Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike
Discover the best of New Zealand’s natural beauty on this small-group 2 hour 30 minute Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike. Travel by helicopter to the Pinnacles area of the glacier with your guide. Navigate your way through the maze of ice on your moderately difficult hike. Learn of the dramatic environmental changes affecting the glacier and gain insight into the geological forces at play. Group size is limited to 11 to ensure a personalized experience.
Options
5.5 Extended Hour Heli-Hike
Duration: 8 hours: Total return time will be 8 hours, including 5.5 hour on the glacier.
Lunch included: A picnic lunch is included (dietaries are catered for)
Bespoke Heli Hike option: Enjoy a bespoke Heli Hike, spending 5.5 hours exploring untouched parts of the glacier. Small group option, ratio of 1:4.
What's included in Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Franz Josef Glacier
Experience one of the most unique glaciers in the world, Franz Josef Glacier. Being the fastest moving glacier in the world, it means that no two trips are the same. Accessible only by helicopter flight, begin your 2. hour experience with a beautiful scenic flight to the glacier, before embarking on a glacier hike like no other!
Inclusions
- 2-hours 15 minutes (approx.) guided glacier walk
- Commentary of local region, glaciology and Maori stories
- Expert ice-guides
- All hiking equipment (Gore-tex jackets, over trousers, woolen hats and gloves, leather boots, crampons)
- Round-trip helicopter flights to Franz Josef Glacier
- Exclusive access to the Franz Josef Glacier - only we can take you there
- Option for a longer glacier adventure with the Extended hike (select option)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Minimum age is 10 years old for the 2.5 hour trip and 14 for the 5.5 hour trip
- Minimum weight is 35kg, Maximum weight 115kg
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Glacier walks are moderately difficult, clients need to be fit and able. Refunds will not be available for clients who cannot participate on the day due to inappropriate fitness levels, i.e. it is important you are selecting the right trip for your physical fitness ability. Guides reserve the right to curtail or cancel trips for clients whose fitness is not appropriate
- Operates in most weather conditions, please dress appropriately. Two to four warm upper- body layers of clothing are recommended, quick-drying trousers or shorts (no jeans), a hat and gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen and a camera
- The Operator reserves the absolute right to cancel or vary any service for any reason including as a result of weather conditions, insufficient reservations or any unforeseen event or circumstance. These trips are weather dependent.
- For Health and Safety reasons, we are unable to guide pregnant women. Please note: We have a weight limit of 115kg per person on the Heli Hike.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting / End Points
- Check-in 15 minutes prior to your trip time.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
• The glacier walks are quite challenging as the glacier is advancing and becoming very steep, clients need to be fit and able. Refunds will not be available for clients who cannot participate on the day due to inappropriate fitness levels. Guides reserve the right to curtail or cancel trips for clients whose fitness is not appropriate. What should I wear or bring with me? Please bring three layers of very warm clothing for your upper body (fleece, wool, thermal underwear) and lightweight trousers e.g. quick drying trousers or leggings (no jeans - they get wet and heavy to walk in). Also, bring along a snack, small bottle of water, sunglasses and sunscreen.
