Mt Cook Bus Tour & Heli Hike Combo from Queenstown

Itinerary:

1.  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.

2.   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.

3.   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.

4.   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.  

5.   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)!

6.   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 scenes were filmed nearby, and we will point them out for you.

7.   Heli Hike – Next, get ready for an adventure of a lifetime with a Tasman Glacier Heli Hike.  Combine the excitement of walking on New Zealand’s biggest glacier with the stunning scenic helicopter fly-bys of New Zealand’s largest mountain, Aoraki/Mt Cook. You will fly to your drop-off point on a remote part of the glacier before beginning a guided exploration of the amazing ice formations. Follow your guide as they cut steps in the glacier, using skills handed down from NZ’s mountain pioneers. Your trip finishes with another spectacular scenic flight back to our Aoraki/Mt. Cook base where your bus guide will meet you. 

8.   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.

9. Jackson's Orchard – During the summer months, when the sun is still up as we get close to Queenstown, we often stop at Jackson's Orchard to try or buy some delicious local fruit or real fruit ice cream.

10.  Queenstown – Sadly, the tour must come to an end as we re-enter Queenstown and say our goodbyes.