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Offered languages
- German
- Portuguese
- English
- English
- Italian
- Spanish
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.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Pickups are from the below hotels only. If your hotel is not listed, please select your closest alternative and meet us there. If you are not sure where your closest alternative is, please contact us in advance so that we can advise you. If you have not yet booked a hotel then please select The Station (Home of Adventure) as your pickup location. You can update this once your hotel is booked by contacting us or amending your pickup directly through Viator. Note: our pickups begin 15 mins before tour start time so please check your confirmation for the exact pickup time from your chosen location as these will vary. Kamana Lakehouse Mercure Queenstown Heritage Hotel Rydges Lakeland Resort QT Queenstown Hotel St Moritz Crowne Plaza Novotel Nomads Hostel Flaming Kiwi Backpackers Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel Pinewood Lodge The Station Information Centre (default central pickup point) LyLo Queenstown Sofitel Aspen Lodge Ramada Queenstown Central Heartland Hotel Scenic Suites Holiday Inn Express Millennium Hotel Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Lakeview Swiss Belsuites Pounamu Oaks Shores Resort The Rees Holiday Inn Frankton Road Sherwood Hotel Frankton Bus Interchange (closest stop to airport) Sudima Five Mile Wyndham Garden
Itinerary
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1Queenstown
Your tour starts in the stunning city of Queenstown. As we drive out of the city your guide will not only set the scene for your adventure today but also point out and guide you past some of the area’s top highlights.
Admission ticket free -
2
Departing Queenstown we then make our way through the stunning Kawarau Gorge passing beautiful views, the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and the famous Roaring Meg Lookout. Time and light permitting we will stop for that first great shot of the tour.
Admission ticket free -
3
Exiting the Kawarau Gorge we enter the fruit and wine growing region of Cromwell. Passing huge fields of vines we cross Lake Dunstan and follow this beautiful lake towards Lindis Pass.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
Climbing in altitude, Lindis Pass has amazing views down through the valley. Being one of only three alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps, we stop at the Lindis Pass lookout 971m above sea level for an essential photo.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
While driving through the endless plains of the Mackenzie district we will spot several of the famous Merino breed of sheep before stopping at the quaint township of Omarama. While in Omarama we have time for a break or even to try the best creamy chicken pie in NZ (in our opinion)!
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
Turning west we begin to enter the Aoraki National Park and Lake Pukaki begins to emerge in front of us. Lake Pukaki is one of the bluest lakes you will ever see and stunningly framed by the backdrop of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. We stop for some amazing photos and to just marvel the sight that we are beholding. It’s not hard to see why so many Lord of the Rings scene were filmed nearby and we will point them out for you.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7
Arriving at Mt Cook Village, weather depending, we should get some amazing shots of the mountain itself. At 3724m, Aoraki/Mt Cook is New Zealand’s highest peak, however, the mountain can be viewed without any acclimatisation whatsoever from the village which is just 750m above sea level.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8
While in the national park you have 4 hours free time to enjoy free walks/hikes or one of the extra optional activities. Some of our recommendations include: The Hooker Valley hike -this easy 3 hour fairly flat walk is considered one of New Zealand’s most beautiful hikes. Heli Hike - this adventure on the Tasman Glacier is the ultimate way to enjoy the area. Scenic flights – see the region from the air and land on the Tasman Glacier. Whatever you have decided to do, we will pick you up and drop you off where you need to go and make sure you are well looked after.
4 hours • Admission ticket free -
9
Farewelling Mt Cook we make our way to Lake Tekapo for the night. This turquoise blue lake is famous world over for its beauty and how pristine it is. We arrive early evening so you can enjoy exploring and buy some dinner at a local restaurant of your choice. At night and weather depending you can choose to participate in one of the famous stargazing optional extra activities, for an additional price.
14 hours • Admission ticket free -
10
After a relaxing night at Tekapo Day 2 starts with a guided tour of the local highlights such as the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Mackenzie dog before starting to head back toward Queenstown.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
11
On our way to Queenstown we will make a stop at High Country Salmon, a local salmon farm, where you can feed the fish and taste some of the freshest salmon in New Zealand.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
12
During summer months when the sun is still up and we get close to Queenstown we often stop at Mrs Jones Suncrest Orchard to try or buy her delicious local fruit or real fruit ice cream.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
13Queenstown
Sadly the tour must come to an end as we re-enter Queenstown and say our goodbyes.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free
Queenstown to Tekapo via Mt Cook
Tekapo to Queenstown
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A moderate amount of walking is involved.
- Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
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Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A moderate amount of walking is involved.
- Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
- Children aged 7 years and below are required to travel in a child safety car seat. If you don't have a car seat one can be provided (with 24 hours’ notice).
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Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- For a 50% refund, you must cancel 2–6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
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