Overview
Experience ultimate relaxation and enjoyment in the breathtaking town of Tekapo. Nestled between Christchurch and Queenstown, Lake Tekapo is at the heart of the Mackenzie Basin and Cook Mountain Basin. To the north, you’ll find the pristine emerald waters of the lake, while the majestic Southern Alps grace the opposite shore. Glacier-derived rock-pink suspended in the lake gives Lake Tekapo its striking turquoise hue. Along the lakeshore, you’ll discover the charming Church of the Good Shepherd, which frames a magnificent view of Mount Cook through its altar window.
Embark on a helicopter journey to the stunning Tasman Glacier, where you’ll soar above the Southern Alps and embark on an epic 2-hour hiking adventure. Starting from Mount Cook Airport, you’ll fly over the picturesque Tasman Glacier Lake and the icy formations downstream, reaching an elevation of 3,000 meters. You will explore the undulating ice formations in the shadows of the Southern Alps’ highest peaks, Aoraki and Tasman. Equipped with glacier boots and trekking poles, you’ll spend the next 2 hours in a different world amidst the mountains. On the return flight, you’ll glide past the towering Hochstetter Icefall, a 1,000-meter-high (3,200-foot) spectacle on the eastern face of Aoraki / Mount Cook.
Board the TSS Earnslaw, a vintage steamship, for a nostalgic journey reminiscent of the early 20th century. As the TSS Earnslaw gracefully cruises Lake Whakatipu, you can observe stokers working alongside the boilers, feel the warmth of the funnel’s exhaust, and listen to the rhythmic hum of the steam engine. Explore the Walter Peak High-Country Farm to learn about high-country living. Upon disembarking, our rural host will guide you through this historically significant farm. Experience sheep shearing, watch farm dogs rounding up sheep, visit the livestock pens, feed the animals, and savor freshly baked afternoon tea in a charming rustic woolshed.
Ride the iconic Skyline Gondola, the Southern Hemisphere’s steepest cable car, for stunning views of Queenstown and the surrounding mountains. At 480 meters above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, you’ll reach Bob’s Peak, offering a 220-degree panoramic view. From the viewing platform, enjoy a magnificent vista of the lake and mountains, including Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Walter Peak, and Cecil Peak. Taste top New Zealand cuisine at Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar while exploring the southern night sky.
The origin of the word “travel” is most likely lost to history. The term “travel” may originate from the Old French word travail, which means ‘work’. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the first known use of the word travel was in the 14th century.
