Join Altitude Tours and visit Mt Cook in a day from Queenstown. Experience the unique alpine landscapes of the Southern Alps as you travel with us through Mackenzie Country and into Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, with free time in Mount Cook Village to enjoy local walks or activities.
In the morning, meet your local guide at your Queenstown accommodation or nearby. Then travel in style in a premium Mercedes vehicle designed for touring limited to only 16 people onboard. Departing Queenstown, we head through Central Otago wine regions of Gibbston and Cromwell before crossing the dramatic Lindis Pass, making a brief stop in Omarama for refreshments and an opportunity to purchase lunch (highly recommended for those planning to hike, Heli Hike, or join the Glacier Explorers experience).
Your guide will entertain you with stories and interesting facts as we trace the edge of the Southern Alps and enter Mackenzie Country and Twizel, renowned for its fishing of fresh Mt Cook Alpine salmon. Once we veer off the main road, we'll follow the blue waters of Lake Pukaki before arriving at Mt Cook Village.
Welcome to Mt Cook! Here you will have 3.5 hours to explore at your leisure. While you are here, you can choose to take a self-guided hike on the Hooker Valley Track, Kea Point or the Tasman Glacier Lookout. For those looking to explore further, can take a scenic flight for an up-close view of the mountain, join a Heli Hike adventure on the Tasman Glacier, or see the icebergs on a glacier lake with Glacier Explorers. Your guide will help you get to your chosen activity and give you instructions for the remainder of the day. If you're planning to get outdoors, remember to come prepared with enough food and water, dress warmly, and wear appropriate footwear. The weather can change quickly, no matter the season.
For those having a more relaxed experience, all guests receive free access to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. This museum offers insights into Mt Cook's history and the adventures of one of New Zealand's most famed explorers.
Later that afternoon you will rejoin our guide and van to commence the return journey to Queenstown. Sit back, relax, and take in the views. This day tour spans approximately 12 hours, and our smaller vehicles and attentive guide ensure your comfort and entertainment throughout the journey.
