Summit Experience - University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory | 2 hours

123 Reviews | Lake Tekapo
Likely To Sell Out
From $124.23 per person Lowest Price Guarantee
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 10 travelers in total.
Adult (18-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 10
2
Child (10-17) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 10
0
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Summit Experience - English
2 Adults x $125.68
$251.36
Approx Total
$251.36
English Tour
Summit Experience - Mandarin
2 Adults x $125.68
$251.36
Approx Total
$251.36
Summit Experience in Mandarin

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
  • Pickup and drop-off from our Lake Tekapo Office
  • Professional guide
  • Expert astronomy guides share their intimate knowledge of the Southern skies
  • Exclusive access to Mount John's 1,029 metre peak
  • View the night sky with the naked eye (guided by the handheld lasers of guides)
  • Look through our powerful telescopes, and through our Mount John Observatory dome
  • New Zealand’s premier mountaintop astronomy experience
  • Dinner
  • Snacks

Overview

Our most popular astronomy experience at the world-renowned astronomical research centre. Prepare for an awe-inspiring evening of discovery. Immerse yourself in the stunning surrounds, pristine night skies and sophisticated viewing technologies as our expert guides share the science and stories of our Southern Skies. High atop Mount John’s 1,029 metre peak, you'll be at the heart of the Southern Hemisphere's largest International Dark Sky Reserve. Every night sky reveals something new. The incredible Milky Way. Far-off planets. Star clusters, solar systems, constellations. You might even glimpse a distant galaxy. Don't miss New Zealand's premier stargazing experience. Exclusive to Dark Sky Project, the Summit Experience at Mt John Observatory is in partnership with the University of Canterbury.

Itinerary

  • Dark Sky Project

    Immerse yourself in the stunning surrounds, pristine night skies and sophisticated viewing technologies as our expert guides share the science and stories of our Southern Skies.

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • A maximum of 22 people per trip time
  • If you are booking a time after midnight please double check the date you are booking
  • Not recommended with travelers with mobility issues

Free Cancellation

August 07100% refund
August 08No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.4

123 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    83
  • 4 stars
    14
  • 3 stars
    19
  • 2 stars
    2
  • 1 star
    5

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 83 reviews with 5 stars

Excellent experience. Well worth the late night and driving

Published on Feb, 2025

Amazing.... Educational, interesting, spectacular views of stars, clusters, the moon.... Well informed and educated guides take you millions and billions of light years from home!;! Well worth the late night!

Fantastic!

Published on Dec, 2024

Really well organised and lots of fun. The night sky was absolutely stunning (and we’ve been to a few dark sky reserves). Clem was knowledgeable and the introductory talk was really interesting. It was amazing to actually see the rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter ! We learnt a lot and would definitely recommend this experience. Grateful that extra warm jackets were provided.

Adult family trip and Mother Nature did not disappoint. You must remember this is an outdoor weather dependent activity.

Published on Dec, 2024

We had a cold windy night but the clouds disappeared and the stars were brilliant. Hosts were knowledgeable and fun. We learned so much and would go again if we lived here

Must-Do!

Published on Dec, 2024

This is a “must-do” while at Lake Tekapo! Very knowledgeable staff and plenty of time to explore the galaxy through all three telescopes. One of the top experiences in New Zealand!

Incredible experience!

Published on Dec, 2024

Phenomenal experience overall. Fun being driven up in the bus (especially the last section with no lights!). The space themed music was a nice addition. Would DEFINITELY recommend layering up, and taking one of their jackets - you’re out all night and it is COLD. Especially if it’s windy. Our tour guide - a beautiful feminine human (?name - we think Carl? (They said their name a lot but it’s been a couple weeks and many tours since we went!) … I digress! They were so incredibly clever and knowledgeable about the night sky. And their obvious passion for the stars and sky above us was infectious. They finished their tour with a really heartfelt message about humans needing to reconnect more with their neighbours to restore a greater sense of community and it was honestly tear-jerking. Especially for someone so young! It was overall a fab experience and would highly recommend the tour to anyone. Definitely do the Summit!

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