Coach Tour And Flight Combo

Mt Cook Tour & Ultimate Alpine Experience Combo from Queenstown

★ 4.6 60 reviews

from $504.60 per person, price varies by group size

Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 12 hours
Meeting point: The Station, Queenstown
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Run by: Cheeky Kiwi Travel

Overview

This is a full 12 hour day out of Queenstown, run by Cheeky Kiwi Travel, built around one big payoff: the Ultimate Alpine Experience, scenic flights with a glacier landing. The day starts early, at 6:30 AM, meeting a guide at The Station on Shotover Street. From there the bus heads north through Cromwell and over Lindis Pass, with stops spaced out to break up the long drive.

The route strings together Lake Pukaki, the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park area and its visitor centre, and the flight segment itself, operated with Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters, with a landing at Tasman Glacier. Reviewers describe the landing as the highlight, with a short window to stand on snow and take photos. On the way back the bus calls in at High Country Salmon and Jackson Orchards before returning to Queenstown.

It suits travellers who want Mount Cook and a glacier landing without hiring a car, and who can handle a long day on a bus. Groups are capped at 15. The flight depends entirely on the weather, so anyone booking should know the landing can be cancelled on the day, and the bus tour runs regardless.

From$504.60 per person, varies by group size

Duration12 hours

Rating4.6 from 60 reviews

What's Included

Included

Small Group & Fully Guided Bus Tour
Ultimate Alpine Experience Scenic Flights & Glacier Landing
Water available & snacks provided
Air-conditioned vehicle
Complimentary hotel pickup & drop off (select locations only)
Booster seat (Safety/booster seat for children aged 7 & younger (please advise if you prefer to provide your own))

Not Included

Lunch - opportunities to purchase along the way
Toilets on board (Restroom on board)

Run byCheeky Kiwi Travel

Itinerary

Meet in QueenstownMeet the guide at The Station, Home of Adventure, corner of Shotover and Camp Streets, at 6:30 AM. Hotel pickup is available from select locations, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.
Drive north via stopsA short stop in Cromwell (5 minutes), then Lindis Pass (15 minutes), Omarama (30 minutes) and Lake Pukaki (15 minutes), with lunch purchase opportunities along the way.
Flights and glacier landingMount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters flight with a Tasman Glacier landing, weather permitting, included in the tour price. This is the weather dependent part of the day.
Aoraki Mount Cook National ParkAround 30 minutes in the park itself plus 30 minutes at the visitor centre.
Return stopsFree stops at High Country Salmon and Jackson Orchards, both with food to buy, then the 1 hour drive back to Queenstown.

Glacier LandingWeather permitting

PickupIncluded

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this day actually goes, from the early start to the weather call on the flight.

Dress for snow. The bus tour runs in all weather, and the glacier landing puts you on snow. One reviewer suggested skipping bulky fleece layers given how briefly you are off the aircraft, while another advised bringing sunglasses for the combination of sun and snow. A lighter layer you can remove on the air conditioned bus is the sensible middle ground.
Flight may not fly. The flight partner makes the call on the day, and it can be cancelled at short notice for wind or cloud. The bus portion of the day goes ahead regardless.
Hiking time is tight. Travellers mention longer walk options around Mount Cook, including a multi hour valley walk, but time on the ground is limited. One reviewer said the helicopter timing left no time at all for the hikes. Treat any walk as a bonus, not a guarantee.
Long day, small group. The group is capped at 15 and the tour is fully guided. Several reviewers praised the drivers as informative and full of stories, which helps on a day one traveller described as draining by the return leg. Seating was described as a bit cramped by one traveller.

Where this tour sits among the 5 per person flights in Queenstown And Tekapo Departures (from-price per person, USD)

Tekapo Departure, 50 Minutes$317
Coach Tour and Flight Combo (this tour)$504.60
Fly Explore Fly From Queenstown$505.18
Day Tour With Pickup$618.34
Small Group Heli Hike Combo$695.41

Food and drink. Snacks and water are provided, but lunch is not included. The bus stops where food can be bought, and reviewers mentioned a pleasant cafe along the route and fresh salmon at the farm stop on the way back. There is no toilet on board.
Weight and fitness limits. The flight has a total weight per passenger limit of 116 kg and asks for moderate physical fitness. It is not wheelchair accessible, and uneven surfaces make it a poor fit for travellers with walking difficulties.

From$504.60 per person, varies by group size

Rating4.6 from 60 reviews

Ready To FlyCheck availability →

Common issues. The main risk is weather: multiple reviewers had the flight cancelled or cut short, sometimes with only part of the flight time delivered, and one noted you may not know until halfway to Mount Cook. The refund for the flight portion was handled promptly in those accounts, but the day still becomes a bus tour. One reviewer described a long wait at the airport and repeated stops at the same place. Lunch and any food purchases cost extra, there is no restroom on the bus, and the minimum traveller number means the whole tour can be called off, with a different date or a full refund offered in that case.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The guided small group bus tour, the Ultimate Alpine Experience scenic flights with glacier landing, snacks and water, an air conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop off from select locations, and a child booster seat on request. Lunch is not included, and there are purchase opportunities along the route.

Where Do You Meet And What Time Does It Start?

The meeting point is The Station, Home of Adventure, at the corner of Shotover and Camp Streets in Queenstown, and the start time is 6:30 AM. Complimentary hotel pickup is available from select locations only. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Can Children Join The Tour?

Yes. Infant seats are available, and a safety or booster seat is provided for children aged 7 and younger, or you can bring your own if you advise the operator. One reviewer reported their child loved the helicopter flight.

Is The Tour Accessible For Limited Mobility?

No. It is not wheelchair accessible and, because of uneven surfaces, is not recommended for travellers with walking disabilities. A moderate level of physical fitness is expected.

What Happens If The Weather Cancels The Flight?

The flight partner decides on the day and can cancel at short notice. The bus tour itself runs in all conditions.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the 6:30 AM start for a full refund. Inside 24 hours there is no refund and changes are not accepted. If the operator cancels for weather or because the minimum traveller number is not met, you are offered a different date or a full refund.