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55-Minute Grand Circle Helicopter Tour: Scenic Flight Over Glaciers with Landing
4.7
37 Ratings
Mount Cook Airport
Embark on a breathtaking 55-minute helicopter tour over the stunning Mt Cook and Westland National Parks. Fly over glaciers and experience a thrilling landing. Don’t miss this bucket list flight!
Embark on a breathtaking 55-minute helicopter tour over the stunning Mt Cook and Westland National Parks. Fly over glaciers and experience a thrilling landing. Don’t miss this bucket list flight!
Duration:
55 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Tasman Glacier - Enjoy a 55-minute flight that circles Aoraki Mt Cook and extends to the West Coast, offering breathtaking views of the Fox, Franz Josef, and Tasman Glaciers. The experience includes a 10-15 minute glacier landing, perfect for capturing memorable photos.
- Franz Josef Glacier - Experience magnificent views of the Fox, Franz…
- Tasman Glacier - Enjoy a 55-minute flight that circles Aoraki Mt Cook and extends to the West Coast, offering breathtaking views of the Fox, Franz Josef, and Tasman Glaciers. The experience includes a 10-15 minute glacier landing, perfect for capturing memorable photos.
- Franz Josef Glacier - Experience magnificent views of the Fox, Franz Josef, and Tasman Glaciers, complete with a glacier landing.
- Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters by Inflite - Features a glacier landing on the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest glacier, with snow present all year round.
- Aoraki/Mt. Cook - Depart from Aoraki Mt Cook Airport and enjoy a flight that circles Aoraki Mt Cook, with the route passing over the West Coast Glaciers.
What's Included
- Headsets to hear the guide clearly
- Live commentary on board
- Headsets to hear the guide clearly
- Live commentary on board
What's Not Included
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Additional Information
Embark on an unforgettable 55-minute aerial journey over Mt Cook and Westland National Parks in a helicopter, gliding over notable glaciers such as Fox, Franz Josef, and Tasman. This trip includes a glacier landing lasting between 10-15 minutes, providing the ultimate Southern Alps viewing experience and a must-do for any bucket list.
Please note,…
Embark on an unforgettable 55-minute aerial journey over Mt Cook and Westland National Parks in a helicopter, gliding over notable glaciers such as Fox, Franz Josef, and Tasman. This trip includes a glacier landing lasting between 10-15 minutes, providing the ultimate Southern Alps viewing experience and a must-do for any bucket list.
Please note, check-in ends 45 minutes before departure.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Flights may be cancelled due to weather conditions
- Minimum of 4 people per flight applies before the flight will operate
- Departure time will vary daily depending on bookings and weather conditions
- Time of departure will be confirmed 24 hours prior to date of flight
- Check in closes 45 minutes prior to flight time
Location
Mount Cook Airport
Mount Cook Road
The airport is located 3 minutes prior to Aoraki Mount Cook Village on State Highway 80.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(37 Ratings)
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Shelby_c
Mar 8, 2026
Tasman Glacier Highlight - The helicopter pilot was experienced and knowledgeable about the area. The flights up and back were cool. Standing on the glacier and taking pics was so special. Gorgeous!
We signed up for the 55 minute tour but it was too windy to go on the back side of Mt Cook. They adjusted our route and made the tour the 45 minute tour and made sure we still got to land on Tasman Glacier. They sent the $100 per person credit request to Viator to have that removed from our credit card. The experience was FANTASTIC!
I would suggest that you wear a neck gaiter as you cannot wear a scarf. You also cannot wear hats or gloves. A hooded jacket is ideal. I didn’t have a hooded jacket and I was fine so it’s not required just warmer if the wind kicks up. They suggest boots to walk on the glacier to avoid slipping. I didn’t pack boots so I wore sneakers, I walked gingerly, and I did just fine. I wore athletic pants and a zip-up New Zealand merino wool sweater with pockets to keep my hands warm. I was plenty warm.
They do weigh you to balance the helicopter so your seating is assigned but you can switch from middle seat to window seat on the way back so everyone gets time by the window. They put two small women in the front seat next to the pilot.
Review provided by Viator
Rvfam
Dec 31, 2025
Highly recommend!! - We stayed in stunning Aoraki for 2 nights at White Horse Hill Campground. We hiked, camped, and enjoyed the spectacular views of Mt. Cook and the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Without question, our favorite views were from the helicopter! The pilot was great- safe and knowledgable. The glacier landing was incredible! The planes also looked fun. Our trip was shortened because of weather on the west coast but 45 minutes was perfect. We are typically very frugal and thought this experience was worth every penny! We highly recommend Mt Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters! Thanks for an incredible experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tim
Feb 11, 2025
A must do experience with a very professional company and pilot - Unbelievable experience with great views and commentary by Mark the pilot. The 10 minutes landing high up on the glacier was a bonus experience, incredible views and total silence. Easy to book and you are welcome upon arrival, so a very easy experience.
Highly recommend both Inflite and the 55 minute tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jasmine_w
Feb 2, 2025
Recommended!! - Definitely worth the price, saw three glaciers and two of the highest mountains in New Zealand. And a short landing on the Tasman glacier and the view is truly amazing.
Review provided by Viator
Kristinmr3199zu
Nov 13, 2024
Flying through the clouds - Fantastic way to experience the sheer enormity of mountains up close and personal.
The pilot was very knowledgeable and super lovely ..
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Colleen
Sep 28, 2024
Bucket List Helicopter Tour over Mount Cook and the Glaciers - Bucket list activity for sure on the incredible helicopter tour over the glaciers and Mount Cook! Between the wonderful views during the helicopter ride, to the magnificence all around when we landed on the Tasman Glacier, I was in awe of the sheer splendor before me. It was the perfect group size (8), and Roger (our pilot) did a masterful job of flying the craft, minimizing rocking and buffeting where he could, along with providing fabulous commentary on what we were seeing. He also pointed out the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, although we couldn’t see them given the low cloud cover. All in all, an incredible experience! I highly recommend this!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shaival1
Jul 16, 2024
Amazing! Extremely Safe! And above all extremely knowledgeable pilot!!! Would do the Grand Cirle all over again - The reception was really amazing and courteous. They explained everything extremely well. The pilot made us feel extremely safe and comfortable. The anxiety of getting on a helicopter was all gone before we boarded. Ben, our pilot was extra courteous and made us feel extremely safe throughout. He was also very knowledgeable about the wntire region and its history. Kudos!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leavittlake
Feb 21, 2024
Breathtaking trip - This is a must do if you are visiting MT Cook. Mark Hayes was our pilot and he is highly skilled and showed us just breath taking views of Mt Cook. You will not be shortchanged for the Flight. Just Awestruck.
Capt.D Even Michigan
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z1520qbtonyl
Jan 7, 2025
Not all passengers has the same view - This helicopter tour accommodates six passengers in a two-row configuration, with the pilot in the front left. While the pilot expertly hovered at each point of interest to allow for photos, the viewing experience was highly uneven. Passengers seated in the front row or the left-most seat enjoyed spectacular, unobstructed views. Unfortunately, those seated elsewhere had to contend with obstructed views, looking over the shoulders of other passengers. The helicopter was not rotated to offer all passengers a direct view of each scene, which significantly diminished the experience for those not in the prime seats. This lack of consideration for all passengers' viewing angles greatly reduced the value of the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Declan_o
Feb 16, 2024
Joke. Wouldn’t recommend. - Really poor customer service!! Original date cancelled due to rain, which I have no complaints over. Returned for rearranged date, to be told unable to do 55 minute flight but can do 25 mins. Agreed to this reluctantly. They said it was due to weather but more likely due how many rearranged flights they had to do. They then cancelled that flight! No attempt to rearrange or prioritise us given they already cancelled! Won’t even describe the chaos inside the building!!
Review provided by Viator
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