Park Fees Included, Hotel Pickup
13 hours · NZSI Tours & Travel
from $425.99 per person, price varies by group size Check availability →
Meet And Greet, City Centre
Mt. Cook Private Day Trip From Christchurch Via Lake Tekapo
from $195.96 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 30 minutes
- Meeting point
- Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Run by
- Kiwi Adventures Tour & Travel
Overview
This is a private day trip run by Kiwi Adventures Tour & Travel, taking one booking party from Christchurch to Aoraki Mount Cook and back over 13 hours and 30 minutes. You travel in your own vehicle with a professional driver and a specialised guide, starting at 07:00 from the Novotel on Cathedral Square. The guide contacts you before the trip to confirm pickup details and finds you with a name display on the day.
The route runs southwest through the towns of Geraldine and Fairlie before reaching Lake Tekapo, where you get a 40 minute stop. From there it continues to Lake Pukaki for a shorter stop, then on to Tasman Glacier, the Hooker Valley Track and Mt. Cook Village. Time at Tasman Glacier is set at one hour, the Hooker Valley Track gets 30 minutes, and Mt. Cook Village gets a further hour. On the way back you stop again at Lake Tekapo and Geraldine. Both stops are free to enter.
Hiking and trekking are listed as included activities, so the trip suits travellers who want some walking alongside the scenic drives. Meals are not included, so you need to plan for food yourself. Because it is private, only your group takes part.
From$195.96 per person, varies by group size
Duration13 hours 30 minutes
Reviews15 reviews
What's Included
Included
- Specialized guide
- Professional Driver
- Private Vehicle
- Clean and comfortable vehicle
- Meet & Greet
- Adventures Activity-Hiking/Trekking
Not Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Run byKiwi Adventures Tour & Travel
Itinerary
- Meet in ChristchurchMeet at the Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square at 07:00. The guide confirms the pickup point and timing with you beforehand and greets you with a name display.
- Geraldine and Fairlie stopsA 10 minute stop in Geraldine on the drive out, then 20 minutes in Fairlie. Both are free.
- Lake TekapoA 40 minute stop at Lake Tekapo, the longest of the outbound stops.
- Lake PukakiA 20 minute stop at Lake Pukaki before heading towards the glacier.
- Tasman GlacierOne hour at Tasman Glacier. Hiking and trekking are part of the included activity.
- Hooker Valley and Mt. Cook VillageA 30 minute stop on the Hooker Valley Track, then a full hour at Mt. Cook Village. Both free.
- Return via Tekapo and GeraldineThe drive back includes a 20 minute stop at Lake Tekapo and 10 minutes at Geraldine, with a pass by the Christchurch Botanic Gardens before the tour ends at the original meeting point.
Tasman Glacier WalkYes
Starts InChristchurch
What To Expect From The Tour
A long but structured day, with the driving split up by regular stops and most of the walking concentrated in the Tasman Glacier and Hooker Valley portions. Here is what helps before booking.
- Long day out. The tour runs 13 hours and 30 minutes with a 07:00 start. Plan for an early morning and a late return to Christchurch.
- Food is on you. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all excluded. Bring your own supplies for the day.
- Private group. Only your group participates. The vehicle is clean and comfortable, with a professional driver.
- Some walking. Hiking and trekking are listed among the inclusions, with stops at Tasman Glacier and the Hooker Valley Track. Reasonable mobility will help you get the most from these stops.
- Weather matters. The experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled for poor conditions you are offered a different date or a full refund, so keep some flexibility in your plans.
- Confirm pickup. The guide contacts you before departure to confirm the pickup point and timing, and notifies you before heading to the pickup location. Watch for that message so the 07:00 start goes smoothly.
Common issues. The main practical limit is length: at 13 hours and 30 minutes this is a demanding day, and every meal is excluded, which adds cost and planning. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, though pushchairs are fine and infant seats are available. Weather can force a cancellation, in which case a new date or a full refund is offered. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the 07:00 start are not accepted and receive no refund.
Common Questions
What Is Included In The Price?
A specialised guide, a professional driver, a private and comfortable vehicle, meet and greet service, and hiking and trekking activities are all included. Meals are not included.
Where Does The Tour Start?
At the Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square, 52 Cathedral Square, Christchurch Central City. The tour starts at 07:00 and ends back at the same point. The guide contacts you beforehand to confirm pickup details.
Is Food Provided?
No. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all excluded. Bring your own food or budget for purchases during the stops.
Is The Tour Suitable For Children Or People With Limited Mobility?
Pushchairs are accessible and infant seats are available, so families with young children can join. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and most travellers can participate. There is walking at Tasman Glacier and the Hooker Valley Track.
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 accepted and receive no refund. If poor weather cancels the tour, you get a different date or a full refund.
How Long Is The Day And What Should I Bring?
The tour lasts 13 hours and 30 minutes, so bring food, water and layers for a full day out. A packing list is not given, but with stops at lakes, a glacier and a valley track, sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing make sense.
Browse Day Trips And Book
Live dates, times and prices are on the booking page.
Check availability →Other Private Tours Worth Comparing
WiFi On Board, Drinks Included
13 hours · Kiwi Horizons Travel
from $181.76 per person, price varies by group size Check availability →