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Franz Josef Glacier: Small-Group Heli-Hike Adventure
4.6
585 Ratings
Franz Josef / Waiau
Explore Franz Josef Glacier by helicopter and hike. Discover stunning ice formations, learn about environmental changes, and enjoy a personalized adventure in a small group.
Explore Franz Josef Glacier by helicopter and hike. Discover stunning ice formations, learn about environmental changes, and enjoy a personalized adventure in a small group.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Franz Josef Glacier - Discover the extraordinary Franz Josef Glacier, renowned as one of the world’s most unique glaciers. As the fastest moving glacier globally, each visit offers a distinct experience. Accessible exclusively by helicopter, start your 2-hour adventure with a stunning scenic flight to the glacier, followed by an unparalleled glacier hike!
- Franz Josef Glacier - Discover the extraordinary Franz Josef Glacier, renowned as one of the world’s most unique glaciers. As the fastest moving glacier globally, each visit offers a distinct experience. Accessible exclusively by helicopter, start your 2-hour adventure with a stunning scenic flight to the glacier, followed by an unparalleled glacier hike!
What's Included
- 2-hours 15 minutes (approx.) guided glacier walk
- All hiking equipment (Gore-tex jackets, over trousers, woolen hats and gloves, leather boots, crampons)
- Round-trip helicopter flights to Franz Josef Glacier
- 2-hours 15 minutes (approx.) guided glacier walk
- All hiking equipment (Gore-tex jackets, over trousers, woolen hats and gloves, leather boots, crampons)
- Round-trip helicopter flights to Franz Josef Glacier
What's Not Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information
Explore the stunning natural wonders of New Zealand on a small-group 2-hour and 30-minute Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike. Accompanied by a guide, take a helicopter ride to the Pinnacles area of the glacier. Embark on a moderately challenging hike through the intricate ice formations. Discover the significant environmental changes impacting the glacier…
Explore the stunning natural wonders of New Zealand on a small-group 2-hour and 30-minute Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike. Accompanied by a guide, take a helicopter ride to the Pinnacles area of the glacier. Embark on a moderately challenging hike through the intricate ice formations. Discover the significant environmental changes impacting the glacier and understand the geological forces involved. With a maximum group size of 11, enjoy a personalized adventure.
- Minimum age is 10 years old for the 2.5 hour trip and 14 for the 5.5 hour trip
- Minimum weight is 35kg, Maximum weight 115kg
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Glacier walks are moderately difficult, clients need to be fit and able. Refunds will not be available for clients who cannot participate on the day due to inappropriate fitness levels, i.e. it is important you are selecting the right trip for your physical fitness ability. Guides reserve the right to curtail or cancel trips for clients whose fitness is not appropriate
- Operates in most weather conditions, please dress appropriately. Two to four warm upper- body layers of clothing are recommended, quick-drying trousers or shorts (no jeans), a hat and gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen and a camera
- The Operator reserves the absolute right to cancel or vary any service for any reason including as a result of weather conditions, insufficient reservations or any unforeseen event or circumstance. These trips are weather dependent.
- For Health and Safety reasons, we are unable to guide pregnant women. Please note: We have a weight limit of 115kg per person on the Heli Hike.
Location
Franz Josef Glacier Guides
Check-in 15 minutes prior to your trip time.
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
4.6
(585 Ratings)
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Bobbybr
Sep 10, 2025
A definite must do - The staff assisted with rebooking our tour when the weather prevented a flight. We were successful on the third day, and it was well worth the wait. The helicopter flight was amazing and the two hour hike on the glacier was even better. The staff was safety conscious during the hike. You will have a better chance of success if you book the early morning flights as weather can change quickly. This is a “must do” activity.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P4542fijasminew
Sep 7, 2025
Amazing tour 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - We had a great tour with our guide Hannah. She made sure everyone was safe and catered for the whole time, was very knowledgeable about the glacier and so much fun! We had a great morning - one of the highlights of our NZ trip! Thank you Hannah and team 🤍
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shaifuldeenbin_j
Sep 5, 2025
Most amazing heli-hike!!! - Amazing heli-hike from start to finish! I would recommend this to anyone who has never been on a helicopter and/or been up close to the mountain glaciers before. Our guide Sarah was well qualified to take care of us and quite knowledgable on the history of the mountain.
Plus you get to have flavoured snowcones up there haha!
Review provided by Viator
Sam_e
Aug 30, 2025
This was an absolutely... - This was an absolutely fantastic experience!!! There were only a couple of us, so we got to explore a side of the glacier that groups don’t usually get to go to. Although we went during the winter, it was surprisingly warm on the ice. Our guide, Hannah, was amazing and made the tour so much fun!!
Review provided by Viator
Melanie_p
Aug 28, 2025
A must-see when travelling the South Island! - Incredible experience, a lifetime memory with a perfect day! Make sure to check the weather in advance if you can (during winter season).
Review provided by Viator
Traveler34992522119
Aug 24, 2025
Once-in-a-Lifetime Adventure 🚁❄️ - unforgettable adventure from start to finish! 🚁 The heli ride gave mind blowing views of Franz Josef, and stepping onto the glacier felt like another planet. The guides were absolute legends fun, friendly, and full of knowledge making it safe but insanely exciting. The hike was the perfect mix of challenge and awe, with time to take in epic ice formations. Hands down one of the best experiences in New Zealand worth every cent! ❄️🔥
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bridgetr940
Aug 19, 2025
Worth every cent - Such an incredible experience! Our guide Hannah was helpful throughout the hike and very knowledgeable. We learnt heaps and have a great time. Thankyou Hannah!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pgarden2017
Aug 9, 2025
1st time using crampons - What a superb experience. Was unsure initially as I am not good on ice but the use of crampons was great and I felt really secure. Our guide was excellent and had a pace suitable to see everything and get photographs. Well worth it. It is not every day that you can walk on the grandeur of a glacier. We need to protect our environment to keep them.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jonathan
Aug 5, 2025
Trip of a lifetime! - Views too good for words, the guide aaa incredible and insightful. 2 hours on the glacier flew by. 1000000% would recommend and it’s more than worth the money!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jamie_m
Aug 2, 2025
Wonderful experience! - Did this tour with my husband and 2 teen sons. Every single person involved with this company was happy, eager to help and knowledgeable. The gear we were given to wear was comfortable, in good shape and easy to figure out. The team had many safety precautions built-in to everything, so I never felt unsafe. The heli flight was amazing, the glacier was unbelievably gorgeous. We even got a short hike through the rain forest to get to the heli. Phenomenal experience! You need to do this!
Review provided by Viator
