The 15 Best Aoraki Mount Cook Tours & Day Trips

Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour from Christchurch - Lake Tekapo and the little stone church

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 483 reviews · from $146Our pick

Travel from Christchurch to Aoraki Mount Cook with an English-speaking guide such as Anuj or AJ. Visit Lake Tekapo, the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Pukaki, and Tasman Glacier, with about 2.5 hours for lunch and a self-guided walk.

“A long, tiring trip. The 30-minute stopover in Lake Tekapo wasn't enough, we wanted to stay longer 😅. However, we reached Mt. Cook on a beautiful day, and the scenic view of Blue Lake and Tasman Glacier made it all worthwhile. The driver/guide was very nice and offered snacks along the way.”

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Mount Cook: Scenic Helicopter Flight with Alpine Landing

2.Scenic Helicopter Flight with Alpine Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 442 reviews · 25 min · from $226

Fly from Mount Cook Aerodrome over the Tasman Valley and a blue glacier lake, then land among the Southern Alps with pilot commentary. The small group holds up to six people. Snow landings happen about 95% of the year, but summer conditions can change that.

“Helicopter and Mark were amazing. Mark was very informative and the alpine landing was awesome. We loved every minute of it.”

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Mt Cook Small Group Scenic Day Tour from Queenstown

3.Mt Cook Small Group Scenic Day Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 407 reviews · from $164Top rated

Travel from Queenstown to Aoraki/Mt Cook in a small group of up to 15 people. Your guide handles the long drive while you enjoy Kawarau Gorge, Lindis Pass, Lake Pukaki, alpine walks, and free time for optional activities. The Hooker Valley Track is currently closed beyond Müller Lookout.

“The tour guide was very informative and professional. He made sure we did not miss out on anything. Great job Philip. We travelled all the way from Australia and it was great that the tour company was in regular touch with us regarding our pick up and drop off location, reminders and so on.”

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Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and Tasman Glacier Tour from Christchurch

4.Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and Tasman Glacier Tour from Christchurch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 353 reviews · from $155

Travel from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki and Aoraki Mount Cook in a small group of up to 20. Guide Anuj is often assigned, with snacks, WiFi and commentary on board. You get about 2.5 hours in the national park for lunch and the Tasman Glacier walk.

“It was an amazing day! We saw so many amazing things. The scenery was breathtaking! The day just got better!”

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From Christchurch: Mt Cook Day Tour & Lake Tekapo

5.Mt Cook Day Tour & Lake Tekapo

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 331 reviews · from $175

Travel from Christchurch to Aoraki Mt Cook in a small group with an English-speaking guide such as Joseph, Mark, or Will. Stop at Fairlie Bakehouse, Lake Tekapo, and Lake Pukaki, then choose a village visit or short walk. Lunch, snacks, WiFi, USB charging, and hotel pickup are included.

“Despite not being able to make it to the final destination due to weather, the guide and company were extremely hospitable. From pick-up to drop-off was smooth and efficient. The guide was wonderful, and the lunch was just amazing. Even despite the closure, they attempted to fulfill our heart's desire. All in all, an amazing and wonderful company. I will definately utilize their services when (and yes, I mean when) I come back.”

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From Queenstown: Mt Cook & Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Day Tour

6.Mt Cook & Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 329 reviews · from $146

Travel from Queenstown to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park with guides such as Colin, Kim, Ted, or Mairi. Expect a long scenic drive, stops at Lindis Pass and Lake Pukaki, a walk toward Tasman Glacier, snacks, and roughly three hours for local tracks.

“good time and great views a must see in south island”

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

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

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

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”

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Mount Cook: Ski Plane and Helicopter Glacier Combo Flight

8.Ski Plane and Helicopter Glacier Combo Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 271 reviews · 45 min · from $328

You’ll fly over the Tasman Valley by ski plane and helicopter, land on the upper Tasman Glacier, and return to Mount Cook Airport. English-speaking pilots provide commentary, though the amount can vary. Bring a phone or camera, but leave every bag behind.

“Cool. The pilots are very helpful and friendly. I am not tall and both pilots help me up and down the ski plane and helicopter. Bravo to them. Thank you very much. I have a wonderful day.”

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Queenstown: Small Group Mt Cook Day Tour

9.Small Group Mt Cook Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 262 reviews · 12 hours · from $166

Travel from Queenstown to Aoraki Mount Cook in a premium Mercedes van with an English-speaking guide such as James, Chelsea, or Stuart. Stop at Lindis Pass, Omarama, and Lake Pukaki, then choose a hike, village visit, helicopter flight, or Glacier Explorer boat tour during 3.5 hours at Mt Cook.

“Great trip! Our tour guide James from Altitude is very nice and knowledgeable.”

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Mount Cook: 3-Hour Tasman Glacier Helicopter Ride and Hike

10.3-Hour Tasman Glacier Helicopter Ride and Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 235 reviews · 3 hours · from $537

You’ll fly from Mount Cook Airport to a remote part of Tasman Glacier, then spend up to two hours following guides such as Hunter, Anna, or Tori through blue ice, moulins, and tunnels. Boots, crampons, wool socks, and waterproof gear are supplied, with two scenic helicopter flights included.

“Enjoyed hiking around, going down in the hole having family pictures to remember. Hunter was a great guide. However, wish we stayed more as group so we could hear more information about glaciers”

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Mount Cook: 3 Hour Heli Hike to the Tasman Glacier

11.3 Hour Heli Hike to the Tasman Glacier

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 218 reviews · 3 hours · from $564

From Mount Cook Airport, you’ll fly over Tasman Glacier Lake, land on the glacier, and spend two hours exploring ice formations with crampons. Guides such as Kerry, Scott, Maddie, and Jess have been praised for clear instruction, glacier knowledge, and careful support.

“Magnificent views with breathtaking experience, a professional glacier hiking guidance of Kerry, a great pilot with smooth helicopter ride. A 7 stars journey.”

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Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mount Cook from Queenstown

12.Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour of Mount Cook from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 218 reviews · from $173

Travel from Queenstown to Aoraki/Mount Cook in a small group of up to 15 people with guides such as Beth, Kevin, James, and Ana. Expect Lindis Pass, Lake Pukaki, about 3.5 hours at Mount Cook Village, optional walks, WiFi, and commentary throughout the day.

“Very fun interactive trip! Our guide Sean was brilliant very informative and friendly. Very good knowledge of history and areas we visited. The views were outstanding, Hooker Valley walk was beautiful, walk was worth all the views! Walk mostly flat with some stairs. Brilliant day over all!”

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Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour from Christchurch with Lunch

13.Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour from Christchurch with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 217 reviews · from $185

Leave Christchurch at 7:00 am in a small Mercedes Sprinter for a full day through the Canterbury Plains and Mackenzie Country. Stop at Fairlie Bakehouse, Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, and Aoraki Mount Cook. Guides such as Jess, Joseph, Will, and James add local insight, with a choice of the Hooker Valley or Tasman Glacier walk.

“We had great trip and never experienced such a natural beauty. Weather was fantastic and we managed to Mount cook in her full beauty. Guide Phil was helpful”

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From Queenstown: Mount Cook Scenic Day Tour

14.Mount Cook Scenic Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 210 reviews · 12 hours · from $158

Travel from Queenstown to Aoraki/Mt Cook in a small group with an English-speaking guide such as Jeff, Ollie, or Shane. Expect a long but scenic 12-hour day, photo stops at Lindis Pass and Lake Pukaki, three hours near Mount Cook, optional paid flights or glacier activities, snacks, and hotel pickup.

“We went to Mount Cook on the 13th of September. Our guide was very accomodating and flexible with our wishes as a family. We went on a helicopter she kindly organised for us and then took us to the Aoraki Village and the Hooker Valley track. We had a little one so we opted to reach the Muller lookout with our limited time. Overall, it was such a memorable day!”

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From Christchurch: Queenstown via Tekapo & Mt Cook Day Trip

15.Queenstown via Tekapo & Mt Cook Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 167 reviews · 13 hours · from $238

Travel from Christchurch to Queenstown in a small group of up to 15, with stops at Fairlie Bakehouse, Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, Aoraki Mount Cook, High Country Salmon, Lindis Pass, and Kawarau Gorge. Expect two vans, a pre-ordered bakery lunch, friendly English-speaking guides, and a very full 13-hour day.

“The trip was amazing throughout, drive was long but the driver (I think his name was Will) had some awesome facts to tell us was very informative and the way he approached it also showed his genuine interest and enthusiasm about the geographical and historical context, although a cloudy day he made sure to get us a nice view and even changed up the stops for the better so we could get better photos and see more. The food was really good glad it was fresh and from a local bakery, the amount of stops was great toilet and food breaks spaced out well. We travelled through to Queenstown this…”

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