Private Day Trip Via Tekapo

Mt. Cook Private Day Trip From Christchurch Via Lake Tekapo

15 reviews

from $195.72 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 30 minutes
Meeting point: Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Run by: Kiwi Adventures Tour & Travel

Overview

This private day trip run by Kiwi Adventures Tour & Travel leaves Christchurch at 07:00 from the Novotel on Cathedral Square and heads inland towards Aoraki/Mt. Cook, with stops strung out along the way. The vehicle and the guide are yours alone: the booking page describes a specialized guide, a professional driver, a private vehicle and a meet and greet, and only your group takes part. Total time on the road and on the ground is 13.5 hours.

The route breaks up the long drive with short stops in Geraldine and Fairlie before reaching Lake Tekapo for a 40 minute visit. From there it continues to Lake Pukaki for 20 minutes, then to an hour at Tasman Glacier, 30 minutes on the Hooker Valley Track, and an hour at Mt. Cook Village. The return leg passes Lake Tekapo again for 20 minutes and stops in Geraldine for 10 minutes before the day ends back at the meeting point in Christchurch.

It suits travellers who want Mt. Cook and the lakes along the way without driving themselves or joining a shared coach. The pace is manageable for most people, pushchairs are fine and infant seats are available, though the tour is not wheelchair accessible. Meals are not included, so budget for food or bring your own for the day.

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

What's Included

Included

Specalized guide
Professional Driver
Private Vehicle
Clean and comfortable vehicle
Meet & Greet
Adventures Activity-Hiking/Trekking

Not Included

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Itinerary

Meet in ChristchurchMeet at the Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square at 07:00. The guide contacts travellers beforehand to confirm the pickup point and timing, and finds them with a name display.
Geraldine stopA 10 minute stop in Geraldine, free to wander, on the way inland.
Fairlie stopA 20 minute stop in Fairlie.
Lake TekapoA 40 minute stop at Lake Tekapo on the drive towards the mountains.
Lake PukakiA 20 minute stop at Lake Pukaki.
Tasman GlacierOne hour at Tasman Glacier, with hiking and trekking activity included.
Hooker Valley TrackA 30 minute portion on the Hooker Valley Track.
Mt. Cook VillageOne hour at Mt. Cook Village.
Return via TekapoThe drive back includes a 20 minute stop at Lake Tekapo and a 10 minute stop in Geraldine, ending at the original meeting point in Christchurch.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the booking page are worth knowing before you book a day this long.

Where this tour sits among 5 tours in Christchurch Day Trips listed here (from-price per person, USD)

Lunch Included, Wi-Fi On Board$144
Day Tour, Lunch Included$153
Small Group, Lunch Included$169.62
The Nature's Trail Day Trip$190.04
Private Day Trip Via Tekapo (this tour)$195.72

Long day out. The tour runs 13.5 hours with a 07:00 start. Bring something to keep you comfortable on the drives between stops.
Food not included. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all excluded. Plan to bring your own food for the day or check the booking page about options along the route.
Private group. Only your group participates. You get a dedicated guide, a professional driver and a clean, comfortable vehicle, plus a meet and greet at the start.
Walking involved. The booking page includes hiking and trekking activity as part of the day. Most travellers can participate, and the time at each stop is set out in the itinerary.
Weather dependent. The experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled for poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
Family friendly. Pushchairs are accessible and infant seats are available. The meeting point is near public transportation, though the tour is not wheelchair accessible.

Ready To BookCheck availability →

Common issues. The main practical limits come from the booking page itself. The day is long, starting at 07:00 and running 13.5 hours, which may not suit every traveller. Meals are not included, so food costs are extra. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and it depends on good weather, with cancellations for poor weather resolved through a different date or a full refund.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The booking page includes a specialized guide, a professional driver, a private vehicle described as clean and comfortable, a meet and greet, and hiking and trekking activity. All listed stops are free admission. It is a private tour, so only your group takes part.

Are Meals Included?

No. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all excluded, so plan to bring your own food or check with the operator about options along the route.

Where Does The Tour Meet And What Time Does It Start?

The meeting point is the Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square, 52 Cathedral Square, Christchurch Central City. The tour starts at 07:00 and ends back at the same point. The guide contacts travellers before the trip to confirm details and finds them with a name display.

Is The Tour Suitable For Children And People With Limited Mobility?

Pushchairs are accessible and infant seats are available, and most travellers can participate. However, the tour is not wheelchair accessible, and it includes hiking and trekking activity as part of the day.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the 07:00 start for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before start time are not refunded or accepted. Cut-off times use the local experience time. If poor weather cancels the tour, you get a different date or a full refund.

How Long Is The Tour And What Stops Does It Make?

The full tour runs 13.5 hours. In order, it stops at Geraldine for 10 minutes, Fairlie for 20 minutes, Lake Tekapo for 40 minutes, Lake Pukaki for 20 minutes, Tasman Glacier for an hour, the Hooker Valley Track for 30 minutes, and Mt. Cook Village for an hour, with a second 20 minute Tekapo stop and a 10 minute Geraldine stop on the way back.