Christchurch: Lake Tekapo Stargazing & Mount Cook 2-Day Tour

About This Experience

This two-day tour from Christchurch is for travellers who want to stargaze at Lake Tekapo without driving there and back in the dark. The overnight stay is the whole reason for it: you are in Tekapo when the sky goes black, rather than on the road home.

Day one leaves Christchurch between 7:45 and 8:15 am and crosses the Mackenzie country to Lake Pukaki and Aoraki/Mount Cook, with a stop at a lavender farm (October to April) and time on the Hooker Valley Track. In the evening you stargaze at the Church of the Good Shepherd on the Tekapo lakeshore, one of the most photographed night-sky scenes in New Zealand.

Day two includes feeding alpacas at an alpaca farm and a stop at the Fairlie Bakehouse for a pie before the drive back to Christchurch. You travel in a luxury minivan with a group of no more than nine.

Accommodation in Tekapo is not included, so book your own room for the night — the operator will help if you cannot find one. The tour runs in all weather except road closures; if the road is closed you are offered a full refund or another guaranteed date.

Highlights

• An overnight in Lake Tekapo, so you are there when the sky goes fully dark
• Stargazing at the Church of the Good Shepherd on the Tekapo lakeshore
• Aoraki/Mount Cook and a walk on the Hooker Valley Track
• The turquoise water of Lake Pukaki on the way in
• Feeding alpacas at an alpaca farm
• A small group of no more than nine in a luxury minivan

What's Included

• ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off in Christchurch (selected locations)
• ✓ Small-group tour, maximum 9 people, in a luxury minivan
• ✓ Fully guided tour (except walks)
• ✓ Lavender farm admission (October to April)
• ✓ Alpaca farm admission
• ✓ Afternoon tea break
• ✓ Carbon-neutral travel

Not Included

• Accommodation in Tekapo — book your own
• Meals
• Additional activities
• Tips

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Warm clothes for the night
• Camera
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent

Good to Know & Caveats

• Accommodation in Tekapo is not included; book your own room for the night.
• The operator sends a pickup confirmation 48 hours before departure — reply to confirm.
• The tour runs in all weather except road closures; if roads close you get a full refund or another date.
• Full walks may not be possible because of time constraints.
• Baby strollers, smoking, bikes and alcohol are not allowed.

Meeting Point

Hotel pickup in Christchurch between 7:45 and 8:15 am on day one (from selected locations — confirm yours with the operator); drop-off in Christchurch at the end of day two.