Mt Cook Small Group Tour & Heli Hike Combo from Queenstown

This small group, fully guided day trip from Queenstown combines a road journey through the South Island interior with a Tasman Glacier Heli Hike in Aoraki National Park.

Leaving Queenstown, your guide sets the scene as you travel through the Kawarau Gorge, passing the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and Roaring Meg Lookout. The route continues through Cromwell, across Lake Dunstan and up to Lindis Pass, where there is a stop at the lookout at the top of the pass. From there, the tour crosses the Mackenzie district and pauses in Omarama for a break before turning west toward Lake Pukaki and Aoraki/Mt Cook.

At Aoraki/Mt Cook, you check in for the heli hike with return scenic flights to and from the Aoraki/Mt. Cook base. On the Tasman Glacier, you land on a remote section of the ice and explore its formations on foot with a guide, who cuts steps into the glacier as needed. Equipment is provided, including leather boots, socks, gaiters, crampons or snowshoes, walking poles, a waterproof jacket and over trousers.

On the return to Queenstown, the tour stops at High Country Salmon, where you can feed the fish and taste fresh salmon. In summer, there may also be a stop at Jacksons Orchard for local fruit or real fruit ice cream, before arriving back in Queenstown.