Mt Cook Small Group Scenic Day Tour from Queenstown
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
South Island, New Zealand
- 13 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
What's Included
- Small Group and Fully Guided Tour
- Water available & snacks provided
- Gratuities
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- Lunch - opportunities to purchase along the way.
- Guided Hikes - these is to be self guided
- **Hooker Valley Track is currently CLOSED. Expected to re open in Autumn 2026**
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Operating hours.6:30 am
Itinerary
Queenstown (Pass By)
Kawarau Suspension Bridge (Pass By)
1
Cromwell
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Lindis Pass
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Omarama Sheep Statue
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Lake Pukaki
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
6
High Country Salmon
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Jackson Orchards
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
8
Queenstown
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- A moderate amount of walking is involved.
- Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
- Children aged 7 years and below are required to travel in a child safety car seat. If you don't have a car seat one can be provided (with 24 hours’ notice) for NZ$20 per seat
- **Please note: the Hooker Valley Track is currently CLOSED while the Department of Conservation works on replacing one of the swing bridges. This is expected to be complete in Autumn 2026 so the track will be inaccessible to the public until then**
- **Please note - for flight options, our airline partner has a fuel surcharge of NZ$20 per person in place until further notice. This is to be paid directly to the airline upon check-in **
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Lilly_W
We had a great time on our Mt Cook tour! Our guide, Noah, was very insightful and shared so much interesting information along the way. The pickup and drop-off were easy and convenient, making the whole experience stress-free. There were also plenty of fantastic photo opportunities throughout the day.
Highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to explore Mt Cook!
Reviews
4.9
based on 418 reviews
Katy_T, Mar 2026
Saw allot of beautiful country and was lucky to get a cloudless day.
Like the planned stops, but felt rushed each time we stopped. One couple who took the optional helicopter trip returned late and held up the rest of the tour group for over a half-hour so we were shorted at one of the planned stops.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your comments. We will see what caused the helicopter to be late. They are usually very good but it was beyond our driver's control. Sometimes weather plays a part because you are in the mountains. We hope that you enjoyed the rest of your day and thank you for travelling with us.
Borislav_Z, Feb 2026
Beautiful tour. Young lady Kate was professional. We had a perfect weather. We were really close to the Mt. Cook!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your nice feedback about Kate. So glad you had a great trip.
Michael_P, Feb 2026
Our guide has been in the area for only 4 months, therefore has limited knowledge about the area. However he did his best. We had prearranged a helicopter trip on our way and the guide dropped us off at the heliport and picked us up again after the flight. We were hoping to learn more about the area but it was not to be.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Kia ora Michael,
Thank for your honest feedback!
We are so sorry to hear that the knowledge of our guide was lacking on this day. We will remove our guide from this tour until they have built a better knowledge base and can perform to our usual standard.
Our sincere apologies that we were not able to to meet your expectations on this tour and truly hope that you gathered some beautiful memories of the area nonetheless.
Thank again!
Lillian_C, Feb 2026
This was such a fun day trip! The group size isn’t too large and the bus was pretty comfortable. Dean was the guide I had and he had so much info to share with us during the whole trip. I liked that we got time to do a little walking/easy hiking during this trip because the views were stunning and it was just nice to move after sitting for long periods of time. Did the trip solo and met some really nice people. Would recommend!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your lovely feedback. We are so glad you had such a great day. Thank you for travelling with us at Cheeky Kiwi
Naomi_Z, Feb 2026
I would recommend a trip to Mt Cook. I would not recommend traveling with Chreky Kiwi.
Lindis pass was pretty but there was no information on how long we'd be there, so we ended up sitting at the van waiting for everyone.
We sat at a non- picturesque coffee shop for 40 minutes. We dropped 2 people off for a helicopter visit - took 15 minutes. Then finally got a 40 minute okay hike followed by the highlight 50 minute hike. Based on the description of the trip I thought we'd have 2-3 hours to hike as wanted, but that was not the case. Followed by another 54 minutes waiting for our two guests to land from their helicopter trip.
So more time waiting for people than actually hiking.
And the van - less room than an economy airplane seat with thin cushions allowing the metal to poke through.
Recommendations to Cheeky Kiwi:
Re-phrase the advertisement away from 2-3 hours on your own and driver will take care of you. Should state the actual movement. Ideally cut the first hike and just allow full length at the main trailhead.
Somehow better coordination with the helicopters.
Shorter coffee stop. I can sit in a coffee shop anywhere without spending hundreds on a tour.
When letting people off for a break, give a time to be back at the bus and stick to it.
Cooler for waters?
Again, the area is really pretty and I wish I could have had more time to actually appreciate it on a trail rather than sitting in parking lots.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Kia ora Naomi,
We are super sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations. This does not sound like our usual standard!
We take this feedback seriously and have been in touch with the guide to ensure better communication on timings through the day.
The helicopter experience is out of our control and can be impacted by weather, we are sorry to hear that they did not advise us of this delay. We will ensure they notify us of delays going forwards.
There are many trails in Aoraki, most of them you have to drive between. With the Hooker valley currently closed (as advertised) the 2-3 hours available for hiking includes a drive between shorter trails.
We sincerely apologise for your diminished experience due to waiting times on the day.
Thanks again for choosing Cheeky, hoping you enjoy your New Zealand experience :)
Georsadd_G, Jan 2026
Our guide/driver was great. He did drive quite fast at times (he mentioned he previously worked in emergency services). Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see Mt Cook due to cloud cover, but the national park is still very scenic.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Kia ora!
Thanks for your review.
Looks like you had a good day in Aoraki National Park.
Its unfortunate that there are days when you can't see the top of the Southern Alps and MT Cook, but the hikes down the Hooker Valley and intoi the Tasman lake are still very beautiful!
Thanks for travelling with The Cheeky Kiwi Travel team!
Bonnie_J, Jan 2026
Too long. Another traveler in our group described it as boring. Changes are needed. Skip the salmon place for sure. Most of us just wanted to get back to Queenstown.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Kia ora!
Thanks for your review.
The day is a long day, but gives you about 3 hours in the Mt Cook national park to enjoy the walks and hikes.
Most people really enjoy the salmon farm, feasting on the fresh Sushi and Sushimi.
There is also a regular cafe with lots of enjoyable pastries and drinks, having bathroom there as well makes it a great place to to recharge after some of the hikes.
The Salmon farm is on the itinerary, but we do realise that with a small group of people, not every stop may be to everyones taste.
We will take this information on board when reviewing our tour operations!
Thanks for travelling with the Cheeky Kiwi Travel team
Bob_S, Jan 2026
Joe was a great tour guide and knowledgeable about the area and history of New Zealand. The hikes were challenging enough and we were rewarded with some great vistas. We were able to make several other interesting stops.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hello - We are glad that you enjoyed your trip with Joe and Cheeky Kiwi. One of the things about challenge is the reward isn't it and it is such a beautiful country to see. Enjoy the rest of your visit here.
Ramzi_B, Jan 2026
The views throughout the trip were amazing and our tour guide Jonathan brought such joyous energy. Despite the heavy overcast, Mount Cook was spectacular. The highlight of the tour was undoubtedly the Tasman Glacier. Definitely recommend!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Such spectacular scenery isn't it. We are so lucky to live in this beautiful country and to be able to show it to our visitors. We are so happy you had such a great trip. Our guides love to share their knowledge and skills to make your experience even more special. Thank you for travelling with Cheeky Kiwi Travel
Prashant_G, Dec 2025
Wonderful experience , had a great time , beautiful scenery, highly recommend. Entire tour was good.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thanks so much for sharing your holiday with us!
See you next time :)
huiyi_z, Dec 2025
It’s very well organized. Everything goes smoothly!
The driver is very considerate and interesting. It’s a shame I can’t understand all he said otherwise it can be more fun
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Kia ora!
Thanks for your review.
The Aoraki and Tasman valley around Mt Cook is an incredible place to explore. Hikes into the Hooker Valley and Tasman valley provide stunning vistas for photography.
This seemless one day tour into The Mt Cook region is a must for those that like hiking some of the easier trails in Southern Alps.
Thanks for travelling with the Cheeky Kiwi travel team.
Sandy_S, Nov 2025
Absolutely amazing experience with Jeff, our tour guide for the day. There were plenty of bathroom stops and snack stops along the way. The mini bus with 16 passengers is definitely the way to do it. It’s pricier, but the experience and comfort is worth it. During our initial stop at Hooker Valley, where Mt Cook is viewable, there were clouds covering the summit (still gorgeous). We proceeded with the tour, but before we left that area, Jeff changed plans so we could all see the summit without obstructions! Would highly recommend this tour, and if you get Jeff as your guide, I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed a single bit.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thanks for the Glowing review....although I may be a bit biased!
Really glad you had a great day and got some good photos. The group that day was a really friendly group. I think we all made some more friends from all over the world!
Thanks for travelling with Cheeky Jeff and Cheeky Kiwi travel!
Erin_B, Nov 2025
Great way to travel long distance without your own vehicle. Loved the pit stops and sights along the way. Michel is a great guide - friendly and informative. Would recommend for anyone staying in Queenstown that wants to visit Mt. Cook for a day trip. (We LOVED the orchard/ice cream last stop!)
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank so much for choosing Cheeky! We're thrilled that Michel looked after you so well & that you enjoyed that delicious real fruit ice crem too!
Jack_K, Nov 2025
I had an incredible host, Jeff, who went above and beyond to make our experience great. Despite some rain, we still went about our itinerary, and Jeff even substituted alternatives to make sure our trip was fulfilling. He was knowledgeable about the area and its history. I recommend this tour for all.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thanks so much for travelling with us! Jeff is full of knowledge and great ideas, we're glad you had such an incredible day together in Aoraki!
Thanks again :)
Samrat_B, Oct 2025
The tour guide was very informative and professional. He made sure we did not miss out on anything. Great job Philip. We travelled all the way from Australia and it was great that the tour company was in regular touch with us regarding our pick up and drop off location, reminders and so on.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for travelling with us! We're delighted to know that you appreciated our communication from booking to the tour itself!
See you next time :)
Jodie_S, Oct 2025
Spectacular views, great guide. Very weather dependent but we got lucky. Definitely wear good walking shoes.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, we're stoked that you appreciated the skills & experience of our guide ¬t only that, you had some good fortune with the weather!
Thanks again :)
Clinton_H, Sep 2025
It was absolutely a fantastic trip where we had the opportunity to experience all four seasons in New Zealand on the trip and Sonya (Sonja) was a great tour guide that made the tour personable!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thanks for choosing to travel with us and share your experience with Sonya! We're delighted that she made your tour personable & that you got to see the real New Zealand with all of its seasons (in the one day..)!
Thank again :)
Lilly_W, Sep 2025
We had a great time on our Mt Cook tour! Our guide, Noah, was very insightful and shared so much interesting information along the way. The pickup and drop-off were easy and convenient, making the whole experience stress-free. There were also plenty of fantastic photo opportunities throughout the day.
Highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to explore Mt Cook!
Allison_B, Aug 2025
Awesome day. Guide was knowledgeable and accommodating, and added a personal touch with a stop at his local market which was fun to experience.
Lynn_J, Aug 2025
Very good trip. Kristina, our driver and guide, was professional, friendly and knowledgeable. Spectacular scenery.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Yay! Thank you so much for those kind words, we'll be sure to share them with Kristina :)
Safe & happy travels!
Francisco_N, Jul 2025
Lynnette was a wonderful guide on this tour of Mt. Cook. The day was beautiful for the hikes around the area. I appreciated the various stops we made, and the amount of time we had to do our hikes was great.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience!! We're so glad that you had such an excellent time. Lynette sure does how to make the best of an adventure!
Thanks again & see you next time! :)
Lori_R, May 2025
A must do tour! Lynette, our driver and guide, was exeptional. From her remarkable driving skills, her energetic vibes to her great historical commentaries, the trip to Mt Cook was one of a kind! We had an awesome time, Got to do the Hooker Valley Hike and the Tasman Glacier view. Epic! Thanks Lynette, you are amazing!
Response from Host, May 2025
Sounds like Lynette absolutely nailed it on this Mt Cook tour! Her driving skills, energy, and historical commentary really made the experience special for this reviewer. The Hooker Valley Hike and Tasman Glacier view must've been highlights. Great review!
Amelia_K, May 2025
This experience was wonderful, make sure to bring appropriate clothing! Our tour guide was wonderful!
Response from Host, May 2025
Glad to see you had a wonderful time in Aoraki and the Mt cook region. At this time of the year it is recommended to have appropriate clothing for winter conditions. The upside of the that is amazing scenic vistas of the snow capped mountains, and if you are lucky snow in and around the basin.
Our guides are full of information about the activities you can explore around this region and make sure you get to the many photo opportunities that are present. Thanks for travelling with us.
Helga_M, May 2025
A fantastic tour with a wonderful driver and guide, Colin, who provided lots of great information about the region and the sights on the tour. Very well organized and a great ambassador for the area and the country.
Response from Host, May 2025
Looks like a great day out with our guide Colin.
Our tours provide enthusiastic commentary and history of the areas we travel through, providing many photo stops and information of the various walks in the area. Thank you for your review.
Sherri_C, Apr 2025
A wonderful experience, even in the rain. You can't control the weather, right? When we got to the Hooker Pass hike it was raining steadily. Honestly, a three hour hike in the rain isn't so appealing.
But our tour guide suggested a shorter hike nearby with a gorgeous mountain climb (you can do it if I did!) to the peak where you are rewared with a stunning view of the lake. If it wouldn't have been raining, we would have been able to see the glacier in the distance, but it wasn't meant to be.
After the hike, our guide took us back to the hotel while she went to pick up the soaked Hooker Valley hikers.
The burger at the hotel restaurant (more of a cafeteria during the day) was surprisingly good!
All in all, glad I did it!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Hey Sherri!
Oh, I'm so glad that you enjoyed our day up in Mt Cook! You're so very right, we can't control the weather but there is ALWAYS fun to be had if you're looking for it!
Thanks for a great day, so happy to have shared it with you :)
Sarah - your guide (Purchy)
MaryAnn_T, Apr 2025
Our tour guide, Sarah, was fantastic. She was knowledgeable, accommodating, and made sure we were comfortable despite the rain. She offered helpful suggestions for things we could do during the tour, ensuring we had a great experience.
Jill, Apr 2025
Wonderful trip, we loved our guide Jeff’s commentary and stories. He was very attentive to all the guests on his van. He prepared us for our walk through Hooker Valley and we were fortunate enough to have a clear day to see Aoraki/Mount Cook. Great wine suggestions!
Jennifer_P, Apr 2025
This was an incredible day not only for the landscape but also for the conversation - Geoff was a very inspiring tour guide who not only had knowledge about where we were travelling but had experience climbing Aoraki Mt Cook, which just added another element to our tour. Highly recommend this day trip & suggest you don't stop too often for photos on the hike in, but leave that for the way back so you will have enough time to simply sit by the water and soak in the true gift of being in this spectacular place.
Rodolfo_T, Mar 2025
Awesome tour, got to see a lot on the way, the van is comfortable, clean, our guide Sonya (sorry if I am misspelling) was amazing and made the tour so much fun.
I definately recommend it
Bea_W, Mar 2025
This was an amazing experience. But it could have been improved. First, our driver (maybe having an off day?) didn’t seem like a people person. Second, and most importantly, the time spent in the park itself really should be 15-30 minutes longer. The gorgeous hike is the main attraction of this tour, and everyone I talked to on our bus who did the hike (various fitness levels, but all capable) felt rushed, and all agreed they would have enjoyed it more if they could have taken it in at a slightly slower pace. (Our driver strictly instructed us to set our watches for a specific time, and to turn around at that time no matter how close we were to the end of the trail.). Third, if having your phone have any power on the trip home is important to you: bring a power bank. Our bus did NOT have USB charging ports, despite the tour’s statement on website that it would. Still, I am very happy I did this tour, and would recommend it.
From $159.27
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Special Offer
Mt Cook Small Group Scenic Day Tour from Queenstown
418
13 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$159.27
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Aoraki Mount Cook (Mount Cook Village), New Zealand
More attractions near Aoraki Mount Cook (Mount Cook Village), New Zealand
More Tours in Aoraki Mount Cook (Mount Cook Village)