Aoraki Mount Cook Activities: Top 5 Outdoor Adventures
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, part of Te Wahipounamu World Heritage area, well that’s a stunning slice of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, alright. This place, really, it isn’t just some spot with really big mountains, that is, it’s almost like outdoor paradise, basically. For folks, you know, like your adventure junkies, nature lovers, even just your casual tourists, well the park tends to offer, very, very many memorable experiences, okay? I’m going to guide you, as a matter of fact, through five really stellar outdoor activities, at the end of the day, that, too, could make your visit truly unforgettable.
Hiking the Hooker Valley Track
Now the Hooker Valley Track, it’s a hike that is super well-liked, at the end of the day, and for good cause, right? This is one easy, actually a mostly flat 5km walk, you know, each way, actually, offering breathtaking views of Aoraki Mount Cook himself, I mean, naturally. You get to, actually, cross three swing bridges, as a matter of fact, and they, arguably, are adding some thrill, just a little, to what, definitely, already is a scenic adventure, alright. It is also well maintained and offers some of the most picturesque sights, that too includes views of Mount Cook, arguably, a little something Southern Alps landscapes, really. It takes about 3 hours to come full circle back.
The trail sort of winds along the Hooker River, well, right, leading you to the Hooker Lake, naturally, where, literally, you’ll get treated to absolutely, totally stunning views of Aoraki Mount Cook reflecting in the still waters, okay? It’s great for, definitely, pretty much all fitness levels, right, so everyone can enjoy it, and stuff. Do pack a lunch, in that case, very and enjoy it by the lake for a moment, and so on, very peaceful and pretty scenic, right? Keep your eyes open too for local birdlife, I mean, as a matter of fact, the kea, very mischievous alpine parrot, could be putting in an appearance!
Experiencing the Tasman Glacier Lake and Valley
Oh, the Tasman Glacier, really, very massive one, yet, in New Zealand, I mean, it is definitely worth a visit, as a matter of fact. It’s more or less that there are a few options to take in its magnificence, okay? Very, you might decide to take a walk along the Tasman Glacier Valley, in other words, an easy trail that leads you to a viewpoint overlooking the lake and the glacier, well right, or, similarly to, if you are like your fancy something more adventurous, then too take a boat trip on the Tasman Glacier Lake itself.
These boat trips, well I mean, get you incredibly close to the glacier, arguably, and it gives you the chance to see icebergs up close, you know? Plus, naturally, learn about the glacier’s formation, naturally and its rather always reshaping nature, you know? Seeing this gigantic glacier, sort of, and bobbing alongside icebergs that might be always breaking off – well I mean, it’s, arguably, quite the experience. Do take photos as you would, but too I mean, be very careful about the sun’s reflecting off all the ice, very bright as it always tends to be!
Stargazing at the Dark Sky Reserve
Aoraki Mount Cook and the nearby Mackenzie Basin are located in an International Dark Sky Reserve, you, and I mean that means they got exceptionally dark skies that’s super-great, literally, for stargazing, basically! With virtually zero light pollution, I mean, naturally, the night sky comes totally alive, that is, a view, right? Head out after dusk to experience it, naturally and stuff and that will offer views of the Milky Way, other countless stars and so on, stuff that, very often, we could only see in pictures or documentaries, yet?
To take the experience up quite a notch, well very, think about joining a guided stargazing tour, actually. Very local experts, you see, well then they, basically, tend to point out constellations, I mean, as a matter of fact, that share with you some really amazing astronomy tales, by the way, and you can too learn to use a telescope and find nebulas and galaxies very, very far away. Even if it is not the summer months it may still be a special visit.
Taking a Scenic Flight
You are hoping to see Aoraki Mount Cook in like your epic fashion, right, then take flight, yet? A scenic flight really gives a perspective unlike every other. A tiny plane ride offers incredible views of the Southern Alps, Mt. Cook himself, that’s to say and all those beautiful turquoise glacier lakes and things around. Seeing such all, it gives a great sense of scale of that very vast natural landmark.
Multiple trips basically tend to include, still, a glacier landing, actually that you could step out, naturally, and so on and basically actually take in and breathe in just some pristine alpine air! In the same way, with clear skies and that stunning surrounding setting? Arguably, there’s nothing else pretty exactly identical to taking in it! Remember that you do have your camera, literally. A camera is vital to capture every tiny angle of every place of the land.
Climbing or Mountaineering
Very well, so to that adventure types and those looking for some challenging types of outdoor activity, right? Climbing Mount Cook and mountaineering are available but really you must keep at the forefront of the activity. In reality mountaineering here is for the advanced and needs high knowledge of the skills, honestly and you really ought to have assistance by your climbing-mountaineering friends and teams too! That might, tends to be better as its more fun than the usual experience as you have friends near you. You do need full preparation for any dangerous climate.
It truly makes you, almost, so worthy, basically of your visit. Actually to have done these really kinds of climbs that is incredibly adventurous. Basically this may offer your extreme, literally satisfaction and actually also make your day memorable, I mean as a matter of fact as they, Arguably, could, often provide those experiences that you simply had to enjoy from some distances!