I Wasn't Prepared for Mt Cook 🇳🇿 New Zealand

Mt. Cook is one of New Zealand’s most iconic destinations — home to dramatic alpine views, stunning hikes, and the country’s tallest mountain. On paper, it should’ve been a dream trip. I stayed at Haka House hostel in Aoraki/Mt. Cook Village and set out to explore the region, including the scenic Kea Point hike and an epic helicopter ride over the Tasman Glacier. The views from the top? Absolutely unforgettable.

But despite the beauty, something felt... off. The village itself was surprisingly quiet, with not much to do beyond the nature (especially in the off-season), and to make things worse, I came down with a bit of a cold. That mix of feeling sick and stuck somewhere with little to do really affected the trip. Sometimes, even the most picture-perfect locations don’t deliver the experience you were hoping for.

Still, Mt. Cook is undeniably breathtaking, and I don’t regret going. In this video, I’ll take you through the highs — and the lows — of my time there, and share some honest thoughts for anyone thinking of visiting. If you’ve been to Mt. Cook or are planning to go, let me know your experience in the comments — I’d love to hear how it compared.