From Christchurch: Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour & Lunch

About This Experience

This small-group tour runs from Christchurch to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and back in one day, about 13 hours with around 8 hours of driving. Pickup is between 6:15 and 6:40 am from central Christchurch hotels, and you are back between 6:30 and 7:00 pm. Groups are capped at 11 guests in an air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter with Wi-Fi and USB charging, and a local guide gives live commentary in English.

The route crosses the Canterbury Plains to Fairlie Bakehouse for a 10-minute stop, where you can buy one of its meat pies. Next comes 15 minutes at Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd, then 10 minutes at glacier-fed Lake Pūkaki, where the view runs up the lake to Aoraki/Mount Cook, at 3,724 m the highest peak in New Zealand.

In the national park you have 2.5 to 3 hours, weather permitting, and you choose your own walk. The Hooker Valley Track leads through the valley to Hooker Lake, a glacial lake with floating icebergs, and the Tasman Glacier walk climbs to a view of New Zealand's longest glacier, about 23 km long. The operator warns that you may not have time to finish a track in full, so plan on turning back partway on the Hooker Valley.

A picnic lunch of a roll plus a slice or muffin is pre-ordered from a local bakery, and water and Kiwi snacks are on board. Vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options are available if you contact the provider after booking. The tour runs in all weather except road closures, with a refund if a closure stops it, and you can cancel free up to 24 hours ahead.

Highlights

• 2.5 to 3 hours in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, weather permitting, to walk at your own pace
• Your choice of the Hooker Valley Track toward Hooker Lake or the Tasman Glacier walk to New Zealand's longest glacier
• Views of Aoraki/Mount Cook, at 3,724 m the highest peak in New Zealand
• 15 minutes at Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd
• 10 minutes at the lookout over glacier-fed Lake Pūkaki
• A 10-minute stop at Fairlie Bakehouse, known for its meat pies

What's Included

• ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off at 13 central Christchurch locations, including the Bus Interchange on Lichfield Street
• ✓ Air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter with free Wi-Fi and USB charging
• ✓ Local guide with live commentary in English
• ✓ Pre-ordered picnic lunch from a local bakery (a roll, plus a slice or muffin)
• ✓ Bottled water and Kiwi snacks
• ✓ Small group of up to 11 guests on a carbon-neutral tour

Not Included

• Fairlie Bakehouse pies (available to buy on the tour)
• Scenic helicopter flights (book separately)
• Entry to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre (book separately)
• Gratuities

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Warm layers
• A waterproof jacket
• Sun protection
• A camera
• Extra cash for purchases at Fairlie Bakehouse

Good to Know & Caveats

• The tour lasts 13 hours with about 8 hours of driving, returning to Christchurch between 6:30 and 7:00 pm.
• Pickup is between 6:15 and 6:40 am, and the exact time is confirmed 24 hours before.
• Moderate fitness is recommended. The listing describes the Hooker Valley as 10 km and mostly flat, and the Tasman Glacier walk as having some uphill sections.
• You may not have time to finish a walking track in full within your time in the park.
• The tour operates in all weather except road closures, and you are offered a refund if a road closure stops the tour.
• Contact the provider after booking to arrange vegetarian, gluten-free or vegan lunches.

Meeting Point

Pickup is included from 13 central Christchurch locations, among them Novotel Cathedral Square, Rydges Latimer, Crowne Plaza, The George and the Bus Interchange on Lichfield Street. Pickup runs from 6:15 to 6:40 am.