Group Stargazing Tour in the Southern Hemisphere
Stargazing in the Southern Hemisphere: Starting your tour at Lake Tekapo’s lonely church at midnight, set out for Mount John Observatory, a few minutes away, listening to local tales. After a welcome orientation by your astrologist guides, soak in this unique experience amid the Gold Status Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Learning about myths and legends surrounding celestial objects across global cultures, marvel at the spectacular night skies. Notice the Southern Cross, the haze of Milky Way, and Southern Hemisphere’s unique Magellanic Clouds. Get a closer look at distant galaxies and their features, thanks to powerful astro-binoculars, and telescopes. Sipping on hot chocolate, watch the moonrise cast shadows of the dramatic landscape, and silhouettes of the Southern Alps around. Alternately, considering bad weather, enjoy virtual reality and high-resolution images of celestial wonders on a projection screen at the Astro Café indoors. Later, relax on floating hammocks in the hot pools under the stars to a background of ambient space music, before returning to town. (Time of Day: 2030/2330/0000 hrs depending on the season; Duration: 2 hrs; Shared Activity; Fitness level: Easy; Please note in case of bad weather, the tour will be moved to the cafe indoors).
Explore Tekapo and Mount Cook on Your Own
Explore the magical lake Tekapo located in New Zealand’s South Island, one of the three lakes of the Mackenzie Basin. Depending on the season, you could choose from a variety of activities. Take a canoe out to the middle of the lake, go yachting or fishing in summer. Enjoy the ambiance of a winter wonderland when it snows, as you ski down the slopes of Roundhill Ski Resort or Mount Dobson. Alternately, sign up for adventure sports and later, head over to Tekapo Springs to relax in the hot pools. A little distance away lies the picturesque Mount Cook Village with the UNESCO-listed Aoraki, New Zealand’s highest peak located in the heart of Mount Cook National Park. Discover the beauty of the surroundings at your own pace by following the trails on foot or booking yourself a helicopter tour. End the day by stargazing at the nearby Mount John University of Canterbury Observatory. (Full Day; Self-explore Activity; No Guide; No Transfers; Fitness Level: Easy; Some activities like skiing are seasonal and won’t be available throughout the year; Please bring comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and sunglasses.)