Day trip

From Queenstown: Josef Glacier Scenic Flight and Guided Hike

Top rated
5  / 524 reviews
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Day trip
From Queenstown: Josef Glacier Scenic Flight and Guided Hike
Likely to sell out
Top rated
5  / 524 reviews

Take a scenic plane flight from Queenstown to explore the Franz Josef Glacier before it's gone. Enjoy a scenic helicopter flight up to the glacier.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 6.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

J
Joy – Australia

A dream come to true to tick off my bucket list as a solo traveller! I met friends and shared the experience. Beautiful majestic scenery displayed and interpreted well. Friendly staff and knowledgeable on safety who took a respectful interest. Safe flights in plane and helicopter. I loved it and would recommend it it to people who are injury free and with a good fitness level. Especially those who like day or afternoon hikes already.

A
Aman – United States

Great way to see Mount Cook and the glaciers there if you’re short on time from Queenstown

Itinerary

  • Timeline stop icon

    Starting location:

    True South Flights

  • Airplane

    (1 hour)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Franz Josef Glacier

    Helicopter flight (10 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Franz Josef Glacier

    Hiking (2 hours)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Franz Josef Glacier

    Helicopter flight (10 minutes)

  • Airplane

    (1 hour)

  • Arrive back at:

    True South Flights

Main stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

  • Enjoy a scenic return flight from Queenstown to Franz Josef
  • Explore a glacier with an experienced guide
  • Take a stunning helicopter ride over spectacular glacial scenery

Full description

Fly over the Southern Alps, home to over 3000 small glaciers. Visit Franz Josef Glacier on the western face of Aoraki/ Mt Cook or the Tasman Glacier on the east side. Enjoy the flexibility of seeing either glacier in case of poor weather conditions on your tour of choice. Check in on arrival at either the Franz Josef Glacier tour or Tasman Glacier tour and get to your helicopter. Have a safety briefing as your equipment is handed out. Go out to a deep part of the glacier via a scenic helicopter flight. Pass over the deep crevasses of the icefalls and waterfalls to land at the upper Franz Josef Icefall. Alternatively, take a scenic helicopter flight over the Tasman Terminal Lake to the Tasman Glacier. Be fitted with crampons for your trek out onto the glacier, exploring ices caves, and seeing the natural, ever-changing wonders of the South Island’s glaciers.

Includes

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • 2x scenic plane flights from Queenstown to Franz Josef return, with pilot commentary
  • 2x Helicopter flights from Franz Josef Township to Franz Josef Glacier
  • Two-hour glacier hiking experience
  • All specialist equipment (crampons, waterproof pants, and jackets)
  • Food and drinks

Not suitable for

  • Children under 10 years
  • People with mobility impairments
  • Wheelchair users
  • People under 66 lbs (30 kg)
  • People over 254 lbs (115 kg)
  • People with low level of fitness

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Please check in at our office 30 minutes prior to departure. We are located in the Remarkables Park Town Centre in Frankton, near Queenstown Airport, with free all-day parking. It is best to park near the New World supermarket and walk across the carpark entrance to our building on the corner of the main road (Hawthorne Drive). Please let us know if you don't have access to transport and require a pickup in our shuttle van.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Sunglasses
  • Camera
  • Food and drinks
  • Sunscreen
  • Long-sleeved shirt
  • Long pants
  • Outdoor clothing
  • Closed-toe shoes
  • Thermal clothing

Not allowed

  • Jeans
  • Selfie sticks
  • Vaping
  • Bags
  • Tablets/iPads

Know before you go

  • Please advise everyone's full name and approximate weights at the time of booking (significant discrepancies may result in you being unable to participate in the tour)
  • Passengers over 115kg are unfortunately exempt from the tour due to safety regulations and passenger comfort
  • Items you must bring:
  • 3-4 Warm layers of clothing
  • Face Covering
  • Shorts or lightweight trousers (NO jeans are allowed)
  • Sunglasses
  • Any medication that you take daily
  • It is also recommended to bring sunscreen, a small water bottle, a small snack, and a phone or camera
  • All items that you bring along must fit in the small 2-liter waist bag

Customer reviews

Overall rating

5 /5

based on 24 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    5/5
  • Transportation
    5/5
  • Value for money
    4.8/5
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Recommended
J
Joy – AustraliaJanuary 21, 2025 – Verified booking
A dream come to true to tick off my bucket list as a solo traveller! I met friends and shared the experience. Beautiful majestic scenery displayed and interpreted well. Friendly staff and knowledgeable on safety who took a respectful interest. Safe flights in plane and helicopter. I loved it and would recommend it it to people who are injury free and with a good fitness level. Especially those who like day or afternoon hikes already.
A
Aman – United StatesDecember 20, 2024 – Verified booking
Great way to see Mount Cook and the glaciers there if you’re short on time from Queenstown
T
Tim – United StatesJanuary 18, 2023 – Verified booking
The flight to Franz Joseph was the most beautiful flight I have ever taken, and I have flown a lot. We had exceptionally clear weather. The hike was challenging for someone my age, but I am so proud I did it. It was amazing! Our guide was friendly and extremely safety conscious. However, on more than one occasion I felt rushed. This was a bucket list experience for me, and that definitely detracted from the experience.

Product ID: 403134

Activity provider:True South Flights

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