Heli Hike, Up To 4 Hours

Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike

Rated 4.7

from NZ$899 operator price, per person

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Duration: Up to 4 hours from check-in
Group: 1 guide to 11 guests
Meeting point: Glacier Base, Franz Josef
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Run by: Franz Josef Glacier Guides

Overview

This tour pairs a short helicopter flight with a long walk on ice. You start at the Franz Josef Glacier Guides base at 63 Cron Street in the village, get fitted with boots, crampons, waterproofs and a helmet, and sit through a safety briefing. From there it is a short walk to the helipad.

The flight itself lasts around 4 minutes each way, lifting you over rainforest and the glacier valley before setting down high on the ice. Once the guide has sorted crampons for everyone, the real work begins: up to 2.5 hours walking on Franz Josef Glacier through crevasses, blue ice and formations that shift constantly, because the glacier moves fast and no two routes are the same. Guides tailor the route to the day's conditions and the group's ability.

The whole outing runs up to 4 hours from check-in. It suits people with reasonable fitness and agility who want terrain you cannot reach on foot from the valley, and it is run in English with gear supplied. Children must be at least 10 years old, 137 cm tall and 35 kg, and there are hard limits at 115 kg and during pregnancy. Weather calls the shots, so the operator suggests booking your first available day in Franz Josef to leave room for a retry.

DurationUp to 4 hours from check-in

What's Included

Included

Scenic helicopter transfer to and from the glacier
Guided glacier hike with professional guide
All glacier equipment (crampons, boots, poles, waterproof gear, helmets, gloves)
Safety briefings

Not Included

Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Run byFranz Josef Glacier Guides

Itinerary

Check in at Cron StreetArrive at Franz Josef Glacier Guides, 63 Cron Street, 15 minutes before your trip time. Check-in closes 15 minutes before departure.
Gear fitting and briefingGet fitted with boots, crampons, waterproof jacket and pants, helmet, gloves and poles, then receive a safety briefing.
Walk to the helipadA short walk from the base takes you to the helicopter. One reviewer described this stretch as passing through rainforest.
Helicopter flight to the glacierThe transfer between the valley and the ice takes around 4 minutes each way, flying over rainforest, peaks and the glacier valley.
Guided glacier hikeSpend up to 2.5 hours on the ice with your guide, following a route chosen for the day's conditions and the group's ability.
Return flightFly back down to the valley by helicopter. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided, so plan your own transport to and from Cron Street.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this day goes, from what you wear under the provided shell layers to how the weather can upend plans.

Rainforest track with rimu and tree ferns leading to a helipad clearing

Layer your clothing. You wear your own clothes under the provided waterproof jacket and pants. One reviewer reported shedding layers while on the glacier, so dress in layers you can adjust on the day.
Fitness and pace. The listing asks for a reasonable level of fitness and agility, since the terrain is variable and reasonably challenging. One reviewer found the hike challenging without being scary or hard, and the guide sets the route to suit the group.
Group feel. One reviewer noted that a small group meant more time with the guide. Larger groups, one reported with 12 people, move at a steadier, less fast-paced clip.
Bring your own food. Food and drinks are not included, so pack a snack and a reusable water bottle. You will be out for up to 4 hours from check-in.
Sun protection. The listing recommends sunglasses, sunscreen and a camera alongside warm clothing and long pants. Reviewers on clear days were glad of the sunshine.
Weather and rebooking. All trips depend on favourable weather, and multiple reviewers had departures cancelled and rebooked, sometimes more than once. Staff were praised for working hard to fit people on later trips, and booking your first available day in Franz Josef gives you the most flexibility.

Ready To HikeCheck Price & Availability →

Common issues. Weather is the big one: reviewers report cancellations for rain, sometimes repeatedly, with staff rebooking groups onto later departures. If the trip does not go ahead as scheduled, guests can choose a full refund. There are firm physical limits: children must be at least 10 years old, 137 cm tall and 35 kg, and participation is not permitted above 115 kg or during pregnancy. Luggage, large bags, drones, selfie sticks and vaping are not allowed, and no hotel pickup or drop-off is provided.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The listing includes the scenic helicopter transfer to and from the glacier, the guided hike with a professional guide, all glacier equipment (crampons, boots, poles, waterproof gear, helmets and gloves) and safety briefings. You need to bring your own warm clothing and layers to wear underneath.

Is Food Provided?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring a snack and a reusable water bottle. The whole experience runs up to 4 hours from check-in.

Where Do I Meet The Tour, And Is There Hotel Pickup?

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. Check in at Franz Josef Glacier Guides, 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef Glacier 7859, and arrive 15 minutes before your trip time, as check-in closes 15 minutes before departure.

Can Children Do This Hike?

Children must be at least 10 years old, weigh at least 35 kg and be at least 137 cm tall to take part. A reasonable level of fitness and agility is required because the glacier terrain is variable and reasonably challenging.

What Happens If The Weather Is Bad?

All trips are subject to favourable weather conditions, and reviewers report cancellations due to rain with staff rebooking them onto later departures. If the trip does not go ahead on the scheduled departure, guests can choose a full refund. The operator recommends booking your first available day in Franz Josef for maximum flexibility.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Weather-related cancellations by the operator also carry the option of a full refund.