Aoraki Mount Cook Day Trip: Scenic Views and Glacial Lakes

Embark on a small group day tour from Christchurch to explore the breathtaking beauty of Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo, and Tasman Glacier. Marvel at the stunning alpine views, visit the iconic Church of Good Shepherd, and enjoy a scenic walk in Mt. Cook National Park.

Duration: 13 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Christchurch - Pick up from your accommodation at around 7am.
  • Geraldine - Set at the heart of the Canterbury region at the foot of the Southern Alps, Geraldine is the gateway to the lakes in the central Mackenzie Basin and the beginning of the Starlight Highway to Tekapo’s world renowned UNESCO Aoraki McKenzie International Dark Sky Reserve….
What's Included
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan or minibus
  • Bottled water provided
  • Pickup and drop-off from selected Central Christchurch hotels
  • Fully guided tour (except walks)
  • Professional guide and commentary
  • Lunch at own expense
  • Group tour with maximum 20 participants
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Walks in the national park are not guided
Additional Information

Join a group tour departing from Christchurch for a day trip to Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. Explore the charming Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo and take in the breathtaking alpine scenery from the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki. Delight in a delicious lunch at the Hermitage Hotel (price on application)…

Location
Christchurch Bus Interchange
Colombo Street
Your guide will pick you from outside FreshChoice Supermarket (located at 71 Lichfield Street) which is across the road from Bus Exchange at 6.30 am.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(316 Ratings)
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M3936vgabelm
Aug 18, 2025
Great and beautiful morning walk - Excelente and knowledgeable guide , lota off snack on thé way and good treatment and mannerisms by an awesome driver.I d definitely come back.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Xixi_y
Aug 15, 2025
Amazing experience - Anuj is a very good guide - got him for 2 consecutive day tours. Well planned itinerary and time management. The walks at Mount Cook are manageable and the views are beautiful. Definitely recommended.
Review provided by Viator
Memory_m
Aug 3, 2025
it's all day tour with a... - it's all day tour with a bit of hiking but worthy it in the end. The views were magnificent and the driver had great knowledge
Review provided by Viator
Meihong_l
Aug 3, 2025
The trip was wonderful,... - The trip was wonderful, scenery was amazing. The guide is very knowledgeable and informative. A lot of snacks and drink provided during our long journey.
Review provided by Viator
Jacqueline_m
Jul 28, 2025
It’s a very long day but... - It’s a very long day but worth it. It helps to know your limits as climbing 350 stairs to see the Tasman glacier can be hard. Good that the walk to the Tasman river is very doable. Warm clothing obviously required.
Review provided by Viator
Kathleen_m
Jul 25, 2025
The activity was very... - The activity was very nice. The driver was knowledgeable and friendly. He gave out plenty of snacks. There were plenty of stops built into use the restroom. We had adequate time to complete both tracks recommended and enjoy the views. We were very lucky to have great weather I will say, I chose to be picked up at the bus interchange station, and wish I had picked somewhere else. While this isn’t the tour companies fault, I felt uncomfortable a couple of times waiting to be picked up as I was a solo female traveler and no one else was getting picked up there. Just a piece of caution for other solo travelers!
Review provided by Viator
Timothy_s
Jul 17, 2025
Fantastic tour. Mt. Cook... - Fantastic tour. Mt. Cook is a must see. This tour makes it easy. Leave the driving to the guide while you enjoy.
Review provided by Viator
Peggys957
Jul 3, 2025
An awesome day, thanks to a professional guide - I had a fabulous time on the guided tour to Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo on 2 July 2025, thanks entirely to the professionalism and dedication of our guide, Anuj. At Lake Tekapo, when one guest failed to return at the agreed meeting time of 10:45 am and place (across the bridge), Anuj immediately sprang into action. He calmly called the guest, and by 10:47 am, he had located her. With reassuring composure, he said, “OK, wait there, I’ll come and get you.” Thanks to his quick thinking, we avoided what could have been a frustrating delay. In the end, we lost only 10 minutes—remarkable on such a long, tiring journey where every minute counts. Later, Anuj used a tablet to show us both the Tasman Glacier Lookout and the jetty, offering helpful insights and practical tips that clearly reflected his wealth of experience. What impressed me further was his flexibility and attentiveness to our needs—whether it was adjusting toilet stops, skipping a planned stop, or tweaking the music volume. He handled it all with a friendly, can-do attitude. I’d highly recommend NZSI and especially Anuj’s tours to other travelers on Google Maps or any travel platform. He made a long day not only bearable but genuinely enjoyable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Danbv7171pu
Jun 23, 2025
Great - Great trip with incredible scenery and a great bus driver guide. A long day but well worth the drive. Perfect timing for each stop, we didn’t feel rushed or feel like we were hanging around for too long at any of the places.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Asmita_r
Jun 16, 2025
Well organised tour, I... - Well organised tour, I felt like there was enough time at each stop to explore guide was super friendly and loved the snacks provided along the way!
Review provided by Viator
From $147
up to 12 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).