Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike

Soar above Franz Josef Glacier

Your adventure begins with a scenic helicopter flight over the rainforest and rugged terrain of Westland Tai Poutini National Park. You will then witness the panoramic views of the Franz Josef Glacier, a stunning river of ice flowing from the Southern Alps. The helicopter will land high up on the glacier, where your expert guide will lead you on a 2.5-hour ice hike. With crampons securely fastened, you'll step onto the ice, exploring deep crevasses, pinnacles, and ever-changing ice formations. Along the way, your guide will share insights about the glacier’s history, its rapid movement, and its unique ecosystem.

Explore an ever-changing ice world

As you navigate the glacier’s landscape, you’ll observe the ever-changing ice formations. Your small group ensures a more personal experience, allowing you to fully absorb the beauty of this remote location. The adventure is made even more seamless with all essential gear provided, including boots, crampons, and waterproof jackets, so you can focus on the thrill of exploration. After your glacier hike, the helicopter ride back offers another chance to soak in the stunning alpine beauty before returning to the base. This once-in-a-lifetime experience offers an up-close experience with one of New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonders.

Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike

Discover the Franz Josef Glacier on this guided heli hike that includes a scenic helicopter ride, glacier exploration, and educational insights into glaciology and local Maori legends. The tour takes you to the Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef Glacier), one of New Zealand's most rapidly moving glaciers, which advances up to 10 times faster than other glaciers in the world. This dynamic movement creates ever-changing ice formations that are unique and breathtaking. With a guide-to-guest ratio of 1:11, you'll experience a small group setting ideal for personalized attention and safety during your hike. The tour covers approximately 2.5 hours on the glacier itself, where you will walk through crevasses, pinnacles, and ice formations while wearing provided gear such as boots, crampons, and helmets. This guided adventure is available in English and offers wheelchair accessibility with prior arrangement.

Explore Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef Glacier) Ice Formations

Your tour stops at the Franz Josef Glacier where you will explore ice formations that are unique to this rapidly moving glacier. Established in 2017, the heli hike offers access to areas of the glacier that are otherwise unreachable due to their remote and dangerous nature. Covering an area of approximately 5 square kilometers, the glacier is home to a variety of ice features such as crevasses, pinnacles, and seracs. The Franz Josef Glacier has been moving up to 10 times faster than most glaciers in the world since monitoring began in 2008, making it one of the fastest-moving commercially guided glaciers globally. During your hike, you will spend approximately two hours walking on the glacier and learning about its history from knowledgeable guides who provide insights into glaciology and Maori legends associated with the area. This experience is unique compared to other glacier tours as it offers a more intimate connection with nature through personalized attention and safety measures.

Experience Scenic Helicopter Ride Over Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere

The tour begins with a scenic helicopter ride over the Franz Josef Glacier, providing stunning aerial views of the glacier's ice formations. The helicopter flight offers you an overview of the glacier's size and the surrounding landscape, including the lush rainforest that borders it. With flights lasting approximately 10 minutes each way, this part of the tour provides a breathtaking introduction to your heli hike adventure. Established in 2017, the Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike offers a unique perspective on one of New Zealand's most dynamic glaciers, showcasing its rapid movement and ever-changing ice formations. The helicopter ride is an essential part of the experience as it ensures that guests are safely transported to areas of the glacier that would be inaccessible by foot.

Tour Highlights

• Scenic helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier
• 2.5-hour guided hike on rapidly moving glacier ice formations
• Small group experience with a guide-to-guest ratio of 1:11
• Personalized attention and safety measures including boots, crampons, and helmets provided
• Educational insights into glaciology and Maori legends during the hike
• Access to remote areas of the glacier that are otherwise unreachable by foot
• Wheelchair accessible with prior arrangement for a more inclusive experience

Perfect for adventure seekers, nature enthusiasts, and history buffs, this guided heli hike provides an immersive exploration of one of New Zealand's most dynamic glaciers. The 2.5-hour format allows you to walk on the rapidly moving ice formations, learn about glaciology from knowledgeable guides, and experience stunning aerial views during your helicopter ride. This tour offers a unique blend of adventure, education, and cultural insights that make it an unforgettable addition to any travel itinerary.