WiFi On Board, Drinks Included
13 hours · Kiwi Horizons Travel
from $181.76 per person, price varies by group size Check availability →
Park Fees Included, Hotel Pickup
Mount Cook Lake Tekapo & Tasman Glacier Private Tour
from $425.99 per person, price varies by group size
Check availability →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
- NZSI Tours & Travel
Overview
This is a 13 hour private day trip from Christchurch, run by NZSI Tours & Travel, that links Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki and Aoraki/Mount Cook in a single outing and leaves time for walking at Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier. Because it is private, the van, the guide and the schedule belong to one party only, and reviewers describe guides who adjusted stops to suit them, including photo pull overs and a detour to a lavender field when weather closed in on a hike.
Around two and a half hours of free time in the national park lets visitors walk, eat or simply sit with the view, and the Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks add another stretch of the day closer to the glacier itself. The Church of the Good Shepherd is a stop later in the day before the drive back. Travel is in a late model Mercedes Benz van with air conditioning, and hotel pickup and drop off in Christchurch is part of the package.
It suits travellers who want these lakes and mountain sights in one long day without driving themselves.
From$425.99 per person, varies by group size
Duration13 hours
Reviews14 reviews
What's Included
Included
- Private tour (i.e. only for one party)
- Professional guide
- Transport by air-conditioned late model Mercedes Benz vans
- Hotel Pick up and Drop Off
- National Park fees
- Bottled water
- Approximately 2.5 hrs of free time in Mount Cook National park.
Not Included
- Lunch (POA)
Run byNZSI Tours & Travel
Itinerary
- Christchurch hotel pickupThe day starts with hotel pickup in Christchurch, with a short 5 minute stop listed at the city end of the trip.
- Lake Tekapo stopThirty minutes at Lake Tekapo.
- Geraldine stopA 20 minute stop in Geraldine.
- Lake Pukaki viewpointA 15 minute stop at Lake Pukaki. Free entry.
- Aoraki/Mount CookForty five minutes here, with roughly 2.5 hours of free time in Mount Cook National Park across the day.
- Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walksOne hour and 20 minutes of walking time for this part of the itinerary.
- The Church of the Good ShepherdA 5 minute stop at the church.
- Return to ChristchurchThe van heads back, ending with a 5 minute stop in Christchurch and hotel drop off.
Tasman Glacier WalkYes
Free Time At Mount CookAbout 2.5 hours
PickupIncluded
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points will shape the day, from what to pack to how the weather can change the plan.
- Dress for weather. The tour runs in all weather conditions and travellers are asked to dress appropriately. Cloud and heavy rain have occurred at Mount Cook, so layers and a rain jacket are wise even on a fine morning in Christchurch.
- Pace and walking. Most travellers can participate. One reviewer said the guide never rushed the day.
- Food and drink. Bottled water is provided, and one reviewer noted the guide also supplied snacks and drinks beyond that, though that is at the guide's discretion.
- Private group feel. Only your party travels in the van, so there is no mixing with other bookings. Several reviewers said guides tailored the day, adding photo stops and alternative viewpoints when the original plan changed.
- Plan for a long day. The full tour runs 13 hours from Christchurch and back. Reviewers called it long but very enjoyable, so it is best treated as a full day outing rather than a half day trip with an evening spare.
- Camera stops. Guides are described as accommodating about stopping for photos along the route. Have a camera within easy reach rather than packed away in the van.
Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible. Weather can disrupt the plan, as one reviewer found when a 45 minute hike was rained out and replaced with other viewpoints, though the guide adapted the day. The sheer length of the day, 13 hours in total, is the main thing to weigh before booking.
Common Questions
Is Hotel Pickup Included?
Yes, hotel pickup and drop off in Christchurch is included, and travel is in an air conditioned late model Mercedes Benz van. Confirmation is received at the time of booking.
How Long Is The Tour?
The full day runs 13 hours, starting and ending in Christchurch. That includes roughly 2.5 hours of free time in Mount Cook National Park plus stops at Tekapo, Pukaki and the Tasman Glacier walks.
Is Lunch Included?
No, lunch is not included. It is priced on application, so ask the operator. Bottled water is provided, and national park fees are covered, including at the tour's stop in Aoraki / Mount Cook.
Is The Tour Suitable For Children Or People With Limited Mobility?
Infant seats are available and most travellers can participate, with only a small amount of walking involved. However, the tour is not wheelchair accessible, so anyone with mobility concerns should check with the operator before booking.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted, and cut off times follow the local time of the experience. If poor weather cancels the tour, a different date or a full refund is offered.
What Should I Bring?
Dress appropriately for all weather conditions, since the tour runs rain or shine, and bring money or a card for lunch. A camera is worth having to hand, as the day takes in the lakes, the national park and the glacier walks.
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Live dates, times and prices are on the booking page.
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