Things to do in Mount Cook Village

No. 13 of Spring Outings in New Zealand

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

Of the 20 mountains in New Zealand that exceed 3,050 m, 19 are located inAoraki/Mount Cook National Parkin.Among them, the more spectacular one is Mount Cook, which is over 3,700 m high. The Maori call it "Aoraki," meaning "the mountain that pierces the clouds." Experience New Zealand's large glacier up close—the Tasman Glacier,Aoraki/Mount Cook National ParkThe middle third is covered with snow or ice year-round. Here, you can experience New Zealand's largest glacier, the Tasman Glacier, up close.

No. 8 of Best Things to Do in New Zealand

Mount Cook Helicopter Experiences

Mount Cook Helicopter Experiences take you soaring over Mount Cook National Park, offering breathtaking aerial views of vast glaciers and snowfields. Feel the majestic embrace of towering mountains from high above as your helicopter navigates through narrow ridges before landing on alpine terrain, where you'll marvel at the park's spectacular scenery. During this unforgettable journey, you'll witness natural wonders like the Tasman Glacier and Hooker Valley from above, experiencing the awe-inspiring beauty of glacial landscapes and snow-capped peaks. Under the guidance of professional pilots, you'll enjoy low-altitude flights for close-up observations of glacial crevasses and ice caves while learning about glacial formation processes. More than just a visual feast, Mount Cook Helicopter Experiences offer a profound spiritual awakening amidst nature's grandeur.

Inflite Experiences Mt Cook

Inflite Experiences Mt Cook offers an unforgettable adventure, giving travelers the opportunity to admire the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand's South Island from the air, especially the glaciers, snowfields, and mountain ranges of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Inflite is a professional helicopter sightseeing service provider renowned for its high-quality service and diverse sightseeing routes. The activity takes place at Aoraki Mount Cook Airport near the national park, one of the closest airports to Mount Cook. After gathering at the airport, travelers will board Inflite's twin-engine helicopter. The spacious and comfortable seats ensure a pleasant flight experience. As the helicopter ascends, travelers will enjoy panoramic views of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. The helicopter will soar over towering peaks, winding glaciers, and crystal-clear lakes, presenting awe-inspiring natural scenery. During specific sightseeing programs, the helicopter will land on the Tasman Glacier, allowing travelers to experience the grandeur and mystery of the glacier up close.

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Mackenzie Basin

Hooker Valley track

Hooker Valley track is located in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand. It is a popular hiking route, well-loved by visitors for its magnificent natural scenery. The total distance is approx. 10 km, and the round-trip takes approx. 3 hours, making it suitable for all types of hikers. The trail is primarily gravel, with a generally gentle terrain. Boardwalks and bridges are provided along the way for easy walking. The route starts from the White Horse Hill Campground side, passing the memorial for climbers and the Mueller Lake Lookout, then crosses the suspension bridges over the Hooker River. Below your feet, glacial meltwater rushes by, and looking up, you can see the hanging glaciers of Mount Sefton. On clear days, the snow-capped peaks of Aoraki / Mount Cook accompany you along the way. At the end, the Hooker Lake is expansive, and in summer, icebergs calved from the glacier often float on the lake surface.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in South Island

Tasman Glacier

Tasman Glacier is located on the east side of Mount Cook, with a total length of 29 kilometers and a width of 3.2 kilometers. As the Tasman Glacier continues to naturally shorten, the melting of the glaciers slowly began to form Tasman Lake (commonly known as Ice Weir Lake), which has been around since the 1990s. The lake began to grow significantly and became the source of many lakes in the South Island. Due to the huge force of the glacier moving, the two sides of the valley were cut abnormally and completely, leaving a large number of glacial traces of different periods, and a large number of black rocks interlaced in the ice and snow.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

Mt Cook Glacier Guiding

Discover the stunning ice formations of the Hochstetter Icefall as you fly beneath the east face of Aoraki Mount Cook and along the length of the Tasman Glacier. Experience the unique thrill of landing on either the Tasman, Fox, or Franz Josef Glaciers.Experience New Zealand's iconic scenery with one of these incredible scenic flights from Mount Cook Ski Plane & Helicopters.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

Aoraki / Mount Cook

Mount Cook is located in New Zealand's Mount Cook National Park, belonging to the Southern Alps, with a height of 3724 meters. It was named after Captain Cook, the first Englishman to discover the east coast of New Zealand and Australia. The local aborigines call it Aoraki, which means "top of the cloud". In 1882, the Irishman Green (William Spotswood Green) attempted to climb Mount Cook for the first time. Since then, Mount Cook has gradually developed into the centre of New Zealand mountaineering.

Glacier Lake Cruise, Mount Cook

Glacier Lake Cruise, Mount Cook is located on Tasman Lake within Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park on the South Island of New Zealand and focuses on providing a glacial lake exploration experience. Known for its spectacular glacial scenery and tranquil lakes, it offers visitors an opportunity to get up close to natural wonders. Icebergs calved from the glacier float on the lake year-round. Some resemble small white islands, while others reveal a faint blue hue under the sunlight. Once aboard the boat, you will weave through the floating ice, offering a close-up look at these ancient ice bodies that have been compacted for hundreds of years. The denser the old ice, the bluer it appears. The tip exposed above the water is only a small fraction of the iceberg, with a massive body hidden beneath the surface. Through this intimate contact with nature, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the complexity and beauty of the glacial ecosystem.

Fox Glacier

While many of the world's glaciers are melting, Fox Glacier's proximity to sea level remains unaffected. The local low altitude and warm and humid climate provide a convenient environment for excursions, making it a favored glacial landscape in the world. Visitors can easily walk to the foot of the glacier, cross the cliff-lined river valley on both sides, and admire the beauty of the glacier formed after thousands of years of melting and freezing. As you approach the foot of the glacier, its majestic beauty is sure to blow your mind. △ Enjoy the magnificent glacier scenery △ Learn about the history of glaciers △ Admire the wonderful ice formations

Tasman River