
Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki Day Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki Day Tour worth booking?
Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki Day Tour is a 10-hour experience in Christchurch, New Zealand, from $200 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $200 per person
Enjoy your private day tour to picturesque town of Lake Tekapo that lies in the heart of Mackenzie country. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations that provide exquisite views. Visit the iconic Church of Good
What you get
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Tekapo Springs Hot Pool Entry Ticket
- Complimentary Hotspot WIFI
- Hotel Pick up and Drop Off.
- Transport in luxurious van (2017 or late model Mercedes Benz)
- Private tour (i.e. only for one party)
About this experience
Enjoy your private day tour to picturesque town of Lake Tekapo that lies in the heart of Mackenzie country. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations that provide exquisite views. Visit the iconic Church of Good Shepherd & Sheepdog Statue in Lake Tekapo. Admire Lake Pukaki & the stunning views of Mount Cook from a distance. Soak up & unwind in Tekapo Springs offering Hot Pools, Spa, waterslide & aqua play area for kids. Tour Highlights: • Sample award-winning cheese at a local cheese factory in Geraldine • Visit the iconic Church of Good Shepherd and Bronze Sheepdog Statue in Lake Tekapo • Admire Lake Pukaki, the largest lake in Mackenzie region, and stunning alpine scenery • Visit to a Salmon Farm. • Drive to the summit at Mt. John Observatory. • Soak in the renowned Tekapo Springs with alpine scenery.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Tekapo Springs Hot Pool Entry Ticket
- Complimentary Hotspot WIFI
- Hotel Pick up and Drop Off.
- Transport in luxurious van (2017 or late model Mercedes Benz)
- Private tour (i.e. only for one party)
- Complimentary light refreshments
Not included
- Meals.
What you'll see and do
Christchurch Cathedral
After pick-up from your hotel / apartment or preferred location in Christchurch at 8am, take a 3.5 hr scenic drive through spectacular & breathtaking landscapes.
Pass by without stopping
Talbot Forest Scenic Reserve
Stretch your legs at the historic town of Geraldine and treat your taste buds at an artisan cheese shop or browse for Merino and Alpaca fleece clothing.
30 minutes here
The Church of the Good Shepherd
Visit the turquoise colored Lake Tekapo & take in the tranquility of this place. Visit the Church of Good Shepherd & the well-recognized Bronze Statue of Sheepdog.
30 minutes here
Lake Pukaki
Take a drive to Lake Pukaki and admire stunning views of Mt. Cook from a distance.
30 minutes here
High Country Salmon
Grab the opportunity to purchase fresh salmon or feed the fish at a Salmon Farm floating on the glacier waters.
30 minutes here
University of Canterbury Mt. John Observatory
Then drive to the summit of Mt. John to capture magnificent alpine landscape on your cameras.
30 minutes here
Tekapo Springs
Grab lunch at one of the cafés before you hit the Hot Pools. Soak up & unwind at Tekapo Springs surrounded by breathtaking alpine views. After hot pools, drive back to Christchurch via same scenic route and drop-off to your location.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- NZSI Tours & Travel
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults.
- Swimming costumes are available on hire.
Photos






Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki Day Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A full and enjoyable day
A fantastic experience and wonderful service. Our driver and guide, Anuj, took good care of us on our trip to lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. His commentary and local knowledge was appreciated, as was his flexibility in moving the schedule around owing to a change in the weather (making for some stunning views). The journey makes for a long day, but the transport and company makes for a comfortable ride. I highly recommend NZSI tours and would use them again.
Response from the operator: Dear StevieOC, We would like to thank you for taking the time to share your experience on Trip Advisor, subsequent to your recent tour with us to Lake Tekapo & Lake Pukaki. We are glad to hear that you had an enjoyable day and would like to thank you for recommending us. We would love to welcome you back on your next visit. Kind Regards, Parul
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $200 to $500
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by NZSI Tours & Travel, who run 12 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 54.6 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything NZSI Tours & Travel runsWhy this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki Day Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Christchurch.
How much does Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki Day Tour cost?
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Prices start at $200 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Christchurch usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki Day Tour take?
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Plan for about 10 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Christchurch is not rushed.
Is Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki Day Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Christchurch, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki Day Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki Day Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki Day Tour?
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Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Christchurch can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Christchurch and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki Day Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Christchurch within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Christchurch?
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On Outty we rank every Christchurch experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include TranzAlpine Train, Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip, Lord of the Rings, Journey to Edoras Day Tour from Christchurch, Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and Tasman Glacier Tour from Christchurch. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Christchurch?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Christchurch?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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