The 70,000 hectare Mount Cook National Park was established in 1953 and named after the eponymous peak, the highest point in New Zealand at 3,724 meters. The Maoris named it Aoraki, the "cloud sky" or "cloud piercer". In Polynesian mythology, Aoraki is the most powerful son of the sky (Raki) who descended from the heavens to embrace his mother, the earth (Papa). The first attempt to climb the colossus was made in 1882 by the Irishman William S. Green, who failed 100 meters from his goal due to bad weather conditions. Twelve years later, three New Zealanders, led by Tom Kyfe, had better luck. The first woman to achieve the feat was Australian Freda du Four in 1910. The whole protected area includes the largest glaciers in Oceania and 140 mountains over 2,100 meters, including 27 over 3,050 meters. It is a World Heritage Site, along with the neighboring Fiordland, Mount Aspiring and Westland National Parks. The tiny Mt Cook Village is the main attraction in the area. When there are no clouds, the view is fantastic and it is not uncommon to come across a kea, the famous endemic parrot with an incredible intelligence. The road to get here is an experience in itself and can even be done as a day trip from Lake Tekapo via Lake Pukaki.

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Vue dans les environs de Mt Cook. Maxence PEIGNE
Mount Cook National Park. PiLensPhoto - Fotolia
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