[English, Japanese, Mandarin Guide] Dark Sky Project Lake Tekapo Summit Stargazing Experience | New Zealand
- Stargaze at New Zealand’s only professional research observatory on Mount John
- Explore the cosmos in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
- Use high-powered telescopes, including a 16” telescope in a private dome
- Experience expert guided commentary, with lasers pointing out key celestial sights
- Stay comfortable with provided extreme cold weather jackets and transport to and from Mount John
Package Options
Sightseeing Tours
| Tour Type | Shared tour |
| Transportation method | Get there on your own |
| Tour types | Guided tour |
| Meal arrangement | Arrange yourself |
| Sightseeing type | Star gazing |
Product Info
— What You Can Expect —
Embark on a two-hour celestial adventure atop Mount John at 1,029 meters, within the world’s largest International Dark Sky Reserve.
Guests begin with naked-eye observations guided by handheld lasers, before transitioning to high-powered telescopes, including a private 16” telescope in an observatory dome. Experience breathtaking views of the Milky Way, distant galaxies, and planets. Comfort is ensured with transport to and from Mount John, along with extreme cold weather jackets provided by expert guides, who share captivating stories of the Southern night sky.
The guides take you deep into the cosmos, sharing with you what it all means, and why it matters. You’ll never see it the same away again!
The summit experience offers the ultimate way to enjoy the night sky in Lake Takapō, the premier destination
Marvel at the Milky Way and the cosmos while stargazing in the heart of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
Purchase Notice
- For departures around midnight, please ensure to check the date and time on the voucher before departure. For example, if the departure is on January 2nd at 12:15 AM, this is 15 minutes past midnight on January 2nd, and the supplier may request guests to check in 20 minutes prior to departure, which would be at 11:55 PM on January 1st as check-in time
- For this experience guests will need to be confident walking 100 metres on a gravel incline, and able to climb a couple of steps in the dark
- 5 minutes prior to tour departure any guests who have not checked in will be considered “no shows” and their tickets will be released to the public for sale with no refund
- As the slots sold out fast kindly fill out alternative time slots and refer to voucher for final confirmation
- For best experience, please avoid any clothing with lights or bright flashes
- For safety reasons, you are not permitted to drive up Mt John or to Cowan's Observatory in the evening
- For more FAQs, please refer to here
- To minimize light pollution, guests are prohibited from using, or bringing, any white lights, including but not limited to LCD screens, flash photography, illuminated mobile phones, flashlights, torches, light up shoes etc
- Detailed T&C can be refereed here
— What to Wear —
- Summer (November - March):thermal wear, long pants, socks, sneakers, jersey, jacket and hat
- Winter (April - October): thermal wear, warm long pants, woollen socks, hiking boots or sturdy footwear that covers the ankle, jersey, snow jacket, gloves, scarf and hat
Reminders
Please arrive at the designated location 20 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Guests are not eligible for refunds or other compensation if they are late for check-in and miss their experience departure. Guests who wish to rebook their experience must pay the full cost of the new booking. All experiences are subject to availability
5 minutes prior to tour departure any guests who have not checked in will be considered “no shows” and their tickets will be released to the public for sale
Dark Sky Project is unable to guarantee full clarity, ideal skies, or visibility of certain objects on its outdoor experiences. Both of our stargazing tours, the Summit Experience and the Crater Experience are weather-dependent. In the event, that guide determines no stargazing is possible due to inclement weather conditions, customers are offered refund or open ticket options
Dark Sky Project reserves the right to refuse guests participation in tours should they not meet the health and safety, or operational requirements set out below. In such circumstances guests are not eligible for a refund
All children must be actively supervised by a parent or guardian to ensure minimal disruption to other guests. A minimum ratio of 1 adult to two children is required. The Summit Experience is restricted to children 10 years and over. The Crater Experience is restricted to children 5 years and over
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations 3 day(s) (inclusive) before the selected date are allowed. Unused orders can be canceled for free
- Cancellation is not allowed between 0–2 days from the selected date. Orders cannot be canceled or modified, and refunds will not be granted.
- Due to time zone differences, the confirmed cancellation date is based on the supplier’s local time. Please allow 2–5 business days to process your cancellation request, after which the cancellation fee will be charged according to the product’s cancellation policy. Once the cancellation is confirmed, you will receive your refund within 14 working days.
FAQ
Visitors can expect an immersive journey to the stars from Mount John, home to New Zealand's only professional research observatory within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. The experience includes expert guided commentary, where guides use lasers to highlight key celestial sights. You'll also use high-powered telescopes, including a 16” telescope in a private dome, to explore the cosmos. Warm jackets and transport to the summit are provided for comfort.
The Dark Sky Project Summit Stargazing Experience typically lasts approximately two hours. This duration includes the guided journey to the summit of Mount John, the stargazing session with commentary and telescope use, and the return transport. It's designed to provide a comprehensive and comfortable exploration of the Southern night sky.
For the clearest and darkest skies, the cooler, drier months of autumn and winter (April to September) are often ideal for stargazing in Lake Tekapo. During this period, the air tends to be less humid, offering optimal visibility. While winter provides longer nights, good conditions can still be experienced year-round, depending on local weather patterns.
Yes, viewing the Milky Way is a highlight of the Dark Sky Project Summit Stargazing Experience, especially since Mount John is located in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. The Milky Way is most prominent and vivid during the Southern Hemisphere's winter months (typically May to September) when the galactic core is highest in the sky and nights are longer and darker.
The Dark Sky Project Summit Stargazing Experience offers exclusive access to New Zealand's only professional research observatory on Mount John. Unlike self-guided options, it includes expert guides providing captivating commentary with laser pointers, access to high-powered telescopes (including a 16” telescope in a private dome), and comfortable transport to the summit. Extreme cold weather jackets are also provided for your comfort.
For the Dark Sky Project Summit Stargazing Experience, transport to and from Mount John is provided as part of the tour. Guests typically gather at a designated meeting point in Lake Tekapo village, from which the specialized transport takes them directly to the observatory on the summit. This ensures a comfortable and hassle-free journey to the stargazing location.
During the Dark Sky Project Summit Experience, participants utilize high-powered telescopes to explore celestial objects. This includes access to a large 16-inch telescope housed within a private dome, offering detailed views of distant stars, planets, and galaxies. Expert guides also use powerful lasers to point out specific constellations and astronomical features in the night sky.
The guides play a crucial role in enhancing the Dark Sky Project Summit Stargazing Experience. They are skilled experts who provide captivating commentary and share fascinating facts about the Southern night sky. Using laser pointers, they highlight constellations, planets, and other celestial sights, making the cosmos accessible and understandable. They also assist guests with the telescopes and ensure a comfortable and informative experience.
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