Via Wānaka And Pukaki
Mt Cook Day Tour from Queenstown via Wānaka and Pukaki
from $150.52 per person
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
- See booking page
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Run by
- Cheeky Kea Tours
Overview
Thirteen hours is a long day, and this Cheeky Kea Tours trip from Queenstown to Aoraki Mount Cook spends most of them on the road, breaking the drive with short stops the operator says other tours skip. You travel in a Mercedes Sprinter or similar vehicle with a maximum of 16 guests, WiFi and USB charging on board, and a live guide who talks through the Māori history and the Mackenzie region as you go.
The route stops first at Wānaka, where your guide collects lunch, then continues with short breaks at Omarama, Lake Ruataniwha and Lake Pukaki before reaching Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. There you get two hours, and the chance to walk the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track, terrain that is uneven and stony in places. The return leg takes in the Clay Cliffs and passes the Cardrona Hotel. Lunch, bottled water and Kiwi snacks are included, as is a carbon neutral operation for the park portion of the tour.
It suits travellers who want the scenery and the storytelling without driving themselves, and who are comfortable with a big day and a moderate level of fitness for the walks. Anyone with serious back or heart conditions, or who is pregnant, is advised against it. Scenic flights can be arranged on the day through the guide at extra cost, and entry to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre is not covered.
From$150.52 per person
Duration13 hours
Reviews12 reviews
What's Included
Included
- Lunch (Collected by your guide at the Wānaka stop)
- Bottled water and Kiwi snacks
- WiFi & USB charging on board
- Live guide commentary throughout
- Transport in a modern Mercedes Sprinter or similar vehicle
- Carbon neutral tour of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park
Not Included
- Gratuities
- Attraction: Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre entry
- Additional Activity: Scenic flights (available to book on the day via your guide, sold separately)
Run byCheeky Kea Tours
Itinerary
- Depart QueenstownThe tour sets out from Queenstown. Total duration for the day is 13 hours.
- Wānaka stopA 15 minute stop where your guide collects lunch. Wānaka based travellers can join or leave the tour here by selecting that option at booking.
- Omarama and lakesA 5 minute stop at Omarama, a further 5 minutes at Lake Ruataniwha, and a 5 minute stop at Lake Pukaki, weather and timing permitting for some High Country stops.
- Aoraki Mount CookTwo hours inside the national park, time for a walk on uneven, stony tracks such as the Tasman Glacier viewpoint.
- Clay CliffsA 10 minute stop at the Ōmārama Clay Cliffs, which is time and weather dependent and may be omitted, with Lindis Pass passed by on the drive.
- Return to QueenstownThe homeward leg passes the Cardrona Hotel and Crown Range Road, arriving back in Queenstown around 13 hours after departure.
Tasman Glacier WalkYes
Starts InQueenstown
What To Expect From The Tour
A day of this length and altitude range needs some planning, and it is clear what helps.
- Dress in layers. There is a significant temperature difference between Queenstown and Aoraki Mount Cook, and the conditions can be very cold. Layers plus a waterproof jacket are the practical answer, since alpine weather can change fast.
- Footwear matters. Closed-toe shoes with grip are specified for the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track, which is uneven and stony. A reviewer who struggled with walking recommended trekking poles for the same reason.
- Long day, short stops. Expect a 13 hour day in which most transits are short photo and toilet breaks of 5 to 15 minutes. One reviewer felt rushed on the hike, while another praised a guide for not rushing the group, so pace can vary between departures.
- Small group coach. The vehicle carries a maximum of 16 travellers with WiFi, USB charging and included water and snacks. Two reviewers noted trouble hearing the guide from the back, so sitting forward may help.
- Food and extras. Lunch is collected by the guide at the Wānaka stop and snacks and water are included, though one reviewer reported these failed to arrive on their trip. Entry to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre and any scenic flight are separate costs.
- Weather shapes the day. It may not be worth going in cloud, and the Clay Cliffs and salmon stops can be dropped for weather or timing. Bring sunscreen as well, since UV is strong at altitude, particularly in summer.
Common issues. This is a 13 hour day, and one reviewer called it long and felt too little time was allowed for the hike. The van experience depends on your seat and your guide: one traveller at the back could not see out easily, heard road and heater noise, and struggled to follow a soft-spoken guide. Weather is the big variable, with cloud spoiling the payoff for one party, and a single reviewer reported a cancellation with no notification that left them waiting at the pickup point. Walks involve uneven ground and a moderate fitness level, the tour is not wheelchair accessible, and it is not recommended for travellers with serious back or heart conditions or who are pregnant.
Common Questions
What Is Included In The Price?
Lunch collected by the guide at the Wānaka stop, bottled water, Kiwi snacks, WiFi and USB charging on board, live guide commentary, and transport in a Mercedes Sprinter or similar vehicle. The tour of the national park is carbon neutral. Gratuities, entry to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, and scenic flights are not included.
Can I Join The Tour In Wānaka Instead Of Queenstown?
Yes. Wānaka based travellers can join and alight at the Wānaka stop by selecting that option when booking. The tour itself departs from Queenstown and runs 13 hours in total.
Is Hotel Pickup Provided?
Hotel pickup is not stated for this product. Check the live booking page for the exact meeting point before you travel, since waiting at a pickup spot for a cancelled departure without being told has been reported.
Is The Tour Suitable For Children Or People With Limited Mobility?
Children aged 7 and under need a child safety car seat, which can be provided if requested at booking with at least 24 hours notice. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, the Mt Cook walks involve uneven ground, and it is not recommended for travellers with serious back or heart conditions or who are pregnant. Service animals are allowed and infant seats are available.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside 24 hours there is no refund and changes are not accepted, with cut-off times based on local time. If the operator cancels for poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What Should I Bring?
Layered clothing for the temperature gap between Queenstown and the mountain, a waterproof jacket, and closed-toe shoes with grip for the stony tracks. Sunscreen is advised because UV is strong at altitude, and one reviewer suggests trekking poles for anyone who finds walking difficult.
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