Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover the best of New Zealand’s natural beauty on this small-group 2 hour 30 minute Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike. Travel by helicopter to the Pinnacles area of the glacier with your guide. Navigate your way through the maze of ice on your moderately difficult hike. Learn of the dramatic environmental changes affecting the glacier and gain insight into the geological forces at play. Group size is limited to 11 to ensure a personalized experience.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum age is 10 years old for the 2.5 hour trip and 14 for the 5.5 hour trip
Minimum weight is 35kg, Maximum weight 115kg
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Glacier walks are moderately difficult, clients need to be fit and able. Refunds will not be available for clients who cannot participate on the day due to inappropriate fitness levels, i.e. it is important you are selecting the right trip for your physical fitness ability. Guides reserve the right to curtail or cancel trips for clients whose fitness is not appropriate
Operates in most weather conditions, please dress appropriately. Two to four warm upper- body layers of clothing are recommended, quick-drying trousers or shorts (no jeans), a hat and gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen and a camera
The Operator reserves the absolute right to cancel or vary any service for any reason including as a result of weather conditions, insufficient reservations or any unforeseen event or circumstance. These trips are weather dependent.
For Health and Safety reasons, we are unable to guide pregnant women. Please note: We have a weight limit of 115kg per person on the Heli Hike.
What To Expect
Franz Josef Glacier
Experience one of the most unique glaciers in the world, Franz Josef Glacier. Being the fastest moving glacier in the world, it means that no two trips are the same. Accessible only by helicopter flight, begin your 2. hour experience with a beautiful scenic flight to the glacier, before embarking on a glacier hike like no other!
Options
Heli-Hike Franz Josef Glacier Walk
Original 2.5 hour Heli Hike: Spend 2.5 hours exploring glacier features with your expert guide on the glacier. 1:11 guide to guest ratio.
5.5 Extended Hour Heli-Hike
Duration: 8 hours: Total return time will be 8 hours, including 5.5 hour on the glacier. Lunch included: A picnic lunch is included (dietaries are catered for) Bespoke Heli Hike option: Enjoy a bespoke Heli Hike, spending 5.5 hours exploring untouched parts of the glacier. Small group option, ratio of 1:4.
What‘s Included
2-hours 15 minutes (approx.) guided glacier walk
Commentary of local region, glaciology and Maori stories
Expert ice-guides
All hiking equipment (Gore-tex jackets, over trousers, woolen hats and gloves, leather boots, crampons)
Round-trip helicopter flights to Franz Josef Glacier
Exclusive access to the Franz Josef Glacier - only we can take you there
Option for a longer glacier adventure with the Extended hike (select option)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
649 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
High quality and attention to safety
Brenna D,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We were thoroughly impressed by our guide, the quality of service, and the attention to safety. The guides actively chip out your trail as you go and the facility provides high quality gear so you don't need to pack it from home. We lucked out and had a super clear day but even in clouds it would have been a fun experience.
Fox Glacier Heli Hike Adventure: 5+ stars!
ECOtas,May 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is simply a spectacular and unique experience. One of the best things we have done in New Zealand. Perfect weather helped. Streamlined check-in, safety briefing and kitting up for the glacier experience. Short bus ride to helipad. Spectacular short flight to lower end of glacier. Crampons on to boots and off for adventure! Easy paced, nothing too hard but some nice challenges. Drinking glacier water was unique. We got the full time experience as weather held. Guide was (Irish) Jack and he was awesome.
Excellent heli hike experience;)
Seaside39031512308,May 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Weather was excellent! Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable about the glacier. They care enough to make sure everyone get to sit next to the window during the heli ride. Enjoyed it much!
The coolest thing I’ve...
Regan S,May 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The coolest thing I’ve done in my life!!! Our helicopter pilot Tony was amazing and a phenomenal pilot, our guide Zoe was great and super knowledgeable about the glacier and the history of it. It was absolutely unreal to get up there and be surrounded by all the ice.
Great time hiking the glacier
JereDoyle,May 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hiking the glacier was FANTASTIC!!!!!! The helicopter ride was awesome as well. Everything was run very safely. Very impressive.
Amazing
MalikDamian M,May 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience. It’s unreal to be on the glacier, it looked so beautiful. We didn’t do a lot of walking, we stopped a lot and then made our way back after maybe a few hundred meters i guess. So for anyone who wants to really walk long and hike book the longer tours, that’s what I will do next time. But that’s just preference, the tour itself was perfect.
First time exploring Franz Joseph glacier
Jason D,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent experience it was a first for flying in a helicopter and a first for hiking on a glacier Sarah our guide is a credit to the company with expert knowledge of the surrounding environment which is more dangerous than most people would have realized Great trip and good value for money
franz josef hike
Tahnee E,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00it was a great experience and Zoe was amazing!
Dreamlike experience in the middle of the ice
Claudia V,Apr 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A beautiful experience. Relatively easy hike, if you are a bit sure of your steps. The helicopter flight was the highlight.
Incredible experience
Cara B,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an incredible experience! Words can’t describe just how beautiful and exhilarating it is to hike up a glacier. Zoe was the best tour guide, her local culture knowledge made it so special.
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Operated by Franz Josef Glacier Guides