Mt Cook Day Tour From Christchurch via Lake Tekapo (Small Group, Carbon Neutral)

Overview

Available languages

English

At 3724m, Aoraki/Mt Cook is home to New Zealand’s highest peak and Haupapa/Tasman Glacier; the country's longest glacier.

Description

Highlights and inclusions:

Small group size
Carbon neutral tour of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park
Picture perfect scenery and panoramic views
Fairlie Bakehouse
Lake Tekapo - including the Church of the Good Shepherd
Lookout over Lake Pukaki
Aoraki Mt Cook Village and National Park - including optional walks
Lunch (pre-ordered from Fairlie Bakehouse), bottled water, and Kiwi snacks
WiFi and USB charging
Commentary
100% Kiwi as experience

Itinerary:

Christchurch – We start by leaving Ōtautahi Christchurch, also known as New Zealand's Garden City. As we head south, our knowledgeable guide will point out some of the central city highlights.
Canterbury Plains - Travelling across the Rakaia bridge and inland towards mid-Canterbury, you will notice both the region’s unique braided river ecosystem and patchwork fields. Farms on the plains are home to a variety of activities, including crop cultivation, viticulture, dairy farming, and livestock production.
Fairlie Bakehouse (10 minutes) - Nestled in the charming farming township of Fairlie, this stop is always popular with guests. It is especially stunning in autumn as the trees lining the streets and Burkes Pass turn a vibrant orange. It is here that you can enjoy a famous Fairlie Bakehouse pie. Our team’s personal favourite is the classic steak and cheese!
Lake Tekapo and The Church of the Good Shepherd (15 minutes) - Next up we stop at Lake Tekapo. Surrounded by the Southern Alps and the Mackenzie District’s distinct tussocked landscape, you will be greeted with panoramic views. From late November to early January, the famous lakeshore is adorned with clusters of wild lupins. While here, we will stop at one of New Zealand’s most photographed locations; the Church of the Good Shepherd.
Lake Pukaki (10 minutes) - Our final stop before arriving in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park is Lake Pukaki. With its shifting colours ranging from ice to deep blue depending on the weather, this glacier-fed lake stands out from other alpine lakes in the region. On clear days, enjoy uninterrupted views of Aoraki rising from the lake’s edge.
Aoraki Mt Cook National Park (2 - 2.5 hours*) - Welcome to Aoraki Mt Cook National Park! Established in 1953, roughly 40% of the park is covered by glaciers, with Haupapa being the longest at approximately 23 kilometres. Impressively, 19 mountains - including Aoraki - within the area also stand at over 3000 metres tall. Once you arrive, you have the option to embark on the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track or explore Mt Cook Village, taking in sights such as the Visitor Centre and Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. Alternatively, if you’d prefer an aerial view of the mountains, we can arrange a scenic flight for you and your group (booked and sold separately).
Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track - Leading through old terminal moraines of the Haupapa, this track offers incredible views of the glacier, surrounding river and Tasman Lake.

*Please note that due to potential delays from other customers or road conditions, the allocated time in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park to explore may be less than advertised. This may mean that you might be unable to fully complete walks etc. Your friendly guide will be able to assist you on the day with the best options available. At 2:15pm, please follow their instructions as they will provide the collection time to start the return journey to Ōtautahi.

Christchurch - As we make our way back to the Garden City, sit back and relax after a wonderful day exploring Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. With your camera roll full, this day will definitely be something to brag about!

Please note additional stops are taken into consideration for toilet breaks.

Cancellation Policy

Meeting points

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Reviews

4.53

206 reviews

159

Fun and great for solo travelers
Y6393MAnicoles,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This tour is incredible - so much packed into 1 day! Our driver and guide shared so much information about the landscape, sights and culture of New Zealand. A perfect tour for solo travelers! Would 100% recommend - great value for money.
A lovely day but a long old drive!
Meriel A,,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00
Beautiful scenery and wonderful food from Fairley’s bakery. This was a great way to see some beautiful places but the time at the locations felt really rushed compared to the amount of time spent on the bus. We had 30 mins at the bakery but minimal time at Lake Pukaki and Tekapo. There were so many pretty spots to stop to take photos of the mountains that we just drove by. I definitely would have preferred more time to look at the approach to Mount Cook than spending so long at the bakery. Our guide was very knowledgable and shared loads of interesting info.
You are able to see a lot...
Anki S,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
You are able to see a lot within that little time you have around Mt. Cook and the Lakes. Our drive gave us lots of Informations about New Zealand on the way!
This was an incredibly...
Katie P,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was an incredibly easy way to see the beautiful glacial lakes and majestic Mt. Cook. Phil created a relaxed and comfortable environment to enjoy the day. The food was delicious and the scenery cannot be matched. If you’re looking to see these two incredible landmarks, I highly recommend this tour.
Beautiful trip - highly recommended
majkenwithl,,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Although it was a long drive, the journey never felt tiring, as we were constantly surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Even despite the poor weather, the lakes were still incredibly beautiful, especially because it was lupin season. I had been worried about getting carsick, as I almost always do on long drives, but our guide, Phil, drove very smoothly and comfortably, so it was not an issue at all. He also went the extra mile to make sure everyone had a great experience. For example, he kindly made an additional photo stop upon request, allowing us to capture the beautiful lupins. Throughout the trip, it was also reassuring that he was happy to answer any questions along the way.
James was a very good...
Zen Z,,Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
James was a very good driver and friendly tour guide. He’s very knowledgeable and given young and old on board, he was very patient and thoughtful to all. Constantly checking and taking care of everyone. If more time can be allocated to each photo taking locations will be even better. Overall I’ve enjoyed the experience and would recommend others to join!
Amazing experience! This...
Diego T,,Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Amazing experience! This is a fantastic one-day trip, with carefully planned stops that allow time for exploring, taking pictures, and having lunch. James is a wonderful guide: he shared lots of details and is very friendly. You can't miss this if you're in Christchurch! I definitely recommend this experience!
Do not hesitate!
Aurelie V,,Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
A great guide (Diana), patient with a group never before... Everything was perfect, the picnic provided (good and hearty!), the scenery breathtaking. Go ahead!
Mt cook day trip
Gloria W,,Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Totally amazing , you get to see so many places in just a day, the tour guide is very friendly and helpful too.
Worth the trip
vanessadM2595XT,,Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Even with bad weather, our guide made sure we got the most of our experience. Lunch and snacks are provided, which is a great bonus.