Mount Cook

Photo taken by: Arno Daniel (Flying Kiwi Traveller)

Mount Cook tours

Mount Cook - Tour Highlights

Wake up at our wilderness camp at Lake Pukaki and on a clear day, you’ll be captivated with Aoraki/Mount Cook standing high, piercing the clouds in the distance. Aoraki/Mount Cook (meaning cloud piercer) is our highest mountain in New Zealand and, due to the movement of our tectonic plates it’s growing every year, currently around 3,750 metres high.

We enjoy the morning drive into Mt Cook National Park to Hooker Valley where a rewarding and scenic walk awaits. Hooker Valley Walk is achievable for all and has brilliant alpine scenery, including sights of a glacier! The highlight is definitely the viewing platform where you can see a glacier lake, the face of Mt Cook and the Southern Alps - People in fact are so impressed that often there’s an air of silence.

One third of this National Park is permanently covered in snow with virtually zero flat flat - makes it actually a pretty epic place for climbers from all over the world to base themselves at. It’s common to hear snowfall or avalanches while walking this trail but don’t worry, these are often echos from a snow fall higher up in the park.

Time spent here while on a Flying Kiwi tour:

During our Summer (Oct-Apr) we spend the morning and Winter (July-Aug) tours we spend 1 night here

Tours that take you here:

BOTH ISLAND TOURS:    SOUTH ISLAND TOURS:    WINTER TOURS:
Ultimate Explorer - 27 or 28 days      Summer Blast - 16, 17 or 19 days    Alpine Explorer - 9 days 
Total Aotearoa - 24 days Southern Light - 9 or 10 days Ski & Snow Explorer - 6 days 
Grand Traverse - 15 days     


Where we stay: 

Winter Tours
Aoraki Alpine Lodge – There is probably no other accommodation so friendly and warm as this so close to our highest mountain, Aoraki/Mt. Cook. The Hooker Valley Track is within walking distance!

- Wireless internet
- Laundry
- Small shop

 

hooker valley track boardwalk mt cook

Hiking Options:

Hooker Valley - Walk to the base of the mountain following the trail up (3 hours return) crossing swinging bridges and enjoying the beautiful views. The trail finishes in the glacial lake fed by the Hooker Valley Glacier, which stands in front of you.

Cycle Options:

Alps to Ocean Trail - After hiking in the incredible Hooker Valley you have the option of enjoying a trail ride leading to yet another lake in the Mackenzie country, this ride will farewell the snow-capped Alps and take you into the start of the Waitaki Valley.