Lunch Included

From Christchurch: Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour & Lunch

★ 4.7 467 reviews

from $152 per person

Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 13 hours
Meeting point: Christchurch pickups
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Run by: Cheeky Kea Tours

Overview

This Cheeky Kea small-group day tour leaves central Christchurch in the early morning and runs about 13 hours, with roughly 8 of those spent on the road. It crosses the Canterbury Plains to the Fairlie Bakehouse for a short stop, where award-winning pies can be bought, then continues to Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd, one of the country's most photographed buildings. Lake Pukaki follows, with long mountain views across glacier-fed water.

The core of the day is 2.5 hours at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, weather permitting. Here the group splits by choice: some walk the Hooker Valley Track, a mostly flat route of about 10 km toward a glacial lake with floating icebergs, while others take the Tasman Glacier Walk, which includes some uphill and leads to a viewpoint over New Zealand's longest glacier. The operator notes that tracks may not be finished in the time available.

Wide view across turquoise shallows toward distant Aoraki / Mount Cook, tussock in the foreground and a small white minibus far away.

Travel is in a Mercedes Sprinter with WiFi and USB charging, a picnic lunch from a local bakery is included, and the group is capped at 11 guests. Hotel pickup and drop-off from central Christchurch is part of the package. It suits travellers with moderate fitness who want a full Mackenzie region loop without driving it themselves, and reviewers often mention guides who keep the long day engaging with commentary and well-chosen stops. It is not suitable for wheelchair users.

From$152 per person

Duration13 hours

Rating4.7 from 467 reviews

What's Included

Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off from central Christchurch
Transportation in modern Mercedes Sprinter with air conditioning
Expert local guide with live commentary (English)
Pre-ordered picnic lunch (roll, slice or muffin) from a local bakery
Bottled water and Kiwi snacks
Free WiFi and USB charging on board
Small-group tour (maximum 11 guests)
Carbon-neutral tour

Not Included

Fairlie Bakehouse pies (available to purchase on tour)
Scenic helicopter flights (available to book separately)
Entry to Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre (available to book separately)
Gratuities

Run byCheeky Kea Tours

Itinerary

Hotel pickup, ChristchurchPickup from 13 central Christchurch locations between 6:15 and 6:40 AM, with the exact time confirmed 24 hours before the tour.
Geraldine breakA short optional 5-minute comfort break on the way through Canterbury.
Fairlie BakehouseA 10-minute stop at the famous bakehouse. Pies are not included in the tour price and are purchased on the spot.
Lake TekapoA 15-minute photo and sightseeing stop, with time to see the Church of the Good Shepherd and scenic views on the way.
Lake PukakiA 10-minute photo stop for the turquoise glacier-fed lake and mountain views.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park2.5 hours of free time for walking, either the Hooker Valley Track or the Tasman Glacier Walk. Weather permitting, time here can extend to around 3 hours.
Lake Tekapo evening stopA further 10-minute break at Tekapo on the return leg.
Rakaia breakA 10-minute stop on the drive back toward Christchurch.
Drop-off, ChristchurchReturn to the same 13 central Christchurch locations, with an estimated arrival between 6:30 and 7:00 PM.

Tasman Glacier WalkYes

Free Time At Mount CookAbout 2.5 hours

PickupIncluded

What To Expect From The Tour

A day this long needs some planning. Here is what to prepare.

Long day, real driving. The tour runs about 13 hours with 8 hours of driving. Several reviewers call it a huge day but still worthwhile, and some credit the guide's commentary and music for making the road time pass easily. Set expectations accordingly.
Choose your walk. At Mount Cook you pick between the Hooker Valley Track, about 10 km and mostly flat, or the Tasman Glacier Walk, with some uphill. Tracks may not be finished within the allotted time, and one traveller wished for more time on Hooker Valley. Moderate fitness is recommended.
Food and drink. A pre-ordered picnic lunch of a roll, slice or muffin is included, plus bottled water and snacks. One reviewer said there was so much food some carried over to dinner. Fairlie Bakehouse pies cost extra, so bring cash. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options exist if you contact the provider after booking.
Mountain weather. The tour runs in all weather except road closures, so bring warm layers, a waterproof jacket, rain gear and sun protection. Dress appropriately for mountain conditions.
Small group, guide-led. Groups are capped at 11 guests in a Mercedes Sprinter. Reviewers repeatedly describe guides as knowledgeable, friendly and attentive, including one who helped a passenger with walking difficulties down the track.
Morning start. Pickup happens between 6:15 and 6:40 AM from 13 central Christchurch hotels and the Bus Interchange on Lichfield St. The exact time is confirmed 24 hours before departure, so plan an early night.

From$152 per person

Rating4.7 from 467 reviews

Ready To BookCheck availability →

Common issues. The honest trade-off is time: eight hours of driving for two and a half to three hours at Mount Cook, and some reviewers wanted more time on the Hooker Valley Track. Walks may not be completed in full within the allotted time. Fairlie Bakehouse pies, helicopter flights and entry to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre all cost extra, as do gratuities. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and if road closures stop the tour from running, travellers are offered a refund for the affected booking.

Common Questions

Is Lunch Included On This Tour?

Yes. A pre-ordered picnic lunch from a local bakery is included, along with bottled water and Kiwi snacks. Fairlie Bakehouse pies are not included and can be bought during the stop, so bring extra cash. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free lunches are available if you contact the provider after booking.

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from 13 central Christchurch locations is included, covering hotels such as the Novotel, Crowne Plaza and The George, plus the Bus Interchange on Lichfield St. Pickup happens between 6:15 and 6:40 AM, and the exact time is confirmed 24 hours before the tour.

How Much Time Do We Get At Mount Cook?

Around 2.5 hours, weather permitting, with up to about 3 hours allowed. In that window you choose either the Hooker Valley Track, roughly 10 km and mostly flat, or the Tasman Glacier Walk, which has some uphill. You may not have time to finish the full track.

How Fit Do I Need To Be?

Moderate fitness is recommended. The operator describes the Hooker Valley walk as 2 to 2.5 hours and mostly flat, while the Tasman Glacier View Track is a much shorter climb of about 30 minutes return, per DOC. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, though one reviewer reported a guide helping a passenger with walking difficulties on the track.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour operates in all weather except road closures. If a road closure prevents the tour from running, travellers are offered a refund for the affected booking.

What Should I Bring?

Comfortable walking shoes, warm clothing, a jacket, rain gear, sun protection and a camera. Extra cash for Fairlie Bakehouse purchases is also suggested. There is free WiFi and USB charging on board the Mercedes Sprinter.