Aoraki / Mount Cook (New Zealand)

My adventures in New Zealand led me to visit Mount Cook twice, and the mountain isn't always easy to see. In fact, each time, the giant mountain was camouflaged by fog, only partially visible depending on the thickness of the fog.

Organized hiking trips that depart from Mount Cook Village, provide viewpoints over Aoraki (the Maori name for Mount Cook). The walk from the Hooker Valley guided me to the glacier of the same name, with a view over the Southern Alps in the background (if the weather allows you to see anything, that is - which was sadly not the case for me!) Upon returning to the village, I would suggest that you visit the little museum and information center, which showcases the development of high-altitude climbing equipment, as well as giving the history of the first attempts at climbing the mountain.

When leaving the village, I took the route toward the Tasman Glacier, where other hiking trips start. There too, the panoramic view over the mountain range and the valley is exceptional, and it is possible to view the opposite face of Mount Cook. The journey between Twizel and Mount Cook Village takes you along the shores of Lake Pukaki, which is well worth a stop to experience the changing blue hues of the water as the weather changes.