Day trip

Franz Josef Glacier: 2.25-Hour Hike with Helicopter Transfer

4.7 / 5

41 reviews

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    Day trip

    Franz Josef Glacier: 2.25-Hour Hike with Helicopter Transfer

    4.7

    41 reviews

    From $352.95 per person

    Take on the thrilling adventure of a hike on the Franz Josef Glacier. Combine an exhilarating helicopter ride, jaw-dropping scenery, and a 3-hour hike through spectacular glacier features for an unmissable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

    About this activity

    Free cancellation
    Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
    Mobile ticketing
    Use your phone or print your voucher
    Duration 3.5 hours
    Check availability to see starting times.
    Instant confirmation
    Live tour guide
    English

    Experience

    Highlights
    • Soar high above Franz Josef Glacier on a scenic helicopter flight
    • Explore key glacier features up-close on a 2.25-hour guided hike
    • Learn about the region, glaciology, local history and Maori legends
    • Unwind after your adventure with entry to the Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools
    Full description
    Your journey starts at the glacier base in Franz Josef Town, where the friendly team will check you in. Get kitted out with the essential gear and listen to a safety briefing. Once you are ready, your guide will take you an on a short walk through native forest to the helipad to board the helicopter. After a thrilling scenic flight high above rugged terrain, land on Franz Josef Glacier and set off on 2.25-hour guided hike. With an eye for the most spectacular ice formations, your guide will lead you through some of the most awe-inspiring glacier scenery New Zealand has to offer. Each trip is tailored to the ability of your group, as well as the conditions on the day of your tour. During the hike, your guide will tell you stories about the local area and share their knowledge of the glacier and surrounding terrain. The glacier's features are constantly changing, so you might find yourself sliding through a narrow crevasse or between towering walls of ice, crawling through blue ice tunnels, hanging out in ice caves, or witnessing the glacier calving. You can be sure that you're seeing the glacier in a unique state and no two tours are ever quite the same. Your trip includes access to the Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools, where you'll relax after your adventure in the rejuvenating warmth of hot pools, intimately nestled in the lush native rainforest.
    Includes
    • Return scenic helicopter transfers
    • 2.25-hour guided glacier tour
    • All equipment (over trousers, jacket, socks, sturdy boots, crampons, plus hat and gloves if required)
    • Entry to Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools
    • Food and drinks
    Not suitable for
    • Pregnant women
    • People with back problems

    Select participants and date

    Participants

    Date

    Prepare for the activity

    Meeting point

    Glacier Base Building, 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef.

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    Important information

    Know before you go

    • All trips are subject to favorable weather conditions. It is recommended to book for your first available day in Franz Josef so that you have maximum flexibility
    • The date and time of your trip may be different to the one requested. The local operator will confirm your exact tour details by email after booking
    • A reasonable level of fitness and agility is required as the glacier terrain is variable and reasonably challenging
    • The helicopter transfers between the valley and the glacier are around 4 minutes each way
    • Children must be least 8 years old, weight at least 35 kg, and be at least 137 cm tall to participate in this tour
    • For your safety, participation is not permitted for those over the weight of 115 kg or pregnant women
    • Please advise of any previous medical conditions or injuries. If you have any doubts, consult your medical practitioner prior to booking
    • The road leading north out of Franz Josef is closed until further notice due to flooding
    Customer reviews

    Overall rating

    4.7 /5

    based on 41 reviews

    Review summary

    • Guide
      5/5
    • Transportation
      4.9/5
    • Value for money
      4.6/5
    • Safety
      5/5

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    My family (wife and two boys, ages 9 and 12) was in New Zealand for two weeks, and this was the highlight of our trip! The helicopter ride was beautiful (wish it was longer!) and the time on the glacier was stunning. Definitely a slower paced glacier hike, but that was fine - gives you more time to take in the beauty around you. And our guide, Angus, was tremendous. He took extra special care of our boys, in particular our 9 year-old who was at the front of the line right behind Angus. Would definitely recommend this! Just beware that it's highly weather dependent - due to clouds and rain, they hadn't been able to fly for the entire week prior to our helihike.

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    January 4, 2020

    M
    Matthew – United States Verified GetYourGuide customer

    Helpful?

    We had a fantastic glacier walk with a very good and knowledgeable guide. She told us a lot about the glacier, nature and the story of Frans Joseph. We got to see a lot and even had some sun. Hot clothes and shoes were lent out. The helicopter ride was fine.

    January 2, 2020

    A
    Anonymous – Sweden Verified GetYourGuide customer

    Helpful?

    It ’s a great experience.

    It ’s wonderful to be able to walk on your own feet to see the beautiful glaciers. The helicopter itself takes less than 5 minutes to travel to the trekking start point. Although it depends on the team to be assembled, it was unfortunate that if you entered a team that had someone who wanted to take a picture of the instagram, the pace would drop and the trekking would be unsatisfactory or the tempo would be worse.

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    June 7, 2019

    Kuroda – New Zealand Verified GetYourGuide customer

    Helpful?

    Organized by
    Franz Josef Glacier Guides

    Product ID: 188016