Day Tour, Lunch Included

From Christchurch: Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour & Lunch

★ 4.7 467 reviews

from $153 per person

Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Duration: 13 hours
Meeting point: Christchurch hotel pickup
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Cheeky Kea Tours

Overview

This is a full-day, small-group run from Christchurch to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and back, operated by Cheeky Kea Tours in a Mercedes Sprinter. Thirteen hours is the honest number, and about eight of those are driving. The payoff is roughly two and a half hours at Mount Cook itself, where you pick between the Hooker Valley Track, a mostly flat 10km walk to a glacial lake, or the Tasman Glacier Walk with some uphill.

The route runs across the Canterbury Plains to the Fairlie Bakehouse, famous for its pies, which you buy yourself. Then comes Lake Tekapo, followed by a stop at glacier-fed Lake Pukaki with mountain views. On the way home there are short breaks at Tekapo again and at Rakaia.

Hotel pickup and drop-off from central Christchurch is included, along with a pre-ordered picnic lunch from a local bakery, snacks, bottled water, onboard WiFi and USB charging. Groups cap at 11 guests, and the carbon-neutral operation is part of the pitch. One reviewer ranked Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki among the most beautiful places they had seen in their world travels.

Three travellers in light jackets stand on a stony Lake Tekapo beach, looking across turquoise water toward snow-streaked mountains.

What's Included

Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off from central Christchurch
Transportation in modern Mercedes Sprinter with air conditioning
Expert local guide with live commentary (English)
Pre-ordered picnic lunch (roll, slice or muffin) from a local bakery
Bottled water and Kiwi snacks
Free WiFi and USB charging on board
Small-group tour (maximum 11 guests)
Carbon-neutral tour

Not Included

Fairlie Bakehouse pies (available to purchase on tour)
Scenic helicopter flights (available to book separately)
Entry to Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre (available to book separately)
Gratuities

Small coach driving the Mackenzie road toward the turquoise water of Lake Tekapo.

Itinerary

Christchurch pickupPickup from 13 central Christchurch locations, including hotels and the Bus Interchange on Lichfield St, between 6:15 and 6:40 AM. Exact time is confirmed 24 hours before the tour.
GeraldineA short optional 5-minute break on the drive south.
Fairlie BakehouseA 10-minute stop at the well-known bakery. Pies are purchased at your own expense.
Lake Tekapo15 minutes for a photo stop and sightseeing, with scenic views on the way in.
Lake Pukaki10-minute stop for photos of the glacier-fed lake and mountain views.
Aoraki Mount Cook2.5 hours of free time. Choose the Hooker Valley Track or the Tasman Glacier Walk. The booking page warns you may not finish a track in full within the time allowed. Scenic helicopter flights and the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre cost extra.
Return via Tekapo and RakaiaA 10-minute break at Lake Tekapo and another 10-minute break at Rakaia on the drive back. Estimated arrival in Christchurch is between 6:30 and 7:00 PM.

GuideIncluded

PickupIncluded

What To Expect From The Tour

A day like this rewards a bit of preparation. The booking page and recent reviews point to a few things worth sorting before you board.

Long day, real drive. Budget a full 13 hours with about 8 hours on the road. One reviewer called it a huge day but worth it, and reviewers often praise the guides' commentary on the drive.
Pick your walk. Hooker Valley is 10km, takes 2 to 2.5 hours and is mostly flat. Tasman Glacier takes a similar time with some uphill. The booking page warns a track may not be finished in full within the time allowed.
Mountain clothing. Bring comfortable walking shoes, warm layers and a waterproof jacket. The tour runs in all weather except road closures, so mountain conditions can mean sun, wind or rain in a single day.

A small-town main street in Fairlie in the morning, plain shopfronts, a parked station wagon and hills beyond.

Food and cash. Lunch is a pre-ordered roll, slice or muffin from a local bakery, with vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options if you contact the provider after booking. Bring extra cash for Fairlie Bakehouse pies. One reviewer said the food was so plentiful there were leftovers.
Small group feel. The van takes a maximum of 11 guests. Reviewers describe guides who are friendly, knowledgeable and keep the day well organised.
Photo stops. Most stops before Mount Cook run 10 to 15 minutes, though the optional Geraldine break is only 5 minutes. The long stop is at Mount Cook itself, so save your best camera work for there.

Ready To BookCheck availability →

Common issues. It is a long day, with about 8 hours of driving, and some travellers feel the Hooker Valley Track deserves more than the allotted window, which the booking page acknowledges may not be enough to finish a track. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and moderate fitness is recommended. Fairlie Bakehouse pies, helicopter flights and the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre all cost extra. If road closures stop the tour running, travellers are offered a refund for the affected booking.

Common Questions

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from central Christchurch is included, with 13 pickup options listed, including the Bus Interchange on Lichfield St. Pickup runs between 6:15 and 6:40 AM, and your exact time is confirmed 24 hours before departure.

What Is Included In The Price?

Transport in a Mercedes Sprinter, an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, a pre-ordered picnic lunch, bottled water, Kiwi snacks, onboard WiFi and USB charging are all included. The tour is carbon-neutral and limited to 11 guests.

Do I Have To Pay Extra For Anything?

Yes. Fairlie Bakehouse pies, scenic helicopter flights, entry to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre and gratuities are not included. Bring extra cash for the bakery stop.

How Hard Are The Walks At Mount Cook?

The Hooker Valley Track is 10km, takes 2 to 2.5 hours and is mostly flat. The Tasman Glacier Walk takes a similar time with some uphill sections. Moderate fitness is recommended, and you may not finish a track in the time available.

Is The Tour Suitable For People With Limited Mobility?

It is not suitable for wheelchair users. That said, one reviewer described a guide helping their mother, who has difficulty walking, safely back down from the hike, so it is worth discussing your needs with the operator before booking.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour operates in all weather except road closures, and if closures prevent it running you are offered a refund for the affected booking.