Adventure

Queenstown: Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike

Activity provider: True South Flights
Adventure

Queenstown: Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike

Activity provider: True South Flights

From US$ 878.18 per person

Take a scenic plane flight from Queenstown to explore the Franz Josef Glacier before it's gone. Enjoy a scenic helicopter flight up to the glacier.

About this activity

Free cancellation
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 6.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English

Experience

Highlights
  • Enjoy a scenic return flight from Queenstown to Franz Josef
  • Explore a glacier with an experienced guide
  • Take a stunning helicopter ride over spectacular glacial scenery
Full description

Fly over the Southern Alps, home to over 3000 small glaciers. Visit Franz Josef Glacier on the western face of Aoraki/ Mt Cook or the Tasman Glacier on the east side. Enjoy the flexibility of seeing either glacier in case of poor weather conditions on your tour of choice. Check in on arrival at either the Franz Josef Glacier tour or Tasman Glacier tour and get to your helicopter. Have a safety briefing as your equipment is handed out. Go out to a deep part of the glacier via a scenic helicopter flight. Pass over the deep crevasses of the icefalls and waterfalls to land at the upper Franz Josef Icefall. Alternatively, take a scenic helicopter flight over the Tasman Terminal Lake to the Tasman Glacier. Be fitted with crampons for your trek out onto the glacier, exploring ices caves, and seeing the natural, ever-changing wonders of the South Island’s glaciers.

Includes
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • 2x scenic plane flights from Queenstown to Franz Josef return, with pilot commentary
  • 2x Helicopter flights from Franz Josef Township to Franz Josef Glacier
  • Two-hour glacier hiking experience
  • All specialist equipment (crampons, waterproof pants, and jackets)
  • Food and drinks
Not suitable for
  • Children under 12 years
  • People with mobility impairments
  • Wheelchair users
  • People under 66 lbs (30 kg)
  • People over 254 lbs (115 kg)
  • People with low level of fitness

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Please check in at our office 30 minutes prior to departure. We are located in the Remarkables Park Town Centre in Frankton, near Queenstown Airport, with free all-day parking. It is best to park near the New World supermarket and walk across the carpark entrance to our building on the corner of the main road (Hawthorne Drive). Please let us know if you don't have access to transport and require a pickup in our shuttle van.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Sunglasses
  • Camera
  • Food and drinks
  • Sunscreen
  • Long-sleeved shirt
  • Long pants
  • Outdoor clothing
  • Closed-toe shoes
  • Thermal clothing
  • Face mask or protective covering

Not allowed

  • Jeans
  • Selfie sticks
  • Vaping
  • Bags
  • Tablets/iPads
  • Making fire

Know before you go

  • Please advise everyone's full name and approximate weights at the time of booking (significant discrepancies may result in you being unable to participate in the tour)
  • Passengers over 115kg are unfortunately exempt from the tour due to safety regulations and passenger comfort
  • Items you must bring:
  • 3-4 Warm layers of clothing
  • Face Covering
  • Shorts or lightweight trousers (NO jeans are allowed)
  • Sunglasses
  • Any medication that you take daily
  • It is also recommended to bring sunscreen, a small water bottle, a small snack, and a phone or camera
  • All items that you bring along must fit in the small 2-liter waist bag
Customer reviews

Overall rating

5 /5

based on 13 reviews

Review summary

  • Transportation
    5/5
  • Value for money
    4.5/5
  • Service
    5/5

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Star rating:

The flights (both single engine plane to Mt Cook and then help to glacier) were as much fun as the hike itself. Great pilots (Laura and Nigel respectively) gave a wonderful overview of all we were flying over as well as some of the history and geography, etc Hike was such a unique experience and the blue glaciers were stunning. Too bad that recent rains had reduced caves, nets

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February 11, 2023

The flight to Franz Joseph was the most beautiful flight I have ever taken, and I have flown a lot. We had exceptionally clear weather. The hike was challenging for someone my age, but I am so proud I did it. It was amazing! Our guide was friendly and extremely safety conscious. However, on more than one occasion I felt rushed. This was a bucket list experience for me, and that definitely detracted from the experience.

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January 18, 2023

What a way to finish a amazing trip! Just when we thought we had seen the best Otago/fiordland had to offer, we arrived at true south office and booked in, the staff were amazing, we met James our pilot and he told us what was happening. The flight was just amazing, James was outstanding, not just as a pilot, but his knowledge and friendliness was a credit. The staff at Mt Cook, our guide Scott and the whole glacier experience will stay with us always. Mike the chopper pilot was outstanding. All we can say is .... WOW

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October 16, 2022

Product ID: 403134