• travel_explore
    The West Coast Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
    tune
  • image_search
    Search The West Coast... Experiences, attractions, dining & more

Helicopter Line - Franz Josef Glacier HELI HIKE (Ex Franz Josef)

4.7
230
Embark on one of the world’s most breathtaking alpine excursions and get up close and personal to the remarkable beauty and awe-inspiring environment of the Franz Josef Glacier.

Embark on one of the world’s most breathtaking alpine excursions and get up close and personal to the remarkable beauty and awe-inspiring environment of the Franz Josef Glacier.

Highlights

  • Breathtaking helicopter flight to Franz Josef Glacier
  • Glacier Landing included in your experience!
  • Approx 2 hour hike amongst ancient glacial formations

This once in a lifetime experience gets you to the very heart of this incredible glacial environment - exposing the most spectacular ice formations, mighty pinnacles, and pristine alpine terrain.

You’ll have the opportunity to experience this ancient glacial environment from astounding aerial view before exploring by foot, and even descending into the glacier itself!

A truly immersive experience that will be treasured for a lifetime, the Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike is the ultimate journey into New Zealand’s alpine paradise!

Adult $795.00
Child $795.00 (8-14 years)

What's included

  • Scenic Helicopter Flight
  • Glacier Landing and Hike
  • Experienced Guide
  • All equipment (glacier boots, socks, ice crampons, waterproof jacket and pants)

Duration

  • Allow approximately 3 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • Check in is from the Franz Josef Glacier Guides office
  • 63 Cron Street
  • Franz Josef / Waiau 7886.

Restrictions

  • Minimum age is 8 years old.

Notes

  • Please Note: Moderate fitness required.

    The Heli Hike experience is weather dependent.

    Safety Notes:

    Your safety is our highest priority so we reserve the right to cancel your booking depending on health and agility considerations.

    For safety reasons, we have a weight limit of 120kg. This weight includes the gear we provide which can weigh up to 5kgs. Please be aware that if the gear takes your weight to over 120kg, you will not be able to participate.

    Additionally, if you are pregnant you will not be able to participate.

    We will do our best to accommodate you but occasionally cancellation may be unavoidable.

    Departure Notes:

    Check in times - please check in 1 hour prior to departure:

    8:30am departure: 7:30am check in.

    9:00am departure: 8:00am check in.

    11:00am departure: 10:00am check in.

    11:30am departure: 10:30am check in.

Available Bookings from 20 Dec to 2 Jan 2025

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Fri 20 Dec
Sat 21 Dec
Sun 22 Dec
Mon 23 Dec
Tue 24 Dec
Wed 25 Dec
Thu 26 Dec
Fri 27 Dec
Sat 28 Dec
Sun 29 Dec
Mon 30 Dec
Tue 31 Dec
Wed 1 Jan
Thu 2 Jan

  • Adult$795.00
  • Child$795.00

  • Adult$795.00
  • Child$795.00

  • Adult$795.00
  • Child$795.00

Bookings close in 4 hours...

  • Adult$795.00
  • Child$795.00

  • Adult$795.00
  • Child$795.00

  • Adult$795.00
  • Child$795.00

  • Adult$795.00
  • Child$795.00

  • Adult$795.00
  • Child$795.00

  • Adult$795.00
  • Child$795.00

  • Adult$795.00
  • Child$795.00

  • Adult$795.00
  • Child$795.00

  • Adult$795.00
  • Child$795.00

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.7

230 reviews

Showing all 230 authenticated Bookme reviews

Yuk ki Tong from China wrote on 06 November 2019

不值得

雖說冰川是西海岸一個重要的項目,但是這個只是搭飛機然後到冰川上面走兩步。 雖然有半日的行程,但是走冰川可能只有500米的樣子,走一部要同很久等導遊開路。也沒有帶我們穿越冰川,只是在上面走。 和宣傳照片差得遠。

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Helicopter Line - Franz Josef Glacier HELI HIKE (Ex Franz Josef)

Hi Yuk ki Tong, Thank you for taking the time to leave us valuable feedback. We are sorry that you were disappointed in your Heli Hike with us. For safety, we do Hike on the flattest part of the glacier as the higher serracs are too treacherous. We cannot guarantee ice caves of similar features as the glacier is always evolving and moving. Because we Hike on the safest part of the glacier, this does mean that the flight up is a short, direct flight to the ice heli pads. The ice time spent on the ice is roughly 2 hours, but not all that time is spent walking as the guides do stop often to show you the best features on offer for the day and for guests to be able to take photos. Once again we are sorry you were disappointed in your excursion with us and wish you a safe journey home. Kind Regards, The Helicopter Line, West Coast Team

chenyu from China wrote on 27 September 2023

冰川徒步

一次不可能复制的旅程,非常惊艳。中国有很多雪山冰川,却从来没这么近的接触过。近两个小时的徒步,向导一路精心照顾,看到冰梯冰洞冰缝,美极了

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

huil from China wrote on 21 December 2017

很好的一次体验

第一次来到冰川,虽然说是走三个小时,但走的很慢所以一点都不累。唯一不足的是衣服有点大有点旧,也可以穿自己的衣服如果不怕弄脏的话。总体来说值得尝试

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Helicopter Line - Franz Josef Glacier HELI HIKE (Ex Franz Josef)

Hi there, Thank you for your review. We class the Heli Hike as two hours ice time and 3-4 hours for the whole process from check-in to de-boot. The walk is slow as it is over uneven terrain and clients are wearing heavy hiking boot and crampons. Clients are required to wear the waterproof gear that we provide over clients own warm layers. We are glad you had a great experience with us overall. Kind Regards, the West Coast Team.

from Taiwan wrote on 28 January 2023

冰川

很好玩 但是藍洞和裂縫可能會因為每天冰層的變化有異動

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

Sanchez from Hong Kong wrote on 29 March 2020

Unforgettable trip

What a wonderful trip and thanks to the guide of our group that gives me help in the finishing it.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

close

Qualmark Certification

This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

Sample menu

close
delete

Delete your content?

This item will be deleted immediately. You can't undo this action.