Visa

No visa required for US citizens for up to 3 months. Valid passport and NZeTA online application are required.

COVID

Fully open. No testing, no quarantine, no vaccination, no NZTD declaration required.

Fall in love with New Zealand by visiting its highlights on a fast-paced trip.

New Zealand Highlights

Explore all must-sees and venture off the beaten path on a spectacular road trip.

New Zealand Adventure

New Zealand

Enjoy the waterfalls at their fullest, the flowers blooming (those lupin fields on Lake Tekapo), and fewer crowds are also tempting. The hiking season for most Great Walks starts mid-October.

Spring

Summer is the most popular season and for a good reason. You can enjoy the widest spectrum of activities with pleasant hikes and warm beaches.

Summer

Fall is our favorite season, especially on the South Island. It is slightly colder, but you can still hike the Great Walks with fewer crowds while enjoying spectacular fall foliage scenery with the snowy peaks.

Fall

Winter months bring more rain to most of the North Island and colder temperatures across the country. Snow-peaked mountains are beautiful, but we don't recommend exploring in winter.

Winter

Land of the Long White Cloud

New Zealand – Land of the Long White Cloud

Hooker Valley Track is stunning hiking trail located in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. The trail is easy, 6-mile long round trip, and takes around 3 hours to complete. The highlight of the trail is the stunning views of the Southern Alps, including Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak.

The trail follows the Hooker River through the Hooker Valley, passing by alpine meadows, suspension bridges, and glacial lakes. The trail ends at the Hooker Glacier, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the glacier and Mount Cook. Along the way, you can also spot kea, New Zealand's native mountain parrot.

The Hooker Valley Track is a must-do for anyone visiting Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. It's a relatively easy hike with plenty of beautiful scenery along the way, and the views at the end are simply breathtaking.

AllTrails

Official park info

Hooker Valley Track

New Zealand's highest peak dominates the skyline of a national park filled with glaciers, alpine lakes, and sky-scraping peaks, a dream for mountaineers and hikers alike.