A day tour from Queenstown to Mt Cook including a scenic flight back at the end of the day.
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Your Adventure Begins
Start your day by meeting our friendly guide at or near your Queenstown accommodation. You’ll travel in style in a premium Mercedes van designed for touring with only 16 seats onboard.
As we depart Queenstown, the first leg of our journey takes us through the Central Otago wine regions. We then cross the dramatic Lindis Pass, before making a brief stop in Omarama for refreshments and an opportunity to purchase lunch (highly recommended for those planning to hike or an activity).
Welcome to Mackenzie Country
The scenery transforms as we enter Mackenzie Country, and our guide will entertain you with stories as we trace the edge of the Southern Alps. Along the way, pass a network of lakes and canals, renowned for fresh Mt Cook Alpine salmon. Once we veer off the main road, we’ll follow the bright blue waters of Lake Pukaki before arriving at Mt Cook Village.
Mount Cook Adventure
Welcome to Mt Cook! Arriving at midday, you’ll have around 3.5 hours to explore at your leisure. Choose from various options such as a self-guided hike, joining a scenic flight, Heli Hiking on the Tasman Glacier, or witnessing the icebergs on the Tasman Lake with Glacier Explorers.
For those seeking a more relaxed experience, all Altitude Tours guests receive complimentary access to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, where you can learn all about Mt Cook’s unique history and the adventures of one of New Zealand’s most famed explorers.
A Flight to Remember
At the end of the day, you will be taken to Mt Cook Airport and introduced to your pilot, who will take you to the skies on a truly incredible scenic flight back to Queenstown. Traveling on a fixed-wing plane, this flight is approximately 50 minutes and offers aerial views of the Mackenzie Basin, Ahuriri Valley, and Lake Wanaka, along with the impressive snow-capped mountains, lakes, and rivers in between.
Tour Overview.
Mt Cook Tour / Queenstown Flyback
A day tour from Queenstown to Mt Cook including a scenic flight back at the end of the day.
A FLIGHT TO REMEMBER
Scenic flyback with Glenorchy Air
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 10 hours from Queenstown. 7:30am – 5:30pm
The drive from Queenstown Mt Cook takes approx 4 hours with scenic stops along the way to make the most out of the drive.
Once in Mt Cook Village you will have 3.5-4 hours to enjoy the area and explore.
The scenic flight is approx. 50 minutes and they offer a courtesy transfer back to your accommodation or central Queenstown after the flight.
If the flight is unable to go ahead, you will know before the day and can choose to return by road, returning at 7:30pm.
In addition to our great small group scenic tour, this package includes an incredible fixed-wing flight back from Mt Cook to Queenstown.
We also include a Sir Edmund Hillary Centre entry for all of our guests.
If you would like to add on any other activities in Mt Cook, you can do so at checkout.
This flight requires a minimum of three adults booked to operate.
The return flight is weather dependant.
Glenorchy Air makes a call on weather and minimum numbers prior to the day, so you will be kept informed leading up to the departure day.
- An extra warm layer of clothing
- Camera
- Sunblock & sunglasses
- Waterproof jacket
- Suitable walking shoes
En route we will stop at a cafe, and in Mt Cook, there are some dining options.
If you plan to do a hike or an activity longer than 1 hour, you should bring food with you from Queenstown, or purchase it when we stop on the scenic tour from Queenstown.
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.
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 a 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.
There may be a risk of the weather coming in on the day, and your guide will keep you updated if needed.
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.
When you book, you will pay a deposit which covers the cost of the Scenic Tour without the flight.
Once the flight has been confirmed, we will charge the remaining balance, or be in contact with you to chat about some other great options!
Milford Sound Scenic Tour & Cruise
Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Scenic Flight
Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Helicopter
Milford Sound Private Tours
Best of Queenstown Tour
(AM & PM departures)
Glenorchy Scenic Tour
(AM & PM Departures)