MONTH VISITED: January BUSY ? Weekends
WEATHER: 75 🌤 HIKE LEVEL: Easy-Extreme
WHERE TO STAY: YHA EXPENSIVE?: $$
When visiting the South Island of New Zealand it’s rare to find someone who isn’t visiting the beautiful Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. You’ll also find that everyone is planning their entire trip around this park because they want good weather for it. On the way to the park, I picked up two hitch-hikers and they told me they’d had been rearranging their plans the last six weeks to come to the park on days there was sunshine! They told me on average this national park sees only 30 cloud-free days a year. I hadn’t checked the weather so I felt pretty damn lucky when we had three sunny days in a row, but I believe this place would be magical with or without sunshine!
Just take a look at the road leading you into the park….
Yes, the water is actually that color!!!
FACTS ABOUT AORAKI/MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK
- This park features 23 peaks over 9,000 feet.
- 10 walks from the village ranging in length and difficulty so everyone is welcome!
- Glacier viewing
- Skiing
- Many mountaineers claim the area to be the best climbing region in Australasia
- Incredible photo opportunities
DAY 1
Walk around and check-in to your accommodation
We met in the village late afternoon so we decided to just check-in and walk around the village a bit. We learned quickly this village is quite small. Just five restaurants and a small supermarket with very odd hours. I suggest bringing your own food because the nearest town with a “normal” supermarket is 45 minutes away. We walked from town to the start of the Hooker Valley Trek to check out the views and walk across the bridge.
From the bridge you can walk about 20 minutes to get to this view.
Depending on how much you want to cram in, you could do one of the “shorter” hikes: the full Hooker Valley Trek, Red Tarns Hike or Kea Point. (all 2-3 hours return)
WHERE TO STAY
I recommend staying at the YHA Hostel. This hostel does full up fast so it’s tough to get a room if you wanted to book something last minute. (That goes for most of the accommodation here in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.)
- This is a 74 bed hostel but feels a lot smaller
- Large and well equipped kitchen
- Strong Wi-Fi
- Multiple spacious living areas
- Great TV room with lots of couches
This is the view from the main living area…
There are some stunning camping options as well. If camping is more your style, check out the White Horse Hill Campground. Be prepared these camping spots are first come first served. This is the view from your tent when you wake up in the morning! 
After getting all settled in make some dinner or check out the Old Mountaineer’s Cafe-I’ve heard great things about their service and that the salmon bagel, pizza and burgers are great! (I was recommended this restaurant the most but cooked all my meals here in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park). If you have a favorite in this village please comment below!
If you plan to hike early(best so you miss the crowds) get a good nights rest. BUT no matter what you do in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, if you are lucky to get a clear day, you must drive out of the village a bit to witness the night sky. From the hostel we looked up and thought, “the sky isn’t that great?!” We decided to drive a bit and wow-the view of the Milky Way had my jaw dropping and this was the first time in my life I witnessed stars twinkle!
DAY 2
Sealy Tarns Track
My favorite hike was the Sealy Tarns Track. It’s a total of 3.5 miles and takes about 3 hours round trip (depending on your speed). This hike may not be long and listed as moderate difficulty but it is very steep so it will be tough at times! There are lots of stairs so be prepared for your booty to be burning! In total there is about a 2,000 foot elevation change so bring plenty of water. I recommend packing a lunch because there is a beautiful place to enjoy lunch up there.
Most of my pictures are taken with my iPhone but my friend Lotti is a badass photographer so I am going to share some of her amazing pictures she took while we were in the park! These pictures are from about half way up. 
Depending on your speed, it took us almost 2 hours (it was a bit busy the day we went) you will arrive at the Sealy Tarns (a tarn is a small mountain lake formed by a glacier). It is absolutely stunning when Mount Sefton and Mount Cook reflect off the mirror-like water!
We were lucky enough to witness a few mini avalanches while we were up here so keep an eye out for those!
The viewpoints at the Sealy Tarns are breathtaking and different each way you turn!
Remember how I said to pack a lunch? This is why. There is a giant picnic table up here and this is by far one of the most beautiful places I have ever had lunch.
The views are stunning each direction but I’d have to say this one was my favorite.
We stayed up here for a few hours journaling and taking in this wonderful view. You could also continue on another 2 hours to reach the Mueller Hut, but you will want to prepare more for that. If you decide to, here is some for information on that.
DAY 3
Peter’s Lookout for Sunrise over Lake Pukaki and Hooker Valley Track
You are going to be a bit sore from the trek yesterday but you have to force yourself to get up for sunrise over Lake Pukaki. This viewpoint is unreal and we got lucky with a wonderful sunrise.
Once sunrise is done take a ridiculous amount of pictures on the famous road leading to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Hooker Valley Track
Unfortunately I had an injury and couldn’t make this walk but Lotti took many pictures she is allowing me to share. This trek is 6 miles round trip and listed as an easy walk, I’d give yourself about 2-3 hours return. It is the most popular so it will be the most busy, but the views are worth it. These views are cool to see after doing the Sealy Tarns Trek because they are the same peaks you’re just basically zooming in on them!
You’ll be so sad to leave this wonderful park but you’ll get to say goodbye with another beautiful drive by Lake Pukaki. 
If I were you I’d head to Tekapo next and check out Lake Tekapo and New Zealand’s most famous place to see the night sky! (even though we had better weather for it at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park) Check out the awesome rainbow we had on our way to Tekapo!
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park was one of my favorite places when visiting New Zealand! What was your favorite hike here? Did you do any mountaineering? Comment below!
If you are looking for more places to visit in New Zealand check out my blog posts HERE!
