Franz Josef Nature Tour: Informative and Family-Friendly Experience With Experienced Nature Guides
4.9
46 Ratings
Franz Josef / Waiau

A business run and managed by a local family. Conduct small group trips with knowledgeable nature guides. Suitable for everyone regardless of age or skill, we customize tours matching your speed. Ample details on glacier studies, geology, land formations, plants & animals, local myths & history.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Franz Josef Glacier - Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation or meeting point in Franz Josef, and drive you to the glacier carpark. From there, you will walk with your small group tour and guide to about 2000m from the Franz Josef Glacier terminal face, at the end of the forest walk.
What's Included
  • Boots if required - please enquire as stock is limited
  • Walking poles if required
  • Umbrellas
  • Wet weather clothing
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
Location
22 Main Road
Main Road
Glacier Valley Eco Tours, next to Full of Beans Cafe.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(46 Ratings)
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Peony219
Mar 26, 2024
Great knowledge of local nature! - Amazingly knowledgable guide. He showed us so many plants and birds, which was great as we were really keen to see as many native birds as possible. The walking paths were really interesting and we went through some really cool areas away from the main tourist paths. Tea/coffee/biscuit stops were a great addition! We would highly recommend! We did both the Franz and Fox tours in one day and had a great time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Arden_b
Mar 18, 2024
Great tour - Excellent tour! Kathy knows quite a bit about the plants, flowers, trees and birds as well as the history of the area. Great tour
Review provided by Viator
38trevori
Mar 12, 2024
Ecology, botany, geography & glaciology at its best! - Despite a cloud day, we were treated to the delights of the native bush and river bed around Franz Josef Glacier on a guarded tour with Jerome. He was has a vast array expertise in glaciers, flora and fauna - we even got to taste some berries and leaves whilst foraging!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Penelope5l
Mar 5, 2024
Great experience - A fantastic experience. Our guide was knowledgeable, interesting and attentive. We got to experience nature and see the less ‘public’ aspect of the glacier and its environs. Cannot rate the tour highly enough. We learnt so much and thoroughly enjoyed the experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daniel_u
Mar 2, 2024
Worthwhile for the learning and guided trails - Our guide was very knowledgeable about the glaciers, wildlife, and vegetation in the area. The walks/hikes to viewpoints of the glacier were easy. I typically like more difficult hikes, but it was cool to go on some offshoot trails that I wouldn’t have seen without being guided to them and learn along the way.
Review provided by Viator
Ruthho4288jv
Feb 28, 2024
Beautiful scenery and lots of information - Jerome was an excellent guide, stopping and showing us many plants, birds and explaining the glacier formations . The walk was moderate and suitable for our varied age group
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sciat
Feb 27, 2024
Great off the beaten tracks walk - Tyana guided us around tracks either side of the regular access to the scenic overlook. Lots of tree and shrub ID , history etc.. Details of the geology and history of the area, gentle scrambles around the rocks. Lots of bird life. If you're hanging around half a day waiting for flights this is definitely a great way to spend 3 or so hours
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Heathermb5722iy
Feb 23, 2024
Time with nature - Cliff was an amazing guide, great sense of humour, and a wealth of information. We had a great time. Cliff made sure that the tour catered for all abilities. They provided hiking boots, poles and rain coats if needed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Inspire00266594459
Feb 9, 2024
Fun and interesting tours of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. All questions answered on many varied topics, and all assistance need - Great tours from Jerome and Cliff. Very knowlegeable and fun tours. Very reliable and friendly. Will provide assistance with a smile, and answer any questions fully and in detail.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Doris_p
Mar 7, 2024
We wanted to know more... - We wanted to know more about the diversity of the fauna and the guide was very good to answer all our questions. Bit of a rough trail, but we had a different view of the glacier and that compensate for the rough trail
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 10 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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