Mount Cook Walking Tours in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
Walking is the perfect way to explore this World Heritage Park, to absorb the sites, sounds and smells of a pristine alpine environment. We offer the following walking options.
1. National Park Discovery Walk
Follow a wide, well formed, fairly flat track with good smooth surface suitable for all year round use and accessible by wheelchairs. Views of 3,000 meter tall mountains of the Main Divide, of several of the Glaciers and views all the way down to Lake Pukaki. There is also a rich variety of native plants along the side of the track. Enjoy a relaxing walk with your guide to discover an introduction to the techtonic and glacier landscape formation, flora, fauna and history of the area. The local guides add interesting commentary and background information depending on your interests. This walk is educational, informative and fun. The guides also knows the best photo opportunities and the times of the day to take them. This walk can be extended to include more detailed guide interpretation if required.
Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes duration. Departs from Mount Cook Village.
Price: per person minimum of 10 people.
2. Tasman Glacial Lake walk
We walk out to the side of the lake formed by the Tasman Glacier, there are often large icebergs floating in this lake and in winter you can hear the glacial ice groaning if the lake is frozen over. There are 360 degree views looking up the valley to the Tasman Glacier and great views of Aoraki Mount Cook. This landscape has a moon like appearance but many interesting features. Guides will give information on glacier formation and the local flora and forna, glacial lakes and how these effect the glacier, glacial moraine formation and, more topically, how changing technologies have allowed science to investigate glacial history and climate change.
Duration: 2 hours duration. Includes travelling time from Mount Cook Village.
Price: per person, minimum of 3 people.
4. Personalised Walk
If you don't see what you're looking for, contact us as we are able to adapt all our tours to fit in with your itinerary. We can also cater for large groups or supply a private guide if required. Please contact us to discuss different options.
Duration: From 30 minutes to 8 hours
Price: TBC
Maximum guiding ratio: TBC
1. Why should I take a guided walk?
- Expert guides: All of our lead guides are ex-park rangers from Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park so you know you are getting guides who really know the area.
- Conservation. All of our tours and hikes can have a conservation project you can take part in, your effort can make difference!
- Enhance your experience. Our guides enjoy sharing their knowledge about our flora, fauna, alpine ecology, glaciers, geology and history. Turn your visit to the area into an experience of a lifetime.
- Safety. The mountains in New Zealand can be dangerous with rapidly changing weather. Our guides know our weather patterns and understand the dangers particular to our terrain which is important if you are unfamiliar with alpine areas. Your safety is our number one priority and the guide reserves the right to modify any hike to ensure your well being. All of our safety plans are independently audited on a regular basis by Qualmark™.
- Quality. You want a quality experience and our commitment to this is demonstrated with our membership to Qualmark™, an independent audit system which ensures that we are performing to national tourism standards.
- Professionalism. We are a member of the Tourism Industry Association and Qualmark™ rated.
- Family owned business. We are one of the few local activities in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park that is independently owned and operated.
2. What happens if the weather's bad?
There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!. Walks will operate unless the guide feels your safety will be compromised. We will offer an alternative hike if your first choice is not available due to safety reasons, or, you may choose from one of our other tour options (charges may be different depending on your choice). For detsails of our cancellation policy, please see our FAQ page...
3. Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, there are only a maximum of 8 people per day on our hikes (including the guide).
4. How fit do I need to be?
We have graded each walk to give you an indication how long you will need to hike for and what the terrain is like. All of our walks are on well formed tracks and are suitable for people with a low to moderate level of fitness. If in doubt, please ask us.
5. What information must I give you?
Please advise us when you make a booking if you have any medical conditions or reoccurring injuries which may effect your ability to complete the hike. We will ask you to fill out a form for your personal and contact details in case of an emergency. This information is only given to the guide and is kept confidential.
6. What do I need to bring?
For the short walks, you should have comfortable outdoor walking clothing and comfortable shoes. For the half and full day walks, they are suitable for most people of moderate fitness and require good walking shoes Suitable for families as long as children are in child carrier backpack or can walk for that length of time unassisted. You should bring a day pack to carry:
- your lunch
- water
- wet weather gear (jacket and over trousers),
- extra clothing, sun screen, sun glasses, hat and gloves (cooler weather),
- any medicationyou may need (ie asthma inhaler)
- your camera and spare batteries.
If you do not have the required items, there are limited numbers of waterproof jackets, overtrousers and daypacks available at a hire minimum charge. Walking Poles can be provided and ice grips are available that fit over your shoes in winter if the track is icy.
See the FAQ page for more FAQs...
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