Mt Cook National Park
Alpine Grandeur Zone
Home Page

Home of the "Rings". Massive tectonic forces have formed the highest mountains right here.  KANES coach enters their midst allowing safe access to the walking trails to the glaciers, their forming lakes, avalanche areas and icebergs.  

All around you nature is continually carving shattering and shaping.  The stunning beauty of the Alps and developing lakes provide stark contrast to the barren flat tundra we crossed to get here.  Information centres and scenic flights enable you to fully understand the region. Photos simply cannot capture the grandeur.

Here we experience collapsing ice cliffs, regular avalanches and massive rock-covered glaciers.  Audio-visual and studies assist us comprehend this geography in motion!  The lessons here are empowering experiences!

Try a visit the (third) luxury Hermitage Hotel and explore the park's alpine settlement. A café and souvenir shop is an attraction after a walk on one of the exquisite mountain trails nearby.

You can touch the spectacular uplifting snow covered Alps with their huge glaciers and deadly avalanches.  The yellows, browns and greys of the tundra touching the 3000 metre Alps are made up of alpine grasses, glacial and river deposits placed within the last 25,000 years. Seven big lakes form part of New Zealand’s largest Hydro electric complex.

Farmers struggle with nutrient and moisture deprived soils. New exotic trees and micro plants are now invading the native species.  The soft, dry contoured hills and vast alluvial tundra endure severe cold, searing summer heat and violent dry windstorms.  Here tourism is active and growing, yet, along with other human activities is not detracting from the enjoyment visitors' gain from spending time this zone.