Tekapo Shuttle, 8.5 Hours
8 hours 30 minutes · Tekapo Shuttle
from $94 per person Check availability →
Carbon Neutral, Small Group
From Tekapo: Small-Group, Carbon Neutral Mt Cook Day Tour
from $152 per person
Check availability →Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Meeting point
- Peppers Bluewater, Tekapo
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Run by
- Cheeky Kea Tours
Overview
This Cheeky Kea day tour packs a Mackenzie Basin loop into five hours, running from Tekapo out to Aoraki Mt Cook National Park and back. Pickup happens in Tekapo, with two location options listed on the booking page. The operator runs it as a carbon neutral trip in a small group, with a guide providing commentary and specially designed vehicles fitted with WiFi and USB charging.
The route heads into the Mackenzie Basin first, then pauses at a Lake Pukaki lookout for ten minutes. Lake Pukaki is glacier fed, and its colour shifts between icy and deep blue depending on the weather. On clear days the viewpoint gives an open line to Aoraki itself rising beyond the lake's edge.
The core of the day is roughly two and a half hours at Mount Cook, where travellers choose their own pace: the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track, the Hooker Valley Track, or a wander around Mt Cook Village taking in the Visitor Centre and the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. A scenic flight can be arranged as an extra, booked and sold separately. Lunch is pre-ordered from the Fairlie Bakehouse, with bottled water and Kiwi snacks supplied along the way, and reviewers repeatedly single out the bakery food.
From$152 per person
Duration5 hours
Rating4.4 from 58 reviews
What's Included
Included
- Small group size
- Carbon neutral tour of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park from Lake Tekapo
- Picture perfect scenery and panoramic views
- Lake Tekapo
- Lookout over Lake Pukaki
- Aoraki Mt Cook Village and National Park - including optional walks
- Lunch (pre-ordered from Fairlie Bakehouse), bottled water, and Kiwi snacks
- WiFi and USB charging
- Commentary
Not Included
- Any additional activities such as helicopter flights are not included
Run byCheeky Kea Tours
Itinerary
- Pickup in Lake TekapoMeet at one of the two listed pickup locations, Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo or the Dark Sky Project.
- Van to Lake PukakiA one hour drive through the Mackenzie Basin to the first stop.
- Lake Pukaki lookoutTen minutes at the lookout for photos and the view over the glacier fed lake, with Aoraki visible on clear days.
- Van to Mount CookA 45 minute drive into Aoraki Mt Cook National Park.
- Mount Cook free timeTwo and a half hours to explore. Options include the Hooker Valley Track or Tasman Glacier walks, both optional, plus village sights. Scenic flights can be arranged separately.
- Van back to TekapoA 75 minute return drive, dropping off at either listed location.
Tasman Glacier WalkYes
Free Time At Mount CookAbout 2.5 hours
PickupIncluded
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points before booking.
- Layer up. Travellers are asked to bring rain gear and warm clothing. Comfortable shoes are also sensible if you plan to take one of the optional walks.
- Easy going pace. Walking is optional on this tour. Those who prefer not to walk can spend the time in Mt Cook Village instead, taking in the Visitor Centre and the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre.
- Bring dietary notes. Lunch is pre-ordered from the Fairlie Bakehouse and reviews praise it. One traveller reported a vegetarian request that did not come through, so it pays to confirm dietary needs clearly when ordering.
- Small group feel. Several reviewers said they enjoyed the small group format and that the day did not feel rushed. Stops were described as well timed, with enough room for photos and short walks.
- Guides and commentary. Reviewers often mention guides who are friendly, chatty and knowledgeable about local history and wildlife. Commentary runs throughout the drive, with several travellers noting the drive passed quickly as a result.
- Onboard extras. Bottled water and Kiwi snacks are provided, along with WiFi and USB charging on the vehicles. Extra stops for toilet breaks are factored into the route.
Common issues. Road conditions or delays from other customers can cut the time available in the national park, which may mean walks cannot be fully completed. Scenic flights are not included and must be booked separately. A vegetarian lunch request was not catered for despite the company being notified in advance. The guide announces the collection time at 2:15pm, so travellers wanting a longer Hooker Valley walk should weigh that against the half day format.
Common Questions
Is Pickup Included?
Yes, pickup in Tekapo is included. There are two pickup locations to choose from, Peppers Bluewater Resort Lake Tekapo and the Dark Sky Project, and drop-off is at either of the same spots.
How Long Is The Tour?
The tour runs for five hours. Of that, roughly two and a half hours are free time at Mount Cook, though this can be shorter if road conditions or delays arise.
Is Lunch Included?
Yes, lunch is pre-ordered from the Fairlie Bakehouse and included, along with bottled water and Kiwi snacks. Travellers with dietary requirements should make them known when ordering.
Are Scenic Flights Included?
No. Helicopter and other scenic flights are not included in the price. The guide can arrange a flight for the group, but it is booked and sold separately.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Inside that window the terms are not stated, so check the booking page before committing.
What Should I Bring?
Rain gear and warm clothing are recommended. Comfortable shoes are sensible if you plan to walk one of the optional tracks, and layers work best for changing mountain weather.
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Live dates, times and prices are on the booking page.
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