Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier Helicopter and Hiking Tour
The Franz Josef Glacier near Queenstown is a frozen spectacle with deep icy crevasses, crashing waterfalls, and mountainous snowy scenery. Witness the Franz Josef from the sky with a helicopter ride above the glacier on this full-day small-group tour, before setting down for a hike to explore wondrous caves and chilling icefalls.
Highlights
- ✓Full-day helicopter and hiking tour of the Franz Josef Glacier
- ✓Hiking boots and crampons are available to help you navigate the ice
- ✓Includes hotel pickup and drop-off from your Queenstown hotel
- ✓Small-group tour: Lots of time with your guide to ask questions
What you'll see & do
- ✓Collections from Queenstown Central Hotels start 50 minutes prior to flight departure. Alternatively, we have free parking at our office in Frankton, where you'll check in.
- ✓Check in at our Remarkables Park Town Centre departure lounge, where you will be weighed and receive a safety briefing. Get there nice and early, grab a hot coffee or some snacks in the shopping centre whilst you wait for your flight to depart.
- ✓Take off from Queenstown Airport on a 1 hr scenic flight, getting to see the beauty of the surrounding area
- ✓From Queenstown you'll head North, crossing over the Pisa mountains, with great views of Lake Wanaka from above.
- ✓After crossing the Southern Alps, you'll get some stunning views of the West Coast National Park. This includes some of the 3,000 glaciers and alpine lakes in the region. You'll land at Franz Josef Airstrip after approximately 1 hour of scenic flying.
- ✓After landing in Franz Josef, our guiding partners will drive you 10 mins to the glacier base. Here you will gear up with the provided appropriate hiking equipment and receive a safety briefing from your experienced guide.
- ✓Take a 10 to 15 minute heli ride up onto the Franz Josef Glacier ice. Here you will be left with your experienced guide to strap on your crampons and start hiking. Spend 2 hours exploring the ice features before the helicopter returns to fly you back to base.
- ✓Arriving back at the guiding base, your pilot will be waiting for you to escort you back to the plane. Enjoy a 1 hr return scenic flight to Queenstown, taking a different flight path for maximum sightseeing on the way back.
- ✓Arriving back at the departure lounge, a driver will be waiting to take you back to your accommodation, or you will be able to collect your parked car.
What's included
- ✓Two hours hiking on the glacier with an experienced guide
- ✓Two helicopter transfers onto the ice
- ✓All essential hiking gear provided
- ✓Guaranteed window seat for everyone on the plane
- ✓Collections and drop off to Queenstown Hotels
- ✓Round trip scenic flights from Queenstown to Franz Josef
What's not included
- ✓You are required to bring your own lunch and snacks. There is usually no time to buy food in Franz Josef.
Good to know
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children and weight restrictions are applicable for this tour
Existing or previous medical conditions including (but not limited to) those listed below may have an impact on your ability to participate in our Glacier Heli Hike. It's important that you advise us of the following when making your booking: Ankle or knee injuries; ACL damage; Joint replacements or dislocations; Neck or back injuries; Heart conditions and high / low blood pressure; Diabetes; Severe asthma. If you have any doubt about your ability to participate in the trip we recommend you consult your medical practitioner prior to booking. In addition to this, our lead guides may need to restrict guest participation on a Heli Hike Trip based on the specific conditions of the glacier on the day.
We pick-up from Queenstown Central accommodation. Pick up starts 50 minutes prior to departure.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier Helicopter and Hiking Tour
The Franz Josef Glacier near Queenstown is a frozen spectacle with deep icy crevasses, crashing waterfalls, and mountainous snowy scenery. Witness the Franz Josef from the sky with a helicopter ride above the glacier on this full-day small-group tour, before setting down for a hike to explore wondrous caves and chilling icefalls.
Highlights
- ✓Full-day helicopter and hiking tour of the Franz Josef Glacier
- ✓Hiking boots and crampons are available to help you navigate the ice
- ✓Includes hotel pickup and drop-off from your Queenstown hotel
- ✓Small-group tour: Lots of time with your guide to ask questions
What you'll see & do
- ✓Collections from Queenstown Central Hotels start 50 minutes prior to flight departure. Alternatively, we have free parking at our office in Frankton, where you'll check in.
- ✓Check in at our Remarkables Park Town Centre departure lounge, where you will be weighed and receive a safety briefing. Get there nice and early, grab a hot coffee or some snacks in the shopping centre whilst you wait for your flight to depart.
- ✓Take off from Queenstown Airport on a 1 hr scenic flight, getting to see the beauty of the surrounding area
- ✓From Queenstown you'll head North, crossing over the Pisa mountains, with great views of Lake Wanaka from above.
- ✓After crossing the Southern Alps, you'll get some stunning views of the West Coast National Park. This includes some of the 3,000 glaciers and alpine lakes in the region. You'll land at Franz Josef Airstrip after approximately 1 hour of scenic flying.
- ✓After landing in Franz Josef, our guiding partners will drive you 10 mins to the glacier base. Here you will gear up with the provided appropriate hiking equipment and receive a safety briefing from your experienced guide.
- ✓Take a 10 to 15 minute heli ride up onto the Franz Josef Glacier ice. Here you will be left with your experienced guide to strap on your crampons and start hiking. Spend 2 hours exploring the ice features before the helicopter returns to fly you back to base.
- ✓Arriving back at the guiding base, your pilot will be waiting for you to escort you back to the plane. Enjoy a 1 hr return scenic flight to Queenstown, taking a different flight path for maximum sightseeing on the way back.
- ✓Arriving back at the departure lounge, a driver will be waiting to take you back to your accommodation, or you will be able to collect your parked car.
What's included
- ✓Two hours hiking on the glacier with an experienced guide
- ✓Two helicopter transfers onto the ice
- ✓All essential hiking gear provided
- ✓Guaranteed window seat for everyone on the plane
- ✓Collections and drop off to Queenstown Hotels
- ✓Round trip scenic flights from Queenstown to Franz Josef
What's not included
- ✓You are required to bring your own lunch and snacks. There is usually no time to buy food in Franz Josef.
Good to know
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children and weight restrictions are applicable for this tour
Existing or previous medical conditions including (but not limited to) those listed below may have an impact on your ability to participate in our Glacier Heli Hike. It's important that you advise us of the following when making your booking: Ankle or knee injuries; ACL damage; Joint replacements or dislocations; Neck or back injuries; Heart conditions and high / low blood pressure; Diabetes; Severe asthma. If you have any doubt about your ability to participate in the trip we recommend you consult your medical practitioner prior to booking. In addition to this, our lead guides may need to restrict guest participation on a Heli Hike Trip based on the specific conditions of the glacier on the day.
We pick-up from Queenstown Central accommodation. Pick up starts 50 minutes prior to departure.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.