Category Aoraki Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo

New Zealand · AORAKI MOUNT COOK AND LAKE TEKAPO

The 15 Best Aoraki Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Tours

19 reviewed

The Mackenzie Basin holds the highest mountain in the country and the darkest skies, about an hour apart. These 15 cover the day tours up from Christchurch and Queenstown, the ski-plane and helicopter landings on the Tasman Glacier, and the guided stargazing at Tekapo, with departure times, altitudes and prices.

Lake Tekapo: Alpine Stargazing Experience with a Guide

Lake Tekapo: Alpine Stargazing Experience with a Guide - Meeting at Silver River Stargazing, then getting ready for cold, dark air

1.Lake Tekapo: Alpine Stargazing Experience with a Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 626 reviews · 1h 15m · from $59Our pick

Lake Tekapo stargazing with a guide and 14-inch telescope at the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve. Small group, photo link.

“Tour was amazing, learnt so much about the stars from our guide Tara. She was amazing, I loved all the history behind the name of the stars & cool facts about them! Must do when in lake tekapo. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many stars in my life it was unreal. Love the complimentary photo in the end as well!”

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Lake Tekapo: Stargazing Experience

Lake Tekapo: Stargazing Experience - Meeting near Tekapo River, and getting comfortable fast

2.Lake Tekapo: Stargazing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 607 reviews · 1h 30m · from $71

Lake Tekapo stargazing in the Dark Sky Reserve with a 9.25-inch telescope, hot chocolate, blankets, photos, and a marshmallow fire.

“The tour was fantastic! Mok was very engaging and informative and Josh was very patient and a good photographer. We had a great time. Highly recommended.”

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Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour from Christchurch

Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour from Christchurch - Geraldine Stop: Stretch Legs Before Mackenzie Country

Mount Cook: Scenic Helicopter Flight with Alpine Landing

Mount Cook: Scenic Helicopter Flight with Alpine Landing - The 25-minute route: Tasman Valley to a glacier lake

Mt Cook Small Group Scenic Day Tour from Queenstown

Mt Cook Small Group Scenic Day Tour from Queenstown - Kawarau Gorge to Cromwell: the drive that sets up the day’s best angles

5.Mt Cook Small Group Scenic Day Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 407 reviews · from $164Top rated

Small-group Mt Cook day trip from Queenstown with a guided alpine drive, Lake Pukaki views, and 3 hours to hike or relax.

“It was absolutely a fantastic trip where we had the opportunity to experience all four seasons in New Zealand on the trip and Sonya (Sonja) was a great tour guide that made the tour personable!”

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Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and Tasman Glacier Tour from Christchurch

Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and Tasman Glacier Tour from Christchurch - Christchurch pickup, Geraldine stretch, and how the day starts

6.Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and Tasman Glacier Tour from Christchurch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 353 reviews · from $155

Full-day Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and Tasman Glacier tour from Christchurch with hotel pickup, photo stops, and a moderate glacier walk.

“This is a great trip. It’s been on my bucket list to see glaciers before they melt, so this was awesome. Our guide, Anuj, was amazing. He was very kind, had plenty of snacks for us, and made sure everyone had a good time. The scenery is also incredible! Just be prepared for a long drive.”

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From Christchurch: Mt Cook Day Tour & Lake Tekapo

From Christchurch: Mt Cook Day Tour & Lake Tekapo - Fairlie Bakehouse: the pie stop that feels like a reset button

7.From Christchurch: Mt Cook Day Tour & Lake Tekapo

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 331 reviews · from $175

Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo day tour from Christchurch with Fairlie Bakehouse lunch, Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Pukaki, and Aoraki walks.

“I have spent a wonderful day touring in Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook. I am sorry I cannot remember the name of the driver/guide., he had a ginger beard and wore a green wooly hat. I did the tour on 9 September, he gave us lots of explanations and you could see that he knows about the region.”

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From Queenstown: Mt Cook & Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Day Tour

From Queenstown: Mt Cook & Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Day Tour - Starting the day right: Kawarau Suspension Bridge and Roaring Meg

8.From Queenstown: Mt Cook & Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 329 reviews · from $146

12-hour Queenstown day tour to Aoraki Mount Cook, Lake Pukaki, and the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint walk, with snacks and guided stops.

“Beautiful Day. Collin, the guide was patient and pleasant from the beginning to the end with everyone of us. Aoraki was stunning. Hooker Valley was a Grade 2 difficulty (very easy to walk) and equally beautiful. I will be bring my friends and family next time and hope Collin will be our guide again. This is my 2nd time touring with Cheeky Kiwi. Doesn't disappoint. :)”

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Tekapo Shuttle: Mt Cook Day Tour via Pukaki & Tasman Lake

Tekapo Shuttle: Mt Cook Day Tour via Pukaki & Tasman Lake - Tekapo meeting point: the day starts with an easy, clear rendezvous

Mount Cook: Ski Plane and Helicopter Glacier Combo Flight

Mount Cook: Ski Plane and Helicopter Glacier Combo Flight - The Glacier Landing on the Tasman Glacier: What You’re Really Paying For

10.Mount Cook: Ski Plane and Helicopter Glacier Combo Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 271 reviews · 45 min · from $328

45-minute Mount Cook combo flight: ski plane views, helicopter return, and a glacier landing on the Tasman Glacier.

“Absolutely fabulous experience; having the opportunity to go up in a chopper and return via ski plane with all the stunning scenery was fantastic. The guides were friendly and helpful. Experience topped off by a landing on the glacier.”

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Queenstown: Small Group Mt Cook Day Tour

Queenstown: Small Group Mt Cook Day Tour - Cromwell Fruit Bowl to Lindis Pass, why the drive is half the story

11.Queenstown: Small Group Mt Cook Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 262 reviews · 12 hours · from $166

A small-group day from Queenstown to Aoraki Mount Cook with guided scenic stops, 3.5 hours free time, and Hillary Centre entry.

“A brilliant experience full of epic scenery! Our guide Stuart was the best - very considerate, approachable and knowledgeable. The day was well paced and a comfortable way to explore incredible Mount Cook. I highly recommend this tour!”

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Mount Cook: 3-Hour Tasman Glacier Helicopter Ride and Hike

Mount Cook: 3-Hour Tasman Glacier Helicopter Ride and Hike - Scheduling: 8:45 AM or 10:45 AM and how 3 hours adds up

12.Mount Cook: 3-Hour Tasman Glacier Helicopter Ride and Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 235 reviews · 3 hours · from $537

Walk Tasman Glacier up to 2 hours, with crampons and guided steps, plus two scenic helicopter flights over Aoraki/Mount Cook.

“We got extremely lucky with weather. Sunny skies and no wind so visibility was great and ride was super smooth. Anna was our guide for the hiking portion and she was an exceptional guide, considerate of everyone's needs. They supplied boots, crampons and down shells and water proof jackets. 6 people to copter, front two seats were probably extra and had better view that was probably worth the difference.”

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Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mount Cook from Queenstown

Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mount Cook from Queenstown - Cromwell stop: fruit sculptures and Central Otago vibes

13.Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mount Cook from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 218 reviews · from $173

Full-day guided Mount Cook tour from Queenstown with Lindis Pass, Lake Pukaki, Mt Cook Village, alpine centre entry, and optional hikes.

“I honestly didn't think anything could top Milford Sound, but I was wrong. This was a spectacular adventure with a great 6 mile round trip hike. Travelling in a Mercedes Sprinter van was as comfortable as it gets, but best of all Kevin was very knowledgeable and I think truly enjoyed his job!! This was our best day in New Zealand and the Mt. Cook tour did NOT disappoint!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!”

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Mount Cook: 3 Hour Heli Hike to the Tasman Glacier

Mount Cook: 3 Hour Heli Hike to the Tasman Glacier - How the 3-hour schedule actually works

Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour from Christchurch with Lunch

Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour from Christchurch with Lunch - Price and Logistics: What Your $185.55 Buys

15.Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour from Christchurch with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 217 reviews · from $185

Full-day Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo tour from Christchurch with lunch, short hikes, and glacier views in a small group.

“Did this tour on Apr 7, 2025 with driver named Grant. The van was packed. At the first stop at Fairlie Bakehouse, I asked Grant if I (a brown guy) could sit up front since it was empty. Grant told me no since he needed that space to keep his stuff and all the lunch packets for later since there was no space at the back of the van. Fair enough. But imagine my surprise when leaving 10 mins later, a white american woman from the group gets up and sits up front and stays there the next 10 hours! What was that about Grant? And when a few hours…”

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