Aoraki Mt Cook Tour from Queenstown

Itinerary:

1.  Queenstown – Your tour starts in the stunning city of Queenstown. 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.

2.  Kawarau Suspension Bridge – Departing Queenstown, we then make our way through the stunning Kawarau Gorge, passing stunning views, the Kawarau Suspension Bridge, and the famous Roaring Meg Lookout. Time and light permitting, we will stop for that first great shot of the tour.

3.  Cromwell – Exiting the Kawarau Gorge, we enter the fruit and wine growing region of Cromwell. Passing huge fields of vines, we cross Lake Dunstan and follow this beautiful lake towards Lindis Pass.

4.  Lindis Pass – Climbing in altitude, Lindis Pass has amazing views down through the valleys. Being one of only three alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps, we stop at the famous lookout at the top of the pass for an essential photo.  

5.  Omarama – While driving through the endless plains of the Mackenzie district, we will spot several of the famous Merino breed of sheep before stopping at the quaint township of Omarama. While in Omaram, we have time for a break or even to try the best creamy chicken pie in NZ (in our opinion)!

6.  Lake Pukaki – 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. We stop for some amazing photos and to just marvel at the sight that we are beholding. 

7.  Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park – While in the national park, we will stop and explore some of the amazing sites and get those bucket list photos before heading to the departure point for your hike. 

8. Tasman Glacier View Walk – At about 22 km long, the Haupapa / Tasman Glacier is the longest glacier in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Unfortunately, glaciers the world over are shrinking, with the Tasman receding over 100 m per year. 

 9.  Mt Cook Information Center – Arriving at Mt Cook Village, weather depending, we should get some more 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 acclimatization whatsoever from the village, which is just 750m above sea level. 

10. High Country Salmon - Farewelling Aoraki/Mt Cook Village and making our way back to Queenstown, we stop in at High Country Salmon, a local salmon farm, where you can feed the fish and taste some of the freshest salmon in New Zealand.

11.  Jacksons Orchard – During the summer months, when the sun is still up as we get close to Queenstown, we often stop at Jackson's Orchard to try or buy some delicious local fruit or real fruit ice cream.

12.  Queenstown – Sadly, the tour must come to an end as we re-enter Queenstown and say our goodbyes.