Fox and Franz Josef Glacier 30-Min Helicopter Flight | New Zealand
- Exhilarating helicopter ride over Franz Josef Glacier
- Up to 2.5 hours spent on the ice hiking the glacier and exploring features
- Explore narrow crevasses, ice towers, and ice caves
- Breathtaking panoramic views of Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere
- Enjoy a small group and refined experience with a guide-to-guest ratio limited to 1 guide for every 11 guests
Options
Franz Josef Glacier Helicopter Hike
What's included in Fox and Franz Josef Glacier 30-Min Helicopter Flight | New Zealand
(Subject to Option Inclusions)
— What You Can Expect —
Experience the thrill of the Glacier Heli Hike at Franz Josef Glacier, often considered the highlight of a visit to Aotearoa (New Zealand). This adventure combines a short, exhilarating helicopter ride with a two-and-a-half-hour guided hike through some of the most spectacular glacier features. Franz Josef Glacier, the fastest moving commercially guided glacier in the world, offers ever-changing landscapes, ensuring each trip is unique. Slide through narrow crevasses, navigate between towering ice formations, and explore enchanting ice caves.
Your journey begins and ends at the Glacier Base Building, where the friendly team will check you in and prepare you with necessary gear and pre-trip briefings. A short walk takes you to the helicopter pad, from where your pilot will whisk you over the breathtaking landscape, offering panoramic views of Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef Glacier). Upon landing on the main icefall, your guide will outfit you with crampons and other equipment for the hike.
Franz Josef Glacier Guides, in collaboration with The Helicopter Line, ensures an unforgettable adventure, combining the thrill of helicopter access with the beauty of glacier exploration.
Inclusions
- Guided tour
- A short scenic helicopter flight over the glacier valley, landing on the ice
- Up to 2.5 hours spent on the glacier exploring features
- Helmet
- Waterproof jacket and trouser
- Weatherproof walking boots and socks
- Trekking poles
- A small waist pack to carry your crampons and essentials
- A warm hat and gloves
- Crampons
- Harness
- Other expenses not mentioned above
- Personal expenses
- Insurance
- High blood pressure, Heart disease, Acrophobia, Asthma, Epilepsy, Pregnant women
- Travelers with the following conditions or other health issues that could be worsened by excessive stimulation should not participate in this activity
- Please arrive at the designated location 15 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
- Franz Josef Glacier Guides reserve the right to curtail or cancel trips for customers whose fitness or ability it not appropriate to the trip on which they are booked. If you are unable to complete the glacier trip you have booked due to inadequate fitness, you will not be entitled to a refund
- For your safety, please ensure to consult medical practitioner prior to booking
- Please be aware that Glacier conditions change rapidly and as such supplier cannot fully brief you on current conditions. In general, ice steps on our trips can be over 400mm (1.3 feet) high. This height can challenge people with low physical fitness or low levels of agility
- Due to glacier and weather conditions this guideline may change and participation in the hike is ultimately the decision of the lead guide on the day
- Customers who are under the influence of intoxicating drugs and / or alcohol will not be eligible for the experience
- Please be aware that Franz Josef Glacier is an unstable geological feature that presents certain significant hazards, including, but not limited to, avalanche, rock fall, ice fall, heavy rain, cold exposure, heights, flooding, uneven terrain, tripping and sun exposure
- As the experience operates in a mountain environment certain events may result in customers having to stay on the glacier overnight
- If you fail to check in or fail to check in at the designated time, you may be unable to participate in your experience, and the full payment will be applied
Meet
Venues
- Franz Josef Glacier Guides
Meeting / End Points
- Franz Josef Glacier
Policies
Purchase Summary
- A reasonable level of fitness and agility is required
- There is a weight restriction of a maximum of 115 kg (253.5 lb)
- Guests must be at least 10 years old, weigh a minimum of 35 kg, and be at least 137 cm tall
- Upon booking with Over The Planet, guest is aware and agreed to the T&C outlines here
- Please ensure to read through the risk disclosure before making booking
- When booking, please ensure that guests under 18 years old are accompanied by a parent or guardian. If a parent or guardian is not included in the booking, they will need to purchase their own ticket to accompany the minor for the duration of the trip with Franz Josef Glacier Guides. Please note that if the slots for the day are sold out, the ticket may be canceled, and no further refunds will be issued
— What to Bring —
- Warm, breathable base layers such as merino or polypropylene
- Suitable long pants for walking in (jeans are not suitable, tracksuits and leggings are fine)
- Sunglasses (these are essential - if you don't have any with you we have a selection available for purchase at our front desk)
- Sunblock
- Your camera or phone
- A small water bottle and snack if you need one
