Mt Cook & Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Small Group Tour from Queenstown
Overview
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Mt Cook & Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Tour, this small group, fully-guided day trip combines all of the key highlights in the area with the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint walk.
If you plan to embark on any hikes during your Mount Cook tour, it's advisable to bring along a light lunch or grab some food when we stop in Omarama.
Description
If you plan to embark on any hikes during your Mount Cook tour, it's advisable to bring along a light lunch or grab some food when we stop in Omarama.
PLEASE NOTE: The Hooker Valley Track is currently closed beyond Müller Lookout (located between the first and second swing bridges) while the Department of Conservation replaces one of the bridges. This scenic section still offers stunning views and a rewarding hiking experience. The full track is expected to reopen in Autumn 2026.
Highlights:
- Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Walk (Guests cannot walk on the glacier)
- Mt Cook & Aoraki National Park
- Lake Pukaki
- Kawarau Gorge, Lindis Pass, High Country Salmon
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 impressive 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. 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 Centre – 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 acclimatisation 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 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.
12. 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
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Reviews
313 reviews
This was a very long tour...
Vicki W,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a very long tour but well worth it. There were stops along the way to stretch and grab a bite to eat. When we reached Mt cook Didn’t think we could do the hike up. Was very tiring and pretty high up there. But so glad we did the view of the glaciers was so spectacular. Took a lot of pictures. Hike down was much easier. Saw another path lake view wish I could have seen that one too. But it took us to long to climb up the mountain. When we got the bus they took us to where the trails was where we had our free time. A lot of different hikes to take. Which we ended up by a suspension bridge which was so pretty.After went to high county salmon. The salmon was so fresh and delicious had to hurry up and eat was only there for a short time. Then went to the orchard where we bought some goodies there . Can’t remember the drivers name. Did a really good job.We had done so many different tours but we would highly recommend this one if you want to venture out.
nice trip
Adventure52334849515,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kristina who's our guide also driver is kind and friendly. She adjust the schedule for us so that we may see the best view. It's worthy.
Mount Cook
V241AVsarahh,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Abbey was a great guide with very good knowledge. We managed 2 hikes with spectacular views even though it rained quite a bit on our trip. We thoroughly enjoyed the day
Best way to see Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park!
samanthapD3991UA,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lynette was very warm, welcoming, and professional with wit that kept you interested in all the information you learn throughout the day. The tour was well planned and organized, not rushed, and perfectly timed with stops and stop durations. We had an ideal amount of time to do two mountain walks at our own paces with no rushing. Highly recommend Cheeky Kiwi tours!
Amazing
carsya d,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was very fun and very interesting, the tour guide was also very good. It was truly an unforgettable experience.
I joined the tour on 19th March
Companion60070388259,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Benny was our tour guide and he was superb. During the tour he always did his best to let us see as much as possible. The weather was not great at the first half of our tour. Benny knew that if we followed the itinerary to the next attraction, we couldn’t have seen much. Therefore he suggested we went to the attraction after next first and then came back to this ‘next’ attraction. At the end everything worked out!
Mt Cook and Tasman glacier day trip!
Mobile18760686712,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful experience on our tour to Mt. Cook, made even better by our guide, Chris. He was a safe and confident driver with a great sense of humor, and he shared extensive knowledge about all the places we visited. We especially enjoyed learning some local slang and gestures from him—it added a fun, personal touch to the trip. One of the highlights was a stop at an orchard, where he recommended real fruit ice cream, which was absolutely delicious! The tour was also very comfortable, with WiFi and phone charging available on the bus—such a thoughtful feature. We highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area!
I felt that the...
Michael F,Mar 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00I felt that the description of the tour was misleading. It was more like ordering a car to drive us around than any insights and descriptions. The description also mentioned specifically pointing out lord of the rings shooting sites which were of great interest to us. Unfortunately our guide knew nothing about that. Still had a great time and was beautiful scenery, just did not feel like we got our money’s worth for a small group tour.
Worth the effort.
Greg S,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Its a long but interesting day. We were lucky to have a perfect day, and the views were amazing. The guide was well informed and interestng.
A Day to Mt Cook & the Glaciers
DownUnderling51,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a lovely day of travel and learning. We were shown the wonders & beauty of Mt Cook with some extra activities such as walking the Tasman Glacier Tracks. As added bonus we were taken for breakfast at The Wrinkley Ram at Omarama and a visit to a High Country Salmon farm at Twizel and also to a wonderful ice-creamery at Cromwell. The walking trails part was rather strenuous for me with a new knee replacement but all the others in the group managed to survive it. Our guide was most knowlegeable and interesting and full of lovely stories & anecdotes as well as facts . It's a very long day for this 75 year old and was certainly looking forward to my nap back at hotel.
From A$223.38
Queenstown, New Zealand
- Free cancellation
Reserve Now & Pay Later - available
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