Mt Cook Day Tour

Visit Aoraki Mount Cook in one day from Queenstown
On this full-day Mount Cook Scenic Tour from Queenstown (12 hours) you will experience the unique alpine landscapes as you travel with us from Queenstown through Mackenzie Country and into Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, with free time in Mount Cook Village to enjoy local walks or activities.

Your Adventure Begins

Start your day by meeting your friendly local guide at or near your Queenstown accommodation or central Cromwell. You’ll travel in style in a premium Mercedes van designed for touring with only 16 seats onboard. As we depart Queenstown, the first leg of our journey takes us through the Central Otago wine regions of Gibbston and Cromwell. We then cross the dramatic Lindis Pass before 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).

Welcome to Mackenzie Country

The scenery transforms as we enter Mackenzie Country, and our guide will entertain you with stories and interesting facts as we trace the edge of the Southern Alps. Along the way, we’ll pass a network of lakes and canals near Twizel, renowned for its fishing of fresh Mt Cook Alpine salmon. Once we veer off the main road, we’ll follow the bright blue waters of Lake Pukaki before arriving at Mt Cook Village.

Mount Cook Adventure

Welcome to Mt Cook! Arriving at approximately 12 p.m., you’ll have around 3.5 hours to explore at your leisure.

Enjoy a hike on one of the local tracks (self-guided)
Fly onto the Tasman Glacier for a Heli Hike experience
Join a remarkable scenic ski plane or helicopter flight
Take a boat trip on the Tasman Glacier Lake with Glacier Explorers
Explore Mt Cook Village – visit The Sir Edmund Hillary Centre (included for all Altitude Tours guests) and/or enjoy lunch at a local cafe.

The Journey Back

At approximately 3:30pm, rejoin our guide and van to start 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.