Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
nomy guide. If the weather's not cooperating, the experience is confined to the planetari-
um.
DON'T MISS
ALPS 2 OCEAN CYCLE TRAIL
Hoping to give the Otago Central Rail Trail a ride for its money, this new mountain-biking route stretches from
Mt Cook Village to Oamaru, via Twizel, Lake Ohau Lodge, Omarama, Otematata, Kurow and Duntroon. While
there are some quite long sections on SH83, about 40% of the trail is offroad. It's mainly downhill too, descend-
ing 780m over its 300km course.
The route is split into eight sections which can be tackled individually or consecutively as a four- to six-day
ride. The official start involves an expensive helicopter trip over the Tasman River, so you might like to pick up
the trail later at the southern end of Lake Pukaki.
See
www.alps2ocean.com
for more.
Tours
TOUR
Tasman Valley 4WD & Argo Tours
( 0800 686 800;
www.mountcooktours.co.nz
; adult/child $75/38)
Offers a 90-minute Argo (8WD all-
terrain vehicle) tour checking out the Tasman Glacier and its terminal lake. Expect plenty
of alpine flora and an interesting commentary along the way. Book online or at the Her-
mitage hotel activities desk.
Glacier Explorers
( 03-435 1641;
www.glacierexplorers.com
;
adult/child $145/70)
Head out on the terminal lake of the
Tasman Glacier onboard a custom-built MAC boat and get up close and personal with
300-year-old icebergs. Book at the activities desk at the Hermitage.
BOAT TOUR
SCENIC FLIGHTS
Helicopter Line
( 03-435 1801;
www.helicopter.co.nz
)
From Glentanner Park, the Helicopter Line offers
20-minute Alpine Vista flights ($230), an exhilarating 35-minute flight over the Ben Ohau
Range ($345) and a 40-minute Mountains High flight over the Tasman Glacier and along-
side Aoraki/Mt Cook ($425). All feature snow landings.
Mount Cook Ski Planes
( 03-430 8034;
www.mtcookskiplanes.com
)
Based at Mt Cook Airport, offering 40-minute (adult/
child $405/295) and 55-minute (adult/child $530/405) flights, both with snow landings.
SCENIC FLIGHTS
