Mt Cook & Hooker Valley Small Group Tour from Queenstown
Description
Experience Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park in a small group with a knowledgeable local guide, combining spectacular alpine scenery with the flexibility to explore at your own pace. Travel beyond the main tourist route through the dramatic Kawarau Gorge and Lindis Pass, with scenic stops at Lake Pukaki and opportunities to discover local favourites along the way. Once at Mt Cook, enjoy free time to choose how you experience this remarkable landscape, from walking the famous Hooker Valley Track to simply taking in the views of New Zealand's highest peak. With personalised guiding, plenty of photo opportunities, and a relaxed pace, this tour offers more than just a transfer—it’s a memorable journey into the heart of the Southern Alps.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your tour starts in the stunning city of Queenstown. As we drive out of the city your guide will not only set the scene for your adventurous day but also point out and guide you past some of the area’s top highlights.
Departing Queenstown we then make our way through the impressive Kawarau Gorge passing stunning views, the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and the famous Roaring Meg Lookout. Time and light permitting, we will stop for that first great shot of the tour.
Exiting the Kawarau Gorge we enter the fruit and wine growing region of Cromwell. Passing huge fields of vines, we cross Lake Dunstan and follow this beautiful lake towards Lindis Pass.
Climbing in altitude, Lindis Pass has amazing views down through the valleys. Being one of only three alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps, we stop at the famous lookout at the top of the pass for an essential photo.
While driving through the endless plains of the Mackenzie district we will spot several of the famous Merino breed of sheep before stopping at the quaint township of Omarama. While in Omarama we have time for a break or even to try the best creamy chicken pie in NZ (in our opinion)!
Turning west we begin to enter the Aoraki National Park and Lake Pukaki begins to emerge in front of us. Lake Pukaki is one of the bluest lakes you will ever see and is stunningly framed by the backdrop of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. We stop for some amazing photos and to just marvel at the sight that we are beholding.
Once at Mt Cook, enjoy free time to choose how you experience this remarkable landscape, from walking the famous Hooker Valley Track to simply taking in the views of New Zealand's highest peak
Farewelling Aoraki/Mt Cook Village and making our way back to Queenstown we stop in at High Country Salmon, a local salmon farm, where you can feed the fish and taste some of the freshest salmon in New Zealand.
During summer months when the sun is still up and as we get close to Queenstown, we often stop at Jacksons Orchard to try or buy some delicious local fruit or real fruit ice cream.
Sadly the tour must come to an end as we re-enter Queenstown and say our goodbyes.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
*If no pickup is selected at time of booking, you will be allocated our default meeting point (The Station - Home of Adventure). You are welcome to update this at any time. If your location isn’t listed, please choose your nearest available option & meet us there. *Pick-ups can begin up to 20 minutes before the tour departure time, depending on location. To ensure a smooth start, please be ready and waiting outside 5 minute prior to your specific pickup time. *Pick-up locations are carefully planned for each tour and may vary by day. If your pick-up location changes, kindly inform us in advance. *Our guides make multiple stops and may arrive within a 10-minute window. We are unable to wait for late guests.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- A large amount of walking is involved. Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
Reviews(335)
Our tour guide Paul was a legend. He was passionate and knowledgable about the tour, the land and the people as he drove us from Queenstown to Mt Cook. He even gave some bonus Māori language lessons. It was a brilliant and fun experience
Great tour - really enjoyed learning more about the area and exploring local gems. Lynnette was fantastic
Paul was a great host. We enjoyed the tour. Thank you so much.
Shu was a great tour leader. I love her and i wish her all the best with her bubba. I think she is amazing tour guide very enthusiastic and very accommodating to everyone picking and dropping us to our hotel. That was the main concern for me because we’re new in the area but she made the trip safe to everyone and gaving us information of the beautiful scenery. Till next time cheeky kiwi. Much love from Brisbane from - Lisa and Ross
Shu our guides are AMAZING, AND TAKING CARE ALL OF US VERY GOOOD. I love the way she guide us, and bring us to the place on times, and the song on the car & very lovely condition, once again shout out to Shu, you are amazing driver & guides. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience, love from Z
Awesome tour and great guide. Beautiful vistas of Mt Cook, Tasman Glacier and gorgeous views of gorges, rivers and valleys along the way. Bring a comfortable pair of hiking shoes/boots for the trails. Our guide, Jason, sprinkled fun facts and was very patient with the group. Thanks for the 80s throwback music playlist Jason!
Nice 👍 The driver was fun and everyone on the trip was good, perfect 😍!
This was the best tour that I booked via Klook. I had minimal expectations as I know Klook tours are very squeezed and tour guides are just okay. But SHU was very friendly and very accomodating to all of us. She gives ample time for us to explore each places that’s part of the tour. This was my most satisfied tour ever! More powers to you Shu!
Shu will be chuffed to read this! She always makes sure guests get plenty of time at each stop on the Mt Cook & Tasman Glacier Tour, no matter how the trip was booked. Thanks so much for the kind words - we hope to welcome you back again :)
The tour guide/driver was lovely. Even though the road was closed due to the weather, the refund was processed promptly, and we still enjoyed some lovely stops along the way.
This would be by far my best tour ever! And I get to have the front seat during the trip. Our tour guide and driver by the name of Jason - he is nothing but awesome and very cool during our entire trip. He is very knowledgeable and knows Queenstown, Aoraki Mount Cook and other places we've been to very much. I also miss that music playlist that you have, Jason. Lol. Anyway, I joined the Mount Cook and Tasman Glacier tour. Our itinerary was ticked off and all completed which made my trip even more memorable. We had a couple of stopovers wherein we were able to take photos and selfies especially during the drive to Mount Cook. The view there was nothing but Amazing! He also shared about the story of Shrek the sheep. Snacks and water provided and he kept us well fed and hydrated. Also, the weather cooperated very much during our trip. I cannot recommend Cheeky Kiwi Travel enough and especially Jason who made the trip, us his passengers safe and relaxed and enjoyed this whole excursion. I will surely book my future travels soon with Cheeky Kiwi. Cheers!
