Mount John Summit Stargazing

Overview

This tour takes you up Mount John, the hill that sits above Lake Tekapo and hosts a working astronomical observatory at its 1,029-metre summit. The experience includes exclusive access to the summit, reached by a transfer from the Dark Sky Project base at 1 Motuariki Lane, placing you inside the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, an area with very dark skies. The whole outing runs 1 hour 45 minutes, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the package.

The evening is structured in two halves. First the guide, an astronomer, teaches you to read the Southern Hemisphere sky with the naked eye, pointing out constellations, planets and features with a handheld laser. Then the group moves to high-powered telescopes for close views of star clusters, nebulae, planets and, on some nights, distant galaxies. Reviewers regularly mention Saturn as a highlight, and several describe the guides as knowledgeable and engaging.

It suits travellers aged ten and over who are comfortable walking about 100 metres up a gravel incline and climbing a couple of steps in the dark. Tours run in Japanese, English and Chinese, and you need to speak the tour language you book, for safety reasons. Cold weather jackets are provided at check-in, but warm clothing underneath is recommended at any time of year.

Itinerary

1. Check in at Dark Sky ProjectMeet at 1 Motuariki Lane, Lake Tekapo. Extreme cold weather jackets are handed out at check-in.
2. Transfer to Mount John summitA vehicle takes the group from the base up to the 1,029-metre summit.
3. Naked-eye sky tourThe guide leads you through the Southern Hemisphere sky with the naked eye, using handheld lasers to point out constellations, planets and celestial features.
4. Telescope viewingThe group looks through high-powered telescopes and an observatory dome at targets such as star clusters, nebulae and planets.
5. Return transferTransport back to the Dark Sky Project base is included, completing the round trip.

Common Questions