• Christchurch - Start your day with a pickup from your central Christchurch accommodation. Meet your welcoming Kiwi guide and fellow travelers in our comfortable Mercedes Sprinter. Enjoy complimentary WiFi and USB charging as we travel south through the Garden City, with commentary on Christchurch’s landmarks and earthquake recovery journey.
• Canterbury Region - Journey through the vast Canterbury Plains, a mosaic of farmland extending to the Southern Alps. Your guide provides insights into New Zealand’s agricultural heritage, from sheep stations to dairy farms, vineyards to crop cultivation. Watch the landscape change as we approach the foothills and enter the gateway to the Mackenzie region.
• Fairlie Bakehouse - Arrive at the renowned Fairlie Bakehouse, famous for some of New Zealand’s best meat pies. Collect your pre-ordered lunch (included in the tour)—the steak and cheese is a Kiwi favorite! The town is especially picturesque in autumn when the trees lining the streets turn vibrant orange and Burkes Pass displays spectacular fall colors.
• Lake Tekapo - Venture deeper into the Mackenzie Country, celebrated for its stunning turquoise lakes and some of the darkest skies in the world. Your guide explains the region’s unique geology and its status as an International Dark Sky Reserve.
• The Church of the Good Shepherd - Visit one of New Zealand’s most iconic sites. Explore the Church of the Good Shepherd, a stone chapel built in 1935 as a tribute to Mackenzie Country pioneers. Capture breathtaking photos of the church framed by Lake Tekapo’s brilliant turquoise waters and the Southern Alps beyond. From late November to early January, the lakeshore bursts with colorful wild lupins. Don’t miss the nearby Sheepdog Statue, honoring the loyal working dogs of the high country.
• Lake Pukaki - Stand at the edge of Lake Pukaki, the gem of the Mackenzie region. This glacier-fed lake showcases mesmerizing shades of turquoise and blue, created by “glacial flour”—fine rock particles ground by glaciers. On clear days, enjoy the stunning view of Aoraki Mount Cook rising 3,724 meters above the lake’s far shore, its snow-capped peak dominating the horizon. This is one of New Zealand’s most photographed spots.
• Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) - Welcome to the heart of your adventure! Mount Cook Village is located at the base of New Zealand’s highest peak within the breathtaking Mount Cook National Park. At 3,724 meters, Aoraki Mount Cook towers over the surrounding landscape, and the park is home to New Zealand’s longest glacier—the Haupapa/Tasman Glacier.
• Hooker Valley Track - You have the option to embark on one of New Zealand’s most famous day hikes, offering the most dramatic mountain scenery. Highlights: This is one of New Zealand’s most renowned day hikes and offers the most dramatic mountain scenery.
• Tasman Glacier - Option 2 is a moderate hike to viewpoints overlooking New Zealand’s longest glacier—the Haupapa/Tasman Glacier—and see Tasman Lake and the surrounding rivers. Highlights: Walk through ancient terminal moraines left by the retreating Tasman Glacier; take a journey through glacial geology.
• Christchurch - Begin the return journey with fresh perspectives on the landscapes you passed earlier. Watch the light change on the turquoise waters as we retrace our route through Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, and the Canterbury Plains. Relax with complimentary WiFi and USB charging as you reflect on an incredible day.

When time allows, your guide may treat you to a bonus stop at one of Canterbury’s hidden scenic gems—a favorite surprise that showcases more of the region’s natural beauty.

Your guide will drop you at your original pickup location in central Christchurch.

• Expert local Kiwi guide with live commentary (English)
• Guaranteed small group (max 15 for a more personal experience)
• Tasty kiwi snacks enroute
• Free WiFi and USB charging ports on board
• Carbon-neutral tour
• Transportation in modern Mercedes Sprinter with air conditioning
• Hotel pickup and drop-off from 13 central Christchurch locations
• Bottled water throughout the day
• Pre-ordered picnic lunch

Small groups, with a maximum of 15 participants, ensure personalized experiences led by enthusiastic local guides who reveal hidden stories about Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park that aren’t found in guidebooks.

Lunch is included—enjoy a picnic lunch and visit the legendary Fairlie Bakehouse to try their famous award-winning meat pies.

Choose between two breathtaking Mount Cook walks: the famous Hooker Valley Track featuring glacial icebergs, or the Tasman Glacier Walk showcasing New Zealand’s longest glacier. Your Kiwi guide will assist in choosing based on conditions and preferences.

We are 100% carbon neutral, offsetting emissions through certified New Zealand forestry projects. When time permits, enjoy an additional stop at Canterbury’s hidden scenic gems.

Our expert South Island guides bring the landscapes to life with Māori legends and insider knowledge. Travel comfortably from Christchurch in our Mercedes Sprinter, equipped with WiFi and USB charging.
Authentic, sustainable, unforgettable—experience Mount Cook the Kiwi way.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.