Lake Tekapo Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Lake Tekapo. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo, and Tasman Glacier Tour From Christchurch

• Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour

• Mt. Cook & Tekapo Day Tour From Christchurch (Lunch Included)

• Queenstown to Christchurch One-Way Tour via Mt. Cook & Lake Tekapo

• Silver River Stargazing Experience in Lake Tekapo

It’s free to visit both Lake Tekapo and the village that bears its name. However, many travelers choose to experience the area on tours. Stargazing adventures in the dark sky reserve start at around US$60, while sightseeing trips from Christchurch that also include Mt. Cook start around US$155.

Yes, Lake Tekapo is well worth visiting. Backed by often snowcapped mountains and home to the striking Church of the Good Shepherd, the lake and shoreline are beautiful by day. However, the setting is arguably even more spectacular after dark because it's part of the southern hemisphere's largest dark sky reserve. Consider joining a stargazing tour to appreciate the southern skies at night.

Per one customer who booked the Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour, "We were incredibly lucky to witness the strongest solar storm in more than 20 years, which meant we were able to enjoy the Aurora Australis throughout the entire tour—an unforgettable experience. Beautiful photos of us and the night sky were taken and later shared with us. We were well taken care of with warm blankets on a cold night, delicious hot chocolate, and even roasted marshmallows by the fire at the end."

Two days is an ideal amount of time to spend at Lake Tekapo. You can visit the relaxing Tekapo Springs, stargaze at night, and go hiking, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding, among other active adventures. Lake Tekapo is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, so it’s worth waiting for a clear night.

The main attraction between Lake Tekapo and Aoraki/ Mount Cook is Lake Pukaki. State Highway 8 passes along its southern shore, where there’s a scenic viewpoint. Then, State Highway 80 runs north up the western coast of Lake Pukaki to Aoraki/ Mount Cook Village. There are more viewpoints along the way.

Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo are beautiful places, but Lake Pukaki might have the edge. Lake Tekapo has a small town on its southern shore, but Lake Pukaki is less developed. And while the highway just skirts the south shore of Lake Tekapo, the road to Aoraki/ Mount Cook travels the length of its western shore.

There are good reasons to stay at both Lake Tekapo and Twizel. Lake Tekapo offers more accommodation and dining options, as well as activities and beautiful views directly from the small town. Twizel is further from any lake, so it is less scenic but more convenient if traveling to or from Queenstown without going via Aoraki.

The best seasons to visit Lake Tekapo are late spring and early summer (November–December). The weather may be a little wet, but temperatures will be mild, and colorful wildflowers, especially lupines, will be in bloom. Midsummer is warm but busier with tourists, autumn is generally pleasant, and winter is beautiful but cold.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Lake Tekapo. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Christchurch:

• Lake Pukaki

• Christchurch Gondola

• TranzAlpine Train

• International Antarctic Centre

• Arthur's Pass National Park

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Christchurch.