Franz Josef Heli Hiking Guided Tour | 3 hours

257 Reviews | Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 9 travelers in total.
Adult (17-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 9
2
Child (10-16) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 9
0
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Franz Josef Heli Hike 24/25
2 Adults x $475.90
$951.80
Approx Total
$951.80
Franz Josef Heli Hike

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
  • Professional guide
  • 2-hour hike on the glacier
  • Use of gear (glacier boots, talons, socks, ice axe, waterproof jacket)
  • Helicopter ride
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Overview

Combine a scenic helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier with a 2-hour guided walk on glacial terrain during this exhilarating tour from Franz Josef. Find out why New Zealand's South Island is famous for its gorgeous landscapes as you follow an experienced guide past ice caves, crevasses and pinnacles. Learn about glacier formation and movement, and enjoy supreme panoramic views. Choose from seasonal departure times to suit your schedule.

Meeting points

Check in is located at The Helicopter Line, Franz Josef, Main South Road, Franz Josef. Check in time is 30 minutes prior to departure time. Please call 0800 807 767 to reconfirm your booking 24hrs prior to your departure time and before 5pm to reconfirm booking details and flight status.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

A first-hand exploration of a glacier by chopper, seeing only what experienced mountaineers can reach is a wilderness experience you’ll never forget. From our Franz Josef Village base, you’ll fly up to the Franz Josef Glacier in the Westland National Park. You’ll land on a section of this 12km long glacier where we’ve made a daily safety assessment of the conditions on this fast-moving ice flow. Equipped with glacier boots and crampons you’ll walk for two hours amongst the ice formations and pinnacles and see first-hand the extraordinary colours of the ice-flow. Touch the ice, breathe in the fresh air. We team up with Franz Josef Glacier Guides who have been taking visitors over this epic icefall terrain since 1990 and can trace their heritage back 100 years. They have an immaculate safety record, rigid assessments and using quality equipment, your safety and enjoyment is taken care of.

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Minimum age is 10 years
  • It is recommended that you wear sturdy footwear and bring warm layers due to cold temperatures
  • Moderate level of fitness is required
  • Subject to favorable weather conditions; if canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
  • Please note: A guided walk among ice caves is usually part of the tour but all tour activities are dependent on the weather
  • Maximum weight limit of 115kg per person including gear / Minimum child weight 35kg (subject to ice conditions)
  • What to bring
  • Warm upper-body clothing (preferably 3-4 layers)
  • Leggings or light trousers, although shorts are acceptable
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Waterproof jacket (provided if you don't have one)
  • Operated By to Franz Josef Glacier Guides

Free Cancellation

June 18100% refund
June 19No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.5

257 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    193
  • 4 stars
    36
  • 3 stars
    10
  • 2 stars
    2
  • 1 star
    16

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 193 reviews with 5 stars

SICK

Published on Feb, 2025

What an amazing experience. My partner and I were very scared, especially because the weather was variable. They kept telling us that they were under a heavy rain advisory and the trip could be cancelled at any point, and that it was there first time going up in 2/3 weeks due to weather. Also, did you know that visitors sleep on the glacier about ~1 time per year due to weather changes... That wasn't fun to learn when you're already scared. Overall, the hike was very easy, and very worth all the fears.

Expensive, but worth it!

Published on Feb, 2025

An amazing trip. We were lucky with the weather and conditions were fabulous. The guide was excellent and very friendly. Tour probably not long enough really. We were rushed at the end and not given enough time for photos as we had to be ready to catch our return helicopter! Although we did take lots of photos in the early part of the trip. Excellent safety briefly and we felt very safe throughout.

Fabulous day

Published on Jan, 2025

Fabulous heli hike, great weather and Tom was an excellent guide with great information and took us off the main track which was a very special experience.

Fabulous few hours with magic weather

Published on Nov, 2024

The entire tour was great - the walk through the forrest, the helicopter flight, the glacier hike, the different colours in the glacier - Taygen was fun but also very aware of the diverse group of people.

À heli hike of an experience

Published on Nov, 2024

Amazing experience and one we will never forget. Staff all very professional and Abby our guide was outstanding. Lucky that our second attempt the weather worked our way

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