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.
Stop At:
• Franz Josef Glacier, Glacier Access Road Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park New Zealand
• The Helicopter Line West Coast, Main South Road SH6, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park 7856 New Zealand
• Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast Region, South Island
See Availability.
63 Cron Street, Franz Josef / Waiau 7886, New Zealand
3 hours(approx.)
Returns to original departure point
Not wheelchair accessible
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
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
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Waterproof jacket (provided if you don't have one)
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 22 travelers
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Posted By : boudewijn_e
Amazing flight and hike on the glacier. Good guide. Who made us also navigate some tight spaces! Lucky with the weather. So worth it
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-05-10
Posted By : Emma_M
The helicopter ride was a fantastic experience. We saw the whole glacier. The hike wasn’t too difficult and our guide Rosa was knowledgeable about the glacier. It was a trip to remember.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-03-23
Posted By : Marti_H
Our guide Anna was wonderful giving us a memorable experience on the glacier and educating us along the. She always emphasized safety. Even when the weather turned for a time delaying our extricate she kept things fun and kept us warm in a large divvy. We truly got the full experience!
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-03-20
Posted By : Martyn_S
We were extremely lucky with the weather and set off in blue skies although the cloud came in later meaning we were the last trip of the day.
Choose an early trip if possible - best chance of good weather.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-03-07
Posted By : Kirk_F
Once in a lifetime amazing experience. The tour is weather dependent but worth the risk. Our guide Ula made the experience special, safe but exciting and informative. She knew a lot about the glacier! Great stories. She managed the timing for the hike and story telling. Overall great views and great pics along with physical challenge.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-03-04
Posted By : Dirk_M
The helicopter ride was amazing! Walking on the glacier was very cool. Really well organized. The guide, Aidan, was fantastic. Lots of great photo ops, definitely worth it!
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-03-02
Posted By : Lindley_J
This operation was very organized and prepared. Gear was distributed smoothly. The helicopter ride to the glacier was short but beautiful and the hike was well done. My only concern was that there were so many groups on the glacier we stood around on the ice not moving for a great deal of time. Would have preferred more actual walking.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-02-14
Posted By : Ramya_N
Great experience! Cannot miss out if you are going to the glacier area! We were lucky to have good weather to make it. Our guide Jule was great too!
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-02-10
Posted By : Emma_C
Caleb was a great guide. Fantastic experience. Beautiful up on the glacier. And helicopter ride was fun.
The team were committed to a safe experience and watched the weather closely, communicating with us the whole time. Our trip was cut short due to a deterioration on of the weather but in spite of this Caleb ensured we got the best out of our experience. A highlight of the trip.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-02-01
Posted By : Susan H
We went on this activity yesterday and there were a number of reasons for the bad review but I’ll leave the most important one to the end.
A few things to note:
- they will separate groups for the helicopters even with singles there. If you’re worried about flying be aware of this. It also tainted the experience for me as this was the bit I was looking forward to.
- it’s not a hike! We travelled 300m in an hour. Some advice would be not to be one of the first two groups up as half of our “hike” was waiting for the guide to clear the path.
- don’t expect to learn anything bar the story of the old name of the glacier.
- expect to wait around doing nothing for most of the activity
The good things:
- our guide was very nice and did give info on the glacier if asked specific questions. We felt safe with her and she let everyone stop for as many photos as they wanted.
Now on to the reason for the bad review. When we got back to the helipad on the glacier we were waiting about 30 minutes to get to the front of the queue. As soon as we were at the top, another group who were late coming back arrived who had missed their slot by 15 minutes. It was only afterwards we found out that this group were employees who were out with senior guides. The lead of this group came over to our guide and pretty much said, get to the back of the line. He was rude and disrespectful to her infront of all our group. The group he had hadn’t even started getting changed so there was no need for them to go first while we were ready to board. We were all annoyed and also very annoyed at how this senior guide had spoken to our guide.
Another male guide was sitting down and shouted across the 30+ people at a couple for doing a jump photo, the same type of photo another guide had taken off a person 5 minutes before. He made no effort to get up to speak to them in a civil manner.
It’s so bad to see these senior guides acting like this in front of customers and also in front of their trainees. It gives the company a very negative image if this is what’s deemed appropriate by senior staff while around customers. But also how senior staff treat their colleagues.
It is a very expensive activity and to feel uncomfortable and upset for your staff and also, for paying customers to be put to the back of a line for employees and shouted at is unprofessional.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-01-16
