#nzmustdo at Aoraki Mt Cook:
- Accessible alpine region for all fitness levels
- Scenic flights over the most spectacular scenery New Zealand has to offer
- Year round destination offering summer walks to winter ski action
- Photograph the Church of the Good Shepherd, cheesy, in a trillion photos however not yet in yours
- September – May kakak Tasman Lake between floating icebergs or perhaps a guided boat trip on the lake
- Lupins are an introduced ‘weed’ yet glorious in the spring, giving a depth of spring purple haze to the landscape. A photo moment with lupins in spring is a favourite instagram moment.
Best time to go:
Year round: Summer walks, Winter skiing and winter sports.
Visitor centre services:
- Information on the walks, attractions and activities in the park and local environs.
- An intentions system provided for climbers and trampers to sign in when they enter and leave Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
- Great New Zealand retail products available.
A booking agent for all local tourism activities.
There are no banks at Aoraki/Mount Cook Village but EFTPOS facilities are available.
Opening hours: Open daily. Free entrance.
- Summer peak season (October – April) 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Winter off-peak season (May – September) 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Getting there:
There is one road in and out of the park, State Highway 80. Picturesque, scenic and take the photo when you see it as there is no guarantee that the cloud cover will not reappear or the light will be as perfect. The turnoff from State Highway 8 has excellent signage. New Zealand alpine scenery is easily viewed, from numerous vantage points with the piercing sharp blue lakes, glaciers and soaring mountain peaks around every corner. Glorious accessible alps where you can simply have a picnic at a lake with surround scenery that is postcard gorgeous.
TIP:
Nearest towns are Tekapo (105 km) and Twizel (65 km). If you are camping, collect essentials from either of these two locations.
Budgets and the alpine experience
Scenic flights, heli-skiing, heli-hiking, and glacier trekking with your scenic flight is expensive. The price tag, for those on a limited budget means this experience may not be possible. While an aerial view is a once in a lifetime experience a walk to the Hooker Valley is equally rewarding and it is free, glorious and all based on your efforts (including several swing bridges).
What to see and do in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park
Walking and tramping
Walks for families in Aoraki
learn more Aoraki/Mount Cook village short walks
learn more Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks
learn more Hooker Valley Track
learn more Kea Point Track
learn more Red Tarns Track
learn more Sealy Tarns Track
learn more Ball Hut Route
learn more Mueller Hut Route
learn more Ball Pass Crossing
learn moreHUNTING
Recreational hunting for tahr and chamois is permitted all year round in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is located deep within the Southern Alps. The land is heavily glaciated is mostly steep mountain ranges covered in scree slopes, moraine and tussock grasslands. Weather can change rapidly with little warning.
Hunters should be experienced at alpine travel and must sign in their intentions at the visitor centre when entering the park. For up to date information on access, conditions and animal numbers, contact the Aoraki Visitor Centre.
Species
- Chamois
- Tahr
Permit requirements
A permit is required to hunt on public conservation land.
This hunting area is covered by an ‘open area permit’ which can be obtained online or from a DOC office.
ACCESS
Godley valley
There is 4WD access to the east side of the Godley valley but you need to cross the Macaulay River. A route is marked past Lilybank Lodge; vehicle use ends at Separation Stream.
Tasman valley
Vehicle use ends at Blue Lakes car park on Tasman Valley Road (4WDs may be able to continue on to Husky Flat). From Blue Lakes it is 2-3 hours walk to Ball Hut.
Another option is to take a boat across Tasman Lake (operates between November and April).This gives access to Tasman faces and Gorilla Stream. Contact Glacier Explorers phone +64 3 4351641.
Hooker valley
Hooker valley is reached via White Horse Hill car park, Hooker Valley Road. The East Hooker route is recommended for hunting.
Access to the Sealy Range is from White Horse Hill car park.
There is foot access up all major streams off State Highway 80.
Aircraft access
There is helicopter access to both Liebig and Onslow huts. Check that the helicopter operator has the relevant permissions to land at these sites.
Always call in to the Aoraki/Mount Cook Visitor Centre to sign in your intentions and to check the latest weather and avalanche conditions.
Maps
Topo50 – BY15, BX15, BX16, BY16, BX17.
Dogs
Dogs are not permitted within Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Huts
Pay hut fees at Aoraki/Mount Cook Visitor Centre.
Additional information
Hunters are advised to check for current pesticide operations that may be in progress where they intend to hunt. Summaries are published every four months.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park has a human waste pack out policy. For more information please contact the Visitor Centre in Aoraki/Mount Cook village.
CAMPING
WHITE HORSE HILL CAMPGROUND
Camp beneath magnificent alpine scenery including Mt Sefton. Enjoy a variety of walks from the valley floor to mountain tops.
- Category: Scenic
- Bookings not required – first come, first served
- 60 non-powered/tent sites
- Fires are not permitted at any time.
- Dog access: No dogs
Facilities
- Hot showers at public shelter in village (2.5 km from campsite)
Getting there
2.5 km from Aoraki/Mt Cook Village at the end of Hooker Valley Rd off SH 80.
Location
NZTM2000 coordinates: E1365711, N5155153
Latitude: -43.71964561, Longitude: 170.09146595
Fees
- Adult (18+ years): $15 per night
- Child (5 – 17 years): $7.50 per night
- Infant (0 – 4 years): free
Passes
The DOC/NZMCA Campsite Pass can be used at this campsite except between the Friday before Christmas and the end of Waitangi weekend. In 2020/2021, this is 18 December 2020 to 9 February 2021.
Backcountry Hut Passes cannot be used at this campsite.
Check DOC resource for up to date information.
Stay in a hut
Ball Hut
learn more Barron Saddle Hut
learn more Copland Shelter
learn more Eade Memorial Hut
learn more Empress Hut
learn more Godley Hut
learn more Kelman Hut
learn more Liebig Hut
learn more Mueller Hut
learn more Onslow Hut (Steffan Memorial Hut)
learn more Plateau Hut
learn more Sefton Bivouac
learn more Tasman Saddle Hut
learn moreSTAY
Aoraki Mt Cook Village
The village is small with no shops, except for a few essential items. In the Hermitage Hotel is a small gift shop and an excellent visitor centre. The luxury hotel provides guests with stupendous views of the mountains from its enormous plate glass windows. There is a campground operating on a first come, first served basis. Have a plan B if the campground is full. On arrival at Aoraki campgrounds check in before departing for any short walks. Put a stake in the ground then relax into the landscape.
Camping at Glentanner Mount Cook Accommodation Campervan Park Activities Mt Cook NZ is located on the shores of Lake Pukaki, is 15 minutes from Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park on State Highway 80. Glentanner is a fully-equipped campground and campervan park in the area, and we provide boutique and budget accommodation to suit every need. Glentanner acts as an independent information centre and activity hub, we offer flight-seeing helicopter flights that depart daily from reception (weather permitting), as well as booking information on numerous other Mount Cook Activities. Forward bookings are essential.
COMMERCIAL OPERATORS
GUIDED ACTIVITIES AND TOURS
Guided activities in the Canterbury region as part of team building programmes and event management.
Activities: Mountain biking
Services: Guided activities and tours
Guided mountaineering, ski touring, glacier skiing, snowshoeing and alpine instruction in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction
Mountaineering and avalanche courses, guided climbing and ski touring in the Southern Alps, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring, Mount Tasman.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction
Top Tours
Bus tour to Aoraki/Mount Cook, Kawarau Bridge and Fiordland National Park.
Services: Guided activities and tours
New Zealand International Travel Limited
Guiding short walks on the West Coast, Canterbury, Otago and Fiordland.
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Guided luxury vehicle transport in the Otago area, Mount Aspiring National Park, Milford Sound/Fiordland National Park and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Activities: Four wheel driving
Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours
Mountain Helicopters Fox Glacier
Helicopter charters and scenic flights over Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland National Parks.
Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours
Wanaka Mountain Guides
Guided walking, climbing, mountaineering and skiing in Aoraki/Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Facilities; Guided activities and tours
AuthenticAs offers visitors a chance to be guided on photography tours/ hikes throughout New Zealand. They specialise in breathtaking New Zealand landscape photography and capturing those priceless moments when you and yours are enjoying this magical place.
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Heli and glacier skiing, mountaineering courses, guided climbing, ski touring and avalanche courses in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring
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Guided multi-day tours around New Zealand.
Activities: Walking and tramping
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Guided walking, mountain biking and four wheel driving in South Island locations as part of bus tours.
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Guided walks, including walks for ornithology and photography, at various locations across the South Island.
Activities: Bird and wildlife watching; Picnicking
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Exclusive Tourism Services Ltd
Guided Walking and four wheel driving expeditions around the South Island.
Activities: Four wheel driving; Walking and tramping
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NLK Tours Ltd
Guided Walking at selected tracks in Canterbury, Fiordland, Otago and West Coast regions.
+64 9 480 4288
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Wang Wang Travel
Guided walks as part of tours in Aoraki/Mount Cook, Arthur’s Pass and Mount Aspiring National Parks.
Services: Guided activities and tours
Images Abound: DOC concessionaires
Private landscape photography tours.
Services: Guided activities and tours
Jay Tours
Guided walks in Aoraki Mount Cook, Kawarau Bridge, Arthur’s Pass and the Paparoa, Westland, Mount Aspiring and Fiordland national parks.
Services: Guided activities and tours
Boat tours on the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Activities: Boating
Services: Guided activities and tours
Guided day walks in Nelson/Tasman, Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago regions.
Services: Guided activities and tours
Flying Aotearoa Limited
Guiding on selected conforming tracks in Canterbury, Fiordland, Otago and West Coast.
Phone: +64 27 370 9832
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Guided heli skiing around Queenstown, Wanaka and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Activities: Skiing and ski touring
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American Universities International Programs
Guided half day walks in the Hooker Valley, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park as part of a student programme.
Services: Guided activities and tours
Guided walks throughout the South Island as part of team building activities and outdoor education programmes.
Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction
Guiding in Fiordland, Southland, Canterbury and Otago.
Activities: Walking and tramping
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Guided climbing and tramping, climbing courses in Mount Aspiring, Westland and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Parks.
Activities: Climbing
Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction
Guided walking on Conforming Tracks in the South Island.
Activities: Walking and tramping
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Little Bridge Travel Ltd
Guiding and transport on selected Conforming tracks in Canterbury, Central North Island, Fiordland, Otago and West Coast areas.
Activities: Walking and tramping
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Guided walks as part of a tour throughout New Zealand.
Activities: Walking and tramping
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Conforming walks within multi regions and districts.
Services: Guided activities and tours
Guided mountaineering, ski touring, alpine instruction and guided walks in Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring National Parks and other parts of the South Island. Activities include snow shoe treks, backcountry skiing, nordic and alpine ski touring, climbing courses.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring
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Guided walks as part of tours throughout New Zealand.
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Mt Cook Glacier Guiding provides guided activities on the Tasman and Murchison Glaciers.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring
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Private guided tours around the South island.
Activities: Walking and tramping
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Guided heli-skiing and heli-boarding on Mount Hutt, Hakatere Conservation Park and Oxford Forest. Scenic helicopter flights, snow landings, and heli hunting at Mount Hutt, the Canterbury High Country, Southern Alps, and West Coast glaciers.
Activities: Hunting; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours
Guided, small group hiking tours travelling between national parks for overnight and 2-night hikes. Trip may also include soaking in hotpools, mountain biking, kayaking and caving.
Activities: Caving; Kayaking and canoeing; Mountain biking; Walking and tramping
Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours
Mercury Travel Group Limited: Concessionaires
Guided Walking at selected tracks nationwide.
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Scenic flights, climber transport, and charters with both fixed wing ski planes and helicopters in Fiordland, Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks, and snow landings on the Tasman Glacier.
Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours; Weddings
Guided multi-day mountaineering, alpine tramping, ski touring treks and alpine instruction in Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring National Parks, and Remarkables Conservation Area.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction
Guided mountaineering, ski touring, alpine trekking, rock climbing and instruction courses in Otago, Canterbury and Fiordland.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring
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Guided walks as part of tours throughout New Zealand.
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Flying Kiwi Wilderness Expeditions
Guided activities as part of adventure tours in the North and South Islands.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing; Mountain biking; Skiing and ski touring
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Guided walking and nature interpretation at multiple locations throughout the South Island.
Activities: Walking and tramping
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Guided walking and cycling as part of tours within New Zealand.
Activities: Mountain biking
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Guided walks for photography workshops.
Activities: Walking and tramping
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Accommodation, dining, conference and event facilities, and guided activities including Tasman Glacier Lake boat tours, Tasman Valley 4WD and Argo tours, guided walks, star gazing in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Activities: Boating; Four wheel driving
Services: Accommodation; Facilities; Guided activities and tours; Weddings
No 1 Tours
Guided walks as part of a bus tour within the South Island.
Services: Guided activities and tours
Guided walks and kayaking trips, and storage at Mueller and Tasman Lakes in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing
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Guiding on conforming tracks for photography lessons in the South Island of New Zealand.
Activities: Bird and wildlife watching; Walking and tramping
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Guided walks throughout the South Island and booking of DOC huts, as part of tours specialising in Japanese tourists/language.
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Guided walks, mountaineering, rock climbing and ski touring in Mount Aspiring and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Parks.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring; Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction
Travel Island Tours
Bus tour to Aoraki/Mount Cook, Kawarau Bridge and Fordland National Park.
Services: Guided activities and tours
Awa Travel Ltd
Guiding on selected Conforming tracks in Canterbury, Fiordland and West Coast areas.
Landline phone: 64 9 620 8668
Mobile: 64 21 31 3038
Email: avatravelnz@hotmail.com
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
New Zealand Photography Workshops Ltd
Multi-day photography tours in New Zealand.
Services: Guided activities and tours
Tour packages and tailor-made travels for individual travellers and groups within New Zealand. Self-drive and special interest tours for travel agents as well as independent travellers.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing; Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Guided walks as part of tours in the South Island.
Services: Guided activities and tours
Guided walks in the West Coast, Canterbury, Fiordland and Otago
Activities: Walking and tramping
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Guided nature tours in the Southern Alps.
Activities: Bird and wildlife watching
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Hikes, tours and adventures to suit all people and fitness levels.
Activities: Boating; Kayaking and canoeing; Mountain biking; Rafting; Skiing and ski touring; Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Guided walks, heli-skiing, glacier lake kayaking trips in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Guided activities and tours
Royal Express Tours
Guided walks throughout the South Island as part of a bus tour.
Services: Guided activities and tours
Antipodes Travel
Tailor-made tours for independent travellers or group tours within New Zealand.
Services: Guided activities and tours
Queenstown Activities Limited
Short description of what service the concessionaire offers and where (1-2 sentences) Guided walking on conforming tracks Te Anau, West Coast, Aoraki and Wakatipu.
+64 22 026 2199
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Adventure Touring
Guided walking in the West Coast, Canterbury, and Southland.
Mobile: +64 27 281 8173
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Short guided walks in the South Island.
Services: Guided activities and tours
Guided mountaineering, alpine tramping, ski touring and alpine instruction in Mount Tasman, Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction
Capture New Zealand Photography Tours
Guided walks as part of photography tours around New Zealand.
Services: Guided activities and tours
Guided walks as part of tours throughout New Zealand – sold in German speaking countries.
Services: Guided activities and tours
Guided mountain biking and walking across New Zealand.
Activities: Mountain biking
Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours
Road Scholar (Elderhostel Inc)
Guided Walking at selected tracks in Canterbury, Fiordland, Otago and West Coast regions and Central North Island.
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Guided walks as part of a South Island tour.
Services: Guided activities and tours
TRANSPORT
Guided mountain biking and walking across New Zealand.
Activities: Mountain biking
Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours
Heliworks Queenstown Helicopters
Helicopter transport, scenic flights and charters in remote Fiordland locations, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Mount Cook.
Services: Transport; Weddings
Sincere Tours
Transport throughout the South Island.
Services: Transport
Guided heli-skiing and heli-boarding on Mount Hutt, Hakatere Conservation Park and Oxford Forest. Scenic helicopter flights, snow landings, and heli hunting at Mount Hutt, the Canterbury High Country, Southern Alps, and West Coast glaciers.
Activities: Hunting; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours
Guided, small group hiking tours travelling between national parks for overnight and 2-night hikes. Trip may also include soaking in hotpools, mountain biking, kayaking and caving.
Activities: Caving; Kayaking and canoeing; Mountain biking; Walking and tramping
Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours
Mountain Helicopters Fox Glacier
Helicopter charters and scenic flights over Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland National Parks.
Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours
Scenic and charter helicopter flights for Aoraki/Mount Cook and Fiordland National Parks, Queenstown area, Milford Sound, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.
Activities: Hunting
Services: Transport
Scenic flights, climber transport, and charters with both fixed wing ski planes and helicopters in Fiordland, Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks, and snow landings on the Tasman Glacier.
Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours; Weddings
Black ZQN
Guided luxury vehicle transport in the Otago area, Mount Aspiring National Park, Milford Sound/Fiordland National Park and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Activities: Four wheel driving
Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours
ACCOMODATION
Aoraki/Mount Cook Alpine Lodge
Accommodation for travelers in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Services: Accommodation
Accommodation, dining, conference and event facilities, and guided activities including Tasman Glacier Lake boat tours, Tasman Valley 4WD and Argo tours, guided walks, star gazing in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Activities: Boating; Four wheel driving
Services: Accommodation; Facilities; Guided activities and tours; Weddings
FACILITIES
Accommodation, dining, conference and event facilities, and guided activities including Tasman Glacier Lake boat tours, Tasman Valley 4WD and Argo tours, guided walks, star gazing in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Activities: Boating; Four wheel driving
Services: Accommodation; Facilities; Guided activities and tours; Weddings
Wanaka Mountain Guides
Guided walking, climbing, mountaineering and skiing in Aoraki/Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Facilities; Guided activities and tours
OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND INSTRUCTION
Mountaineering and avalanche courses, guided climbing and ski touring in the Southern Alps, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring, Mount Tasman.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction
Guided mountaineering, alpine tramping, ski touring and alpine instruction in Mount Tasman, Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction
Guided walks, mountaineering, rock climbing and ski touring in Mount Aspiring and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Parks.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring; Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction
Guided mountaineering, ski touring, alpine trekking, rock climbing and instruction courses in Otago, Canterbury and Fiordland.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction
Heli and glacier skiing, mountaineering courses, guided climbing, ski touring and avalanche courses in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction
Guided multi-day mountaineering, alpine tramping, ski touring treks and alpine instruction in Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring National Parks, and Remarkables Conservation Area.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction
Guided walks throughout the South Island as part of team building activities and outdoor education programmes.
Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction
Guided climbing and tramping, climbing courses in Mount Aspiring, Westland and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Parks.
Activities: Climbing
Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction
Guided mountaineering, ski touring, glacier skiing, snowshoeing and alpine instruction in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Activities: Climbing; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Guided activities and tours; Outdoor education and instruction
WEDDINGS
The Wedding Company New Zealand
Arrange destination weddings throughout New Zealand for couples around the globe including heli-weddings to stunning mountain-top and glacier locations within Aoraki Mt Cook National Park.
Services: Weddings
Heliworks Queenstown Helicopters
Helicopter transport, scenic flights and charters in remote Fiordland locations, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Mount Cook.
Services: Transport; Weddings
Accommodation, dining, conference and event facilities, and guided activities including Tasman Glacier Lake boat tours, Tasman Valley 4WD and Argo tours, guided walks, star gazing in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Activities: Boating; Four wheel driving
Services: Accommodation; Facilities; Guided activities and tours; Weddings
Scenic flights, climber transport, and charters with both fixed wing ski planes and helicopters in Fiordland, Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks, and snow landings on the Tasman Glacier.
Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours; Weddings
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TRAVEL PACK INFORMATION
- Plants and animals. There is virtually no forest in the park. Instead the park is alive with the most wonderful alpine plants. Over 300 species of plants are found in the park. Among the most spectacular of these are many varieties of mountain buttercup (Ranunculus) and daisy/tikumu (Celmisia). The famed Mount Cook lily, Ranunculus lyallii, is the largest buttercup in the world. About 40 species of birds are found in the park, and perhaps the most distinctive of these is the kea, a mountain parrot well known for its mischievous antics. The only true alpine bird is the tiny rock wren/piwauwau, which survives the winter in high rock basins. However kea, falcons/karearea and black-backed gulls/karoro can be found soaring in higher areas. The braided riverbed of the Tasman is home to the kakī/black stilt, one of New Zealand’s rarest birds. The park is rich with invertebrate fauna, including large dragonflies, grasshoppers, distinctive moths and butterflies. A black alpine wētā known as the Mount Cook flea is found above the snowline. The jewelled gecko lives in the region but is so secretive that it is rarely seen.
As described by official website Nature and conservation: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
The journey is worth it.