Exploring Aoraki / Mount Cook
If you're heading to the Mackenzie region, make sure to stop by Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. It's a must-see.
The area is New Zealand's top destination for high peaks and large glaciers. Aoraki / Mount Cook is the tallest peak in the country and translates to 'the cloud piercer' in Māori. With over 3,000 glaciers on this mountain range, you'll be surrounded by incredible views at every turn.
Aoraki / Mount Cook is known for its hiking, mountaineering, glacier exploration, scenic flights, stargazing, and wildlife. There's something for everyone, even if you just want to soak up the incredible scenery. Glaciers cover 40% of the National Park, which is part of Te Wāhipounamu, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
There are many hiking trails with stunning viewpoints to explore. We recommend the Hooker Valley Track, which offers spectacular views of the Southern Alps, Aoraki / Mount Cook and the Hooker Lake. Be sure to check with the Department of Conservation for any closures before you head out.
Nothing compares to soaring above the Southern Alps, the mountain range that divides Te Waipounamu / South Island. From the air on a scenic flight, you can truly appreciate the sheer scale of Aoraki / Mount Cook, which reaches 3,724 metres (12,218 feet). This is the very same mountain Sir Edmund Hillary trained for his Everest and Antarctic expeditions. On a scenic flight, explore the dramatic landscapes New Zealand is famous for. Fly over Tasman Lake and admire its unique colour. View the Tasman Glacier / Haupapa, New Zealand's longest glacier, 27 kilometres (17 miles) long, with an area of 101 square kilometres.
Join The Helicopter Line and Alpine Guides for a Heli Hike from the Aoraki / Mount Cook Airport to explore the glacial ice. Fly to the Tasman Glacier for a fantastic two-hour guided adventure. You'll be equipped with boots, crampons, snowshoes, and a jacket for this ultimate adventure. Explore glacial formations beneath the highest peaks of the Southern Alps.
See Aoraki / Mount Cook from a whole new perspective. A helicopter flight isn't just a view of a mountain. It's a chance to marvel at nature in its most dramatic form. Book your adventure of choice and get ready to be amazed by the beauty that awaits. Happy exploring!
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