Mt Cook Small Group Tour from Queenstown

Overview

Available languages

English

Mt Cook Tour, this small group, fully-guided day trip combines all of the key highlights in the area with the time and options to enjoy extra activities of your choice, unlike many other tours. Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.

Description

Please note: the Hooker Valley Track is currently CLOSED from the Muller Lookout onwards, while the Department of Conservation works on replacing one of the swing bridges. This is expected to be complete in Autumn 2026 so the track will only be partially accessible to the public until then.

Highlights:

Mt Cook & Aoraki National Park
Lake Pukaki
Kawarau Gorge, Lindis Pass, the Southern Alps and High Country Salmon
Free time for activities & walks

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 areas 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 Omarama 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. It’s not hard to see why many Lord of the Rings scene were filmed nearby and we will point them out for you.

7. Mt Cook Information Centre – 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.

8. Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park – While in the national park you have 3 hours free time to enjoy free walks/hikes or one of the extra optional activities. Some of our recommendations include: Tasman Glacier View walk, Heli Hike (this adventure on the Tasman Glacier is the ultimate way to enjoy the area), scenic flights (see the region from the air and land on the Tasman Glacier). Whatever you decide to do we will pick you up and drop you off where you need to go and make sure you are well looked after.

9. 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.

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

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

Cancellation Policy

Terms: Tours will only run if at least 5 people have booked on the tour, we reserves the right to alter the tour due to weather or operational needs.

A full refund will be issued for cancellations made a minimum of 10 days prior to the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Small Group

Fully Guided Tour

Water available & snacks provided

Meeting points

Select a meeting point

Options

Reviews

4.88

403 reviews

372

Beautiful Trails, Great Guide, and Stunning Views
603anshumanv,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We went on the Mt. Cook tour today and had a fantastic experience overall. The entire route was incredibly scenic, and we really enjoyed both trails—the Hooker Valley Track and the Tasman Glacier Walk. Each walk offered stunning views and was well worth it. Our guide, Jess (Jessica) was excellent—she explained everything clearly and shared interesting history and details about each place we visited, which made the journey even more enjoyable. Ending the tour with ice cream was a lovely touch and a perfect way to wrap up the day. All in all, it was a really well-organized and memorable tour, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
An absolute must-do!
Ramzi B,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
The views throughout the trip were amazing and our tour guide Jonathan brought such joyous energy. Despite the heavy overcast, Mount Cook was spectacular. The highlight of the tour was undoubtedly the Tasman Glacier. Definitely recommend!
Wonderful experience ,...
Prashant G,,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Wonderful experience , had a great time , beautiful scenery, highly recommend. Entire tour was good.
Great experience
huiyi z,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
It’s very well organized. Everything goes smoothly! The driver is very considerate and interesting. It’s a shame I can’t understand all he said otherwise it can be more fun
Great experience highly recommend
I2265CKgracew,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Really good experience with a lot of good stops on the way there and back. Stopped for toilet many times, cafe with great sausage roll, many photo opportunities beyond what was listed on Viator - nice surprise. Our tour guide was Chris and he was extremely knowledgeable and I found that the way he presented the information was highly engaging. Was great that it was a small group tour which I didn’t expect. Description was slightly unclear as to whether the hooker track would be an option (to only walk the part that is open) - it ended up being only Tasman glacier as our stop which was still great but could have been clearer on the description. Feedback is that some stops were rushed e.g. 20 mins at the orchard, high country salmon Overall highly enjoyable and would recommend.
Wonderful one day tour
Fearless02572119405,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The one day tour was great! Sonia is a very professional and responsible guide, have a very nice day! Beautiful views, delicious food, the tour line is very reasonable and clear, the fee is also affordable! Love it, definitely recommend it!
Aoraki Cheeky Tour!
N7331VNgregorys,,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Joseph did a fantastic job as our tour guide. Knowledgeable, funny and incredibly professional. The weather unfortunately caused part of my planned expedition to be cancelled but Joseph and the team kept us apprised at all times. Highly recommend this tour by Cheeky!
Amazing tour
jaimieo660,,Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was amazing!! Michel was an amazing guide very engaging and had plenty of fun stories to tell! I highly highly recommend!! A must do in queenstown!
Absolutely amazing! Don’t miss this!
Sandy S,,Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Absolutely amazing experience with Jeff, our tour guide for the day. There were plenty of bathroom stops and snack stops along the way. The mini bus with 16 passengers is definitely the way to do it. It’s pricier, but the experience and comfort is worth it. During our initial stop at Hooker Valley, where Mt Cook is viewable, there were clouds covering the summit (still gorgeous). We proceeded with the tour, but before we left that area, Jeff changed plans so we could all see the summit without obstructions! Would highly recommend this tour, and if you get Jeff as your guide, I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed a single bit.
The Amazing Mt Cook Experience
748iselaf,,Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The entire experience was amazing. Joe our tour guide was very informative and accommodating. I enjoyed his stories. The views were spectacular I would definitely recommend it….