Adventure

Franz Josef Glacier: 2.5-Hour Hike with Helicopter Transfer

4.7 / 5

41 reviews

Activity provider: Franz Josef Glacier Guides
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    Adventure

    Franz Josef Glacier: 2.5-Hour Hike with Helicopter Transfer

    Activity provider: Franz Josef Glacier Guides

    From US$ 369.53 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
    Covid-19 precautions
    Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
    Reserve now & pay later
    Keep your travel plans flexible—book your spot and pay nothing today. Learn more
    Duration 3.5 hours
    Check availability to see starting times.
    Live tour guide
    English
    Small group
    Limited to 11 participants

    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

    Soar to Franz Josef Glacier and see this 12-kilometer-long behemoth from above on a roundtrip helicopter tour from Franz Josef. Touch down on the glacier and follow your guide on a guided hike. Take in dazzling ice formations and stay warm with winter clothing and snacks along the way.

    Start your journey at the glacier base in Franz Josef Town, where the team will check you in. Get kitted out with the essential gear and listen to a safety briefing. Once you are ready, follow your guide on a short walk through the 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 a 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.

    Includes
    • Return helicopter transfers
    • Glacier tour
    • Live guide
    • Overtrousers
    • Jacket
    • Socks
    • Sturdy boots
    • Crampons
    • Hat and gloves (if required)
    • Food and drinks
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    Not suitable for
    • Pregnant women
    • People with back problems
    Covid-19 precautions
    Traveler requirements
    • You are required to bring and wear a mask
    • You must present either proof of full vaccination, proof of a Covid-19 infection in the past 3 months, or a negative test taken no more than 24 hours before the activity starts
    • Masks are required while indoors

    Select participants and date

    Participants

    Date

    Meeting point

    Meet at Glacier Base Building, 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef. Check-in closes 15 minutes before departure. Please ensure that you arrive on time.

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    Important information

    What to bring

    • Warm clothing
    • Sunglasses
    • Camera
    • Snacks
    • Sunscreen
    • Long pants
    • Hiking pants
    • Reusable water bottle

    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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    Star rating:

    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 booking

    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

    G
    GetYourGuide traveler – Sweden Verified booking

    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

    K
    Kuroda – New Zealand Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Product ID: 188016