Aoraki Mt Cook National Park is home to New Zealand’s highest mountains and longest glaciers. Mt Cook itself is the highest mountain in New Zealand, with stunning scenery and an alpine village at its base.
On this full day experience you’ll be guided through the changing landscapes of Central Otago and the Mackenzie District before reaching Mt Cook Village, where a range of activities or walks are available. You can discover the best of this iconic destination in just one day, in complete comfort and privacy.
One of our knowledgeable expert guides will host you throughout the tour to ensure you get the most out of your Aoraki Mt Cook experience – and give you an all access pass to stunning, secret locations.
On your BLACK privately guided Aoraki Mt Cook Experience you can discover the best of this iconic destination in just one day, in complete comfort and privacy. You will be collected from your Queenstown accommodation in a luxury SUV or Mercedes Sprinter to begin the journey to Mt Cook.
When leaving Queenstown you’ll pass the outskirts of Arrowtown and the world famous Gibbston Valley wine region. A little further down the road in the Kawarau Gorge, you’ll see many signs of the early gold rush days before. Travel along the shores of Lake Dunstan for around 20 minutes before arriving at the very small village of Tarras. This village has 2 stores mainly specialising in Merino products plus a lovely cafe with sumptuous coffee and cuisine.
Heading on from Tarras the road goes through a high mountain pass called the Lindis Pass. At the summit the elevation is 965 Metres or 3166 feet above sea level. After declining from the summit and following the Lindis River you’ll travel through the town of Omarama and a short distance away is the Twizel Salmon Farm where you can sample fresh salmon or simply feed them.
You’ll travel alongside the stunning blue of Lake Pukaki before arriving in the small Mt Cook Village.
Once in Mt Cook Village, there are a range of activities our team can arrange to help you get the most out of your BLACK Mt Cook Experience.
Scenic helicopter flight: soar above the mountain ranges and peaks of the Southern Alps, taking in Aoraki Mt Cook from the air.
Tasman Glacier heli hike: equipped with all the gear required, venture on to the surprisingly undulating ice terrain in the shadow of the highest peaks of the Southern Alps, spending 2 hours exploring the glacier.
Glacier Explorer boat trip: cruise around the Tasman Glacial Lake and experience the enormity of NZ’s largest glacier, travelling through icebergs before getting to the towering ice wall.
Hooker Valley hike: this track leads up the Hooker Valley and along the Hooker River, ending at the glacier lake, where there are amazing views of Aoraki/Mount Cook on a clear day.
Tasman lake walk: for a good view of the Tasman glacier, follow a path that meanders up past the Blue Lakes to a viewpoint on the moraine wall. From there, you can see across the valley taking in the glacier, terminal lake and surrounding mountains.
Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre: A tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary, humanitarian, ambassador and one of the world’s greatest explorers, the centre showcases the Aoraki Mount Cook region, its people and its place in the universe. It also features a 3D theatre and planetarium.