mount cook day tour from queenstown

Altitude's Mount Cook Tours.

Mt cook tour / queenstown flyback, mt cook tour / ultimate alpine experience, mt cook tour / helicopter experience, mt cook tour / hooker valley hike, mt cook tour / glacier explorer, mt cook scenic tour, more epic tours..

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Mt Cook Day Tour from Queenstown

On this Mt Cook Day Tour from Queenstown, you will experience the unique alpine landscapes of the Southern Alps as you travel with us from Queenstown through Mackenzie Country and into Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, home to snow-capped mountains, impressive glaciers, and New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki Mt Cook (‘Cloud Piercer’).

Departing from Queenstown at 7.30 am, we will enjoy visiting iconic central South Island locations such as Cromwell, Lindis Pass, Omarama, Twizel, and the bright turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki before entering Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Enjoy 3.5 hours (approx.) in Mt Cook Village. Take this time to enjoy one of the many optional activities or walk available in the area.

Packages are available which include Scenic Heli Flights, Heli Hikes, and Glacier Explorer options. 

Altitude's Mt Cook Tours are limited to a maximum of 16 passengers, ensuring small groups so everyone can enjoy the best New Zealand hospitality that we have to offer, as well as enjoy lots of fun and informative commentary from your local guide and plenty of sightseeing stops along the way.

• Premium transport in a Mercedes Sprinter van
• A personal small group tour (max 16 passengers)
• Multiple scenic stops throughout the spectacular central South Island
• Informative and entertaining commentary from an experienced guide
• Approximately 3.5 hours in Mt Cook Village to enjoy optional activities or local short walks
• Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
• Complimentary select Queenstown hotel transfers

Altitude Tours won Visitor Experience Award at the New Zealand Tourism Awards in 2023, the third year nominated for that category.  Also won Excellence in Customer Experience at the 2023 Queenstown Business Awards. 

153B Glenda Drive

Queenstown, 9300

• Adult: $249 Adult Glacier Explorer: $439 Adult Heli Hike: $1045 Adult Ultimate Alpine Experience: $729 Adult Heli Flight: $579
• Transport in a premium Mercedes van, equipped with panoramic windows and Wi-Fi.
• Monday: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Tuesday: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Wednesday: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Thursday: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Friday: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Saturday: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Sunday: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Holiday hours: Closed Christmas Day
• Months of Operation: Open year round
• Group Info: Private tours and charters are available on a request basis. Contact us to find out about our availability and pricing
• Group Reservation Email: [email protected]
• Group Capacity: 16

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Mt Cook Day Tour from Queenstown

• Trip Styles: Comfort

Your Questions (optional)

Experience the unique landscapes of the Southern Alps as you travel to Mt Cook on this scenic tour.

Not certain about dates, or have a question? Ask here

The Mt Cook Tour from Queenstown is the ultimate way to experience the stunning alpine landscapes of New Zealand. With small group sizes and expert local guides, you’ll enjoy a personalized and unforgettable experience. As you travel through Mackenzie Country and into Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, you’ll witness some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. With plenty of off-the-beaten-track visits away from the crowds, you’ll get an insider’s view of this beautiful part of the country.

Once you arrive in Mt Cook Village, you’ll have approximately 3.5 hours of free time to explore. Take a scenic helicopter ride, go on a glacier walk, or simply take in the stunning views from the village. Mt Cook is home to some of the highest peaks in the Southern Alps, including Aoraki/Mount Cook, which stands at over 12,000 feet tall. You’ll be in awe of the natural beauty and grandeur of this area.

Our Mt Cook tours are limited to a maximum of 16 passengers, ensuring small groups and plenty of opportunities to interact with your guide and fellow travelers. With fun and informative commentary, you’ll learn about the history, culture, and natural wonders of the region. Our experienced guides will take you to off-the-beaten-track locations that few tourists get to see, giving you a unique and unforgettable experience.

The Mt Cook Tour from Queenstown is a full-day tour that departs early in the morning and returns in the evening. We provide all transportation, so you can sit back and relax while we take care of the rest. Book your Mt Cook Tour today and get ready for an adventure you’ll never forget.

$ 229.00

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Our travellers often combine this trip with some of these trips:

1 Day Milford Sound Tour from Queenstown

Jet Boat Tour Queenstown

• Total Price: $ 687.00 Add All To Cart Add All To Wishlist Browse Wishlist
• This item: Mt Cook Day Tour from Queenstown ( $ 229.00 )
• 1 Day Milford Sound Tour from Queenstown ( $ 299.00 )
• Jet Boat Tour Queenstown ( $ 159.00 )

On this Mt Cook Day Tour from Queenstown, you will experience the unique alpine landscapes of the Southern Alps as you travel with us from Queenstown through Mackenzie Country and into Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, home to snow-capped mountains, impressive glaciers and New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki Mt Cook (‘Cloud Piercer’).

Departing from Queenstown at 7.30am, start the tour off with pick up from your Queenstown accommodation in one of our premium vehicles. Travel in comfort and style in a Mercedes van fully equipped with panoramic windows for superior viewing with complimentary wifi and bottled water so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the stunning scenery.

Visit iconic central South Island locations such as Cromwell, Lindis Pass, Omarama, Twizel and the bright turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki before entering Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Enjoy 3.5 hours (approx.) in Mt Cook Village. Take this time to enjoy one of the many optional activities or walk available in the area.

The 12 hour Mt Cook tour departs Queenstown on Friday and Sundays at 7:30am and returns around approximately 7:30pm

• Unique day-tour allowing you to experience Mt Cook from Queenstown
• Approximately 3.5 hours in Mt Cook Village to enjoy optional activities or local short walks

The full-day trip takes approximately 12 hours from Queenstown. This allows us to make plenty of stops enroute to ensure you enjoy the journey as well as getting to spend a few hours in Mt Cook doing sightseeing, walking or an activity of choice.

Yes! Two of the most popular walks are the Hooker Valley Track and the Tasman Glacier lookout, both great options for things to do on your Mt Cook day trip.

Our minimum numbers are 4pax and maximum numbers are 14pax.

There is no minimum age for this tour, it’s a great day out for kids seeing the beautiful scenery! It is of course a long day of travel which can be challenging for babies, and young children.

Enroute we will stop at a cafe, and in Mt Cook there are some dining options at The Hermitage Hotel. If you’re hoping to do one of the walks you may like to bring your own lunch.

We don’t want to give too much away! The drive from Queenstown to Mt Cook is stunning and there are plenty of scenic stops enroute, your guide knows the best spots and will choose these on the day.

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$ 229.00

Mount Cook & Queenstown Day Tours

New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mount Cook (Aoraki in Māori) towers 3,724 metres into the sky, providing a stunning backdrop to the beautiful Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park in the centre of the South Island. Declared a World Heritage park in 1986, it boasts over 30 peaks 3,000 metres or higher. It also has five of New Zealand’s largest glaciers, including the Tasman Glacier at 21km in length. Scenic flights over the park provide unparalleled views of the Southern Alps. The region is also renowned for its clear, starry nights and was designated a Dark Sky Reserve in 2012 – the first in the southern hemisphere and the world’s largest, encompassing a 4300 km 2 area.

South of Mount Cook, past the distinctive tussock land of the Mackenzie Country and the vivid blue glacier-fed Lake Tekapo, is the world-renowned tourist destination of Queenstown. This lake and alpine resort is New Zealand’s adventure capital, with things to see and do in Queenstown in all seasons. From bungy jumping to wine tasting, Lord of the Rings film locations to historic gold mining towns and jet boating on the Shotover River, there are activities and attractions in Queenstown to whet every appetite. Sitting close to four excellent skifields, Queenstown is also home to boutique shops and a wide variety of bars and restaurants, making it a great spot to relax and spend time.

Queenstown is the home of bungy jumping – if you dare, launch yourself into the air from the Kawarau Bridge, 43 metres above the Kawarau River. Keep your adrenaline levels high with a jet boat trip on the Shotover River, where the dramatically narrow canyons and high speed ride will take your breath away. Movie buffs will want to visit the Kawarau Gorge, where scenes from The Lord of the Rings were filmed. Queenstown is part of the Central Otago wine region, where some of New Zealand’s best wines are made, especially Pinot Noir. In neighbouring Arrowtown you’ll feel you have stepped back in time to the 1860s when this historic goldmining town was booming. And of course Queenstown is the starting point for most day tours to Milford Sound , New Zealand’s most famous natural attraction.

9 Day Tours to experience

Mount Cook Day Tour: Christchurch to Queenstown

• Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
• Lake Tekapo

from $ 350 NZD

Mount Cook Day Tour: Queenstown to Christchurch

• 11 hours 50 minutes
• Mount Cook scenery
• Glacier lake views

Christchurch To Mount Cook Day Tour: One Way

• 5 hours 20 minutes
• See NZ's highest mountain
• Stunning high country scenery

from $ 250 NZD

Mount Cook to Christchurch Day Tour: One Way

• 5 hours 10 minutes
• Complimentary hotel drop-off
• Stunning South Island Views

Queenstown to Mount Cook Day Tour: One Way

• 4 hours 45 minutes
• Complimentary pickup/drop-off

Mount Cook to Queenstown Day Tour: One Way

• Free Wi-Fi on board coach

Queenstown to Fox Glacier Day Tour

• 7 hours 30 minutes
• See The Southern Alps
• Full-day Sightseeing Tour

from $ 147 NZD

Queenstown to Franz Josef Day Tour

• 8 hours 5 minutes
• Free Cancellation

from $ 155 NZD

Dart River Wilderness Safari

• Mt Aspiring National Park
• Jet boat ride, forest walk & 4WD tour

from $ 322 NZD

Free cancellation

You'll receive a full refund if you cancel at least 2 hours in advance of your tour experience.

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• Bay of Islands Tours
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• Mt Cook Tours
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Aoraki / Mount Cook Tours

• Full Day Tour

Departs from Christchurch | Queenstown | Aoraki / Mount Cook

Travel to the foothills of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki / Mount Cook, on an InterCity sightseeing tour.

Travel by luxury air-conditioned coach through ruggedly beautiful landscape and over the Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Country. Enter the amazing Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest mountain, and enjoy the amazing alpine scenery. According to Māori legend, the boy Aoraki and his brothers once hit a reef in their canoe. When they climbed to the higher side of the tilting vessel, the cold south wind froze them, turning them into stone. Aoraki and family now form the Southern Alps, which you will see in all their glory on this tour.

During your stop at Mount Cook Village, choose to enjoy a delicious lunch at the famous Hermitage Hotel (at your own expense), or take a scenic flight over this spectacular region (at your own expense, weather permitting).

If you continue up north to Christchurch, you will travel past Lake Pukaki to Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd against the backdrop of this vivid blue glacier-fed lake.

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Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo Small Group Tour from Queenstown (2-day)

Mt cook & lake tekapo 2-day small group tour from queenstown.

Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo Tour. This small group, fully-guided tour combines two of the most stunning locations in the South Island with the time and options to enjoy the activities, unlike other tours. Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge,  and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.

Highlights:

• Mt Cook & Aoraki National Park
• Lake Tekapo & Lake Pukaki
• Church of the Good Shepard, Lindis Pass, the Southern Alps and High Country Salmon
• Free time for activities & walks

1.      Q ueenstown - 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 adventure today but also point out and guide you past some of the area’s top highlights.  

2.        Kawarau Suspension Bridge – Departing Queenstown we then make our way through the stunning Kawarau Gorge passing beautiful 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.

3.        Cromwell – 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.

4.        Lindis Pass – Climbing in altitude, Lindis Pass has amazing views down through the valley. Being one of only three alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps, we stop at the Lindis Pass lookout 971m above sea level for an essential photo.  

5.        Omarama – 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)!

6.        Lake Pukaki – 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 stunningly framed by the backdrop of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. We stop for some amazing photos and to just marvel the sight that we are beholding. It’s not hard to see why so many Lord of the Rings scene were filmed nearby and we will point them out for you.

7.        Mt Cook Information Centre – 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.

8.        Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park – While in the national park you have 3 hours free time to enjoy free walks/hikes or one of the extra optional activities. Some of our recommendations include: The Hooker Valley hike -this easy 3 hour fairly flat walk is considered 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 have decided to do, we will pick you up and drop you off where you need to go and make sure you are well looked after.

9.        Tekapo - Farewelling Mt Cook we make our way to Lake Tekapo for the night. This turquoise blue lake is famous world over for its beauty and how pristine it is. We arrive early evening so you can enjoy exploring and buy some dinner at a local restaurant of your choice. At night and weather depending you can choose to participate in one of the famous stargazing optional extra activities, for an additional price. 1 night 3* double or twin share accommodation included in tour price. Extra charge applies for single share or to upgrade to 4* accommodation, please select in optional extras section while booking

10.      Tekapo – After a relaxing night at Tekapo Day 2 starts with a guided tour of the local highlights such as the Church of the Good Shepard and the Mackenzie dog before starting to head back toward Queenstown.

11.     High Country Salmon – On our way to Queenstown we will make a stop at High Country Salmon, a local salmon farm, where you can feed the fish and taste some of the freshest salmon in New Zealand.

12.    Jacksons Orchards  – During summer months when the sun is still up and we get close to Queenstown we often stop at Jackson's Orchards to try or buy delicious local fruit or real fruit ice cream.

13.      Queenstown – Sadly the tour must come to an end as we re-enter Queenstown and say our goodbyes.

Inclusions:

• Small Group
• Fully Guided Tour
• Bottled Water & Snacks
• Accommodation

Optional Extras:

• One-way flight from Tekapo to Queenstown  
• One-way tour from Queenstown to Christchurch via Mt Cook & Tekapo
• Scenic flights with Glacier landings
• Star Gazing Experience
• Upgrade to 4* accommodation
• Single share accommodation 

While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, we at Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles, complementary refreshments and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.

For further information on luggage, pickup locations, cancellation policy etc please  read our FAQ's  at the bottom of our home page. 

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• Mt Cook Adventure Tour from Queenstown

Pricing From $250

Make your New Zealand adventure unforgettable on a Mt Cook Adventure Tour from Queenstown with a visit to its biggest mountain!

Big mountains never fail to amaze and inspire anyone who encounters them, whatever their backgrounds. And Aoraki/Mt. Cook is one such marvellous sight that it draws more visitors each year than some of the most popular mountains in the world.

Experience New Zealand’s most beloved peak with your guide who will be with you on your journey and help create an adventure you will cherish.

You won’t even need acclimatisation to view Aoraki/Mt. Cook as it’s only 3,724 metres above sea level, far from being one of the tallest mountains in the world. The mountain is made even more accessible to visitors of various fitness levels, with the starting point, Mt. Cook Village, standing at 750m above sea level.

We begin our guided tour as we collect you from either Queenstown or Frankton, then set off for Cromwell through the marvellous Kawarau gorge for the final pickups. We take a comfort stop in the charming township of Omarama, then drive our way up the Southern Alps through Lindis Pass, one of the only 3 alpine roads that cut through the otherwise impassable mountain range.

Leaving the pass, you may even get your first look of the mountain, plus a handful of other points of interest that make this journey all the more captivating. Lake Pukaki greets us with a reflection of Aoraki and his brothers in the Southern Alps as we make our way to our final destination. While the blue waters of the lake, which many consider as one of the world’s most beautiful, are enough to entrance us all day, Aoraki/Mt. Cool beckons and so we must continue our journey. Before moving on, contemplate the beauty of the lake, a destination all its own, and see why it’s the filming location for many of the scenes that appeared in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Before long, the delta where the mountain’s many rivers, streams and creeks collect to feed the lake is behind us, and the mountain looms before us, giving us a true scale of Aoraki/Mt. Cook’s sheer size and grandeur up close. On reaching the alpine village of Mt. Cook, we settle in at the Hermitage, an iconic hotel and host to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. From here, feel free to pursue whatever activity you fancy that suits your energy level and budget.

Start: Queenstown (6am)

Finish: Queenstown (about 7pm)

Some options include:

Hikes and walks:.

Walks in the area range from short walks on the Tasman glacier lake to 3-hour walks along the Hooker Valley Track. Let our knowledgeable guides advise you on which local tracks work for you best. If starting from the Hermitage, we can drop you off at and collect you from the start of the walks so you minimise the added time and distance required to get there. Spend that extra time to enjoy the walks and admire the magnificent views instead. 

Scenic flight and Heli Adventures:

Gaze at down at the magnificent landscape on a scenic heli-tour or heli-hiking trip. Options range from short scenic flights to extended adventures.

Jet Boat trips and cruises:

Experience an exhilarating jet boat ride up the Tasman Glacier river and lake where you will encounter ice bergs at the terminal face of the glacier and see some of them floating down the lake.

Sir Edmond Hillary Alpine Centre: 

Take advantage of the Alpine Centre’s informative cinema screenings if you don’t have any outdoor plans for the day. The screenings, which include 3D and planetarium-style projection, are shown throughout the day. Or browse the displays in the alpine exploration museum area, admire the mountains from a cosy chair, or as you kick back and relax in the café. It’s all up to you. Whether you want to pursue your thrills or quietly soak up the views or do a combination of both, you get to enjoy 4 full hours of the majestic region of Aoraki/Mt. Cook, and we’ll take you wherever you wish to go.

Then it’s time to leave the village and make our winding way back around the lake, with the mountain getting smaller and smaller on our way out. Along the way, we stop at a local salmon farm where you can feed the fish or take a bite of them as you choose which to sample from a salmon-based menu.

Leaving the salmon farm, we return to Queenstown via Cromwell and Frankton.

Experience Aoraki/Mt Cook and its surrounding area with one of the best small-group tour specialists, who not only personalise your tours and make them enjoyable and informative, but above all, unforgettable. Our tours do not just take you to a destination; they take you through an equally memorable journey, and this is one journey that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

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