Discover Hiking at Mount Cook: Essential Life Advice for New Zealand Visitors
If you come, you must go! Explore the breathtaking glacier valleys that stretch below the snow line 🧊, as if stepping back into the Ice Age ❄️. In addition to hiking, I’ve curated a variety of other exciting activities for you 🙋♀️, all detailed in one go!
✅ About the visa:
E-visa, typically processed within 2-4 weeks, with a single stay not exceeding 6 months.
✅ Best time to visit:
Free admission, with the best time to visit from June to August, which is winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
✅ About the weather:
The weather at Mount Cook can be unpredictable, so be sure to check the forecast before setting out.
🥳 Ways to enjoy Mount Cook:
1️⃣ Hiking
Mount Cook offers a range of hiking trails suitable for all levels. The most popular 👏 is the Hooker Valley Track, an easy and scenic route that provides stunning views of mountains and glaciers along the way.
2️⃣ Helicopter tour
Get a bird’s-eye view of the magnificent scenery of Mount Cook and its surrounding glaciers, including the unforgettable experience of landing on a glacier 🚁. This tour takes about 2 hours and is generally quite relaxed. Most visitors opt for this, so be sure to book in advance!
3️⃣ Tasman Glacier hike
Under the expert guidance of a guide, take a helicopter directly to the heart of the glacier, where you can walk on the ice 🧊 and experience its unique topography. Glacier hiking requires specific equipment such as crampons and safety ropes, and it’s crucial to choose an experienced guide!
4️⃣ Hooker Track
This less-traveled trail, while more challenging, offers a rewarding 1.5-hour one-way trek to the glacier lake! The Hooker Track winds through the western side of Mount Cook, providing beautiful views of the glacier along the way.
5️⃣ Stargazing
The area around Mount Cook is part of an International Dark Sky Reserve, with clear night skies and dazzling stars 💫, making it a perfect spot for stargazing. Remember to dress warmly, as temperatures can drop significantly at night.
6️⃣ Cycling adventure
Explore the many cycling routes 🚴♀️ in the surrounding area, whether it’s a gentle path or a thrilling mountain bike trail, allowing you to soak in the natural beauty while getting some exercise.
7️⃣ Glacier lake boat tour
Embark on a unique boat tour on the glacier lake, where you can not only admire the stunning scenery of Mount Cook from land but also get up close to the mysterious and majestic glacier lake on water, observing floating icebergs.
Image source: Instagram
