MT COOK
LUXURY EXPLORER
7 Days 5500 ex Queenstown
Accommodation
6 Nights Luxury Hotel
Transportation
Mostly on foot
Transfers included
Included Meals
6 Breakfasts
6 Lunches
6 Dinners
Trip Grade
Category 3
High Heart Rate Holiday
Charity
Supporting Local Charities
Your boots crunch into the powder snow as you step from the helicopter and along the ridge toward the high alpine hut.
The deafening sound of the rotors peter out as it slides back down the mountain toward the valley floor. You are left with a winter wonderland of snow capped peaks and glaciers, of deep blue sky and turquoise lakes.
Your guide ushers you along toward the hut, pointing out the days ascent to Dome Peak and down toward the valley and your home for the last few days.
This is your Mt Cook Luxury Explorer, a unique combination of comfort and cuisine, of activity and adventure, placing you in one natures greatest playgrounds, the Aoraki National Park.
Climbing on things like the South Ridge [of Mt Cook] certainly gave me the experience and confidence, I think, which ultimately probably got me to the top of Mt Everest.
Sir Edmund Hillary
Ki te tuohu koe, me he mauka teitei, ko Aoraki anake.
If you must bow your head, then let it be to the lofty mountain, Aoraki.
Māori Proverb
To immerse oneself in a landscape is the true luxury behind this adventure. To stay long enough that you begin to notice the small things, the obscure and the unusual, gives you a deeper appreciation of what you are doing and where you have been.
Of course, staying in the Hermitage Hotel overlooking Mt Cook and the glacial valley it has formed also helps with that sense of luxury.
And having access to professional guides, who will escort you along the way, who will explain the environment in which you are trekking and who will ensure you are safe, makes this a complete package.
Your exploration begins and ends in Queenstown. While in Mt Cook / Aoraki, we will hike to Mount Wakefield, one of the best hikes in the Mt Cook area, summit Mt Sebastopol and top the activities off with a trek to Glacier Dome at over 2400 meters, one of the areas most extraordinary experiences.
And just when you thought it was all over, we will fly into Siberia Valley, hike to the Wilkie River and jet boat back to our transport back to Queenstown. Phew, we are exhausted just writing this stuff.
This is an active exploration of one of New Zealand’s most beautiful hiking destinations, on trails often overlooked or simply unknown. If you thought you knew New Zealand, think again!
The Journey
Check into our hotel and then dinner and briefing about your adventure. Includes dinner. (D).
We depart from our hotel at around 9.00 am and commence our drive toward the Mount Cook Aoraki National Park.
Along the way we will stop off at various sites including Wanaka, Lindis Pass and finally Aoraki.
We arrive at Mt Cook Village in the late afternoon and then relax and enjoy breath-taking views of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki/ Mt Cook (3,724 metres). Here we will spend the next two nights in the heart of the Southern Alps surrounded by that special kind of silence that only big mountains can command.
Tonight we will overnight in the Hermitage Hotel. (B,D).
Today we embark on an exhilarating full-day guided hike to Mount Wakefield, nestled in the breathtaking Mount Cook region, perfect for avid outdoor enthusiasts. This 7-8 hour adventure promises an unforgettable journey for fit walkers, offering one of the most rewarding day hikes at Mount Cook.
Towering over the eastern skyline of Mount Cook Village, Mount Wakefield remains a hidden gem, often overlooked by hikers. Your guided ascent will take you 700 meters up to a stunning vantage point above Wakefield’s impressive scree fans. The trail begins with a challenging climb through remnants of native beech forest, opening up to lush meadows adorned with Mt Cook Lilies and Celmisia.
At our scenic stopping point, home to majestic NZ Falcons, you’ll be treated to uninterrupted panoramic views of Lake Pukaki, Tasman Glacier, and the ice-clad peaks of the Main Divide. For those with the stamina and skill to navigate rugged terrain, there’s an option to continue to one of several small peaks, reaching elevations between 1,800 and 2,000 meters.
Join us for this unforgettable hiking experience and discover the unspoiled beauty and grandeur of Mount Wakefield. The descent follows the same picturesque route, ensuring every step of your journey is as awe-inspiring as the last. (B,L,D)
Today we hike to the summit of Mount Sebastopol (1,468 m), the closest peak to Mount Cook Village. This is a perfect trek for nature lovers and hikers, offering a thrilling mix of hiking and scrambling, rewarded with utterly spectacular views.
With a total height gain of 750 meters (approx. 2,475 ft), this journey takes 4-6 hours round trip, depending on your fitness level.
The climb starts on a maintained track to Red Tarns, ascending approximately 300 vertical meters before transitioning to an unmarked route leading to the breathtaking summit. As you climb higher, you’ll need confidence on uneven ground, and the scrambling section requires the use of your hands and some exposure near the summit. Your guide may use a rope for certain sections to ensure safety.
At the Sebastopol summit, you’ll be rewarded with uninterrupted views stretching down the length of the Tasman Valley to Lake Pukaki, and across to the glaciated peaks at the head of the Tasman Glacier. Keep an eye out for the curious Kea, common visitors to this lofty perch.
In cooler months, snow may blanket the upper route, and your guide will provide crampons to ensure a safe ascent. The descent follows the same route, with an optional scree-run for those seeking an extra thrill. On average, the trip takes 5-6 hours, promising a day full of adventure and awe-inspiring natural beauty.
Overnight Hermitage Hotel (B, L,D)
Today we will experience the ultimate adventure with a full-day private heli-hike on the Huapapa Tasman Glacier, surrounded by the majestic peaks of New Zealand’s highest mountains. Designed for nature lovers, hikers, and families, this exclusive experience offers a personalized ice adventure like no other.
Your day begins with an exhilarating scenic helicopter flight to the pristine “white ice” of the Glacier. With a dedicated helicopter and a personal NZMGA-certified glacier guide, you’ll embark on an exploratory journey through a mesmerizing labyrinth of natural ice features.
Marvel at the stunning crevasses, moulins, and blue ice caves as your knowledgeable guide shares insights into the glaciers, local history, ecology, and the towering mountains of New Zealand. This intimate encounter with nature’s forces will leave you in awe.
Pause for a gourmet picnic lunch amidst the serene glacier landscape before continuing your exploration. With the flexibility of a private trip, we can tailor the adventure to be as thrilling or as relaxed as you desire, accommodating all skill levels.
Conclude your unforgettable day with a breathtaking scenic flight over the glaciated peaks of Ka Tiritiri o Te Moana, the Southern Alps of New Zealand.
Overnight Hermitage Hotel (B,L,D)
Just when you thought the adventure was over, we are going to take it up one more notch on our last day before heading back to Queenstown.
Near Wanaka we will take a short 25 minute flight to Siberia Valley. From there we will hike down the Siberia and Wilkie Valley (about 3 hours) before Jetboating it back to Makarora. The hike is on well formed trails through beautiful forests, steeped in a history of mining.
From Makarora its about another 2 hours to Queenstown where we will check in and dine for the final time together. (B,L,D)
What an incredible week. Helicopters, fixed wing planes, mountain summits, glacial hikes and jet boats. Sadly this is the end of our rejuvenating and wonderfully active time on the southern island of New Zealand. Check out is around 10am. (B)
Includes
- Five days guided trek with an experienced guide
- All accommodation including nights before and after the expedition in Queenstown
- Helicopter to Glacier and Plateau Hut
- Flight to Siberia Valley
- Jetboat on Wilkie River
- All breakfast, lunches and dinners as per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- All transfers
Excludes
- Beverages
- Personal souvenirs
- Meals not outlined in the itinerary
- International Flights
This trip is for those who love mountain treks, who love mountain landscapes and who love being out in nature. It is for those who want to try something very different, but who also appreciate the comforts of a great bed and a delicious meal. I feel this trip has it all, luxury, helicopters, glaciers and summits. What more could you ask for in a 7 day trip?
Peter Miller
No Roads Guide.
Your Guides and Safety
An excellent guide can make the difference between a trip of a lifetime and just an ordinary trip. Our handpicked professionals come from a range of backgrounds. Each has extensive outdoor and hiking experience and a passion for New Zealand’s wild and beautiful backcountry. The guide will ensure that your trip is truly inspiring, a huge amount of fun, and safe. All guides are trained in Mountain Safety First Aid.
Single Traveler and Supplement?
If you are traveling on your own and happy to share a room, we will try and pair you with another single traveler of the same gender. If you would prefer your own room, this can be organised. The price for our single supplement is $1500.
Accommodation
In Queenstown we will be staying luxury accommodation.
At Mt Cook / Aoraki we will be staying at the iconic Hermitage Hotel. This incredible hotel overlooks Mt Cook and the Hooker Valley. It has several dining options with an excellent bar for pre dinner drinks.
What Are The Hikes Like?
The hikes on this Journey are not leisurely strolls. The hikes to Wakefield and Sebastopol are steep and requires a good level of fitness. For Glacier Dome, the hiking is not as difficult, but you must be prepared to learn how to use crampons and an ice axe. If you have not done something like this before, don’t worry, it is not very difficult but one must keep an open mind to learning a new skill.
We highly recommend you get as fit as possible for this Journey. It is after all an active adventure, even if we are staying in a fine hotel and dining on delicious food.
If you decide not to do one of the walks, that is not a problem as there are many local walks from the Hermitage. These however will need to be undertaken by yourself and will be unguided.
Can I Take The Helicopter but Not Do The Glacier Walk?
If you do not wish to do the glacier walk, you can still come up for the helicopter ride. However you will need to return with the helicopter once it has dropped the other guests off.
