Mt Cook & Tasman Glacier lookout Small Group Tour from Queenstown
Description
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park on this unforgettable small-group adventure from Queenstown. Travel through spectacular South Island landscapes as your knowledgeable guide shares stories and insights along the way. Journey through dramatic alpine scenery including the rugged Kawarau Gorge and the sweeping views of Lindis Pass, with scenic stops at iconic locations such as the vibrant turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki. You may also visit local favourites like High Country Salmon and seasonal fruit stalls. At Mt Cook National Park, enjoy free time to explore this remarkable alpine environment. Walk to the Tasman Glacier lookout for panoramic views of New Zealand’s largest glacier, glacial lakes, and towering peaks. NOTE: The Hooker Valley Track is currently closed beyond Müller Lookout while the Department of Conservation replaces one of the bridges. This section still offers beautiful views, with the full track expected to reopen in Autumn 2026.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)!
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.
You will have approximately 2.5 - 3 hours of free time. Take a scenic walk to the Tasman Glacier viewpoint, where you’ll witness the vast scale of New Zealand’s longest glacier. The trail offers incredible views of the ice-covered valley, Tasman Lake, and surrounding mountains.
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.
During summer months when the sun is still up and 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.
Sadly the tour must come to an end as we re-enter Queenstown and say our goodbyes.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
*If no pickup is selected at time of booking, you will be allocated our default meeting point (The Station - Home of Adventure). You are welcome to update this at any time. If your location isn’t listed, please choose your nearest available option & meet us there. *Pick-ups can begin up to 20 minutes before the tour departure time, depending on location. To ensure a smooth start, please be ready and waiting outside 5 minute prior to your specific pickup time. *Pick-up locations are carefully planned for each tour and may vary by day. If your pick-up location changes, kindly inform us in advance. *Our guides make multiple stops and may arrive within a 10-minute window. We are unable to wait for late guests.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- A large amount of walking is involved. Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
Reviews(328)
This was the best tour that I booked via Klook. I had minimal expectations as I know Klook tours are very squeezed and tour guides are just okay. But SHU was very friendly and very accomodating to all of us. She gives ample time for us to explore each places that’s part of the tour. This was my most satisfied tour ever! More powers to you Shu!
The tour guide/driver was lovely. Even though the road was closed due to the weather, the refund was processed promptly, and we still enjoyed some lovely stops along the way.
This would be by far my best tour ever! And I get to have the front seat during the trip. Our tour guide and driver by the name of Jason - he is nothing but awesome and very cool during our entire trip. He is very knowledgeable and knows Queenstown, Aoraki Mount Cook and other places we've been to very much. I also miss that music playlist that you have, Jason. Lol. Anyway, I joined the Mount Cook and Tasman Glacier tour. Our itinerary was ticked off and all completed which made my trip even more memorable. We had a couple of stopovers wherein we were able to take photos and selfies especially during the drive to Mount Cook. The view there was nothing but Amazing! He also shared about the story of Shrek the sheep. Snacks and water provided and he kept us well fed and hydrated. Also, the weather cooperated very much during our trip. I cannot recommend Cheeky Kiwi Travel enough and especially Jason who made the trip, us his passengers safe and relaxed and enjoyed this whole excursion. I will surely book my future travels soon with Cheeky Kiwi. Cheers!
We have a very good day for this tour. The scenery is super and gorgeous. It can be rated number 2 for us. The driver is knowledgeable. We really happy that we can enjoy this fantastic view.
The tour guide Mr.Paul is very friendly and helpful, please teach him anything that can get a kind response, today's ice trip is full, every attraction is explained very clearly, the emphasis is always with a smile, make people feel safe, and the best driving technology.
We had an amazing experience on the Mt Cook and Tasman Glacier tour with Cheeky Kiwi. The pick-up was punctual and well-organised, making the day stress-free from the start. Our tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and shared interesting information throughout the journey, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The places we visited were absolutely breathtaking, and every stop was worth it.I would highly recommend Cheeky Kiwi to anyone looking to explore the beauty of Mt Cook and Tasman Glacier.
Our guide was absolutely awesome on the Mount Cook & Tasman Valley tour! Her energy, enthusiasm, and positive attitude made the whole experience even more enjoyable. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and kept everyone engaged throughout the trip. The scenery was breathtaking, and her interesting commentary and excellent organization made the day seamless. Thank you for making this such a memorable experience. Highly recommended!"
Thank you for your lovely feedback about our guide and your memorable trip. We are so happy you had such a good time. Thank you for travelling with us
Sonya was a very good driver and tour guide. The entire experience was amazing. Tasman glacier. Scenic bus ride. Helicopter and airplane ride. All epic and unforgettable
What a great trip you have had by the sound of it. We are happy about that. Thank you for your great feedback. It is appreciated
We had a great day. Weather was perfect and there was snow on the mountain tops but our guide Jeff made the day super special. His commentary and knowledge on just about everything was next to none and we learnt so much about New Zealand. He really did make our day
Jeff is truly special, and we're so glad he made your day at Mt Cook so memorable! Thank you for this glowing review and for taking the time to share your experience. We really appreciate you choosing to travel with us, and we sincerely hope to welcome you back again!
Late for around 10-15 mins, except this, all are excellent!
Hello so glad you enjoyed your day. Thank you for travelling with Cheeky Kiwi.
