Legendary Luxury Mackenzie Country Tours

Our legendary luxury experiences range from the backcountry of Lake Tekapo, the glaciers of Mt Cook and Twizels’ pristine wilderness.

Immerse yourself in the serenity of the backcountry with a personalized private tour designed just for you. Indulge in unparalleled luxury with exclusive experiences, including private backcountry cabins set against breathtaking landscapes for unforgettable dining with views, high-country gourmet lunches, heli-drop whisky tastings, scenic heli-hiking adventures, wine and dine BBQ happy hours, and more.

We offer tailor made custom luxury tours for guests looking to explore beyond, while remembering an experience like no other. Our Private Luxury Mackenzie Country Tours take place within our exclusive 60,000 acres of private breathtaking New Zealand High Country, set within the beautiful Mackenzie Basin.

Our Legendary private guiding services offer top of the line charismatic and personable service with in- depth knowledge of New Zealand. Combined with our exclusive access, your days will be filled with high quality experiences tailored to your interests.

Whether it's a 1 day private luxury experience to explore some of the finest glaciers in a private backcountry lodge, to heli hiking amongst the Ben Ohau mountains - our small team offers exceptional luxury experiences you won’t be able to curate or access on your own.

Some examples of our luxury experiences range from:

Full day private luxury Mackenzie Country Tours
4WD with private luxury picnics & walks/hikes
Overnight backcountry private star gazing in exclusive backcountry luxury cabins
Heli Hiking private backcountry ridgelines
Private Guided hiking in Mt Cook National Park + Private Backcountry Terrain
Private hut - hut hiking on private terrain
Luxury Mountain biking on private terrain
Heli & 4WD Combo tours with whisky hut experience
Multi day private luxury guiding throughout the south island
Luxury transfers / guiding throughout The Mackenzie Country

LUXURY TOUR ENQUIRY

Discover What Our Travellers Say

EXCELLENT

Based on 77 reviews

Sydney Turk

Our whole group had a fantastic time on our all day safari trip! Ben was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. He answered any and all of our questions about the beautiful landscape and was very attentive to our needs. We got to enjoy a provided picnic lunch, drink fresh water from a stream, see a flock of merino sheep, and go on a short hike to a waterfall. I highly recommend the trip!

Jan Macpherson

Last week I was lucky to do the Autumn Muster Tour up through Glenmore Station and the Cass Valley with Tekapo Adventures. It was a stunner of a day to be driving deep into the stunning Mackenzie high country with these guys bring the merinos down from the mountains to lower ground for winter. Chris was such a great guide for the day and I highly recommend anyone who gets the opportunity to take one of the Tours through Tekapo Adventures to just do it!!!

Sharon Houghton

A group of 7 did the over night hike. Tekapo Adventures took great care in planning our hike to accommodate all our abilities. We drove for over 2 hours on a 4WD track to the start of the hike. Once parked We were soon crossing rivers before starting the ascent to The Lady Emily hut. The views were out of this world! Our guides Christina and Chris were incredibly knowledgeable, fun and went out of their way to look after us. Whilst the hike was steep, we never felt our safety was at all compromised. The food provided by Christina was tasty and plentiful, the hut was warm and clean. We didn’t see another person for the whole trip, it really was the most magnificent guided backcountry hike Ive ever done. Can’t wait to do the next and simply can’t recommend this trip enough!

Tom

We had a fantastic tour with our guide Bill. We couldn’t ask for more. Friendly and informative. We saw great views, and wonderful wildlife.

Jude MacIntyre

A truely unique hike to Lady Emily Hut up the Cass Valley on Glenmore Station. Every aspect thought through and delivered so well, from pre departure meeting and gear check which also doubled as ‘meet your guides’; 4x4 trip with fantastic history, commentary and dad jokes from Chris; delicious fresh and home cooked food by Christina; encouragement and teamwork; to magnificent views and back country experience like no other. Christina and Chris 10/10. Epic experience!!

moxius

We went on a Black Stilt tour this morning with Cristina! She was so joyful and telling us alot about the region! After our first stop we already found 3 Black Stilts!! Was so awesome to see these critically endangered birds!! We had a blast during our four hour Black Stilt tour!! Me and my brother would highly recommend booking a tour with Tekapo Adventures!! Peter and Johan.

Dan Murphy

We had an amazing hike with Tekapo Adventures. Cristina and Chris did a fantastic job sharing their knowledge of the New Zealand high country. We stayed at the Lady Emily Hut and had a lovely hike with amazing views. I would highly recommend this organization for your next adventure.

James Houghton

We have had the most amazing overnight hike with Cristina and Chris. Spectacular views up the Cass Valley and overnight at Lady Emily Hut. Couldn’t be more impressed with the organisation the knowledge and care. Would totally recommend

Dr. Moran Herteanu

Perfect day!!! Our guide Cris was very knowledgeable and friendly. He took us to magnificent points and told us a lot about the local people and culture. He even arranged us beverages and chocolate. Highly recommended!!! יום מושלם! סיור ברכב שטח במקומות שלא ניתן להגיע בשום דרך אחרת. מומלץ בחום!!!

Annuschka Van Tuijl

Wat een geweldige ervaring. Je krijgt zoveel te zien van de Tekapo omgeving, waar jezelf nooit kan komen. Zoveel mooie vergezichten, verschillende landschappen, dieren, etc. Het was nog zoveel mooier dan we hadden gehoopt. En dat zeker dankzij gids/chauffeur Bill Davis. Wat heeft hij het geweldig gedaan. Mooie verhalen, uitleg en zeker het laten zien van deze prachtige omgeving. Wat was dit SUPER!!

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Meet Our Guides

Ben

Founder & Guide

Ben

As kiwi as it gets, hails from a long history of guiding throughout New Zealand and overseas. From The Milford Track, driving jet boats on the Hollyford track, or multi day hiking tours and enduro mountain bike expeditions, he is a man of many talents! Filled with a rich and passionate knowledge of geology and history, and wild places. Ben is the co founder of Tekapo Adventures and enjoys sharing his passion with people from around the globe. On his down time you can find him riding bikes with the kids, hunting and tramping and fixing vehicles!

Cristina

Founder & Guide

Cristina

A Can- Iwi as we call her, shes born in Canada and lives in New Zealand alongside Ben and their little two monkeys. You’ll enjoy her local knowledge and passion for nature and wild places, alongside her rich experience in guiding throughout the southern alps by hiking and Mountain biking for over 16+years. She looks after alot of the admin and marketing and sales and you can also find her behind the driver's seat too! On her down time you can find her exploring nature with the kids, or doing yoga.

Chris

Guide

Chris

A one-of-a-kind Mackenzie Country Charmer, Chris comes from a farming background, with a wealth of details and knowledge about the area's uniqueness. You'll surely have a good laugh and feel like your best mate is showcasing you this incredible backcountry. He's a charmer and a true highlight on many guests' experiences with us. On his downtime, he's a jack of all trades and drives big tractors in Canada during winter.

Wayne

Guide

Wayne

Wayne hails from a long history of Deer farming in the Mackenzie Country. A true natural of tales and laughs, you can be sure to enjoy Wayne witty nature and passion for farming and history of the area. Away from being a man of many tales, you can find Wayne riding his mountain bike and travelling afar and welcoming many overseas guests into their wonderful property in The Mackenzie.

Why Choose Tekapo Adventures

Choosing Tekapo Adventures means opting for a uniquely immersive experience in the Mackenzie Backcountry. Our intimate knowledge of the land, family roots, and commitment to sustainability make every journey with us not just a trip, but a foray into the heart of New Zealand's natural majesty. Join us to discover why our exclusive access, expert guidance, and diverse, educational adventures set us apart as the preferred choice for discerning explorers.

FAMILY HERITAGE

Join our family. Experience the warmth and personalized service that can only come from a family-run venture. We actively explore and share wonderful experiences with people from around the globe and our small family in The Mackenzie Backcountry. A part of our hearts lies in the landscapes found here.

DIVERSE EXPERIENCES

Whether it’s a peaceful 4WD tour or a challenging Alpine hike, our diverse offerings cater to all adventure spirits. 4Wd day tours to remote mutli day hiking experiences, we enjoy the diversity of exploring the Mackenize Backcountry in many ways.

EDUCATIONAL JOURNEYS

Expand your horizons. Our trips are infused with insightful narratives about the local ecology, geology, and history.

Tekapo Adventures Mackenzie Wilds High REZ_16x9-braemar

EXCLUSIVE ACCESS

Unveil the hidden corners of the Mackenzie Country with our unparalleled access to private lands. We hold exclusive access to some of New Zealand's most incredible high country stations.