Mt Cook Day Tour: Explore Tekapo and Tasman Glacier From Christchurch in a Small Group
4.5
129 Ratings
Christchurch
Embark on a thrilling Mt Cook Day Tour from Christchurch and explore Tekapo, Tasman Glacier, and more. Enjoy stunning views, delicious local eats, and a carbon-neutral journey!
Duration: 13 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Christchurch - We’ll kick things off in the Garden City - don’t worry, we’re quickly on the road to see the best of the Mackenzie Country.
  • Geraldine - After a relaxing journey from Christchurch, we’re slowing things down for a stop in the beautiful little town of Geraldine.
  • Fairlie - Famous for its bakehouse, Fairlie is our gateway to the Mackenzie Country. It is now time to wake as breathtaking scenery is around every corner!
  • Lake Tekapo - The bus will go silent as we round the corner for the first sighting of Lake Tekapo. This view won’t disappoint - not long until we stop now!
  • The Church of the Good Shepherd - Our first stop! Take a look of this beautiful little church with the best view in the world. Perfect time for a couple of Instagram shots to prove you are really in New Zealand- after all, it is easily the most photographed church in the country!
  • Lake Pukaki - You thought Lake Tekapo was the most beautiful lake you have ever seen - just wait for it! Lake Pukaki will take your breath away. Don’t worry, we will stop at different location for you to enjoy its beauty!
  • Mt. Cook Village - And here we are - the beautiful Mt Cook! It’s time for you to decide how you would like to spend your day- walk the stunning Hooker Valley or Tasman Glacier track, or check out the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center.
  • Hooker Valley Track - This 3 hour walk won’t disappoint - enjoy the amazing view and listen to the glaciers cracking.as you walk to the glacier lake at Mt Cook!
    PLEASE NOTE: This is one option on how you can spend your time while at Mt Cook on this tour. If delays occur during your tour you may not be able to complete the whole track.

YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE WHOLE TRACK WHILE ON THE TOUR

  • Tasman Glacier - The best glacier in New Zealand. Enjoy the 1 hour easy-going walk - don’t forget your camera! (Glacier is in distance behind a lake)
    PLEASE NOTE: This is one option on how you can spend your time while at Mt Cook on this tour. If delays occur during your tour you may not be able to complete the whole track.
  • Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre - If walking is not your thing, then this educational centre is worth a look. Check out the movies that play on a schedule!
    PLEASE NOTE: This is one option on how you can spend your time while at Mt Cook on this tour. Due to legal time restraints its impossible to do all
  • Mt. Cook Village - Lunchtime! The view here is one of a kind. You won’t want to leave, but there’s more to be seen!
  • Lake Tekapo - Lake Tekapo -We stop briefly to use the toilets and you can hopefully catch a gorgeous sunset photo of Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shephard.
  • Christchurch - As we trek back to Christchurch, we’ll make a few stops to stretch the legs and relieve ourselves. This is where our journey together ends - til next time!
What's Included
  • On-board WiFi
  • Lunch
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Bottled water
  • Pick up and Drop off
  • Doc concession
  • Snacks
What's Not Included
  • Activities such as helicopter and boat trips
Additional Information

Swap the urban surroundings of Garden City for a day trip that you’ll absolutely love! Our Mt Cook, Tekapo and Tasman Glacier Day Tour from Christchurch offers the chance to experience the wonders of the Mackenzie Country without any hassle. We aim for you to EXPLORE MORE, EXPERIENCE MORE and PAY LESS!

Journey in an eco-friendly vehicle that doesn’t compromise on modern comforts like complete air-conditioning, USB charging points and WiFi! All while you indulge in the beauty of Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, the Ben Ohau Range and locations from the renowned film, Lord of the Rings. The excitement of exploration will surely whet your appetite, so we’ve arranged a scrumptious lunch at the quaint Hermitage Hotel. Make sure the stunning landscape doesn’t divert your attention from the delectable local fare!

At the end of an adventurous day, we return to our starting point in Christchurch, setting you free to embark on your next adventurous journey, wherever that might be. Embark on this purely Kiwi experience - we look forward to welcoming you aboard.

NOTE: This tour operates for 13.5hrs and the schedule is fixed.

Location
Christchurch Bus Interchange
Colombo Street
Please wait ready for collection at the bus stop on Lichfield Street outside the bus exchange. If you put Christchurch Bus Interchange intercity stop into google maps this will give you the correct location. Pick up time is at 06:25am
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.5
(129 Ratings)
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Khairilc
Apr 23, 2024
Stunning - Great trip Will our guide was super friendly and accommodating. View along the journey was amazing. Will definitely do again
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Danping_s
Apr 1, 2024
nice trip - The driver is awesome, who is responsible and interesting. The route is well designed, we really enjoyed the nice view in this wonderful trip.
Review provided by Viator
Pam_t
Mar 25, 2024
Mt Cook Wow, Wow - Diane was our driver, she was so informative and helpful, fantastic commentary, can’t paise her enough.
Review provided by Viator
Nicole
Mar 24, 2024
Highlight of My Trip to the South Island - WOW just wow, without a doubt the best experience of my trip to New Zealand. My group just happened to be all girls my age, and the tour operator matched our energy to the max. He gave us plenty of time in each destination and took so many pictures for us. This tour was so fun and provided SO much food. Every time we’d leave the van and come back there was a new snack bag. The bakery was so cute, eclectic, and yummy! You definitely get your bang for your buck. If you do one tour in the South Island, make it this one.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrew_c
Mar 24, 2024
Highly Recommended! - This was a very well organised tour, everything ran very on time. They provided enough food, drinks, bathroom breaks along the trip. Overall it was a great experience and it made it much easier to see Mt. Cook and all the stops along the way. Our tour guide was very friendly and made the long drive enjoyable! Definitely a highlight from my short trip in Christchurch
Review provided by Viator
642rajc
Mar 24, 2024
Mt Cook - A beautiful place to visit a must for trekking and view . Unfortunately we were passing through could not stay longer . We stopped at the cafe for lunch and watched beautiful view from the balcony
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Soonmi_j
Mar 17, 2024
One of those you try without regret! - Amazing!!! It was a marvellous and unforgettable trip with perfect weather and a professional guide!
Review provided by Viator
Jakub_v
Apr 3, 2024
The advertised start time... - The advertised start time at 7am is misleading, as the actual start is even before 6:30. This is especially problematic on Sundays, when one could make it by bus to the pickup place by 7, but definitely not earlier. Additionally, the actual start time is only revealed after the booking, which presents the dilemma of cancelling versus starting the day with a few kilometers' walk (for some). I suggest updating the advertised time to reflect the actual starting time. Other than that, it was a great experience!
Review provided by Viator
Kevin_r
Apr 23, 2024
A long day - while our driver Joseph was excellent this is just a very long day of 14 hours. We drew the short straw and we’re in the backseat of an 18 passenger van with fogged up windows couldn’t see very much for the first several hours. It is all beautiful, but you only get very hurried stops and is very intense. just like in the United States drivers have legal hours they can drive and understand the need for speed. If we did this again, we would go one day to Mount Cook and spend the night in one of the hotels up there and then just catch the ride back. it’s just in my opinion too much for one day
Review provided by Viator
Britta_k
Apr 5, 2024
I would Rather not... - I would Rather not remember it. I Saw the same things with the Intercitybus bus from Christchurch to Queenstown.
Review provided by Viator
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