Mt. Cook Fly Explore Tour: Aerial Views & Ground Time

Fly the spine of the South Island and walk beneath Mt. Cook's summit ridge

Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly is a full-day tour from Queenstown that combines two scenic flights with ground time in Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park. You fly south along the spine of the South Island, viewing Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea and Lake Pukaki from the air, then land at Mt. Cook Airport to spend up to five hours on the ground before returning to Queenstown on a different flight path. The defining trait is the combination: aerial views of the Tasman Glacier, Franz and Fox Glaciers from your window seat, then the chance to walk the Hooker Valley Track or explore Mt. Cook Village at your own pace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Fly to Mt. Cook and explore village

• Fly from Queenstown to Mt. Cook
• Enjoy panoramic aerial views
• Land at Aoraki Mt. Cook Airport
• Explore Mt. Cook Village
• Have lunch at The Hermitage Hotel
• Visit Sir Edmund Hillary Centre
• Walk the Hooker Valley Track
• Board return flight to Queenstown

The experience

The tour departs Queenstown Airport and climbs south along the South Island's spine, with your pilot providing live commentary in English on the geography below. On one side you see Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea. On the other, Lake Pukaki, which the operator describes as arguably New Zealand's most beautiful lake. The flight path takes you over the Tasman Glacier and the Franz and Fox Glaciers within Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park before landing at Aoraki Airport on the outskirts of Mt. Cook Village.

Once on the ground, you have up to five hours to spend as you choose. The Hooker Valley Track, a 10-kilometre walk that gains only about 100 metres in height, is the most popular short walk in the park and suits a wide range of fitness levels. You can also visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre or lunch at The Hermitage Hotel, where food is available to purchase. The ground time is yours to split between walking and exploring the village.

Your return flight takes a different route, passing over the tussock-drenched Lindis Pass on the way back to Queenstown. Child and booster seats are available on request, and infants sit on an adult's lap. The entire experience, from departure to return, spans approximately eight hours.

What’s included

• Roundtrip flights from Queenstown Airport with live English-language commentary from your pilot.
• landing at Aoraki Mt. Cook Airport.
• up to five hours on the ground in Mt. Cook Village and Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park.
• access to the Hooker Valley Track and the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre.
• child and booster seats on request with baby earmuffs provided.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (3 to 14 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 13 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Glenorchy Air Services and Tourist Co. Ltd

Is this one for you?Eight hours total means the tour fills most of a day from Queenstown, leaving little room for other activities. Choose this if you want both the aerial views and time to walk or explore on the ground. If you prefer a shorter outing, a scenic flight without ground time would fit better into a packed itinerary.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 14 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long do I actually spend on the ground at Mt. Cook?

You have up to five hours in Mt. Cook Village and the surrounding area after landing at Aoraki Airport, which gives you time to walk the Hooker Valley Track, visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre, and have lunch at The Hermitage Hotel.

What is the Hooker Valley Track like?

The Hooker Valley Track is a 10-kilometre walk that gains about 100 metres in elevation and is the most popular short walk in Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park. It is well-formed and suitable for tourists with a wide range of fitness levels.

Will I see Mt. Cook's summit from the air?

Yes, the flight includes panoramic aerial views of Mt. Cook's summit ridge and the Tasman Glacier, as well as views of the Franz and Fox Glaciers on the West Coast, all from your window seat.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not included in the flight price, but you can purchase food at The Hermitage Hotel during your ground time in Mt. Cook Village.

Do we land on a glacier?

No, the aircraft lands at Aoraki Mt. Cook Airport on the outskirts of Mt. Cook Village. This is not a glacier landing tour.