30am, returning by 7:30pm.
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!
Your time in Mt Cook:
Upon arrival in Mt Cook, you'll have approximately 3-3.5 hours to explore the
area. You can choose from hiking trails or perhaps take to the skies on a
scenic flight. Keep in mind that popular activities like a scenic helicopter
flight may sell out, so it's best to contact our friendly reservations team to
secure your spot in advance. If you prefer a more leisurely day, you can enjoy
some downtime in the village and at the Hermitage Hotel. As a bonus, all
Altitude Tours guests receive complimentary access to the Sir Edmund Hillary
Centre as part of their ticket.
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 comfortable clothing, bring a warm layer, a rain
jacket and wear sensible shoes. Doing a hike, or even a short walk? Wear
hiking boots, or sturdy walking shoes - leave those converse trainers and
jeans back at your hotel!
Food/Lunch:
Because there are so many options of activities and choices for the day, we
don’t include lunch and instead let you prepare your own, depending on how you
want to spend your time in Mt Cook.
Taking the full 3 hours to do a hike or activity? It’s probably best to bring
food from Queenstown, or pick up something during a stop on our scenic drive
from Queenstown that morning. Taking it easy? Instead of hiking or activities,
you are welcome to use your time in Mt Cook Village to enjoy a meal at a local
cafe or restaurant.
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, or you can make use of the complimentary water at
each location we stop at.
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