Day trip

Explore the Mount Cook area and hike the famous Hooker Valley Track on a guided day trip from Queenstown. Admire the stunning views as you drive through popular sites like Lindis Pass and Lake Pukaki.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later: Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 12 hours: Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide: English
Pickup included: - Enjoy the convenience of pick-ups from selected hotels. If your location isn’t listed, simply choose the nearest available option & meet us there! If your accommodation is yet to be confirmed, we recommend selecting The Station - Home of Adventure for now. You can update this later if needed! - Pick-ups begin up to 20 minutes before the tour departure time. To ensure a smooth start, please be ready and waiting outside by this time. - Our guides make multiple stops and may arrive within a 10-minute window. To ensure a timely departure, we recommend being ready 5–10 minutes early, as we are unable to wait for late guests.

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

Katherine – United States

Jeff was a great activity director. Even though it rained he still made sure everything was happy with alternative activities. Lots of great local stops along the way to and from Mt. Cook. Learned a lot of interesting information. Great conversation with everyone individually. Wonderful experience. Thanks Jeff!!

Milagros – Australia

Very nice trip, our guide didn’t rush us at any time, he was laughing with us. Amazing views, I loved that we made some stops to get some food and ice cream!

Itinerary

32 pickup location options:
Sudima Queenstown Five Mile, Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront, Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu, Queenstown, QT Queenstown, Millennium Hotel Queenstown, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown, an IHG Hotel, JUCY Snooze Queenstown, Pinewood Lodge, Holiday Inn Queenstown Frankton Road, an IHG Hotel, Oaks Queenstown Shores Resort, Hotel St Moritz Queenstown - MGallery, Heartland Hotel Queenstown, Crowne Plaza Queenstown, an IHG Hotel, The Station - Home of Adventure in Queenstown, Wyndham Garden Queenstown, Tahuna Pod Hostel, Aspen Lodge Backpackers, The Flaming Kiwi Backpackers - BBH, The Rees Hotel, Luxury Apartments & Lakeside Residences, Mercure Queenstown Resort, Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, Kamana Lakehouse, Heritage Queenstown, Frankton Terminus, Sofitel Queenstown - Hotel & Spa, Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown, Cromwell Fruit Sculpture, Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel, Ramada Queenstown Central, Nomads Queenstown Hostel, Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview, Sherwood Queenstown
Kawarau Gorge, Otago
Photo stop, Guided tour, Sightseeing, Bus tour, Pass by, Scenic drive, Scenic views on the way, Sunrise
Cromwell
Guided tour, Sightseeing, Bus tour, Pass by, Scenic drive, Scenic views on the way
Lindis Pass
Break time, Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Sightseeing, Scenic drive, Scenic views on the way (15 minutes)
Omarama
Break time, Photo stop, Visit, Coffee, Tea, Brunch, Lunch, Free time, Sightseeing, Local snacks, Scenic drive, Scenic views on the way (30 minutes)
Lake Pukaki
Photo stop, Visit, Guided tour, Sightseeing, Bus tour, Pass by, Scenic drive, Scenic views on the way (10 minutes)
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Photo stop, Guided tour, Sightseeing, Bus tour, Pass by, Scenic drive, Scenic views on the way
Hooker Valley Track
Photo stop, Free time, Sightseeing, Walk, Self-guided tour, Pass by, Scenic views on the way (2.5 hours)
Aoraki Mount Cook Village
Break time, Photo stop, Visit, Sightseeing
High Country Salmon
Break time, Photo stop, Visit (15 minutes)
Jackson Orchards
Break time, Photo stop, Guided tour, Sightseeing, Bus tour, Local snacks, Pass by, Scenic drive, Scenic views on the way (15 minutes)
32 drop-off locations:
Wyndham Garden Queenstown, JUCY Snooze Queenstown, Crowne Plaza Queenstown, an IHG Hotel, The Rees Hotel, Luxury Apartments & Lakeside Residences, Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview, Oaks Queenstown Shores Resort, Nomads Queenstown Hostel, Holiday Inn Queenstown Frankton Road, an IHG Hotel, Cromwell Fruit Sculpture, Hotel St Moritz Queenstown - MGallery, Heartland Hotel Queenstown, Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel, The Station - Home of Adventure in Queenstown, Kamana Lakehouse, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown, an IHG Hotel, Tahuna Pod Hostel, Aspen Lodge Backpackers, Pinewood Lodge, Heritage Queenstown, Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront, QT Queenstown, Millennium Hotel Queenstown, Ramada Queenstown Central, Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown, Sherwood Queenstown, Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu, Queenstown, Sudima Queenstown Five Mile, Mercure Queenstown Resort, Frankton Terminus, Sofitel Queenstown - Hotel & Spa, The Flaming Kiwi Backpackers - BBH, Novotel Queenstown Lakeside

Main stop

Other stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

Drive through the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and Lindis Pass
Explore Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
Take photos of Lake Pukaki
Marvel at the amazing views of Hooker Lake, Hooker Glacier, and Mount Cook
Visit High Country Salmon

Full description

Visit breathtaking locations in Queenstown as you make your way to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Travel with a reliable tour guide who will share stories and rich background knowledge on Queenstown and the Mount Cook area. Start your tour in the stunning city of Queenstown. Drive through the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and marvel at the scenery the Kawarau Gorge has to offer. Stop at the Roaring Meg Lookout to take photos of your stunning view. Then, enter the region of Cromwell, famous for fruits and wine and where you can see huge fields of vines. Next, traverse the majestic Lindis Pass which lies between two valleys against a backdrop of a bright blue sky. This stretch of highway is one of the only three Alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps. After taking photos at the top of the pass, drive through the Mackenzie District and visit the township of Omarama. Turning west, you'll enter Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, and Lake Pukaki will emerge in front of you. Proceed to the start of the Hooker Valley Track and depart on a 3-hour self-guided hike with amazing views of Hooker Lake, Hooker Glacier, and Mount Cook. Finish your tour by visiting High Country Salmon as you make your way back to Queenstown.

Includes

Fully guided bus tour
Knowledgeable guide and driver
Snacks
Water

Lunch (available to purchase)
Hike guide

Not suitable for

Wheelchair users

Important information

What to bring

Sunglasses
Sun hat
Camera
Hiking shoes
Sunscreen
Weather-appropriate clothing
Charged Smartphone

Not allowed

Bikes
Alcohol and drugs
Electric wheelchairs

Know before you go

If you plan to embark on the Hooker Valley hike or any other trek during your Mount Cook tour, it's advisable to bring along a light lunch or grab some food when you stop in Omarama
New Zealand weather is unpredictable at any time of the year, so dress and prepare for all seasons
Wear walking shoes or boots with good grip soles that can cope with mud
While lunch is not provided, it can be purchased at the stop in Omarama

Top destinations

Nearby destinations

From Queenstown: Mount Cook and Hooker Valley Day Trip