Experience dramatic glacier lakes, snow-capped mountains, and beautiful alpine walks on a small-group day trip from Christchurch. After pick-up from your hotel, journey to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, located a 4 hours' drive through spectacular and breathtaking landscapes. Visit the historic town of Geraldine. Then discover the heart of Mackenzie Country, the captivatingly turquoise Lake Tekapo, the iconic Church of Good Shepherd, and the well-recognized statue of Sheepdog. Travel through Lake Pukaki and admire stunning views of Mt. Cook from a distance. Enjoy a short scenic hike in the National Park to view the 23.5kms long Tasman Glacier which is the longest glacier in New Zealand before returning to Christchurch.

Experience this once-in-a-lifetime stargazing experience in the Dark Sky Reserve at Lake Tekapo. Look through a telescope to spot deep sky objects and learn interesting facts about the night sky. Begin your tour as your guide escorts you to an unbelievable stargazing location where there is nearly zero light pollution. Head on a journey with your professional astronomy guide and hear ancient stories of constellations to science facts, Greek mythology to Maori legends. See a variety of deep sky objects through a powerful 9.25-inch computerised telescope. During the experience, the team provides a photography service, your guide will take individual photos for you with the stars. Stay warm and comfortable with seats and blankets, as well as pillows, mattresses and blankets that will be set up for you to enjoy the night sky. Enjoy a hot chocolate and at the end of the tour, your guide will light the fire bowl so you can roast marshmallows with your friends and family.

Itinerary Christchurch - We start by leaving Garden City/Christchurch and heading south towards our destination, while our knowledgeable driver points out some of the Garden City’s highlights. Canterbury Plains - Wrapped around Christchurch are the Canterbury Plains filled with farmland as far as the eye can see. Most types of farming you can think of will be found on the plains such as crops, vineyards, dairy and livestock production. Fairlie Bakehouse (10mins) - A Classic New Zealand farming town hidden away in Mackenzie. Fairlie goes through some stunning colour changes especially come Autum, this is truly one of the best locations to sit and relax with one of their world-famous meat Pies from the Bakehouse. And this stop is also where we will pick up your lunch to keep you full of energy for the rest of the day. Lake Tekapo/ Church of the Good Shepherd (15mins) – An alpine lake region like no other in the heart of Mackenzie. At the right time of year, you will find clusters of wild lupins along the lake edge. Once we arrive in Tekapo we head towards the most popular photo spots in the country The Church of The Good Shepard for those social media worthy pictures. Lake Pukaki (10mins) - This glacier fed lake is unique compared to its alpine partners. The colours can change from ice blue to a dark deep blue depending on the weather conditions. On a clear day enjoy undisturbed views right up to Mt Cook which appears to extend out of the head of the lake. Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park (2.5hrs) – AND HERE WE ARE! Named after the famous explorer James Cook, Aoraki/Mt Cook is New Zealand’s highest peak. Once here you will have the choice to embark on either The Hooker Valley or The Tasman Glacier walk. If a flight overlooking the mountains is more your thing, we are happy to arrange Helicopter rides for you and the family to enjoy instead. • Hooker Valley (2.5-3hrs) The Hooker valley track is one of the highest rated day walks in New Zealand. It’s not hard to see why as you walk alongside an ice-covered cliff face (Listen carefully you may hear it moving) all the way to an ice filled lake with Mt Cook at its end. • Tasman Glacier (2.5 – 3hrs) This track leads through the glacier’s old terminal moraines, and there you will find amazing views of the glacier, river, and lake. • Mt Cook Information Centre (DOC) – You are more than welcome to take it all in by spending the day in the information centre with a coffee. Learn the history of the national park, ask questions and just be in moment. At 2:30 our driver will collect you from your chosen destinations for the day to head back home. Lake Tekapo (10mins) -We stop briefly in Lake Tekapo for one last time to take those last minute late evening photos of the Church and the Lake. Christchurch – After what has been a simply beautiful day, we will head back to the Garden City. Its bittersweet as you’ll be exhausted but filled with new memories.

-Itinerary- Meeting point 8:00 AM Our meeting point for the tour is the car park at Four Square market. Peter’s lookout 9:00 AM One of the best views of Lake Pukaki and Aoraki(Mt Cook),and the surrounding Southern Alps is absolutely stunning, making it a must-visit spot. Hermitage Hotel 9:30 AM If you prefer not to participate in the hiking activity, you can choose to disembark at the hotel and reassemble at 3 PM. Tasman Glacier 9:40 AM For a memorable experience, consider exploring a brief walking track boasting magnificent views of the Tasman Glacier (New Zealand’s longest glacier) and Terminal Lake. Please note that this track is relatively short but does involve ascending approximately 300 steps. Hooker Valley track 10:30 AM You are free to walk at your own pace on this self-guided walk. We will pick you up whenever it suits you, and take you to the Hermitage Hotel. Enjoy your free time in the village until the return time. If you are not very keen on long day hiking, alternative short walking tracks are available around Mount Cook village. Hermitage Hotel 3:00 PM Please gather in front of the hotel at 3 pm to return to Lake Tekapo. If you are engaged in another activity or require pickup from a different location, please inform the driver on the day of the tour. Lake Pukaki 3:50 PM A brief stop is scheduled at Lake Pukaki, allowing time for taking photos and visiting the Alpine Salmon Shop. Lake Tekapo 4:30 PM The group returns to the village around 4:30pm. Please ask our driver if you require a drop-off at your accommodation.

Christchurch to Mt Cook via Lake Tekapo Small Group Tour (1 way). This small group, fully-guided day transfer allows you to travel in style to Mt Cook while seeing all the key highlights along the way. 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 minibusses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety. Highlights: Lake Tekapo Mt Cook & Aoraki National Park Lake Pukaki While the destinations you will visit are truly spectacular, we believe our small groups, our guides, the journey, and the little details set our tours ails set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles, and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.

Embark on a road trip from Christchurch and Queenstown, driving past blue lakes, rolling countryside, and pretty towns, all with the majestic Southern Alps in the background. Stop in Mt Cook, the perfect base to explore the natural wonders of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Leave Christchurch and head south towards your destination, as your driver points out some of the Garden City’s highlights. Make your first stop of the day in Fairlie. Grab a coffee and try one of the best pies in New Zealand. After refueling for the next part of our journey, leave Fairle and head toward Lake Tekapo. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd on the stunning lakefront to take photos. Then, turn west and enter the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, with Lake Pukaki revealing all its beauty before your eyes. At the National Park, enjoy 2.5 hours of free time to indulge in local activities. Go on a hike or book optional extras such as a scenic flight. After leaving Mt Cook, stop at High Country Salmon – a local salmon farm where you can feed the fish and taste some of the freshest salmon in New Zealand. Finally, be driven to your final destination of Queenstown.

Experience this once-in-a-lifetime stargazing experience in the Dark Sky Reserve at Lake Tekapo. Look through a telescope to spot deep sky objects and learn interesting facts about the night sky. Begin your tour as your guide escorts you to an unbelievable stargazing location where there is nearly zero light pollution. Head on a journey with your professional astronomy guide and hear ancient stories of constellations to science facts, Greek mythology to Maori legends. See a variety of deep sky objects through a powerful 9.25-inch computerised telescope. During the experience, the team provides a photography service, your guide will take individual photos for you with the stars. Stay warm and comfortable with seats and blankets, as well as pillows, mattresses and blankets that will be set up for you to enjoy the night sky. Enjoy a hot chocolate and at the end of the tour, your guide will light the fire bowl so you can roast marshmallows with your friends and family.

At 3724m, Aoraki/Mt Cook is home to New Zealand’s highest peak and longest glacier – Haupapa/Tasman Glacier. The famous Lake Tekapo - are the places you will discover or rediscover on this tour, so escape the hustle and bustle of the city life and head out on an adventure to some of the most beautiful parts of the South Island You will be driven in comfort in our modern, comfortable Mercedes Sprinter or Similar vehicle packed with extras, just to make your journey that bit easier. Led by our fun and knowledgeable and passionate tour guides, this journey will come to life in a new way for you. Memories, made, hearts happy and photos a plenty in this tour! Highlights -Church of the Good Shepherd – Lake Tekapo -Lake Pukaki -Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park -Tasman Glacier (Optional) ·Hooker Valley Track (optional) Itinerary -Lake Tekapo/ Church of the Good Shepherd (15mins) – We start our journey here amongst the the alpine lake region like no other in the heart of Mackenzie. At the right time of year, you will find clusters of wild lupins along the lake edge. Once we arrive in Tekapo we head towards the most popular photo spots in the country The Church of The Good Shepard for those social media worthy pictures. -Lake Pukaki (10mins) - This glacier fed lake is unique compared to its alpine partners. The colours can change from ice blue to a dark deep blue depending on the weather conditions. On a clear day enjoy undisturbed views right up to Mt Cook which appears to extend out of the head of the lake. -Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park (2.5hrs) – AND HERE WE ARE! Named after the famous explorer James Cook, Aoraki/Mt Cook is New Zealand’s highest peak. Once here you will have the choice to embark on either The Hooker Valley or The Tasman Glacier walk. If a flight overlooking the mountains is more your thing, we are happy to arrange Helicopter rides for you and the family to enjoy. -Hooker Valley (2.5-3hrs) The Hooker valley track is one of the highest rated day walks in New Zealand. It’s not hard to see why as you walk alongside an ice-covered cliff face (Listen carefully you may hear it moving) all the way to an ice filled lake with Mt Cook at its end. -Tasman Glacier (2.5 – 3hrs) This track leads through the glacier’s old terminal moraines, and there you will find amazing views of the glacier, river, and lake. -Mt Cook Information Centre (DOC) – You are more than welcome to take it all in by spending the day in the information centre with a coffee. Learn the history of the national park, ask questions and just be in moment. At 2:30 our driver will collect you from your chosen destinations for the day to head back home. -Lake Tekapo (10mins) - This is where our day together ends. Back in beautiful Tekapo-.

Delight in a Big Bang of awe and inspiration at the Dark Sky Experience, where science, tatai aroraki (Maori astronomy), and fascinating multimedia installations are brought together for a sensual treat. Change your outlook on the universe in the best way possible on this 45-minute guided tour. Enjoy your guide's thought-provoking, educational, and entertaining commentary at this truly unique place. During your tour, get up close to the newly-restored Brashear telescope, one of the world's most famous Victorian telescopes. A must-do for all visitors to Lake Tekapo, this immersive daytime experience is a place for people to connect, to discover, and to be inspired, with the aim of empowering others to make a difference to dark sky preservation.

Hop onboard a 4 wheel drive jeep from Lake Tekapo township and explore one of New Zealand's most breathtaking river valleys. Travel comfortably up an alpine river valley northwest of Lake Tekapo through stream crossings and fields of roaming wild Merino sheep. Travel through the steep mountainous walls of the river valley where old Musterer's huts still stand and age-old glaciers are omnipresent. Hear your guide explain the unique history and geology that has formed this stunning part of New Zealand, and why it is famed for offering some of the best scenery in the South Island. Stop in for a fresh cup of tea and snacks, and enjoy fabulous vantage points for the best photography opportunities in Lake Tekapo. Return through golden tussock high lands overlooking the turquoise colours of Lake Tekapo.