West Coast, South Island

Take in some of New Zealand’s most impressive mountains during a helicopter ride. Land among them for even more spectacular views and fantastic photo opportunities. Meet at the local partner’s office to check in and attend a safety briefing. Then, following a van transfer to the hangar, you will meet your pilot and board the helicopter for takeoff. Put your headset on to enjoy your pilot's guided commentary. Fly over the terminal moraine of the ancient Franz Josef Glacier and up the valley over the Franz Josef Glacier. Take in the ice pinnacles and crevasses before flying onwards amongst the impressive Southern Alps. Land on an elevated snow landing site to enjoy stunning views of some of New Zealand’s highest mountains. Have 10-minutes to take incredible photos before returning to the hangar.

Soar to Franz Josef Glacier and see this 8-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-hour and 30-minute 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. 

Get out into nature and experience the wilderness on this tour of the Franz Josef Glacier. Soar in the air in a helicopter, trek with glacier boots and crampons, and take in the fascinating colors of the ice flow. Meet at the Franz Josef Village base in the Westland National Park and hop into a helicopter. Fly up to the glacier and land on a section pre-checked for safety by your guide. Equipped with glacier boots and crampons, walk through ice formations and pinnacles for 2 hours. Touch the ice, breathe in the fresh air, and take note of the unique color of the glacier. Hike back to the helicopter and return to the base with a profound respect for nature.

See two of New Zealand’s biggest glaciers — the Franz Josef and then either the Fox or Tasman Glacier with uninterrupted views from a helicopter. After you check in and have a safety briefing, you will be transferred to the activity provider's hangar, where you will meet your pilot and guide and board the helicopter. You will be provided with headsets in order to hear your guide’s commentary. Fly amongst the Southern Alps, admiring the ice pinnacles and crevasses whilst learning about the awesome spectacle from your pilot. You will make a stop and get to explore on foot for 10 minutes at an elevated site which is perfect for taking photos.

Enjoy a thrilling hiking and helicopter experience on Fox Glacier. Marvel at dramatic landscapes from above, including spectacular ice caves, icefalls and Victoria Falls, which is the melted river from the hidden Victoria glacier. Land on the ice in a remote part of the glacier. Get fitted with crampons that are specially designed for icy conditions. Follow the ice steps cut by your guide as you explore the amazing formations and ice caves. Each departure is a truly unique experience as there are so many changing features. Depending on the weather, spend up to 3 hours on the ice before boarding your helicopter to return to the take off point.

Christchurch – We start by leaving the Garden City/Christchurch and heading north while our knowledgeable driver points out some of the Garden City’s highlights. Springfield/Alpine Jet –As we make our way through the Selwyn District you will be greeted by the Gorgeous little western town of Springfield where we make our turn off towards Alpine Jets. Here you will spend time experiencing the wonders of the Waimakariri, it’s no wonder Jet Boating was developed here in Christchurch! For those that have decided to not add this onto their tour, there are walks, views and sheep cuddles to enjoy. Castle Hill (1hour) – Once back in the van we head towards Castle Hill. These weathered limestone rocks sit proudly on the tussocky hills and were once in the ocean! Over time they eroded away and started forming these amazing unique shapes you’ll see today. You might recognize this landscape from movies such as Lord of the Rings and Narnia! That’s right. Not only that, but while you walk amongst the rocks you will also see climbers and boulderers! This place is a magnet for those types of hobbies. This is not a guided walk so you will be left to explore this piece of beauty on your own. Otira Gorge Lookout (15 min) – Also known as Deaths Corner! The Otira Viaduct Lookout is an amazing spot to see the national park in all its glory. This bridge is the only reason driving Arthurs Pass is possible! It’s huge at 440 Meters long and is a great spot for a photo of the bridge and the surrounding landscape. A little bonus too, you might see a wee Cheeky Kea! The sneaky Alpine Parrot of NZ. Arthurs Pass Village (1hour) – We depart the lookout and head towards Arthur's Pass village. On the way you will be able to see the beautiful backdrop of the majestic Southern Alps up close. Once we arrive you will have the opportunity to either walk the Devils Punch Bowl or spend this time walking around the local shop. Devils Punch Bowl – This walking track is approx. 1 hour with a gradual incline including steps towards a ferocious 131-meter-tall waterfall. Fitness is low to moderate as you walk through the bush and forest. Arthurs pass village – Grab a bite to eat, a coffee and shop some local goodies! This village is a great way to really get to know the area. Please note our driver will keep you updated on the time to catch your train back to the city. TranzAlpine – Our guide will drop you at the Train Station to continue your journey back towards the Canterbury Plains, via the TranzAlpine. Christchurch Train station –The train is scheduled to arrive at the station at 7pm, you will see our van there waiting for you! You can tell us all about it as we take you back to the accommodation where you started your journey from this Morning. As this tour operates in an alpine region the weather can be unpredictable. In the event of bad weather this tour will continue onto Greymouth and Lake Brunner

Explore the ancient icefalls of the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers on a 30-minute helicopter flight. Experience the thrill of a snow landing with spectacular photo opportunities, and create unforgettable memories. Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers provides stunning ice architecture and are two of the few glaciers in the world which exist in such close proximity to both an ocean and a rainforest. Make your way to a central location in Franz Josef township, where you will check in for your flight. Strap yourself in to your seat and prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime ride, soaring above the pristine scenery for spectacular aerial views of the glaciers. Listen to engaging inflight commentary from your experienced pilot and admire the stunning frozen landscape below through the panoramic windows. Midway through the flight, your helicopter hovers above the ice and snow before making a thrilling snow landing at the summit of one of the glaciers. Step out onto the breathtaking, frozen landscape to soak in the views and capture some incredible photos. Then return to the helicopter for the flight back to base.

Join our thrilling off-road adventure tour. Ride your own single quad through glacier riverbed and Jurassic rainforest tracks! On a sunny day experience incredible views of the Franz Josef Glacier or come and play in the muddy puddles and splash through rainforest creeks on a wet day. As we like to say "the wetter the better" - our tracks to come to life in the rain. Full wet weather gear is supplied. Free photos are included with each tour. Our single quad bikes are 450 cc automatic Can-am Outlander’s. This quad bike provides a comfortable journey over rough terrain featuring independent suspension and power steering! PLEASE NOTE: Drivers driving Single Quad Bikes MUST be 16yrs and over. Drivers driving Double Quad Bikes MUST be 18yrs and over. Double Quads cannot be booked on this site. To book a double quad bike or buggy vehicle you will need to do this directly with the operator, it is not bookable on this site. Please visit franzjoseftours.co.nz to book these.

Experience the beauty of New Zealand's Castle Hill, the turquoise waters of Waimakariri Gorge, and the alpine village at Arthurs Pass on this guided day trip that includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Christchurch. Travel in a comfortable van and savor a mouthwatering lunch along the way. Be picked up at your accommodation in Christchurch and whisked away on a group tour. Ride on the Great Alpine Highway to see spectacular engineering, mesmerizing waterfalls, and famous filming locations like Castle Hill (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe). Admire views of Arthur’s pass, a National Park located deep in the Southern Alps of New Zealand and stop to explore the rural charm of Arthur's Pass Village. Take a variety of landscapes, from green fields to rugged mountain ranges, lush forest and ice-fed lakes and rivers. Avoid missing sights with a guide that is happy to point out the highlights. View the blue river that winds through the Waimakariri Gorge and the sparkling waters of Lake Pearson, a bird paradise. Enjoy the Otira Gorge Rock Shelter Lookout, an engineering marvel. Make plenty of stops along the way and have the chance to do optional activities (for an additional fee) like taking a jet boat ride or going for a forest walk to a waterfall. Capture pictures at Instagram-worthy spots. Return to your accommodation in Christchurch at the end of your tour. As this tour operates in an alpine region the weather can be unpredictable. In the event of bas weather this tour will continue on to Greymouth and Lake Brunner.

Aboard the Queenstown Lake Cruise, you will discover mountains, forests, and hidden coves as our skipper shares tales of the lake's history. Admire Bob's Cove, Mt Earnslaw and the Southern Alps during our 1 hour and 30-minute cruise. Whether with family, friends, or a special someone, join us to uncover Queenstown's natural beauty. Relax onboard with our café and licenced bar, serving hot and cold beverages. Elevate your experience by purchasing a cheese or charcuterie platter on board. We're proud to showcase Lake Whakatipu's secrets and leave you with cherished memories of Queenstown's landscapes.