Lake Tekapo

Tours

Experience this once-in-a-lifetime stargazing experience in the Dark Sky Reserve at Lake Tekapo. Look through a telescope to spot deep-sky objects and learn interesting facts about the night sky. Begin your tour as your guide escorts you to an unbelievable stargazing location where there is nearly zero light pollution. Head on a journey with your professional astronomy guide and hear ancient stories of constellations, science facts, Greek mythology, and Maori legends. See a variety of deep sky objects through a powerful 9.25-inch computerized telescope and a smart telescope. During the experience, the team provides a photography service, your guide will take individual photos for you with the stars. Stay warm and comfortable with seats and blankets, as well as pillows, mattresses, and blankets that will be set up for you to enjoy the night sky. Enjoy a hot chocolate and at the end of the tour, your guide will light the fire bowl so you can roast marshmallows with your friends and family.

Discover the wonders of the night sky on a stargazing experience. Be whisked away to super dark stargazing locations, with some of the lowest light pollution in Tekapo, at the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Get access to powerful 14” telescopes for views of various deep space objects and special astro-lasers for easy viewing of stars and constellations. With the tour size capped at 10 people, enjoy a small ratio of telescopes to guests and get plenty of time on the telescopes and with the guide. At the end of your journey, get a photo taken of your group under the stars (depending on the weather), which you will receive within 48 hours via email to share with your family and friends.

Itinerary Christchurch - We start by leaving Garden City/Christchurch and heading south towards our destination, while our knowledgeable driver points out some of the Garden City’s highlights. Canterbury Plains - Wrapped around Christchurch are the Canterbury Plains filled with farmland as far as the eye can see. Most types of farming you can think of will be found on the plains such as crops, vineyards, dairy and livestock production. Fairlie Bakehouse (10mins) - A Classic New Zealand farming town hidden away in Mackenzie. Fairlie goes through some stunning colour changes especially come Autum, this is truly one of the best locations to sit and relax with one of their world-famous meat Pies from the Bakehouse. And this stop is also where we will pick up your lunch to keep you full of energy for the rest of the day. Lake Tekapo/ Church of the Good Shepherd (15mins) – An alpine lake region like no other in the heart of Mackenzie. At the right time of year, you will find clusters of wild lupins along the lake edge. Once we arrive in Tekapo we head towards the most popular photo spots in the country The Church of The Good Shepard for those social media worthy pictures. Lake Pukaki (10mins) - This glacier fed lake is unique compared to its alpine partners. The colours can change from ice blue to a dark deep blue depending on the weather conditions. On a clear day enjoy undisturbed views right up to Mt Cook which appears to extend out of the head of the lake. Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park (2.5hrs) – AND HERE WE ARE! Named after the famous explorer James Cook, Aoraki/Mt Cook is New Zealand’s highest peak. Once here you will have the choice to embark on either The Hooker Valley or The Tasman Glacier walk. If a flight overlooking the mountains is more your thing, we are happy to arrange Helicopter rides for you and the family to enjoy instead. • Hooker Valley (2.5-3hrs) The Hooker valley track is one of the highest rated day walks in New Zealand. It’s not hard to see why as you walk alongside an ice-covered cliff face (Listen carefully you may hear it moving) all the way to an ice filled lake with Mt Cook at its end. • Tasman Glacier (2.5 – 3hrs) This track leads through the glacier’s old terminal moraines, and there you will find amazing views of the glacier, river, and lake. • Mt Cook Information Centre (DOC) – You are more than welcome to take it all in by spending the day in the information centre with a coffee. Learn the history of the national park, ask questions and just be in moment. At 2:30 our driver will collect you from your chosen destinations for the day to head back home. Lake Tekapo (10mins) -We stop briefly in Lake Tekapo for one last time to take those last minute late evening photos of the Church and the Lake. Christchurch – After what has been a simply beautiful day, we will head back to the Garden City. Its bittersweet as you’ll be exhausted but filled with new memories.

Experience dramatic glacier lakes, snow-capped mountains, and beautiful alpine walks on a small-group day trip from Christchurch. After pick-up from your hotel, journey to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, located a 4 hours' drive through spectacular and breathtaking landscapes. Visit the historic town of Geraldine. Then discover the heart of Mackenzie Country, the captivatingly turquoise Lake Tekapo, the iconic Church of Good Shepherd, and the well-recognized statue of Sheepdog. Travel through Lake Pukaki and admire stunning views of Mt. Cook from a distance. Enjoy a short scenic hike in the National Park to view the 23.5kms long Tasman Glacier which is the longest glacier in New Zealand before returning to Christchurch.

Even if the date is fully booked, please contact us directly. We may be able to accommodate additional seats for your reservation. -Itinerary- Meeting point 8:00 AM The meeting point for our tour is either the car park at the Tekapo Four Square supermarket or the public parking area next to the supermarket. Peter’s lookout 9:00 AM One of the best views of Lake Pukaki and Aoraki(Mt Cook),and the surrounding Southern Alps is absolutely stunning, making it a must-visit spot. Hermitage Hotel 9:30 AM If you prefer not to participate in the hiking activity, you can choose to disembark at the hotel and reassemble at 3 PM. Tasman Glacier view track 9:45 AM For a memorable experience, consider exploring a short walking track offering magnificent views of the Tasman Glacier and Tasman Lake. Please note that while the track is a relatively easy walk, it does involve ascending approximately 300 steps. If you prefer an alternative, we also offer the Tasman River Track, which is a very easy walk. Hooker Valley track 10:45 AM You are free to walk at your own pace on this self-guided walk. The average walking time is 3 to 3.5 hours. At any time, our driver can take you to the village after you finish hiking. Enjoy your free time in the village until the return time. If you are not very keen on long day hikes, alternative short walking tracks are available around Mount Cook village. Hermitage Hotel 3:00 PM Please gather in front of the hotel at 3 pm to return to Lake Tekapo. If you are engaged in another activity or require pickup from a different location, please inform the driver on the day of the tour. Lake Pukaki 4:00 PM A brief stop is scheduled at Lake Pukaki, allowing time for taking photos and visiting the Alpine Salmon Shop. Lake Tekapo 4:30-5:00 PM The group returns to the village around 5:00pm. Please ask our driver if you require a drop-off at your accommodation.

Embark on a road trip from Christchurch and Queenstown, driving past blue lakes, rolling countryside, and pretty towns, all with the majestic Southern Alps in the background. Stop in Mt Cook, the perfect base to explore the natural wonders of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Leave Christchurch and head south towards your destination, as your driver points out some of the Garden City’s highlights. Make your first stop of the day in Fairlie. Grab a coffee and try one of the best pies in New Zealand. After refueling for the next part of our journey, leave Fairle and head toward Lake Tekapo. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd on the stunning lakefront to take photos. Then, turn west and enter the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, with Lake Pukaki revealing all its beauty before your eyes. At the National Park, enjoy 2.5 hours of free time to indulge in local activities. Go on a hike or book optional extras such as a scenic flight. After leaving Mt Cook, stop at High Country Salmon – a local salmon farm where you can feed the fish and taste some of the freshest salmon in New Zealand. Finally, be driven to your final destination of Queenstown.

Meet your guide at the Dark Sky Project base in Lake Tekapo, and be transported by our shuttle to Mount John, where Dark Sky Project has exclusive access. Join us on the Summit Experience for an incredible journey to the stars. High atop Mount John’s 1,029- metre peak, you'll be at the heart of the world’s largest International Dark Sky Reserve. Let our skilled guides open your eyes to the Southern night sky with captivating tales and facts. A truly breathtaking experience, our expert astronomy guides will introduce you to the Southern Skies, imparting their impressive knowledge as you gaze through sophisticated optical telescopes. Our guides take you deep into the cosmos, sharing with you what it all means, and why it matters. You’ll never see it the same away again. You’ll start by looking at the stars with the naked eye, as our guides point out the sights with handheld lasers. It’s a great way to develop those stargazing skills for when you’re back home. Then you’ll dive deeper, with full use of our high-powered telescopes. That includes the impressive 16” telescope in our private observatory dome. Every night sky reveals something new. The incredible Milky Way. Far-off planets. Star clusters, solar systems, constellations. You might even glimpse a distant galaxy.

Delight in a premier Aoraki Mount Cook flight-seeing experience with a magnificent 50-minute scenic flight from Lake Tekapo. Soar above two World Heritage National Parks and 200 kilometers (124 miles) of New Zealand's most memorable and breathtaking scenery. Begin your journey in Lake Tekapo, where you will meet your expert team. Take off from the local airport and fly over spectacular scenery including turquoise glacial lakes, Aoraki Mount Cook, and Tasman glacier. Then, head across to the remote West Coast to see the amazing Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers running off into beautiful rainforest landscapes. Throughout your experience, enjoy informative and interesting commentary from your local guide, as well as a flight information guide available in multiple languages.

Discover the natural wonders of New Zealand’s dramatic landscapes and experience the best sights of this unique environment on this full-day tour. Sit back and take in the views as you are transported from Queenstown to Christchurch, through the rugged yet beautiful landscapes and over the Lindis Pass. Appreciate the distinctive geography of Mackenzie Country as you journey to Mount Cook National Park. Be amazed at the majesty of New Zealand’s highest peak, Mount Cook, also known by its Maori name, Aoraki (Cloud Piercer). The park boasts a truly awe-inspiring landscape with more than thirty 3,000 meter high peaks and five of New Zealand’s largest glaciers. Take the opportunity to absorb the unforgettable views of Mount Cook in the village where you will have time to enjoy lunch at your own expense. Visit Lake Tekapo and marvel at its bluer than blue glacial water. Then encounter the solitary and quaint Church of the Good Shepherd, nestled just meters from the lake. Continue your journey and take in the sights of the spectacular Southern Alps and the rich farmlands of the Canterbury Plains as we transport you to Christchurch, where your day concludes.

Arrive at the Lake Tekapo Petting Zoo in the heart of Lake Tekapo township and meet the animals. Visit friendly Merino sheep, alpaca, pigs, cattle, lambs, and rabbits. Get up close to the animals and enjoy an opportunity to hand-feed them. When available, you may also be able to bottle-feed one of the farm's baby lambs.