Experience the beauty and grandeur of the Southern Alps on a sightseeing day tour to Mount Cook (Aoraki).
Start with a drive through ...
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Experience the beauty and grandeur of the Southern Alps on a sightseeing day tour to Mount Cook (Aoraki).
Start with a drive through the rugged Kawarau Gorge that leads into the Cromwell region and its fruit orchards. Then, cross the Lindis Pass and experience the tawny tussock of the Mackenzie Country.
Arrive at Mount Cook Village where you can choose to have a lunch at the famous Hermitage Hotel (own expense). After lunch you will have time to explore the village and soak up the view of Mount Cook (Aoraki). Rising to 3,724 meters high, Aoraki certainly lives up to its name, which in Māori can be translated as ‘cloud piercer’. Legend tells of a young boy named Aoraki who was stranded with his brothers when their canoe struck a reef. As it tilted, the brothers climbed to the high side, where they were frozen by the south wind and turned into stone. Aoraki and his brothers now form the Southern Alps.
Afterwards, board the bus to Christchurch and drive past Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo. Enjoy views of the crystal-clear lakes and the Church of the Good Shepherd, which sits in solitude on the foreshore of Lake Tekapo. Continue through the Canterbury Plains before arriving at Christchurch.
07.20am - Hotel pickups commence
07:30am - Depart Athol Street carpark, Queenstown
10:30am - Stop at Omarama Merino Country Crafts (Morning tea own expense)
12.15pm - Stop at Mount Cook Village for lunch at own expense
02:25pm - Depart Mount Cook Village
03.40pm - Stop at Church of the Good Shepherd and Lake Tekapo Village
07.20pm - Arrive at Christchurch coach terminal
07.30pm - Hotel drop off commence
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