55-Minute Grand Circle Helicopter

4.67

4.7(40 reviews)

55 minutes

English

Mobile ticket

Show all 5 photos

Overview

Available languages

English

55 minutes

Mobile ticket

Soar through the sky on this 55-minute scenic Helicopter experience through the Mt Cook and Westland National Parks flying over the Fox, Franz Josef and Tasman Glacier, included a glacier landing (10-15 minutes). The ultimate way to see the Southern Alps and a bucket list flight.

Check in closes 45 minutes prior to the flight time.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Specialized infant seats are available

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Flights may be cancelled due to weather conditions

Minimum of 4 people per flight applies before the flight will operate

Departure time will vary daily depending on bookings and weather conditions

Time of departure will be confirmed 24 hours prior to date of flight

Check in closes 45 minutes prior to flight time

What To Expect

Tasman Glacier

A 55 minute flight that flies right around Aoraki Mt Cook and over to the West Coast for stunning views of the Fox, Franz Josef and Tasman Glaciers. Includes a glacier landing for 10-15 minutes for great photos.

55 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Franz Josef Glacier

Stunning views of the Fox, Franz Josef and Tasman glaciers, including a glacier landing

15 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Grand Circle

55 Minute Southern Alps Helicopter Tour from Mount Cook

What‘s Included

Headsets to hear the guide clearly

Live commentary on board

Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.67

40 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Awesome flight over the glaciers
Sue S,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our flight was absolutely amazing - we had perfect weather, our pilot, Sam was informative and entertaining and the scenery spectacular
You only live once
T4208IVlizo,May 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Had an amazing experience. Mark our tour guide was awesome. He was very informative. Once in a life time experience.
Amazing experience
Passenger407072,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Amazing experience. Breathtaking. Sitting in the middle of the back seat was a little limiting for the viewing but was still an amazing experience
Tasman Glacier Highlight
Shelby C,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
The helicopter pilot was experienced and knowledgeable about the area. The flights up and back were cool. Standing on the glacier and taking pics was so special. Gorgeous! We signed up for the 55 minute tour but it was too windy to go on the back side of Mt Cook. They adjusted our route and made the tour the 45 minute tour and made sure we still got to land on Tasman Glacier. They sent the $100 per person credit request to Viator to have that removed from our credit card. The experience was FANTASTIC! I would suggest that you wear a neck gaiter as you cannot wear a scarf. You also cannot wear hats or gloves. A hooded jacket is ideal. I didn’t have a hooded jacket and I was fine so it’s not required just warmer if the wind kicks up. They suggest boots to walk on the glacier to avoid slipping. I didn’t pack boots so I wore sneakers, I walked gingerly, and I did just fine. I wore athletic pants and a zip-up New Zealand merino wool sweater with pockets to keep my hands warm. I was plenty warm. They do weigh you to balance the helicopter so your seating is assigned but you can switch from middle seat to window seat on the way back so everyone gets time by the window. They put two small women in the front seat next to the pilot.
Highly recommend!!
RVfam,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We stayed in stunning Aoraki for 2 nights at White Horse Hill Campground. We hiked, camped, and enjoyed the spectacular views of Mt. Cook and the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Without question, our favorite views were from the helicopter! The pilot was great- safe and knowledgable. The glacier landing was incredible! The planes also looked fun. Our trip was shortened because of weather on the west coast but 45 minutes was perfect. We are typically very frugal and thought this experience was worth every penny! We highly recommend Mt Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters! Thanks for an incredible experience!
A must do experience with a very professional company and pilot
Tim W,Feb 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Unbelievable experience with great views and commentary by Mark the pilot. The 10 minutes landing high up on the glacier was a bonus experience, incredible views and total silence. Easy to book and you are welcome upon arrival, so a very easy experience. Highly recommend both Inflite and the 55 minute tour.
Recommended!!
Jasmine W,Feb 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Definitely worth the price, saw three glaciers and two of the highest mountains in New Zealand. And a short landing on the Tasman glacier and the view is truly amazing.
Not all passengers has the same view
Z1520QBtonyl,Jan 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
This helicopter tour accommodates six passengers in a two-row configuration, with the pilot in the front left. While the pilot expertly hovered at each point of interest to allow for photos, the viewing experience was highly uneven. Passengers seated in the front row or the left-most seat enjoyed spectacular, unobstructed views. Unfortunately, those seated elsewhere had to contend with obstructed views, looking over the shoulders of other passengers. The helicopter was not rotated to offer all passengers a direct view of each scene, which significantly diminished the experience for those not in the prime seats. This lack of consideration for all passengers' viewing angles greatly reduced the value of the tour.
Flying through the clouds
kristinmR3199ZU,Nov 13, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Fantastic way to experience the sheer enormity of mountains up close and personal. The pilot was very knowledgeable and super lovely ..
Bucket List Helicopter Tour over Mount Cook and the Glaciers
Colleen V,Sep 28, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Bucket list activity for sure on the incredible helicopter tour over the glaciers and Mount Cook! Between the wonderful views during the helicopter ride, to the magnificence all around when we landed on the Tasman Glacier, I was in awe of the sheer splendor before me. It was the perfect group size (8), and Roger (our pilot) did a masterful job of flying the craft, minimizing rocking and buffeting where he could, along with providing fabulous commentary on what we were seeing. He also pointed out the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, although we couldn’t see them given the low cloud cover. All in all, an incredible experience! I highly recommend this!

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Related Experiences

Operated by Inflite Ski Planes Limited

55-Minute Grand Circle Helicopter

4.67

4.7(40 reviews)

55 minutes

English

Mobile ticket

Show all 5 photos

Overview

Available languages

English

55 minutes

Mobile ticket

Check in closes 45 minutes prior to the flight time.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Specialized infant seats are available

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Flights may be cancelled due to weather conditions

Minimum of 4 people per flight applies before the flight will operate

Departure time will vary daily depending on bookings and weather conditions

Time of departure will be confirmed 24 hours prior to date of flight

Check in closes 45 minutes prior to flight time

What To Expect

Tasman Glacier

55 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Franz Josef Glacier

Stunning views of the Fox, Franz Josef and Tasman glaciers, including a glacier landing

15 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Grand Circle

55 Minute Southern Alps Helicopter Tour from Mount Cook

What‘s Included

Headsets to hear the guide clearly

Live commentary on board

Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.67

40 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Awesome flight over the glaciers
Sue S,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our flight was absolutely amazing - we had perfect weather, our pilot, Sam was informative and entertaining and the scenery spectacular
You only live once
T4208IVlizo,May 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Had an amazing experience. Mark our tour guide was awesome. He was very informative. Once in a life time experience.
Amazing experience
Passenger407072,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Amazing experience. Breathtaking. Sitting in the middle of the back seat was a little limiting for the viewing but was still an amazing experience
Tasman Glacier Highlight
Shelby C,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
The helicopter pilot was experienced and knowledgeable about the area. The flights up and back were cool. Standing on the glacier and taking pics was so special. Gorgeous! We signed up for the 55 minute tour but it was too windy to go on the back side of Mt Cook. They adjusted our route and made the tour the 45 minute tour and made sure we still got to land on Tasman Glacier. They sent the $100 per person credit request to Viator to have that removed from our credit card. The experience was FANTASTIC! I would suggest that you wear a neck gaiter as you cannot wear a scarf. You also cannot wear hats or gloves. A hooded jacket is ideal. I didn’t have a hooded jacket and I was fine so it’s not required just warmer if the wind kicks up. They suggest boots to walk on the glacier to avoid slipping. I didn’t pack boots so I wore sneakers, I walked gingerly, and I did just fine. I wore athletic pants and a zip-up New Zealand merino wool sweater with pockets to keep my hands warm. I was plenty warm. They do weigh you to balance the helicopter so your seating is assigned but you can switch from middle seat to window seat on the way back so everyone gets time by the window. They put two small women in the front seat next to the pilot.
Highly recommend!!
RVfam,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We stayed in stunning Aoraki for 2 nights at White Horse Hill Campground. We hiked, camped, and enjoyed the spectacular views of Mt. Cook and the surrounding mountains and glaciers. Without question, our favorite views were from the helicopter! The pilot was great- safe and knowledgable. The glacier landing was incredible! The planes also looked fun. Our trip was shortened because of weather on the west coast but 45 minutes was perfect. We are typically very frugal and thought this experience was worth every penny! We highly recommend Mt Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters! Thanks for an incredible experience!
A must do experience with a very professional company and pilot
Tim W,Feb 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Unbelievable experience with great views and commentary by Mark the pilot. The 10 minutes landing high up on the glacier was a bonus experience, incredible views and total silence. Easy to book and you are welcome upon arrival, so a very easy experience. Highly recommend both Inflite and the 55 minute tour.
Recommended!!
Jasmine W,Feb 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Definitely worth the price, saw three glaciers and two of the highest mountains in New Zealand. And a short landing on the Tasman glacier and the view is truly amazing.
Not all passengers has the same view
Z1520QBtonyl,Jan 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
This helicopter tour accommodates six passengers in a two-row configuration, with the pilot in the front left. While the pilot expertly hovered at each point of interest to allow for photos, the viewing experience was highly uneven. Passengers seated in the front row or the left-most seat enjoyed spectacular, unobstructed views. Unfortunately, those seated elsewhere had to contend with obstructed views, looking over the shoulders of other passengers. The helicopter was not rotated to offer all passengers a direct view of each scene, which significantly diminished the experience for those not in the prime seats. This lack of consideration for all passengers' viewing angles greatly reduced the value of the tour.
Flying through the clouds
kristinmR3199ZU,Nov 13, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Fantastic way to experience the sheer enormity of mountains up close and personal. The pilot was very knowledgeable and super lovely ..
Bucket List Helicopter Tour over Mount Cook and the Glaciers
Colleen V,Sep 28, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Bucket list activity for sure on the incredible helicopter tour over the glaciers and Mount Cook! Between the wonderful views during the helicopter ride, to the magnificence all around when we landed on the Tasman Glacier, I was in awe of the sheer splendor before me. It was the perfect group size (8), and Roger (our pilot) did a masterful job of flying the craft, minimizing rocking and buffeting where he could, along with providing fabulous commentary on what we were seeing. He also pointed out the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, although we couldn’t see them given the low cloud cover. All in all, an incredible experience! I highly recommend this!