Tekapo Shuttle, 8.5 Hours
8 hours 30 minutes · Tekapo Shuttle
from $94 per person Check availability →
From Wānaka, 10 Hours
Mt Cook Day Tour From Wanaka
from $139 per person
Check availability →Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Meeting point
- Wanaka I-SITE
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Run by
- Cheeky Kea Tours
Overview
A Cheeky Kea Tours Mercedes Sprinter leaves from the Wānaka isite Visitor Information Centre on Ardmore Street and covers a lot of ground in a single day: the Lindis Pass, a break in Ōmārama, a photo pause at Lake Ruataniwha near Twizel, and a lookout over Lake Pukaki before reaching Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. The full day runs about 10 hours, with transport, guiding, lunch, bottled water and snacks all handled so nobody has to plan the driving or the food.
Once inside the park, roughly two hours of free time lets each traveller pick their own pace. Options include the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track, which climbs old terminal moraines for views over Haupapa, Tasman Lake and the river, or part of the Hooker Valley Track with its newly completed swing bridge and sightlines to Mueller Lake, Mt Sefton and Aoraki itself. Those who prefer something gentler can wander Mt Cook Village, the Visitor Centre or the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre instead. The full Hooker Valley walk may not fit in the time available.
The return leg adds a stop at Ōmārama's Clay Cliffs and a photo break at a Lindis Pass lookout, so the photography continues after the park. The tour delivers the national park's highlights without self-driving, and it runs as a carbon-neutral trip in a small group with WiFi, USB charging and live commentary on board.
From$139 per person
Duration10 hours
What's Included
Included
- Small group size
- Carbon neutral tour of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park
- Picture perfect scenery and panoramic views
- Unique photo opportunities at Ōmārama's famous Clay Cliffs
- Lookout over Lake Pukaki
- Aoraki Mt Cook Village and National Park - including optional walks
- Travel through the Lindis Pass
- Lunch, bottled water and Kiwi snacks
- WiFi and USB charging
- Commentary
- 100% Kiwi as experience
Not Included
- Additional purchases at own expense
Run byCheeky Kea Tours
Itinerary
- Meet in WānakaThe tour starts at the Wānaka isite Visitor Information Centre, 103 Ardmore Street.
- Drive to ŌmāramaRoughly 1.5 hours by van through the tussock country of the Lindis Pass route.
- Ōmārama stopA short 5-minute break in the town whose name means the place of light.
- Lake Ruataniwha photo stopA brief 5-minute stop near Twizel to take in the lake, after about 20 minutes of driving.
- Aoraki Mt Cook National ParkAround 50 minutes on to the park for 2 hours of free time. Walk the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track, tackle part of Hooker Valley, or explore Mt Cook Village; scenic flights can be arranged separately.
- Clay Cliffs photo stopOn the way back, an 80-minute drive followed by a 10-minute stop at the Ōmārama Clay Cliffs.
- Lindis Pass lookoutA 5-minute photo stop after about 45 minutes of driving back through the pass.
- Return to WānakaThe final 45-minute leg ends back at the Wānaka isite Visitor Information Centre.
Tasman Glacier WalkYes
Free Time At Mount CookAbout 2 hours
PickupNot included
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points worth knowing before booking this day trip.
- Alpine clothing. Conditions in the park change quickly. Pack warm layers, a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and rain gear.
- Choose your walk. Free time in the park is around 2 hours, so decide in advance between the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track, part of the Hooker Valley Track, or the village. The operator warns the full Hooker Valley walk may not be possible in the time available.
- Food and drink. Lunch, bottled water and Kiwi snacks are included, so there is no need to buy food in the village. Anything extra purchased along the way is at your own expense.
- Meeting point. Hotel pickup is not included on this tour. Everyone meets at the Wānaka isite Visitor Information Centre on Ardmore Street, so plan to arrive there on time.
- Small group. Small group size is a feature, and transport is a Mercedes Sprinter or similar with WiFi and USB charging. Commentary from the guide runs throughout the drive.
- Drones. Drones are not allowed on the tour. Photographers should plan around ground-level shots at the lake lookouts, the Clay Cliffs and the glacier viewpoints.
From$139 per person
Ready To BookCheck availability →Common issues. Time inside the national park may run shorter than advertised if other customers or road conditions cause delays, which can mean cutting a walk short. At 2:15pm the guide gives the collection time for the return, and travellers need to follow their instructions on the day. Scenic flights are sold and booked separately, so anyone wanting an aerial view pays extra. Free time in the park is around 2 hours, which is tight for the full Hooker Valley Track.
Common Questions
How Long Is The Mt Cook Day Tour From Wanaka?
The tour runs approximately 10 hours from the Wānaka isite Visitor Information Centre and returns there. Of that, about 2 hours is free time in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park.
Is Lunch Included?
Yes. Lunch, bottled water and Kiwi snacks are included, along with WiFi, USB charging and guide commentary. Any additional purchases along the way are at your own expense.
Where Does The Tour Pick Up?
There is no hotel pickup. The meeting point is the Wānaka isite Visitor Information Centre at 103 Ardmore Street, Wānaka 9305, and the tour ends back at the same spot.
What Walks Can You Do At Mt Cook?
During the free time you can walk the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track, start the Hooker Valley Track, or explore Mt Cook Village, including the Visitor Centre and Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. The full Hooker Valley Track may not fit within the allotted time.
Can You Do A Scenic Flight?
Yes, the operator can arrange a scenic flight over the mountains for you and your group, but it is booked and sold separately from this tour.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Given how fast alpine weather changes, that window is worth keeping in mind when planning.
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