New Zealand · LAKE TEKAPO TOURS

Top 15 Lake Tekapo Tours

31 tours  ·  from $11

The 15 best lake tekapo tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

Lake Tekapo: Alpine Stargazing Experience with a Guide - From Kiwi Treasure to a private hilltop farm
Guided, Lake Tekapo Tours, Stargazing Tours, Stargazing Tours in Lake Tekapo, Tour Reviews

Lake Tekapo: Alpine Stargazing Experience with a Guide

1.Alpine Stargazing Experience with a Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 626 reviews · 1h 15m · from $59Our pick

Meet Silver River Stargazing at Lake Tekapo’s Kiwi Treasure post office, then ride to private farmland in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve. A guide such as Sam, Tara, or JoJo uses lasers and a 14-inch telescope to show you stars, planets, and deep-sky objects. Warm jackets and a digital night-sky photo are included.

“It was incredible!! Our guide was extremely impressive and knowledgeable. A no miss in Tekapo.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Lake Tekapo: Stargazing Experience - The 90-minute experience, from first stars to firelight
Lake Tekapo Tours, Stargazing Tours, Stargazing Tours in Lake Tekapo, Tour Reviews

Lake Tekapo: Stargazing Experience

2.Stargazing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 607 reviews · 1h 30m · from $71

Join Chameleon Stargazing for 90 minutes beneath Lake Tekapo’s dark skies. Guides such as Estella, Mok, and George explain Maori legends, Greek myths, and astronomy, then use a 9.25-inch telescope and smart telescope to show deep-sky objects. Hot chocolate, blankets, photos, and marshmallows are included.

“George did a great job on our star gazing tour. Very informative, entertaining, and just the right amount of time spent on each topic. It was a short and easy drive from town and the site was well marked and managed. It was an enjoyable evening and fun to look at all of the stars, constellations, and even a few planets through the telescopes.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Tekapo Shuttle: Mt Cook Day Tour via Pukaki & Tasman Lake - 8am departure from Tekapo Four Square
Lake Tekapo Tours, Mount Cook Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tekapo Shuttle: Mt Cook Day Tour via Pukaki & Tasman Lake

3.Tekapo Shuttle: Mt Cook Day Tour via Pukaki & Tasman Lake

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 307 reviews · 8h 30m · from $89

Travel from Tekapo to Aoraki Mount Cook with an English-speaking guide such as TJ, Taro, or Rintaro. Walk the Tasman Glacier and Hooker Valley tracks, stop at Lake Pukaki and Peter’s Lookout, and enjoy snacks, water, Wi-Fi, and flexible pickup times.

“Great information about the Mackenzie basin and the Mount Cook area from our guide Daniel good stops for photo opportunities”

Check availability →Read our full review

Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour - The Guides Make the Difference
Lake Tekapo Tours, Stargazing Tours, Stargazing Tours in Lake Tekapo, Tour Reviews, Tours

Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour

4.Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 181 reviews · from $74Top rated

Join Chameleon Stargazing in Lake Tekapo for a 90-minute small-group night under one of New Zealand’s darkest skies. Guides such as George, Guthrie, Estella, and Mok use a powerful telescope and laser pointer to explain stars, planets, constellations, and Māori stories, with blankets, hot chocolate, marshmallows, and a complimentary night-sky photo.

“Perfect activity for anyone that enjoys looking up to the stars! The wintry nights are great you are lucky to have clear weather. It can get a little chilly but the company is so helpful with blankets and eventually some campfire with marshmallows. The information is great and our guide (whom I have forgotten her name but she was of Malaysian background) was so fun and full of information. She made things lighthearted and joyful.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Lake Tekapo: Mountaintop Stargazing at Mount John Summit - Learning the Southern sky with a laser pointer
Lake Tekapo Tours, Stargazing Tours, Stargazing Tours in Lake Tekapo, Tour Reviews

Lake Tekapo: Mountaintop Stargazing at Mount John Summit

5.Mountaintop Stargazing at Mount John Summit

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 176 reviews · 1h 45m · from $130

Ride from the Dark Sky Project base to Mount John’s 1,029-metre summit for 105 minutes of Southern Hemisphere stargazing. Guides such as Oscar explain the constellations, while telescopes reveal planets and star groups. Warm jackets are supplied, but clear skies and a moonless night matter.

“Most amazing was the explanation of all the stars. I did not see anything what could be improved”

Check availability →Read our full review

Mount John Observatory Stargazing Experience, Tekapo - From Lake Tekapo township to the 1,029-metre summit
Lake Tekapo Tours, Stargazing Tours, Stargazing Tours in Lake Tekapo, Tour Reviews

Mount John Observatory Stargazing Experience, Tekapo

6.Mount John Observatory Stargazing Experience, Tekapo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 160 reviews · from $139

Ride from Lake Tekapo to Mount John’s 1,029-metre summit for 90 minutes of guided Southern Sky viewing. You’ll use naked-eye astronomy, laser pointers, and powerful observatory telescopes inside the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve. English and Mandarin guides are available.

“Most interesting experience. We had to wait an extra nights to go up, as weather was cloudy. The ground crew were very informative, with the situation. The crew on the mountain were fantastic, with their knowledge. Apart from the cold, we were warned, it was great. I would do it again in warmer times, without a full moon, so we could better see the Milky Way.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Lake Tekapo: Single Day Multiple Entry Pass for Hot Pools - The Adult-Only Pool and the Family Areas
1-Day Tours, Lake Tekapo Tours, Tour Reviews

Lake Tekapo: Single Day Multiple Entry Pass for Hot Pools

7.Single Day Multiple Entry Pass for Hot Pools

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 129 reviews · 1 day · from $23

Spend one full day at Tekapo Springs, soaking in three hot pools heated from 36.5 to 38.5°C above Lake Tekapo. You can move between family pools, cooler water, an aqua play area, and an adult-only pool. Towels, lockers, sauna access, and food cost extra.

“Wonderful to soak in the hot water after a busy day. Adequate seating areas in the pool, including in the center. Lockers for rent to stow personal belongings away if needed. Disappointed that the middle pool and also a smaller pool to the right hand side of the entry were closed. The large middle pool was being renovated with scaffolding everywhere which affected the beautiful views and from the lower pool (35 degrees Celsius), one had to stand up to see them. The best view would be from the middle (37 degree C ) pool and the upper pool (38 degrees C). There was another pool closed off though I…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Tekapo Star Gazing Tour - Soak in the Stars - The indoor projector session when clouds move in
Lake Tekapo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tekapo Star Gazing Tour – Soak in the Stars

8.Tekapo Star Gazing Tour – Soak in the Stars

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 109 reviews · from $117

Spend 90 minutes pairing a guided Southern Hemisphere sky tour with warm pools at Tekapo Springs. Your guide explains Māori and global star lore, then you can float in a hammock under the stars. Cloudy skies bring an indoor projector session, so the tour still has a useful backup.

“The tour was ok, but I could have just gone out to a field and seen the same thing for free. The guide said a few inaccurate things and only pointed out one southern constellation. She was easily distracted and not particularly knowleRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

Silver River Stargazing Experience in Lake Tekapo - Starting at Rapuwai Lane in Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo Tours, Stargazing Tours, Stargazing Tours in Lake Tekapo, Tour Reviews

Silver River Stargazing Experience in Lake Tekapo

9.Silver River Stargazing Experience in Lake Tekapo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 106 reviews · from $61

Meet Go Tekapo in Lake Tekapo for a 75-minute small-group stargazing session inside the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve. Guides such as Wilson, Sakura, Dan, and Jacob explain southern constellations, use a 14-inch Meade telescope, answer questions, and arrange a free group photo.

“Great viewing of the sky. Clear night with great guide who had lots of information and knowledge to share with us.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Lake Tekapo: 50-Minute Mount Cook and Beyond Scenic Flight - Seeing Aoraki Mount Cook from above
Lake Tekapo Tours, Mount Cook Tours, Scenic Flights, Tour Reviews

Lake Tekapo: 50-Minute Mount Cook and Beyond Scenic Flight

10.50-Minute Mount Cook and Beyond Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 103 reviews · 1 hour · from $295

From Lake Tekapo Aerodrome, you’ll fly across turquoise lakes, Aoraki Mount Cook, Tasman Glacier, and the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. Your pilot, such as Justin, Ahmed, or Matthew, provides live commentary, with window seating for clear views.

“Very friendly and professional staff. Communications were excellent and they very helpfully arranged a transfer from the centre of town to the airfield. Matthew the pilot gave a great commentary as we flew over the glaciers and mountains. the flight was smooth and we felt very safe! Would highly recommend as a brilliant way to see the area from a different perspective.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Lake Tekapo: Guided Petting Zoo Visit - Feeding Merino sheep, alpacas, pigs, and rabbits
Guided, Lake Tekapo Tours, Tour Reviews, Zoos

Lake Tekapo: Guided Petting Zoo Visit

11.Guided Petting Zoo Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 92 reviews · 30 min · from $11Best value

Meet Merino sheep, alpacas, pigs, cattle, lambs, and rabbits at the Lake Tekapo Petting Zoo. Your English-speaking guide gives a short safety briefing, leads you around the farm, and provides feed for hand-feeding. During lambing season, you may also bottle-feed a baby lamb.

“Our tour was so much fun! Our guide was excellent - knowledgeable and flexible. We truly enjoyed our experience and it was definitely worth making a stop to meet and feed the animals.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Stargazing Experience at Cowan's Private Observatory - Starting at the Dark Sky Project in Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo Tours, Private, Stargazing Tours, Stargazing Tours in Lake Tekapo, Tour Reviews

Stargazing Experience at Cowan’s Private Observatory

12.Stargazing Experience at Cowan’s Private Observatory

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 85 reviews · from $82

Meet at the Dark Sky Project in Lake Tekapo, then ride five minutes to Cowan’s Private Observatory. An astronomy guide uses lasers and powerful telescopes to show you planets, constellations, star clusters, and Southern Hemisphere skies from sheltered private craters. The 90-minute experience suits families and first-time stargazers.

“Weather bad, so couldn't go out, but indoor experience was nice. After the indoor explanation, they sky became clear, so I could see the stars by going into to countryside.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Scenic 4WD Tour Lake Tekapo Backcountry - Crossing private Mackenzie Basin farm country
Lake Tekapo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Scenic 4WD Tour Lake Tekapo Backcountry

13.Scenic 4WD Tour Lake Tekapo Backcountry

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · from $228

Join a professional guide in a six-person Land Rover Defender for a three-hour off-road trip from Lake Tekapo. You’ll cross private Mackenzie Basin sheep stations, meet farm animals, and reach views toward Lake Pukaki, Mount Tasman, and Aoraki Mount Cook. Guides such as Chris and Ben add local stories, humor, and practical insight.

“Guide was fantastic and views were spectacular and information provided by guide by so interesting. A great experience”

Check availability →Read our full review

Dark Sky Indoor Maori Cultural Astronomy Experience - Entering four zones of Māori star knowledge
Lake Tekapo Tours, Māori Cultural Tours, Stargazing Tours, Stargazing Tours in Lake Tekapo, Tour Reviews

Dark Sky Indoor Maori Cultural Astronomy Experience

14.Dark Sky Indoor Maori Cultural Astronomy Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 70 reviews · from $37

At Lake Tekapo’s Dark Sky Experience, a guide leads you through four interactive zones linking Māori star knowledge with Western science. Learn about navigation, farming, creation stories, and the Southern Sky, then see the restored 125-year-old Brashear Telescope. The 45-minute visit suits all ages and runs year-round.

“Great tour guide, brilliant presentation and worth the visit. The knowledge shared is awesome and the orator does his job very well.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Lake Tekapo: Stargazing Experience at Cowan's Observatory - Entering the secluded observation craters
Lake Tekapo Tours, Stargazing Tours, Stargazing Tours in Lake Tekapo, Tour Reviews

Lake Tekapo: Stargazing Experience at Cowan’s Observatory

15.Stargazing Experience at Cowan’s Observatory

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 52 reviews · 1h 15m · from $77

Meet your astronomy guide at Dark Sky Project in Tekapo, then ride to Cowan’s Private Observatory for 75 minutes of naked-eye stargazing and telescope viewing. Guides such as Vickey explain the southern sky clearly, while sheltered observation craters keep you away from wind and nearby light.

“Expensive for what you experience. Guides were extremely knowledgeable. Novice astronomers should do this. If you’ve seen Jupiter moons…maybe not.”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Lake Tekapo Tours

★ 4.5Mt Cook Day Tour From Tekapo (Small Group, Carbon Neutral)From $18511 reviews
★ 5.0Lake Tekapo Ultimate Stargazing ExperienceFrom $1233 reviews
★ 4.0Lake Tekapo to Mt Cook One-Way Small Group TourFrom $865 reviews
★ 5.0Private Photoshoot in Lake Tekapo3 reviews
★ 4.3Ultimate Stargazing ExperienceFrom $11812 reviews
★ 4.5Virtual Stargazing and Astronomy ExperienceFrom $528 reviews
★ 4.8Lake Tekapo Fishing TourFrom $19610 reviews
★ 4.9Glaciers, Mountains, and Landscapes Scenic TourFrom $20815 reviews
★ 4.9Lake Tekapo Scenic 4WD Cass Valley Wilderness TourFrom $20813 reviews
★ 4.61.5-Hour Hot Pools & Stargazing ExperienceFrom $11111 reviews

Keep browsing

Milford Sound Cruises106Hobbiton Movie Set Tours105Māori Cultural Tours83Helicopter Tours98Wine Tours184Waitomo Tours104
Scroll to Top

Explore New Zealand

Pick a coastline, a crater rim or a cellar door.

On the water

Milford SoundWhale WatchingSea KayakingSailingEvery Boat Trip

Up high

Helicopter FlightsScenic FlightsSnow LandingsSkydivingBungy

Underground and thermal

Waitomo CavesThermal ParksWai-O-TapuHot PoolsStargazing

Culture and film

Maori CultureHobbitonWeta WorkshopMuseumsWine Tours