Lake Tekapo

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Red Mezz
Red Mezz
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
2
Reviews
8
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Editor Pick

The Best Possible Views of Mt Cook

  • July 27, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Red Mezz from Inverness, Scotland
The Best Possible Views of Mt Cook

Something that does unfortunately become very apparent very quickly while travelling around New Zealand is the cost of things. The incredible increase in tourism over the past few years seems to have made every single possible attraction into a tourist mecca - and the prices and crowds reflect that.

After being in the country for almost 6 months I was starting to wonder if the pristine and remote views I excitedly came to New Zealand as a photographer for were available with out a huge price tag and a busy crowd of tourists.

And though it isn't the cheapest option available - it is easily worth the money for the views you get of Mt Cook on the Grand Traverse flights by Air Safaris, based in Lake Tekapo.

The average price for the Grand Traverse is $280 - which does sound pricey, but if you are just beginning (or even planning your trip in it's early stages) you will soon learn that for what the average cost of things in New Zealand is, this is pretty good value for money.

To start with - it's a wonderful company, and that alone makes it easier to part with the money. Having been in business for 40 years they are family run with a small collection of little 15 seater planes all sitting on the airstrip a few minutes outside of the town of Lake Tekapo.

They could not be more friendly or helpful (you can book a flight at the office in the middle of the village, or in fact at many of the hotels and backpackers in town. Some of them offer a $25 discount on the flight package if you stay with them.) and they are extremely knowledgable about the area.

The flight itself is amazing - one of the most incredible things I have done and a Must do for all photographers. I've heard many horror stories over the years about flights in tiny planes, but with the exception of a few small bumps over the glaciers, it was a pretty comfortable ride.

The flight starts by going over Lake Tekapo and glides through the valley and along the mountain pass so that you can see the silt running into the lakes, giving them their amazing color, the ice moving along the mountains and into the valley - and most importantly you get a bird's eye perfect view of the stunning Frans Joseph and Fox glaciers.

And for me, the best point was flying right around Mt Cook - New Zealand's highest peak. The view was incredible, and making several loops so that everyone got a great view.

The company is proud of the fact that they offer planes with a window seat for everyone. Try to get one near the back so that the propeller isn't in the way of photos - and go in the evening if possible to get the changing light.
A wonderful experience, and worth splashing out for.

From journal The Journey Towards Mount Cook

Editor Pick

The Grand Traverse - Air Safari

  • October 19, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Red Mezz from Inverness, Scotland
The Grand Traverse - Air Safari

Something that does unfortunately become very apparent very quickly while travelling around New Zealand is the cost of things. The incredible increase in tourism over the past few years seems to have made every single possible attraction into a tourist mecca - and the prices and crowds reflect that.

After being in the country for almost 6 months I was starting to wonder if the pristine and remote views I excitedly came to New Zealand as a photographer for were available with out a huge price tag and a busy crowd of tourists.

When first arriving in Lake Tekapo, a flight over the stunning lakes and mountains of the area was very high on my list of things to do - but time spent travelling around the country depleted my budget and the price tag did start to sound a little bit pricey.

However with the season rolling happily into spring, the light changing and the mountains still covered in snow, I recently decided to give it a try - and I can happily say that there isn't money I've spent in New Zealand that I've been so comfortable with parting with.

The average price for the Grand Traverse is $280 - which does sound pricey, but if you are just beginning (or even planning your trip in it's early stages) you will soon learn that for what the average cost of things in New Zealand is, this is pretty good value for money.

To start with - it's a wonderful company, and that alone makes it easier to part with the money. Having been in business for 40 years they are family run with a small collection of little 15 seater planes all sitting on the airstrip a few minutes outside of the town of Lake Tekapo.

They could not be more friendly or helpful (you can book a flight at the office in the middle of the village, or in fact at many of the hotels and backpackers in town. Some of them offer a $25 discount on the flight package if you stay with them.) and they are extremely knowledgable about the area.

The flight itself is amazing - one of the most incredible things I have done and a Must do for all photographers. I've heard many horror stories over the years about flights in tiny planes, but with the exception of a few small bumps over the glaciers, it was a pretty comfortable ride.

The flight starts by going over Lake Tekapo and glides through the valley and along the mountain pass so that you can see the silt running into the lakes, giving them their amazing color, the ice moving along the mountains and into the valley - and most importantly you get a bird's eye perfect view of the stunning Franz Josef and Fox glaciers.

And for me, the best point was flying right around Mt Cook - New Zealand's highest peak. The view was incredible, and making several loops so that everyone got a great view.

The company is proud of the fact that they offer planes with a window seat for everyone. Try to get one near the back so that the propeller isn't in the way of photos - and go in the evening if possible to get the changing light.
A wonderful experience, and worth splashing out for.

From journal The Visual Perfection of Secluded Lake Tekapo

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