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Helicopter Line - Franz Josef Glacier HELI HIKE (Ex Franz Josef)

4.7
230
Embark on one of the world’s most breathtaking alpine excursions and get up close and personal to the remarkable beauty and awe-inspiring environment of the Franz Josef Glacier.

Embark on one of the world’s most breathtaking alpine excursions and get up close and personal to the remarkable beauty and awe-inspiring environment of the Franz Josef Glacier.

Highlights

  • Breathtaking helicopter flight to Franz Josef Glacier
  • Glacier Landing included in your experience!
  • Approx 2 hour hike amongst ancient glacial formations

This once in a lifetime experience gets you to the very heart of this incredible glacial environment - exposing the most spectacular ice formations, mighty pinnacles, and pristine alpine terrain.

You’ll have the opportunity to experience this ancient glacial environment from astounding aerial view before exploring by foot, and even descending into the glacier itself!

A truly immersive experience that will be treasured for a lifetime, the Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike is the ultimate journey into New Zealand’s alpine paradise!

Adult $795.00
Child $795.00 (8-14 years)

What's included

  • Scenic Helicopter Flight
  • Glacier Landing and Hike
  • Experienced Guide
  • All equipment (glacier boots, socks, ice crampons, waterproof jacket and pants)

Duration

  • Allow approximately 3 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • Check in is from the Franz Josef Glacier Guides office
  • 63 Cron Street
  • Franz Josef / Waiau 7886.

Restrictions

  • Minimum age is 8 years old.

Notes

  • Please Note: Moderate fitness required.

    The Heli Hike experience is weather dependent.

    Safety Notes:

    Your safety is our highest priority so we reserve the right to cancel your booking depending on health and agility considerations.

    For safety reasons, we have a weight limit of 120kg. This weight includes the gear we provide which can weigh up to 5kgs. Please be aware that if the gear takes your weight to over 120kg, you will not be able to participate.

    Additionally, if you are pregnant you will not be able to participate.

    We will do our best to accommodate you but occasionally cancellation may be unavoidable.

    Departure Notes:

    Check in times - please check in 1 hour prior to departure:

    8:30am departure: 7:30am check in.

    9:00am departure: 8:00am check in.

    11:00am departure: 10:00am check in.

    11:30am departure: 10:30am check in.

Available Bookings from 11 Nov to 24 Nov 2024

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Mon 11 Nov
Tue 12 Nov
Wed 13 Nov
Thu 14 Nov
Fri 15 Nov
Sat 16 Nov
Sun 17 Nov
Mon 18 Nov
Tue 19 Nov
Wed 20 Nov
Thu 21 Nov
Fri 22 Nov
Sat 23 Nov
Sun 24 Nov

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Bookings close in 27 minutes...

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Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.7

230 reviews

Showing all 230 authenticated Bookme reviews

Emily Glin from France wrote on 12 September 2018

Je m'attendais à mieux

J'attendais ce moment avec impatience mais j'ai finalement étais déçue. Un trajet en hélicoptère de 5 minutes maximum (même si très joli). 2h de marche sur le glacier étaient annoncées. Mais c'est finalement 30 minutes seulement de déplacement sur le glacier, en restant vers le bas, et 1h30 de sur-place. Quasi toujours à plat (Rien à voir avec les glaciers que j'ai eu la chance de monter en Norvège, un super souvenir qui m'avait motivé pour Franz Joseph malgré le prix). Très bien pour des familles avec enfants (même en bas âge) pour decouvrir les glaciers mais pas si l'on cherche l'aventure. Je me suis ennuyée. Le survol en hélicoptère au dessus des 2 glaciers aurait sans doute était plus sympa.

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From Helicopter Line - Franz Josef Glacier HELI HIKE (Ex Franz Josef)

Hi Emily, Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry that you were disappointed in our trip. Our Heli Hike is suitable for many fitness types. Although some medicals do prevent guests from participating due to safety reasons, we can take people from the age of 8 (minimum weight dependent) upwards. We hike on the flattest part of the Glacier which is also where we can land our helicopters safely. Safety is our highest priority and this is in the forefront of our minds at all times. As the Glacier is an ever-changing natural phenomenon, we cannot guarantee there will be ice caves or the like. The ice changes constantly, no two trips are the same. The Glacier Guides are full on information on the Hike which can enhance the experience. We do offer Scenic flights as well, which take you further into the mountains and feature a snow landing. We hope the remainder of your holiday was enjoyable. Kind Regards, The West Coast Team.

Solène from France wrote on 12 August 2018

Superbe expérience inoubliable!

Un superbe après-midi! Le personnel d’accueil a été très aimable. Le vol en hélicoptère est incroyable avec une vue magnifique sur Franz Josef. Une fois sur le glacier, nous sommes directement pris en charge par 2 guides très compétents et sympathiques! Ils ont su assurer notre sécurité tout au long de notre marche sur le glacier, et nous on permis de profiter au mieux des crevasses et grottes glaciaires. La vue est incroyable depuis le glacier! Je recommande le Heli Hike, surtout avec la promotion Bookme non négligeable!

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From Helicopter Line - Franz Josef Glacier HELI HIKE (Ex Franz Josef)

A beautiful afternoon! The reception staff was very friendly. The helicopter flight is amazing with a wonderful view of Franz Josef. Once on the glacier, we are directly supported by two very competent and friendly guides! They were able to ensure our safety throughout our walk on the glacier, and we were allowed to make the most of crevasses and ice caves. The view is amazing from the glacier! I recommend the Heli Hike, especially with the Bookme promotion not insignificant! Hi Solène , Thank you for taking the time to leave us a wonderful review. It sounds like you had a great time in the helicopter and on the glacier! The guides are all very knowledgeable and will take you to the best possible parts of the glacier, whilst prioritising everyone's safety. We are so glad you enjoyed your whole experience! Kind Regards, The West Coast Team

Lu from New Zealand wrote on 09 May 2022

Awesome

Awesome! We did abit of research as to which glacier (Fox/Franz) was better & which tour. I’m pretty sure we did the best one, as we were able to walk on the Glacier. Our guide (Canadian Mike?) was super friendly & made our whole experience unreal. Everything was provided. A short 5-10 minute helicopter ride, then we were on the glacier. Definitely recommend the heli hike to anyone who is unsure.

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Krishna Lin from Taiwan wrote on 08 March 2020

Franz Josef HELI HIKE

General speaking it was ok. However, the reception was not a professional staff. When I said I came from Taiwan, she tried to gave me Tail language manual. She don't know Taiwan and Thailand are different countries. Further more, I was speak English with her, but she use goodle translate to translate English to Chinese to talk to me. OMG, I never meet such unprofessional staff and feel very unrespectful by her serviced.

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Steph from New Zealand wrote on 17 March 2019

Cancelled twice because of weather

Cancelled because of bad weather, received an email and re booked for the next day. Checked emails in the morning, no cancellation email. Drove 2 & half hours to Franz Josef Glacier to check in only to be told it was again cancelled. We had received no emails or phone calls. I asked why and they said if they had to do that for one customer they’d have to do that for them all?! YES you should!!! When your customers are paying almost $500 each its the least I’d expect. A 5 hour round trip for nothing. Were asked if we wanted to rebook, we said no thanks.

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From Helicopter Line - Franz Josef Glacier HELI HIKE (Ex Franz Josef)

Hi Steph, Thank you for leaving us valuable feedback. We do apologise for the service you received from us and will be improving on ways we can communicate with our guests. Sometimes we are able to cancel the Heli Hike earlier than expected when we receive the weather call from our pilots however some days the weather is incredible hard to gauge and we do not know until the check-in time if we are able to operate. Again, we apologise for the customer service and hope you had a safe journey home. Kind Regards, The Helicopter Line, West Coast

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This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

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When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

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