The Luxury Travel Guide to Mt Cook 🥂 [2025]

© Unsplash

Luxury Adventure Activities

The most dramatic of New Zealand’s alpine landscape is waiting to be witnessed in its full glory. Make your visit to Mt Cook extra special by seeing the majestic mountains, valleys and glaciers in the most premium ways possible.

Ski Plane Flights

An all encapsulating experience awaits on the scenic flights available in Mt Cook. INFLITE Experiences offers an array of ski plane and helicopter experiences, either flying alongside Aoraki Mt Cook and landing on the upper snowfields of the Tasman Glacier in a ski plane (more details on Viator, Tripadvisor and Klook) or circling the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park in a helicopter (see Viator, Tripadvisor or Klook for more info). If you have a go-big-or-go-home mantra, however, you might be more interested in both in, what’s called, “The Ultimate Alpine Experience” (on Viator and Tripadvisor).

Skydiving

Another way to hit the skies is to combine a scenic flight with a must-do for adrenaline-seekers, skydiving! Departing from Pukaki Airport in Twizel, your flight with Skydive Mt. Cook (on Viator and Tripadvisor) ascends to 9,000ft, 13,000ft and even as high as 15,000ft before you take the leap with your professional tandem master for the jump of your life. After a thrilling freefall, your tandem master will release the parachute where you’ll then have the opportunity to soak it all in; the vibrant blue waters of Lake Pukaki and the backdrop of Aoraki Mt Cook.

Climbing and Mountaineering

If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground (kind of), then join Alpine Guides for climbing or mountaineering. Scale the famous rock climbing and mountaineering peaks of the national park, like Malte Brun, the Hochstetter Dome and Mt Wakefield in one of the full-day and multi-day expeditions. They have options for all abilities and have all the gear included.

For more adventures like heli-skiing and mountain biking, see the 10 Best Luxury Activities in Mt Cook.

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Luxury All-Weather Activities

Much of the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park’s attractions are in alpine conditions, which means bad weather is enough to cancel tours to keep travellers safe. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean you have to put your luxury getaway on hold, as a rainy day in Mt Cook means a spa day!

Join one of the luxury lodges, like Lakestone Lodge, for their massage therapy treatments amidst their soothing Therapy Room. Guests staying in the Ashley Mackenzie Villa of Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat have access to their own private spa complete with a sauna, massage room, fitness room and an outdoor hot tub with glorious lake views.

For more rainy day inspiration, take a look at the 6 Things to Do in Mt Cook on a Rainy Day.

© The Hermitage Hotel Mt Cook

Fine Dining in Mt Cook

Welcome to some of the most striking architecture to lap up the views that you’ll find in New Zealand’s dining scene. Mt Cook’s restaurants and cafes all capture the commanding scenery of Aoraki Mt Cook and the Southern Alps where floor-to-ceiling windows are a staple.

None quite capture the views quite like The Panorama Restaurant of The Hermitage Hotel Mt Cook, with panoramic windows encircling a large dining room. Enjoy beautifully-presented plates of seasonal dishes made from fresh local ingredients. Booking is essential.

Other dining options in Mt Cook, while more casual, include the Old Mountaineers’ Cafe (3 Larch Grove) pouring organic coffee, cold beer and wine. And then you can go back to The Hermitage Hotel to dine at The Alpine Restaurant, another of their collection. Depending on the season, they’ll have a buffet to indulge in for dinner or choose from their a la carte menu.