We are pleased to present a new Solo Travel Destination Post from Angela, a member of the Solo Travel Society on Facebook. Angela is from Australia, and submitted the following report about Mount Cook. Do you have a solo travel destination that you would like to recommend? Submit your description here, along with a few photos, and share it with fellow travelers!
Solo travel rating: 1 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Languages spoken: English
View of Tasman Glacier.
Reasons to go: After a frenzied lead-up to Christmas in 2012, I was questioning my sanity: why had I booked a trip to South Island, New Zealand? Once I got to Mount Cook, however, that thought diminished.
The clean air was amazing and the vistas were captivating. The locals were friendly, as was Mount Cook Backpackers, which is modern and vibrant and full of happy travelers. The Edmund Hillary museum was fascinating and very professional. Mount Cook caters for all budgets, from the 5-star Hermitage Hotel to the Mount Horse Hill Campground which requires no bookings – you just turn up and find a spot.
The highlight of my stay was hiking to Mueller Hut. The hut provides a 360 degree panorama encompassing glaciers, ice cliffs, and vertical rock faces. You can regularly hear and watch avalanches.
Hiking through the snow in the middle of summer… priceless. Peace and tranquility like I have never experienced before. A must visit for Solo Travelers.
Mount Cook in the evening.
Hiking along Hooker River.
Hiking through snow in the middle of summer! Awesome.
Solo Travel Destination Rating System
Safety – 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
Language – 1 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
Navigation – 1 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
Culture – 1 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
Average Rating – 1 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult)