The highest mountain in New Zealand, Mt. Cook was first named Aoraki or ‘cloud piercer’ by South Island Maori. This region was Sir Edmund Hillary’s training ground as he prepared for his and Tenzing Norgay’s famous summit of Mt. Everest in 1953. We have a few hikes to choose from in this spectacular national park and our favourite is the impressive hike up to a lake at the base of the Hooker Glacier, complete with icebergs! The track is surrounded by peaks, glaciers, native vegetation, and mountain streams, and provides excellent views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook on a fine day. Another option is the stunning day hike to Sealy Tarns, a unique alpine environment including endemic flora such as the Mt. Cook lily (Ranunculus lyallii), the world’s largest buttercup.It’s a tough hike and the weather would need to cooperate, but the views across the Southern Alps are worth it! After hiking, we’ll relax back at our lodge nestled right in the heart of the National Park for the last night of the trip and we’ll enjoy a celebratory dinner as we sit outside and watch the sunset on Aoraki/Mt. Cook.
We use a variety of accommodation for stays in this region (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: Hooker Valley Hike : 9 kilometers (5.6 miles), 3-4 hours, elevation +/- 100 meters (328 feet)
Hiking: Sealy Tarns: 5.1 kilometers (3.2 miles), 3-4 hours, elevation +/- 650 meters (2,132 feet)