Tekapo Shuttle: Lake Tekapo to Mt Cook National Park
Description
-IMPORTANT UPDATE- *Operating year-round with no minimum passenger requirement and a capacity of up to 60 passengers, our shuttle lets you enjoy this self-guided walk at your own pace and share this unforgettable experience with fellow travellers. Experience the freedom of exploring Mount Cook National Park on a day trip with us! - Highly recommended for the following people - Hikers and Adventurers: For those seeking outdoor adventures and hiking opportunities, our one-day trip is the perfect choice. You have enough time to complete the Hooker Valley Track at your own pace. Photography Enthusiasts: If capturing picturesque landscapes is your passion, the scenic views along the way and at Mount Cook will provide you with ample opportunities for remarkable photographs. Family and Friends: The tour caters to all age groups, making it a great choice for families and friends to create lasting memories together.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The meeting point for our tour is either the car park at the Tekapo Four Square supermarket or the public parking area next to the supermarket. The shuttle departs at 8am(Sep-Mar) or 8:30am(June-Aug) and return to Lake Tekapo between 4:30pm-5:00pm.(The end time may be delayed by about 30 minutes due to heavy traffic and crowds especially during the summer season.)
Peter’s lookout One of the best views of Lake Pukaki and Aoraki(Mt Cook),and the surrounding Southern Alps is absolutely stunning, making it a must-visit spot.
Tasman Glacier View Track or Tasman River Track – 10:15 AM Choose between two walking options. Your guide will recommend the best track on the day. The Tasman Glacier View Track offers spectacular views of the Tasman Glacier and Tasman Lake, with approximately 300 steps. Alternatively, the Tasman River Track provides an easier walk, with the chance to spot icebergs on the lake if you are lucky.
Hooker Valley Track – 11:30 AM Enjoy this self-guided walk at your own pace. The average return walking time is approximately 3 hours. Once you finish your hike, our complimentary shuttle operates every 30 minutes between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM, taking you from Hooker Valley Car Park to Mt Cook Village. You are free to return to the village on any shuttle that suits you and enjoy your free time until the tour departs. Track access is subject to change due to weather conditions and unforeseen maintenance work by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Please check with our friendly driver on the day to confirm availability.
Lake Pukaki - 3:50 PM - A brief stop is scheduled at Lake Pukaki, allowing time for taking photos and visiting the Alpine Salmon Shop.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(45)
Fantastic experience, the guide Ban was engaging and gave us a lot of information. Beautiful walk and views, it is really worth it. The salmon purchased on the way back was also very good. Highly recommended tour!
A big shoutout to our tour guide, who was lovely, highly knowledgeable, and a very safe driver. The sunny weather made the scenery stunning, but unfortunately, the rest of the experience fell short. Lack of Communication: The main reason we booked this tour was to walk the Hooker Valley Track and cross the famous swing bridges. All the bridges were closed until 3 PM on the day of our tour due to the grand reopening of Bridge 3. When we checked right before our tour date, two bridges were still open, but no one communicated that the full track would be closed that day. Had we known, we would have rebooked for another day. Health & Safety: There was a visibly sick tourist on our small bus coughing and sneezing the entire time. Unsurprisingly, 3 out of 4 people in our party ended up contracting influenza. It would be great courtesy for the company to provide masks and require symptomatic passengers to wear them in such close quarters, as well as providing hand sanitizer at the door. Snacks: The provided snacks didn't cater to any dietary allergies, so thankfully we brought our own. Overall, we enjoyed the guide and the views, but missing the swing bridges and coming home sick was not ideal.
Superb experience, great weather made it perfect! Ms. Barbara is very nice too! Now I can understand why she loves Mt. Cook :)
Barbara was a wonderful tour guide, very informative and made time for us to take photos and take in what the beautiful scenery had to offer.
My friend and I had a great time on this tour! The driver was very nice and knowledgeable about the area. We had several stops on the way to and from Mount Cook, where we could stretch our legs, use the toilet, and take pictures of Lake Pukaki. Snacks and water were provided, and the shuttle was heated. They stuck to the indicated times and even dropped us off at our hostel in Tekapo, which was a bit further down from the typical drop off location at four square. That was very nice, since it saved us a 20 minute walk, and all we had to do was ask. In terms of hikes, I would recommend the Tasman River walk and the Hooker Valley track. Even though it was partially closed, it was still the most beautiful hike I’ve ever been on.
Jeff, the guide, was very nice. Giving us the best possible recommendations. He encouraged us to do the Sealy Tarns Track and it was wonderful
wonderful day trip. very friendly and informative guide. you can do or as little as you want. the scenery was stunning
Barbara was a wonderful driver and guide. I felt very safe and she was very informative. Definitely one the my highlights of my trip!
Informative guide.plenty of photo opportunities and a spectacular view. We were well informed of the various walks through Hooker and Tasman valleys and their relative difficulties. Great views at rhe end of even the less difficult walks
This is great value for money. Barbara is an excellent, knowledgeable guide and there was plenty of time to explore different walks and the amazing scenery.
