Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo Day Tour from Christchurch with Lunch
by Cheeky Kea Tours
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.NZ$598Overview
This full-day bus tour lasts about 13 hours and suits travelers who want to see Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo from Christchurch. The tour operates in small groups of up to 15 people, led by a local Kiwi guide who provides live commentary in English. Transportation is by air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter with WiFi and USB charging. The day starts with pickup from central Christchurch hotels. The guide shares stories about Christchurch and its recovery from earthquakes while traveling through the city. Then the tour continues across the Canterbury Plains toward the Mackenzie region, with insights into local farming and vineyards. There is a 15-minute stop at the Fairlie Bakehouse to collect a pre-ordered picnic lunch included in the tour. Afterward, the group visits Lake Tekapo for 30 minutes where the guide explains the area's geology and its status as an International Dark Sky Reserve. At the Church of the Good Shepherd, guests have 15 minutes to see the stone chapel built in 1935, take photos of the lake and Southern Alps, and view the Sheepdog Statue nearby. Next is a brief 10-minute stop at Lake Pukaki to observe the glacier-fed lake's blue and turquoise colors and views of Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak at 3,724 meters. The tour then reaches Mount Cook Village in the national park, the base for the day's main walks. Guests choose between two hikes lasting about two hours each: the Hooker Valley Track, known for its dramatic mountain scenery, or the Tasman Glacier walk, which offers views of New Zealand's longest glacier and its terminal moraines. The guide helps select the hike based on conditions and preferences. The return journey takes about four hours, retracing the route past Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, and the Canterbury Plains. The guide may include a bonus stop at a lesser-known scenic spot in Canterbury if time permits. The tour ends with drop-off at the original Christchurch pickup location. Bottled water and kiwi snacks are provided throughout the day.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
Christchurch
The tour starts with pickup at central Christchurch accommodation. Guests meet their Kiwi guide and fellow travelers, then board the Mercedes Sprinter equipped with WiFi and USB charging. The guide provides commentary on Christchurch's landmarks and the city's earthquake recovery as the group heads south.
Canterbury Region
The bus travels through the large Canterbury Plains, a farming area extending to the Southern Alps. The guide explains New Zealand's agricultural background, including sheep farms, dairy, vineyards, and crop fields. The landscape changes as the group nears the Mackenzie region foothills.
Fairlie Bakehouse
A 15-minute stop at the well-known Fairlie Bakehouse allows guests to collect their included pre-ordered picnic lunch. The bakehouse is famous for meat pies, especially the steak and cheese variety. In autumn, the town shows vibrant orange trees and colorful views of Burkes Pass.
15 min
Lake Tekapo
At Lake Tekapo, the group spends 30 minutes learning about the area's turquoise lakes and unique geology. The guide discusses its designation as an International Dark Sky Reserve, known for very dark night skies.
30 min
The Church of the Good Shepherd
A 15-minute visit to this stone chapel built in 1935 as a memorial to early settlers. Guests can photograph the church with Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps in the background. Nearby is the Sheepdog Statue honoring working dogs of the region. Between late November and early January, colorful wild lupins bloom along the lakeshore.
15 min
Lake Pukaki
A short 10-minute stop at Lake Pukaki gives views of the glacier-fed lake’s blue and turquoise hues, caused by fine glacial rock particles. On clear days, Aoraki Mount Cook’s snow-capped peak, rising 3,724 meters, is visible across the lake. This viewpoint is among the most photographed in New Zealand.
10 min
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
Arrival at Mount Cook Village, located at the base of New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki Mount Cook, which is 3,724 meters tall. The village is within Mount Cook National Park, home to the Haupapa/Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's longest glacier.
60 min
Hooker Valley Track
Guests may choose this two-hour walk recognized for its dramatic mountain scenery. The trail leads through alpine landscapes with views of Mount Cook and surrounding peaks.
120 min
Tasman Glacier
Alternatively, guests can take a two-hour moderate hike to viewpoints over the Haupapa/Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s longest glacier. The walk passes ancient terminal moraines and offers views of Tasman Lake and nearby rivers, highlighting glacial geology.
120 min
Return Journey
The four-hour return trip revisits Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, and Canterbury Plains. Guests can use onboard WiFi and USB charging to relax. Time permitting, the guide may stop at an additional scenic location in Canterbury. The tour concludes with drop-off at the original Christchurch pickup point.
240 min
Meeting point
Please wait ready for collection at the bus stop on Lichfield Street outside the bus exchange. If you put 'Christchurch Bus Interchange Intercity' stop into google maps this will give you the correct location. Pick up time is at 06:25am
End point
Please wait ready for collection at the bus stop on Lichfield Street outside the bus exchange. If you put 'Christchurch Bus Interchange Intercity' stop into google maps this will give you the correct location. Pick up time is at 06:25am
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo Day Tour from Christchurch with Lunch
by Cheeky Kea Tours
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.NZ$598Overview
This full-day bus tour lasts about 13 hours and suits travelers who want to see Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo from Christchurch. The tour operates in small groups of up to 15 people, led by a local Kiwi guide who provides live commentary in English. Transportation is by air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter with WiFi and USB charging. The day starts with pickup from central Christchurch hotels. The guide shares stories about Christchurch and its recovery from earthquakes while traveling through the city. Then the tour continues across the Canterbury Plains toward the Mackenzie region, with insights into local farming and vineyards. There is a 15-minute stop at the Fairlie Bakehouse to collect a pre-ordered picnic lunch included in the tour. Afterward, the group visits Lake Tekapo for 30 minutes where the guide explains the area's geology and its status as an International Dark Sky Reserve. At the Church of the Good Shepherd, guests have 15 minutes to see the stone chapel built in 1935, take photos of the lake and Southern Alps, and view the Sheepdog Statue nearby. Next is a brief 10-minute stop at Lake Pukaki to observe the glacier-fed lake's blue and turquoise colors and views of Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak at 3,724 meters. The tour then reaches Mount Cook Village in the national park, the base for the day's main walks. Guests choose between two hikes lasting about two hours each: the Hooker Valley Track, known for its dramatic mountain scenery, or the Tasman Glacier walk, which offers views of New Zealand's longest glacier and its terminal moraines. The guide helps select the hike based on conditions and preferences. The return journey takes about four hours, retracing the route past Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, and the Canterbury Plains. The guide may include a bonus stop at a lesser-known scenic spot in Canterbury if time permits. The tour ends with drop-off at the original Christchurch pickup location. Bottled water and kiwi snacks are provided throughout the day.
Highlights
What's included
Itinerary
Christchurch
The tour starts with pickup at central Christchurch accommodation. Guests meet their Kiwi guide and fellow travelers, then board the Mercedes Sprinter equipped with WiFi and USB charging. The guide provides commentary on Christchurch's landmarks and the city's earthquake recovery as the group heads south.
Canterbury Region
The bus travels through the large Canterbury Plains, a farming area extending to the Southern Alps. The guide explains New Zealand's agricultural background, including sheep farms, dairy, vineyards, and crop fields. The landscape changes as the group nears the Mackenzie region foothills.
Fairlie Bakehouse
A 15-minute stop at the well-known Fairlie Bakehouse allows guests to collect their included pre-ordered picnic lunch. The bakehouse is famous for meat pies, especially the steak and cheese variety. In autumn, the town shows vibrant orange trees and colorful views of Burkes Pass.
15 min
Lake Tekapo
At Lake Tekapo, the group spends 30 minutes learning about the area's turquoise lakes and unique geology. The guide discusses its designation as an International Dark Sky Reserve, known for very dark night skies.
30 min
The Church of the Good Shepherd
A 15-minute visit to this stone chapel built in 1935 as a memorial to early settlers. Guests can photograph the church with Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps in the background. Nearby is the Sheepdog Statue honoring working dogs of the region. Between late November and early January, colorful wild lupins bloom along the lakeshore.
15 min
Lake Pukaki
A short 10-minute stop at Lake Pukaki gives views of the glacier-fed lake’s blue and turquoise hues, caused by fine glacial rock particles. On clear days, Aoraki Mount Cook’s snow-capped peak, rising 3,724 meters, is visible across the lake. This viewpoint is among the most photographed in New Zealand.
10 min
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
Arrival at Mount Cook Village, located at the base of New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki Mount Cook, which is 3,724 meters tall. The village is within Mount Cook National Park, home to the Haupapa/Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's longest glacier.
60 min
Hooker Valley Track
Guests may choose this two-hour walk recognized for its dramatic mountain scenery. The trail leads through alpine landscapes with views of Mount Cook and surrounding peaks.
120 min
Tasman Glacier
Alternatively, guests can take a two-hour moderate hike to viewpoints over the Haupapa/Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s longest glacier. The walk passes ancient terminal moraines and offers views of Tasman Lake and nearby rivers, highlighting glacial geology.
120 min
Return Journey
The four-hour return trip revisits Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, and Canterbury Plains. Guests can use onboard WiFi and USB charging to relax. Time permitting, the guide may stop at an additional scenic location in Canterbury. The tour concludes with drop-off at the original Christchurch pickup point.
240 min
Meeting point
Please wait ready for collection at the bus stop on Lichfield Street outside the bus exchange. If you put 'Christchurch Bus Interchange Intercity' stop into google maps this will give you the correct location. Pick up time is at 06:25am
End point
Please wait ready for collection at the bus stop on Lichfield Street outside the bus exchange. If you put 'Christchurch Bus Interchange Intercity' stop into google maps this will give you the correct location. Pick up time is at 06:25am
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.