Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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 sec-
tions on SH83, about 40% of the trail is offroad. It's mainly downhill too, descending
780m over its 300km course.
The route is split into eight sections which can be tackled individually or consec-
utively 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
Tasman Valley 4WD & Argo Tours
TOUR
( 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. Ex-
pect plenty of alpine flora and an interesting commentary along the way. Book online or at
the Hermitage hotel activities desk.
Glacier Explorers
BOAT TOUR
( 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.
Helicopter Line
SCENIC FLIGHTS
( 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
SCENIC FLIGHTS
( 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 land-
