Cruise up close and personal with New Zealand's largest glacier
On this small group day tour to Mt Cook from Queenstown, experience the unique alpine landscapes of the Southern Alps as you travel to Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, home to snow-capped mountains, impressive glaciers, and New Zealand’s highest peak.
Departing at 7 am from Queenstown, travel in comfort and style in a Mercedes Sprinter van with a maximum of 16 people, offering panoramic windows for stunning views. Your experienced guide will host you throughout the day, providing entertaining commentary as you journey through the remarkable landscape.
Enjoy the sights of central South Island, visiting Cromwell and the scenic Lindis Pass, before making a brief stop in Omarama, a charming village, where you can purchase refreshments and lunch if needed. From here we continue along the bright turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki, entering the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park around midday.
This option includes the incredible Glacier Explorers experience departing at 1:15pm (Oct-Apr)
During your time in Mount Cook, you will cruise the Tasman Glacial Lake viewing New Zealand’s largest glacier while passionate guides share their knowledge of the ever-changing environment. Throughout the tour, weave amongst the floating icebergs and marvel at the impressive Tasman Glacier terminal face. A truly unique New Zealand adventure.
Once you return, your Altitude Tours guide will meet you and start the return journey back to Queenstown, arriving back at approximately 7:30pm.
Please note: Glacier Explorer is subject to availability at the time of booking and our team will reconfirm with you once confirmed.
Glacier Explorers is operated by the Hermitage Hotel and is 3 hours in duration. This involves a 1.5km walk to the lake and requires a medium level of fitness.
Tour Overview.
Mt Cook Tour / Glacier Explorer
A day tour from Queenstown to Mt Cook including the Glacier Explorers experience.
INCLUDED ACTIVITY
Glacier Explorer
TRANSPORT
Travel in style
Our Mercedes vans are fully equipped with complimentary wifi and panoramic windows for superior viewing so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the stunning scenery.
Mt Cook Tour FAQ's
The full day trip takes approximately 12 hours from Queenstown. This allows us to make plenty of stops en route to ensure you enjoy the journey, with 3.5 hours in Mount Cook Village, where you will head out to experience the Glacier Explorer tour operated by the Hermitage Hotel.
This package includes the Glacier Explorers experience at 1:15pm (Oct-Apr).
For all passengers on tour, we also include access to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre.
Your guide will drop you to the Hermitage Hotel where you will check in for Glacier Explorers trip at the Activities Centre, check in is located on the ground floor.
The group will then be transported out to the Tasman Valley, a short drive away from Mount Cook village.
Once you arrive at the Blue Lakes carpark there’s a short 25 minute walk through the National Park.
Guests will then board the Glacier Explorers boat from the Tasman Lake jetty.
The whole trip is approximately 2.5 hours, and you can expect to spend approximately one hour on the lake.
- An extra warm layer of clothing
- Camera
- Sunblock & sunglasses
- Wet weather gear
- Suitable walking shoes
In summer (Oct-Apr) you will have approximately 45 minutes after arriving in Mount Cook Village before you need to check in to your Glacier Explorer experience.
You can choose to purchase food quickly at that time, or we recommend purchasing food in Omarama on the way or bringing this from Queenstown at the start of the day.
We don’t want to give too much away! The drive from Queenstown to Mt Cook is stunning and there are plenty of scenic stops enroute, your guide knows the best spots and will choose these on the day.
Yes! You will get up close to the icebergs on the Tasman Glacial Lake, weaving on and out them on the boat, you might even the chance to touch them.
We pick up from select Queenstown hotels and the main bus stop routes in Queenstown town centre and along Frankton Road. When booking, type in your accommodation and it will suggest the closest bus stop. If it doesn’t come up just check in with us and we’ll let you know where is closest for you!
As this is a weather dependent tour, if there is risk of adverse weather conditions that will impact the operation of the tour, you will be contacted the day prior to your trip to explore alternative options.
Due to this being one of our most popular tours and wanting to be fair to all who join us we do not offer reserved seating. If you have a request we will do our best to accommodate but we cannot guarantee.
