Day
Premium Mount Cook Day Tours
Mount Cook Small Group Scenic Tour
Join our small-group, fully guided day tour to Aoraki/Mount Cook, where you’ll experience the region’s must-see highlights with the flexibility to enjoy optional activities at your own pace. Our experienced guides are known for bringing the journey to life, sharing personal stories and deep local knowledge. Travel in comfort on our modern Mercedes Sprinters, equipped with thoughtful extras to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.
From NZD $245 per person
Premium Mercedes Sprinter Bus
Maximum 16 guests
12 hours duration (Approx)
What's Included
- Central pickup and drop-off locations in Queenstown
- Return transport in a modern, air-conditioned minibus
- Experienced local guide with in-depth commentary
- Multiple scenic stops and photo opportunities along the way, including Lake Pukaki and Lindis Pass.
- Free time to enjoy self-guided hikes, photography, or optional activities like scenic flights or glacier experiences.
- Entry to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
- Complimentary snacks and water on board (bring a reusable bottle)
BOOK NOW
ITINERARY
Departure Time: 7.30am
Your Adventure Begins
Start your day by meeting our friendly local guide at or near your Queenstown accommodation or central Cromwell. 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 of Gibbston and Cromwell. 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, Heli Hike, or join the Glacier Explorers experience).
Welcome to Mackenzie Country
The scenery transforms as we enter Mackenzie Country, and our guide will entertain you with stories and interesting facts as we trace the edge of the Southern Alps. Along the way, we’ll pass a network of lakes and canals near Twizel, renowned for its fishing of 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 approximately 12 p.m., you’ll have around 3.5 hours to explore at your leisure.
- Enjoy a hike on one of the local tracks (self-guided)
- Join a remarkable scenic ski plane or helicopter flight
- Take a boat trip on the Tasman Glacier Lake with Glacier Explorers (Seasonal)
- Explore Mt Cook Village – visit The Sir Edmund Hillary Centre (included for all Altitude Tours guests) and/or enjoy lunch at a local cafe.
The Journey Back
At approximately 3:30pm, rejoin our guide and van to start the return journey to Queenstown. Sit back, relax, and take in the views. This day tour spans approximately 12 hours, and our smaller vehicles and attentive guide ensure your comfort and entertainment throughout the journey.
Please note: activities are an additional cost and options can vary depending on availability, weather, and season. The walking trails are self-guided, your guide will ensure you are dropped to the right location and share with you tips to ensure you have the best experience.
16-Seater Tour Vehicle
Luxury Vehicles
Adjustable Leather Seats
16-Seater Luxury Bus
New Zealand's Best Tour Vehicles
Luxury Small Group Vehicles
Mercedes-Benz vehicles
Luxury leather seats
Unlimited WIFI
Air Conditioning
USB charging port at every seat
Big windows for amazing views
Make the most of your time on the road in your 16-seater luxury tour vehicle. Fitted out with luxury leather seats, USB ports, unlimited WIFI, stereo, air con, and big windows to admire those amazing views. New Zealand has some of the world’s most scenic roads and this is the best way to experience them.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 as well as getting to spend a few hours in Mt Cook doing sightseeing, walking or an activity of choice.
A scenic flight or a hike are incredible activities to see the stunning mountains and glaciers from the air. These activities must be pre booked.
Our Mount Cook Day Tours travel in premium Mercedes Sprinter vans with only 16 seats onboard. These vans have been designed for long-distance touring with extended legroom, a modern interior, and those ever-important panoramic windows for amazing views!
All vehicles are equipped with the essentials for a relaxed journey: air conditioning, WIFI, and USB charging ports throughout.
Please note that there are no onboard toilets, but our tours include regular bathroom stops along each route.
Yes! Two of the most popular walks are the Hooker Valley Track and Kea Point lookout, both great options for things to do on your Mt Cook day trip. Please note these are self guided! These a well-maintained, easy to follow trails which are extremely popular. Well worth a visit!
Please note Hooker Valley Track is currently open to Kakīroa/Mount Sefton View Lookout, but closed beyond that point due to track repairs.
Our minimum numbers are 4pax and maximum numbers are 16pax.
There is no minimum age for this tour, it’s a great day out for older kids seeing the beautiful scenery! It is of course a long day of travel which can be challenging for babies, and young children.
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 there is opportunity to purchase this on the drive to Mt Cook.
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’ll need to do one of the scenic flights, boats or walks to see the glacial lakes with icebergs.
At Wild Kiwi, we aim to keep things flexible and stress-free. You’re welcome to At Wild Kiwi, we aim to keep things flexible and stress-free. You’re welcome to cancel your booking for a full refund any time up to 48 hours before your scheduled day tour departure.
Need to change your date? No problem — we offer hassle-free amendments on all departures.
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.
At Wild Kiwi, we aim to keep things flexible and stress-free. You’re welcome to cancel your booking for a full refund any time up to 24 hours before your scheduled day tour departure.
Need to change your date? No problem — we offer hassle-free amendments on all departures.
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.
Whether you are walking, sightseeing, taking a scenic flight, hiking, or just exploring the village, Mount Cook is an alpine environment so it is important to bring warm clothes, a rain jacket, and comfortable shoes for walking (waterproof shoes are recommended for those doing a walk).
It’s wise to pack a water bottle, sunscreen, and sunglasses—New Zealand’s sun can be strong, even on cooler days.
While many places accept cards, a small amount of cash can come in handy for local purchases.
Yes, we offer private New Zealand tours for those seeking a more tailored travel experience. Ideal for families or small groups, our private tours allow you to customise your itinerary and choose the activities that suit your interests. You can also charter any of our Day Tours exclusively for your group.
To start planning, send us an email or book a call. Our friendly team is here to help bring your ideal New Zealand adventure to life.
