Christchurch to Mt Cook via Lake Tekapo Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Breathtaking views of Lake Tekapo's turquoise waters
- Photo opportunities at the Church of the Good Shepherd
- Stunning vistas of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
- Insightful commentary on the region's Maori heritage
- Comfortable, air-conditioned transportation throughout the journey
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Comfortable transportation from Christchurch to Mt Cook
- Scenic stops at Lake Tekapo and other picturesque locations
- Knowledgeable guide providing insights into the region's history and culture
- Meals and beverages during the tour
Itinerary
Pass by: Your tour starts in the stunning city of Christchurch. 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.
Pass by: Wrapped around Christchurch are the Canterbury Plains filled with farmland as far as the eye can see. Most types of farming you can think of will be found on the plains such as crops, vineyards, dairy and livestock production.
A charming South Canterbury town known for its boutique shops and local produce. This is where we’ll pause to collect your lunch, take a short rest break, grab a coffee if you’d like, and use the facilities before we continue our journey.
We head towards the famous blue lakes of Lake Tekapo but to get there first we must go through some impressive alpine passes with amazing views. As we come over the hill to Tekapo you will be stunned by amazing view of the lake. Stop for a photo at the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd.
Pass by: 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. It’s not hard to see why many Lord of the Rings scene were filmed nearby and we will point them out for you.
Unfortunately, our tour must come to an end. Arriving at Mt Cook Village, weather depending, we should get some amazing shots of the mountain itself. At 3724m, Aoraki/Mt Cook is New Zealand’s highest peak, however, the mountain can be viewed without any acclimatisation whatsoever from the village which is just 750m above sea level.
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour is a one-way trip from Christchurch to Mt Cook; return transportation is not included.
- The tour operates in English; ensure you are comfortable with the language.
- Children under 5 years old are not permitted on this tour.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for a day of travel and short walks.
- Bring a camera to capture the breathtaking landscapes and landmarks.
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly, as conditions can vary.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Infant Seats Available
- Easy Public Transport
- Stroller Accessible
Good to know
- Children aged 7 years and below are required to travel in a child safety car seat. You can hire seats ($20NZD per seat) or you can provide your own
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
- Guests can bring 1 large & 1 small piece of luggage each
Traveler reviews
A perfect excursion to Mount Cook with Janus
Janus was an exceptional guide. Not only did he take care of my dietary restrictions from the get go, but he made sure that I got to Aoraki Alpine Lodge by 12.15pm, in time for my booked activity of a Heli-Hike at the Tasman Glacier at 12.45pm. A key highlight along the way was the scenic views of Mount Cook from Lake Tekapo, with the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in the background. Janus also surprised us with an additional quick photo stop by Lake Pukaki. We had amazing views of the reflections of the Southern Alps on what's an astounding clear day. The packed lunch I had was amazing- Chicken with cranberry sandwich. The chicken was sweet, soft and moist thanks to the cranberry marmalade. Props to the Team at Cheeky Kiwi for making this one-way trip such a memorable experience! NB: I highly encourage guests to consider spending one/ 2 nights at Mount Cook rather than to get the one day transfer from Christchurch to Queenstown via Mount Cook. Mount Cook was THE HIGHLIGHT of my trip.
Seamless transfer
Smooth ride. We got an unexpected late start due to some mix up with other passengers. This ate up 30 minutes and we ended up running half of a short trek to Tasman jetty when we realized we would be late to the vehicle. Driver Grant was very knowledgeable and gave us a mini geology lesson from Christchurch to Mt. Cook. He was very accomodating.
Enjoyable and exciting!!
I really enjoyed the tour that cheeky kiwis organized to Mt Cook! It was very entertaining hearing all the history from Christchurch and Mt Cook. Whilst having a splendid and smooth trip it was very easy to ask or talk to the staff. I would definitely recommend this trip for anyone. Thank you again!
Nice and smooth
It was smooth and our driver Joe was chill and informative. Packed lunch was nice, with chips, fruit and water on the bus. Plenty of rooms for every one of us. Great stop for coffee at Geraldine.
Best experience with Grant — cheeky kiwi
The journey with Grant was amazing, he guided us throughout the journey. I believe we did not miss even a single place and had sufficient time at every spot