Mt Cook: Small Group Alpine Adventure with Helicopter, Ski Plane and Glacier Landing from Queenstown

Embark on a small group alpine adventure in Mt Cook with a helicopter and ski plane flight, glacier landing, and optional activities. Experience the beauty of Mt Cook with passionate tour guides and comfortable transportation.

Duration: 12 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Queenstown - 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 adventurous day but also point out and guide you past some of the area’s top highlights.
  • Kawarau Suspension Bridge - Departing Queenstown we then make our way through the Kawarau Gorge passing stunning 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.
  • Cromwell - 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.
  • Lindis Pass - Climbing in altitude, Lindis Pass has amazing views down through the valleys. Being one of only three alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps, we stop at the famous lookout at the top of the pass for an essential photo.
  • Omarama - 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)!
  • Lake Pukaki - 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 is stunningly framed by the backdrop of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. We stop for some amazing photos and to marvel at the sight that we are beholding. It’s not hard to see why many Lord of the Rings scene were filmed nearby and we will point them out for you.
  • Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters - Check-in and get ready for an unforgettable experience flying in a ski plane and a helicopter, on the same day, for the ultimate experience of Aoraki/Mount Cook! This amazing scenic adventure includes a glacier snow landing on the Tasman Glacier.
  • Tasman Glacier - As part of you ultimate alpine experience you will land on the Tasman glacier and get a chance to explore this amazing location.
  • Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) - While in the national park you have 30 minutes free time to enjoy free walks/hikes or one of the extra optional activities. Some of our recommendations include Kea Point Track or the Sir Edmond Hillary Alpine Centre. Whatever you decide to do we will pick you up and drop you off where you need to go and make sure you are well looked after.
  • Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre - After your flight we arrive at the 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.
  • High Country Salmon - Farewelling Aoraki/Mt Cook Village and making our way back to Queenstown we stop in at High Country Salmon, a local salmon farm, where you can feed the fish and taste some of the freshest salmon in New Zealand.
  • Jackson Orchards - During summer months when the sun is still up and as we get close to Queenstown, we often stop at Jacksons Orchard to try or buy some delicious local fruit or real fruit ice cream.
  • Queenstown - Sadly the tour must come to an end as we re-enter Queenstown and say our goodbyes.
What's Included
  • Ultimate Alpine Experience Scenic Flights & Glacier Landing
  • Water available & snacks provided
  • Small Group & Fully Guided Bus Tour
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch - opportunities to purchase along the way.
Additional Information

Mt Cook Bus Tour & Ultimate Alpine Experience, this small group, fully guided bus tour to Mt Cook combines all of the key highlights of Mt Cook with scenic flights in a helicopter and a ski plane including a Tasman Glacier landing plus free time to do other optional activities of your choice. 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.

  • Flight activities are always ‘On Request’ until confirmed with our airline partner
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
  • Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
  • 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).
Location
The Station - Home of Adventure in Queenstown
Shotover Street
Please pick this location if your hotel is not on our list. We do not pick up from your hotel, motel or private property if it is not listed.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(27 Ratings)
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236sunilc
Jun 6, 2024
Best tour guide Hanna - Hanna was the best tour guide. She recommended me the helicopter ride and it was the best experience of my life. I can't thank her enough for being so informative and energetic throughout the trip
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Quest21037438373
May 13, 2024
Breathtaking, Seamless, Memorable - We had an incredible time exploring Mt. Cook. Georgia, our trip guide, was consistently helpful and full of valuable insights. Traveling by van was smooth sailing, with Georgia's driving skills leaving us with no concerns. The scenery along the drive was absolutely stunning, and the helicopter ride to the mountain's peak took our breath away. This trip is undoubtedly worth every moment.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mozzie256
Apr 24, 2024
Unmissable experience... - Jeff and Renee picked me up on time and it was clear that they ran a very safe, professional and relaxed programme. With everyone on board a thorough safety briefing was given. 4 hours or so to get to the Mount Cook flight line was filled with multiple bathroom stops, opportunities to get food and loads of informative Kiwi 'banter' and info about the tour, Kiwi history, conservation and route. We had a great bunch of folks on board who all gelled and the atmosphere was excitable and infectious. At the flight line a bit of a wait to separate the passengers into various groups and assign flight groups, tours etc. The actual flight up to the Mt Cook glacier was by helicopter and down by fixed wing ski plane. Both pilots were very safe, professional and eager to please and provide info, photos etc. Awe inspiring scenery on the glacier, with lots of opportunities to take photos, ask questions etc. Seeing global warming personally and its effects were incredible and revealing. So, the price at over NZ$700 (£350 Sterling) is hefty, no getting away from it. Was it worth it - absolutely - every penny! Over 12 hours of a tour, beautiful weather, 2 flights and an unbeatable experience on the glacier, made some good friends and plenty of belly laughs - stuff of legends. Jeff and Renee were absolute Stars and bounced of each other and the passengers. Well done Cheeky Kiwi - great memories...
Review provided by Tripadvisor
690sallyb
Mar 31, 2024
Worth it. - Overall an exceptional tour. Stops were great. Food options for purchase were really nice. Bus was comfy. Only downside was the long wait for the helicopter and plane ride. Jeff was a very informative and friendly driver who dropped us off at our accommodation at the end of a very long but enjoyable day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Charlotte_m
Mar 11, 2024
Frolicking on a glacier, what a memory :) - This was a once in a life time experience for us! The day was sunny, light winds, and the ice and snow sparkled like glitter. Several spectacular photos that day. FYI You'll have 15 minutes to walk around in a staked out area and take pictures at the glacier. I wouldn't have used precious suitcase space with fleece wear if I'd known that. We went the 2nd week in March.
Review provided by Viator
Dreamer551630
Mar 10, 2024
Queenstown Tour/Mount Cook Heli fantastic hike - Awesome day! The guides were extremely kind and attentive to us. Heli hiking on the Tasman Glacier was a magnificent experience! The wonderful guide... take the helicopter and see Mount Cook, the glacier and the valley from above: splendid! Not to mention the beauty of the glacier and the place, it’s wow!!!! How magnificent our planet is! We were very lucky because the weather was great despite the winds which could have hampered the helicopter flight and therefore shortened the hiking time on the glacier. This was not the case and we were able to enjoy a beautiful hike. Explanations on Queenstown, Mount Cook, the glacier, etc. throughout and we were able to benefit from the sharing of the experiences of the mountaineering guides. It was truly a very rich day. I really recommend this activity and this service provider for their kindness and seriousness. Good communication with precise and clear explanations. No surprises, everything is said! If the weather is not good, if you are late for your appointment...
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Givengo2000
Feb 22, 2024
Great great experience!! - One of the best things I’ve ever done!! The tour guide Denny was a wonderful young woman who drove 16 of us from Queenstown to Mt Cook Aoraki and back, stopping at various locations so we could enjoy picture taking. This included rest stops and informative dialogue. The ride was long but beautiful! The actual flying experience was amazing and one of the best things I’ve ever done! The plane ride was smooth and landing on the Franz Josef glacier was exciting! We had ample time on the glacier to experience it and take photos. The return trip on the helicopter was my favorite thing! Our pilot got us up close to the mountains and the views were unforgettable!! He landed us back to earth like we were a butterfly touching down!! Great great experience!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Backpacker791833
Feb 22, 2024
You’ve GOT to do this!! - One of the best things I’ve ever done! Fantastic views!! The plane ride was smooth for such a small craft and the helicopter ride was absolutely incredible!!! Loved this experience!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jacquie_c
Mar 25, 2024
Fabulous - The helicopter ride was amazing, the tour guide was great a shame the wait at the airport was so long.
Review provided by Viator
Jellyfishking
Mar 5, 2024
Great tour but missed out on the glacier landing - The tour was great and the scenery magnificent. The tour guide, Cameron, was young but knowledgeable and enthusiastic. There was plenty of great photo opportunities. The major disappointment for me was plane ride was cancelled and the helicopter flight was cut short due to weather conditions. This is not the fault of the tour company and I understand safety is of utmost importance. The whole reason I booked this flight was to land on the glacier. The helicopter company did give us a partial refund for the shortened flight. We had an enjoyable time nonetheless.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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1 Adult
September 2024
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