Lake Tekapo Tours and Activities

Mount Cook (Aoraki) is the highest mountain in New Zealand at 12,218 feet (3,724 meters) and lies surrounded by some of the South Island’s most stunning natural landscapes. On this tour, enjoy magnificent views of Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo, and Lake Pukaki; pose for photos amid fields of lavender (summer season only); and hike through the Mount Cook National Park to see the Tasman Glacier.

Both beginner and keen astronomers will love this behind-the-scenes tour of the Mount John Observatory. You’ll be amazed by how clear the night’s sky can be above New Zealand. Your guide will point out the amazing things you can see with the naked eye, as well as show you the observatory’s telescopes. This is an informative tour suitable for the whole family. Bring your camera so the astrophotographer can take incredible pictures of the sky for you.

See the top sights of the spectacular South Island on a 5-day guided coach tour, round-trip from Christchurch. Stop at Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s tallest mountain; enjoy free time to explore the adventure capital of Queenstown; take a boat cruise on Milford Sound, surrounded by steep rock walls; view Fox and Franz Josef glaciers; and travel by rail through the Southern Alps aboard the scenic TranzAlpine Express. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off, and four nights’ accommodation in Queenstown and Franz Josef.

Queenstown to Christchurch via Mt Cook, this small group, fully-guided tour combines two of the most stunning locations in the South Island with the time and options to enjoy the activities, unlike other tours. Highlights: • Mt Cook & Aoraki National Park • Lake Tekapo & Lake Pukaki • Church of the Good Shepherd, Lindis Pass and the Southern Alps • Free time for activities & walks Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety. While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, we at Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles, complementary refreshments and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.

Get ready for a hassle-free day of adventures from Christchurch with round-trip transport, and admission tickets included. The trip will showcase scenic viewpoints along the way, such as Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, the Ben Ohau Range, and sites from Lord of the Rings. Avoid long lines at Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre by having admission included. Another highlight is a visit to the Tasman Glacier, and a delicious lunch is included too.

Getting to Aoraki/Mount Cook from Christchurch is half the fun on this private day trip. Get a look at New Zealand’s tallest mountain and dig into a delicious buffet lunch at the Hermitage Hotel. Then take a walk in Mt. Cook National Park or stroll the village during free time. En route, admire gorgeous views from Lake Pukaki and make a stop at the alpine waters of Lake Tekapo.

Surround yourself with the snow-capped peaks of Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, on this day trip from Christchurch. Travel by coach past the foothills of the Southern Alps to the Canterbury Plains and the MacKenzie Basin; stop at Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukari; and enjoy views of Tasman Glacier. Enjoy lunch at the Hermitage Hotel in UNESCO-listed Mt Cook/Aoraki National Park. Includes round-trip hotel transport by coach with morning and afternoon tea.

View Franz Josef Glacier and experience a Milford Sound cruise on this 4-day semi-independent tour of New Zealand's South Island. You’ll travel by coach from Christchurch to Queenstown via the Canterbury Plains, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo, then motor up the west coast to Greymouth before riding the TranzAlpine train on the return to Christchurch. Listen to narration on board as the driver highlights this scenic region from picturesque mountain peaks to deep fiords. Overnight accommodation and round-trip hotel transport are included.

See the highlights of New Zealand's scenic South Island on this 3-day semi-independent tour, round-trip from Christchurch. Traveling by coach and train, you’ll stop in UNESCO-listed Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and Queenstown, travel up the west coast to Franz Josef Glacier, and visit the Gold Rush town of Greymouth, then board the homeward-bound TranzAlpine train across the Southern Alps and past the Canterbury Plains. Listen to informative onboard commentary and enjoy two nights’ accommodation as you explore the sights independently.

Fitting the South Island’s highlights into one trip can be a challenge: this family-friendly tour makes it simple. Go your own way with a mixture of guided tours and free time to explore. Experience the stunning natural beauty of Fiordland and see the waterfalls cascade down the mountains on a Milford Sound cruise. Witness the magnificence of Aoraki (Mt Cook), the dramatic natural glaciers, and sublime crystal-clear lakes. Visit bustling, action-packed Queenstown, journey through native forest at Haast Pass, and traverse through the mountains on the TranzAlpine Scenic Train Journey.

Visit the scenic areas of Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki on this picturesque day tour. It can be difficult to get to remote rural areas without a car, but you won’t have to worry about planning transport as Christchurch pickup and drop-off is included. The journey itself will showcase spectacular landscapes along the way. Once you get to Lake Tekapo, highlights include visiting Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Pukaki, and Tekapo Springs.

" We do it your way " There will be no rushing around on these trips , just time for you to see things that you have come to see and at your speed .

Visit multiple South Island highlights on this unforgettable 8-day private tour, round-trip from Christchurch. Make the journey from ‘The Garden City’ in a counter-clockwise direction, traveling with ease in your very own luxury vehicle with a private guide at the helm. The route covers Arthur’s Pass, west coast rainforests, Aoraki/Mount Cook and Queenstown, to name a few. Enjoy seven nights’ accommodation including breakfast, entry to the Franz Josef Glacier hot pools and a train ride on the TranzAlpine. Optional activities include helicopter rides and bungy jumps (own expense).

This small group, fully-guided tour combines two of the most stunning locations in the South Island with the time and options to enjoy the activities, unlike other tours. Highlights: • Mt Cook & Aoraki National Park • Lake Tekapo & Lake Pukaki • Church of the Good Shepard, Lindis Pass, the Southern Alps and High Country Salmon • Free time for activities & walks Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge, and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety. While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, we at Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles, complementary refreshments and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.

A breathtaing scenic 4WD Tour through a stunning alpine braided river valley in Lake Tekapo's Backcountry. The Cass Valley is situated on the western side of Lake Tekapo, offering a world of Natural wonder and beauty. Access to this stunning alpine valley is solely through our private access and expert driver guides. This scenic 4WD Tour encompasses a large block of mountainous country, containing high inherent landscape values of The Mackenzie Country. Travel through pristine rivers and Merino Sheep. The overall naturalness of the rocky steep scree slides, the U-shaped valleys carved by glaciation, waterfalls, glaciers, lateral moraines and tussock- clad terraces, overwhelm the senses and ignite the wonder of such a supremely stunning and unique landscape. An authentic High Country scenic tour awaits you.

Make the most of the pristine night skies over the Mackenzie Basin with this observatory experience tailored for first-time stargazers. Watch the night sky through one of Cowan’s Observatory’s telescopes, finding stars, constellations and other hidden secrets with the help of one of the observatory’s knowledgeable astronomy guides. With discounted tickets for visitors aged 17 and under, this is a great way to introduce children to the wonders of the Milky Way.

Embark on a journey through time and space with this ticket to the Dark Sky Experience at Lake Tekapo. No need to wait until after dark to admire the night sky at this indoor exhibition which draws on Māori astronomy and recent discoveries to tell the story of our skies. This kid-friendly attraction is ideal for families, with multimedia exhibits and hands-on activities offering something to do for everyone.

Explore the entire South Island in a loop. From the wild and beautiful landscapes of the Far South to the sunny golden shores of the Abel Tasman National Park, you’ve got the South Island covered! You'll see highlights like Milford Sound and Franz Josef glacier, as well as getting off the beaten track and seeing some untouched parts of NZ.

Spend three nights in Queenstown on this 4-day semi-independent tour of the scenic South Island. You’ll travel round-trip from Christchurch by narrated coach via Lake Tekapo and Aoraki/Mount Cook, with a full day of free time to spend at your leisure in New Zealand’s ‘adventure capital.’ Experience all the highlights along the way, including a Milford Sound cruise on the majestic fiord.

Spectacular scenery and lots of opportunity for adventure, this 8 day South Island adventure starts and finishes in the diverse city of Christchurch. Turquoise lakes, majestic glaciers, dramatic mountain peaks and the picture-perfect towns of Queenstown, Wanaka and Franz Josef are all a part of this epic road trip. With accommodation and some activities included (see below), our all-inclusive tours are hassle-free, authentic experiences for those short on time.

Avoid the stress of navigating and planning with a one-way tour and transfer from Christchurch to Queenstown, or vice versa. In addition to stopping at ideal locations for photo opportunities throughout the trip, your guide offers stories and commentary about historic landmarks and landscapes along the way. Lunch and tea stops are included for your convenience.

Named after the famous explorer and navigator, Aoraki Mount Cook is New Zealand's highest peak. Surrounded by glaciers, this alpine environment is truly spectacular. Once there, transfer to either a ski plane or local helicopter service and land upon the Tasman Glacier. Then enjoy a scenic flight back to Christchurch over dramatic mountain ranges and extensive farmland. Our pilots will personalise this experience for you by sharing their local knowledge and insights of our big backyard as you fly over remarkable sights and landmarks, including the Central Plains Water Scheme, Lily Bank Station and the Tasman Glacier. We have plenty to share with you and can't wait for you to experience it.

Experience a 6-day semi-independent tour by coach and train around the scenic South Island, traveling round-trip from Christchurch. Stop at Mount Cook, take a Milford Sound cruise and spend a free day in Queenstown, then journey to Pukerangi and cross into Dunedin aboard the Taieri Gorge Railway. Enjoy a guided tour of the Otago Peninsula and royal albatross colony before returning to Christchurch. Transportation, sightseeing tours and hotel accommodation are all included.

The Weka Tour will take you on an epic adventure through the South Island. Jaunt around New Zealand’s most scenic Alpine region. Cross the mighty Southern Alps, take in the soaring heights of Mount Cook, get up close to the epic glaciers of the West Coast and the marvel at the breathtaking beauty of Queenstown.