New Zealand part 1: The Mighty Aoraki
Home to New Zealand tallest peak (at 3,724 meters) Aoraki in the Mount Cook National Park, was our first stop for this trip. With its towering snow-capped mountains, azure glacial lakes, and rugged alpine terrain it didn’t disappoint.
Day 1
In pursuit of the best opportunity to see the majestic mountains, we opted to stay in Mount Cook Village, enabling us to monitor the weather conditions as closely as possible. Upon our arrival, we touched down in Queenstown, arguably one of the most picturesque airports we’ve encountered. After securing our rental car, we embarked on the scenic 3.5-hour drive to Mount Cook National Park.
Accommodations are limited in this remote location, but the lone hotel boasts breathtaking mountain views from every window. As we settled in, we were greeted by the sight of Mount Cook itself, visible from the comfort of our own bed!
Day 2
Early rise to catch the sunrise! Regrettably, heavy snowfall over the weekend had resulted in the closure of the roads leading to the hiking trails. Nevertheless, we managed to discover a roadside location to witness the sunrise in all its glory. The remainder of the day was dedicated to exploring the national park, as we traversed the winding roads to admire Mount Cook from various perspectives.
Day 3
Another early start to catch the sunrise; there’s simply nothing quite like the sunrise colours on the mountains. Luckily for us, the roads that had been closed over the weekend due to heavy snowfall have now been cleared, allowing us to embark on the hike we had originally planned. Hooker Valley – if there’s only one hike you do in Mount Cook National Park, make it this one. While Sealy Tarns, famously dubbed as the “Stairway to heaven” with its daunting 2,200 steps, and the Tasman Lake track were also on our list, we’ll have to save those for another visit.
With a heavy heart, we bid farewell to Mount Cook National Park (sad) and embarked on our journey towards Wānaka, our home for the next three nights. Our route took us past the stunning Lake Pukaki and Lake Ruataniwha, and through the scenic Lindis Pass.
