Aoraki / Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo
Adventurer Photographer Retreat
A small-group photography journey in New Zealand’s Southern Alps
Over several days, this retreat blends iconic landscapes, relaxed learning, and personal guidance — without pressure or rush.
Is this retreat right for you?
Adventurer Photography Tour for all levels
This tour is for those really looking to to advance their landscape photography portfolio of images in epic locations high up in the wilderness of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park.
This tour requires a significant level of fitness, mental strength and determination to get up to Mueller’s hut and prior to that, Sealy Tarn which has approx. 2000 steep steps cut into the side of Mt Oliver. There is no rush and there will be many opportunities for rests and photography stops but fitness and stamina are essential. Building up fitness 3-6 months in advance by hiking will assist prior to this tour.
Photographers of all levels are able to join this trip, however the fitness requirements detailed above must be met.
Baggage limited to one large suitcase and 1 camera bag with equipment (additional baggage can be left in storage at airport or by agreement with hotel for collection at the hotel upon your drop off at Christchurch.
Your Photography Journey: Mueller Hut and Sealy Tarn
Day 1 | Christchurch Pickup
• 8am Pick up from your own Christchurch accommodation and minibus drive to Aoraki Mt Cook. Stopping at Tekapo along the way to enjoy lake views. We will be returning on day 5.
• Check into a Mount Cook Hotel for 1 night. Breakfast Lunch and Dinner Included.
Pre dinner intro meeting and discussion of camera gear and settings as per below. No such thing as a silly question! Topics covered include...
• camera settings / menu settings / lenses / manual settings / focusing methods / tripod setup / memory cards / remote triggers / white balance / exposure meter ruler / long exposures / shutter speeds / aperture settings / the exposure triangle / composition /camera sensors / monitor settings for editing / Apps that assist with planning Milky Way shots and more…
• Evening meal and evening shoot of the stars and Milky Way (Intro)
Day 2
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6am - Check out of Hotel. Bags left at hotel or stored in SUV during hiking of Mueller’s Hut
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Start Hike up to Sealy Tarn via White Horse campground
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Stop for breakfast (in backpack) 8am or at Sealy Tarn
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11.am leave Sealy Tarn for second push up to Mueller hut
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13.00 Stop for lunch
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14.30 Continue up last steep section of hike towards Mueller Hut
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16.30 Arrive Mueller hut.
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17.30 Stove dinner (dehydrated food meals)
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16.00 explore around hut.
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Set up to take night shots, long exposures timelapse
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20.00 Rest / bed
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Finish 10pm or earlier / later depending on group consensus (fatigue)
Day 3
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6.30 am start for dawn sunrise shoot of mountains
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08.00 Breakfast
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Explore surrounds and shoot daytime and plan evening shots based on Milky Way position
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12.00 Lunch
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13.00 Continue shooting (ND filters useful in snow conditions / bright sunshine
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17.00 Dinner
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18.00 evening shooting
Day 4
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6.30 am start for dawn sunrise shoot of mountains
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08.00 Breakfast
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Explore surrounds and shoot daytime and plan evening shots based on Milky Way position
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12.00 Lunch
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13.00 Continue shooting (ND filters useful in snow conditions / bright sunshine
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17.00 Dinner
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18.00 evening shooting
Day 5
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06.30 start for sunrise shots
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08.00 breakfast then packup for hike down mountain to hotel
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08.00 – 16.00 Hike down (can take 3 hrs but we will be shooting on the way down)
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16.00 check into Hermitage hotel, showers then dinner and rest / social evening.
Day 6
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09.00 breakfast and check out of hotel
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10.00 Drive to Christchurch for your own hotel or airport drop off stopping off at Lake Tekapo observatory and Night Sky experience.
Inclusions
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All pickups and drop-offs
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All transportation in minivan / SUV (hence baggage limitations for 5 passengers)
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All hotel and Mueller hut fees (minimum 4 star) and meals excluding any alcohol
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All tuition and guidance – Photography and Editing
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In cases where hikes mean we are away from a café or restaurant then snacks / lunches / water / soft drinks are included.
A Thrilling Challenge for the Fit and Fearless Photographer
Please do not underestimate the nature of this hike. It is simply spectacular, gruelling and rewarding all rolled into one. There are steep drop offs on the hike in both directions. Individuals who have a fear of heights should not book this trip or if you suffer from vertigo.
It is a marathon and not a race however so if you are fit, confident and comfortable being in harsh weather environments and terrain then this tour is for you.
Your level of photography is not critical for this adventure. If you want to join and continue learning how to shoot that is fine. You must also limit your backpack including camera gear weight to 10kg (excluding 3litres of water) There is no water en route.
By the end of this weeks tour you will be able to: Sleep well 😊
Pro Photographers Equipment List
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Tripod with level (ball head tripod recommended with bubble level on legs and a separate bubble on ball head (not critical for two bubble levels) – Manfroto are a good brand of Tripod
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A DSLR or mirrorless camera (cropped sensor or full frame) that has full manual capability (M) on dial
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Any lenses you have for the camera (Prime, zoom or telephoto)
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Any lens filters (ND filters) if you have them
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Lens warmer
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128GB Memory card (minimum)
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Camera to laptop data cable OR memory card reader
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Camera battery charger
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2 batteries (minimum)
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Remote trigger (if you have one)
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Great walking boots
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Sand Fly repellent
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Lightweight jacket
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Lightweight warm jacket
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Lightweight trousers for outdoors
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Thermals
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Shorts
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Hiking Burning Stove
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Lighter
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Head torch
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Hat
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Sunglasses
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Camel Pack (3ltr depending on your water intake)
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Laptop (if you have one) if not don’t worry you will be shown on my own (not needed for hike)
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Lens wipes or old soft T-shirt for cleaning lenses
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Clean camera sensor (you can ask a camera shop to do this for you)
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Clean (no mould on lenses) You can ask a camera shop to check this for you
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Mobile phone to download free version of Camera / Star locations App
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Gloves that you can poke tips of fingers out of (depending on tour date)
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Personal Travel Insurance
(You will know if you have dirt on your sensor or lenses if, when you take a shot and review it, there are spots in the image)
Disclaimer
By signing up to this exciting tour you accept the following.
Photo Tours NZ cannot be held responsible for:
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Adverse weather which might affect outdoor shooting
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Personal injury sustained while hiking / walking
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Travel delays by your airline. If you miss the start date your tour will need to be re-scheduled so as not to impact the rest of the group.
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If you are seriously injured on the hike and taken off the mountain you will be under the supervision of the emergency services and hospital. The tour will continue (if safe) with the other guests and PhototoursNZ will contact your emergency contacts to advise them of the situation. PhototoursNZ will also of course be in touch to check on your status in hospital and will visit as soon as the tour is complete. We will ensure your status is communicated to all parties as soon as practicably possible. A satellite phone will be carried by the tour leader.
Gallery of Previous Tours in South Island New Zealand
Push Your Limits Today!
Conquer the Heights with Our Pro Photography Tour
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure designed for seasoned photographers. Our Advanced Tour to Mueller Hut combines breathtaking landscapes with challenging hikes, pushing both your fitness and photography skills to the next level. From shooting panoramic mountain vistas to mastering high-altitude photography techniques, this tour will transform your portfolio. If you're ready for the ultimate challenge, book your spot today!