National Day, I participated in the Tekapo Shuttle’s Mount Cook one-day tour (149 RMB/person). I’ll briefly list the itinerary for your reference [Observing secretly R]
⏰ 08:00
Meet at the Tekapo Four Square supermarket. There were 8 people in the car, and the driver was a Japanese guy named Taro (he said his Chinese name is Ta Lang [Laughing and Crying R]). The car provided water, candy, and energy bars, and even had Wi-Fi; it was raining heavily on the way there, and Taro provided raincoats for everyone [Thumbs up R]
⏰ Around 09:20
Arrived at a viewpoint, but due to bad weather, we didn’t see anything (Pic 2)
⏰ Around 09:50
Arrived at the visitor center. If you’re participating in the glacier activities, you can get off here. We stayed for about 10 minutes to use the restroom.
⏰ Around 10:05 (Taro set a meeting time, approximately an hour)
Arrived at the Tasman Glacier trail. There are two routes: one is to turn left at the sign (Pic 3) towards the Tasman Glacier View, which involves climbing steps; the other is to turn right towards the Tasman River. Following online guides, we chose the right side, eventually reaching the glacier for a close-up view (Pics 4-7).
If you walk fast, you could probably do both routes, but I misremembered the meeting time and rushed back, missing the other route [Crying R]
⏰ Around 12:05
Arrived at the Hooker Valley Track. Remember to use the restroom at the start point ❗️ as there don’t seem to be any along the way [Sweating R]. The total distance is 10 km, and we took a little over three hours. We crossed three bridges (Pic 8).
🌟 Personally, I think the view from the first bridge is the best (Pics 9-10), just a 15-minute walk from the start.
🌟 Then, after about half an hour, we reached the second bridge (Pic 13). Along the way, you can take pictures of the snow-capped mountains 🏔️ from various angles.
🌟 Finally, the third bridge (Pic 14) was really exhausting. I kept asking when we would arrive [Disappointed R]. Looking at the photo timestamps later, it was also about a half-hour walk, but the long boardwalk made it feel very discouraging (Pic 15).
🌟 After a ten-minute walk from the third bridge, we reached the endpoint of this trip 👉 Hooker Lake View Point, where we had lunch in the wind and rain (Pics 16-17). Honestly, the scenery was a bit disappointing [Sigh R]. There was hardly any glacier left, and the lake water was quite murky. I still prefer the clear blue of Tasman.
⏰ Around 15:00, we gathered to return. Part of the way back was along Lake Pukaki, which was incredibly beautiful. Around 16:20, we arrived at a salmon shop and bought a large portion to take back [Cute R].
🙌 Conclusion: For those who don’t drive, this day’s itinerary is very fulfilling. Of course, if time is limited and you can only go to one place, I would choose Tasman 🧊.
That sounds like a fun day trip! I didn’t realize Mount Cook tours included such perks as Wi-Fi and snacks—those little touches really make a difference on long drives. I wonder if they also provide rain gear since the weather seemed pretty wet during your hike.
You’re absolutely right—it’s the small details that make all the difference! Yes, most tours do provide rain gear since the weather around Mount Cook can be quite unpredictable and wet. It’s always better to be prepared for those sudden downpours. Thanks for your great question; I’m sure it’ll help others planning their trip!
That sounds like a fun day trip! I didn’t realize there were tours that included Wi-Fi and snacks—those little perks make a big difference. Did you get to hike on the glacier itself, or was it more of a scenic tour?
Absolutely! The tour I took did include hiking directly on the glacier, which was an unforgettable experience. Those little perks like Wi-Fi and snacks really do make the journey more enjoyable, especially during long drives. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for both adventure and comfort! Thanks for your interest—it’s a fantastic way to explore New Zealand’s stunning landscapes.