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Offered languages
- English
Experience the journey from Queenstown to Aoraki/Mt Cook with a private guide. It's not about ticking off sights quickly – it’s about creating memories that last. Unlike crowded van tours, this itinerary is built around photography and can depart in the early hours for a sunrise or leave later in the day to capture a fiery alpine sunset. You’ll have full control over the itinerary.
Tailor‑made departure times – want to be on the shores of Lake Pukaki at dawn or at the end of the Hooker Valley Track when the last light glows? We adjust the schedule and stop sequence to suit the season and your goals.
Private transport and guide – a comfortable vehicle with a local guide/photographer means you can decide when and where to stop.
Photography‑focused – we build in extra time at scenic locations rather than rushing through. You can shoot long exposures, change lenses or wait for the clouds to lift.
Optional hikes and detours – choose a three hour hike or skip the walking altogether.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Travelers can specify their own pickup point
Itinerary
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1
Lindis Pass displays the tawny tussock landscapes of the Mackenzie Country. This high‑country saddle offers views down sweeping valleys. We’ll allow time to pull over if there’s mist in the folds or snow dusting the peaks.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
This location is dramatic in the low morning light and makes for otherworldly photos. Clay Cliffs offer jagged, cathedral like pinnacles. These formations were sculpted over a million years ago by glacial floods; the tall pinnacles are separated by narrow ravines A short trail winds through the ravines, and it takes about 45 minutes to explore (optional stop).
45 minutes • Admission ticket included -
3
We’ll stop at one or more lookouts overlooking Lake Pukaki, while continue along the Mount Cook Road. This glacial lake is famed for its vivid turquoise hue and the perfect reflection of Mt Cook on calm days. We can arrive here for sunrise when the first rays hit Aoraki, or return in the evening for sunset’s warm tones.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
Hooker Valley Track (3 hours return) optional.
3 hours • Admission ticket free -
5
Optional walk 1-2hrs.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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