New Zealand Glacier Hiking Tours: Awaits

Discover the best of New Zealand’s natural beauty on this small-group 2 hour 30 minute Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike. Travel by helicopter to the Pinnacles area of the glacier with your guide. Navigate your way through the maze of ice on your moderately difficult hike. Learn of the dramatic environmental changes affecting the glacier and gain insight into the geological forces at play. Group size is limited to 11 to ensure a personalized experience.

Why Choose us? New Zealand's best value glacier with highest customer satisfaction ratings - Book with us and enjoy significant savings compared to other glacier operators. The most experienced - Proudly guiding on the Fox Glacier for more than 50 Years. More operational days - Our lower operation altitude means we are less affected by weather than other operators in the area. Freedom to explore -The vast terrain of the Fox Glacier allows us to explore unique terrain and ice features daily.

Take in truly magnificent views of Franz Josef Glacier and surrounds with this helicopter flight. See lush rainforest, the amazing glacier, and the impressive Southern Alps mountain range. Part of this flight time is an alpine landing (approximately 10 minutes) where you get to land on top of a peak and pause to take in the dramatic scenery. • See unforgettable views of the West Coast region • Get a unique perspective on the Franz Josef Glacier • Work with a local husband and wife team • The snow levels on this alpine (rocky mountain) landing site vary seasonally

This scenic trail meanders through the lush, historic glaciated rainforest of Westland Tai Poutini National Park, where you'll encounter magnificent rata and rimu trees, vibrant mosses, and breathtaking views of the upper Fox Glacier, the Fox Neve and Mt Tasman—one of New Zealand's tallest peaks. Along the way, our knowledgeable guides will share fascinating insights into the area's geology, glaciation, and thermology (including a chance to dip your hand in a geothermal spring) and its diverse flora and fauna. Discover the rich history and local stories that make this region so unique. Join us for an educational and memorable hike that blends natural beauty with deep environmental understanding. Book your adventure today and explore one of New Zealand’s most remarkable treasures! Please note this tour does not get close to the terminal face of the glacier or walk on the glacier due to safety reasons.

Glacier Country Helicopters is a local, family owned and operated company based in Franz Josef, on the West Coast of New Zealand. Husband and wife team Gus and Poppy started the company in January 2014 and you'll generally find one of them out flying most days. On our Ultimate Discovery flight you'll see the three "big" glaciers. You'll fly over the Franz Josef, Fox & Tasman Glaciers and fly into the Southern Alps to see Mount Cook and enjoy the included 10-15 minute snow landing for photos. Total experience time approx. 45 minutes. If you wish to book a Comfort Seat or request a Front Seat / Executive Helicopter Upgrade, please contact us at least 24hours in advance of your flight. Please allow an extra 45minutes on top of your flight time to allow for checking in, transport to helicopter, loading, unloading and to return to our office.

The Tasman Glacier is Aotearoa New Zealand's longest glacier measuring at 27km long and as wide as 4km in places, so this is an experience of a lifetime to explore the ever changing ice formations that carved this wonderful landscape in the Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. Your journey will begin with a scenic helicopter flight to the Tasman Glacier, landing 1200m above sea level. A two hour hike with professional and experienced guides amongst epic glacial ice formations, gentle undulating terrain below the highest peaks of the Southern Alps. The snow-clad giants tower above vast icefalls that flow down the mountain sides. On the return flight, pass the Hochstetter Icefall as your adventure nears its end.

Our premier flight over the Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park and its vast glaciers and snowfields. See the ancient waters of the Tasman Glacier lake before flying the length of the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s longest glacier. Experience what it feels like to stand in snow amongst the mountains as you take in a spectacular view of New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki / Mount Cook during your alpine (seasonal snow) landing. Cross to the West Coast and view the formidable Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers before completing your journey with uninterrupted views of the summit ridge of Aoraki / Mount Cook.

The one-hour fixed-wing flight from Queenstown to the Tasman Glacier in Aoraki Mount Cook is certainly spectacular, but the highlight of this trip is the glacier Heli Hike. The experienced guides will take you into a deep part of the glacier via a scenic helicopter flight. The helicopter passes over the deep crevasses of the icefalls and waterfalls to land on the Tasman glacier itself. From there you’ll be fitted with crampons for the two hours on the ice, exploring caves and seeing the natural, ever-changing wonder of the glacier in the South Island of New Zealand.

Combining two scenic flights this is a low fitness Tasman Glacier exploration for up to 2 hours ice time at approximately 1300 metres. Following your knowledgeable, professional, NZMGA trained Guide you will learn about and be in awe of New Zealand's big mountain country. This is Mother Nature at her finest and you will leave understanding why this area forms a part of the UNESCO Te Wāhipounamu - South West New Zealand World Heritage Area.

Discover New Zealand’s greatest wonders in one unforgettable journey—from glowworm caves and steaming geothermal pools to soaring glaciers, dramatic fjords, and star-filled skies. Drift through glowworm-lit caverns, walk at the foot of ancient glaciers, and stand beneath the clearest night skies on Earth. From Rotorua’s geothermal marvels to Fiordland’s fjords, Napier’s vineyards to Kaikoura’s wild seal colonies, each day reveals a new chapter of discovery. With private transfers, boutique stays, and handpicked activities, you’ll enjoy a seamless blend of iconic highlights and hidden gems. Whether it’s sipping wine by the sea, stargazing, or riding the legendary TranzAlpine train, New Zealand will capture your heart and take your breath away. This tour is the ultimate New Zealand story, written just for you.

Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are two of New Zealand largest glaciers. From above you can view and appreciate the incredible natural phenomenon, towering ice formations and vast size of the glaciers. Top it off with a snow landing and standing on the ancient ice of the glaciers. You’ll also fly over the Tasman Glacier on the eastern side of the Southern Alps and close to Mount Cook/Aoraki, New Zealand’s highest peak.

You absolutely will not find another tour out there as packed with activities and attractions as this one, provided by CharlieTheTraveler. You will also not find another tour out there that offers it all "FIRST CLASS," yet for a relatively low price. We have thousands of travelers taking this specific tour every year-and that's because no competitor can beat us on quality, price & substance: ► 2 Flightseeing Tours, 1 Over Milford Sound & 1 Over Mount Cook ► Jet-Boating Top-Speed Along a Turquoise-Colored River ► A World-Famous Suspension Bridge Jump (optional) ► Zip-Lining ► Cable Car Ride Over Stunning Landscape ► 4-Wheel Driving in a Scenic Valley (seasonal) ► Boat Rides Around Icebergs (seasonal), Fjords & a National Park & Inside a Cave ► A Cruise on a Historic Steamship ► Visits to Boiling Geothermal Sites ► Bathing in a Mud Spa ► Glacier-Hiking ► A Tour of Lord of the Rings’ Movie Set ► A Show Demonstrating Centuries-Old Native Rituals

See the land where The Lord of the Rings trilogy were filmed. After a complimentary hotel pickup, you will arrive and meet your helicopter pilot. You will fly along the Shotover River, over the mountain range from the opening scene of The Two Towers on the way to landing on a glacier alongside the Misty Mountains and get a sense of what it might be like to cross The Redhorn Pass. You will head across to Glenorchy via the Dart Valley and Mt Earnslaw to see the natural features you may better recognize as Isengard, Amon Hen and Lothlorien. This 70 min excursion will conclude with a drive back to your hotel in Queenstown. 

The one-hour fixed-wing flight from Queenstown to Franz Josef glacier is certainly spectacular, but the highlight of this trip is the glacier Heli Hike. The experienced guides will take you into a deep part of the glacier via a scenic helicopter flight. The helicopter passes over the deep crevasses of the icefalls and waterfalls to land on the upper ice fall of Franz Josef glacier. From there you’ll be fitted with crampons for the two hours on the ice, exploring caves and seeing the natural, ever-changing wonder of the glacier in the South Island of New Zealand.

Fox Glacier including snow landing (allow 20 minutes) Fly from our Fox glacier town Heliport to the top of the Fox Glacier icefall and land on the snow for fantastic photographic opportunities. This entry level flight will show you why so many are impressed by the sheer crevasses and pinnacles that form the ice scape's of the Fox Glacier. Be sure to book from the correct departure location (Fox Glacier)