Mount Cook

Before visiting Mount Cook, finalise your travel plans—you can either go hiking, exploring the Tasman Glacier and Terminal Lake or you can just admire its beauty spending few hours by yourself. I would suggest the former for which you should either take a car or one-way bus from Queenstown; however, if you opt for the latter, then there are day trips from Queenstown. The journey is as beautiful as the destination itself. Begin your day early, for there is a lot to do! As you embark upon your journey from Queenstown, you will pass through the gold-mining region of the Kawarau Gorge and then reach the fruit-growing region of Cromwell. You must stop by ‘Mrs. Jones Fruit Orchard’. For all those of you who love fruits, this place is nothing short of a ‘Disneyland’. Adorned with beautiful rose gardens, this little gem is a visual delight. With umpteen options of luscious fruits, dry fruits, fruit candies and fruit ice creams, you will be spoilt for choice.

Mount Cook provides you with a gamut of 23 peaks over 3000 metres high, with the distinction of being New Zealand’s highest. It also comprises 5 glaciers, again being the largest in New Zealand. Gigantic peaks, glaciers and perennial snowfields, a sight worthy enough of carving a place in your heart! For those with experience, Mount Cook will present an excellent climbing opportunity, and for others, there are exquisite mountain walks with spectacular views of the Tasman Glacier. Far away from the gleaming city lights, Mount Cook will also present you with an unparalleled star gazing activity, which you can definitely indulge in, as options to stay in Mount Cook Village are plenty!