Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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
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.
Reviews
593 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A must-do breathtaking experience!
Kerri H,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a must-do experience if traveling to South Island/Franz Josef! We luckily stayed for two nights so when our first flight was cancelled due to weather, we were rebooked the next morning and it was such a beautiful hike and experience! The guide and pilots are all awesome, friendly and knowledgeable. They give you everything you need so no need to travel with heavy snow pants or jackets. They just require thermal layers to wear underneath but I ended up taking mine off because we were quite warm in the sun on the glacier. The hike is not very strenuous although you should be fit to do this activity. But the guides takes lots of stops/breaks so you’re never out of breath. The helicopter ride was amazing and added to the whole experience. They provide you with socks, boots, gloves, hat, jacket, pants, bag to put items in and trekking pole. Keep in mind everything must go in their bag so you can’t bring too much stuff. A small water bottle, sunglasses and snack are really all you need. Would also put on lots of sunscreen! The guides make the hike fun with their stories and the snow slides we went down. Overall one of the best experiences we’ve ever had!
Didn’t do the hike due to weather
GoPlaces286190,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00We didn’t get to go. It was canceled due to weather . We got it rescheduled 3 times and even switched to encounter experience but was also canceled
Amazing experience! Was...
Megan A,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience! Was easy and very well organised. Not too tough on the hiking side. Great guides made the day very enjoyable.
Worth it, if you are able to do hiking activities.
Camper64321288826,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lifetime experience. Our guide Abbey was bubbly and knowledgeable, and kept the entire trip fun. Could be a little challenging for those who have difficulty walking due to the terrain of the glaciers. *Each day's route may be different. Amazing views.
Once in a lifetime adventure
Mary Clare S,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This experience was amazing - all aspects. The staff are so professional yet enthusiastic. The safety briefings and descriptions of contingency plans conveyed how seriously they take safety. There’s no describing the thrill of the helicopter lifting off and heading up to the glacier - wow! It was my first time ever in a helicopter and it was so amazing. It had snowed the night before and the whole landing/hiking site was covered in fresh snow. Out guide Jule provided the perfect blend of mountain skills, story telling and excitement as she led us on our hike. The glacier is stunningly beautiful - blue ice peaks, shear rock cliffs, coursing waterfalls and towering mountaintops. Everything came together to make this an adventure of a lifetime.
Awesome time on the tears Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere.
Phil J,
Oct 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The weather made all the difference. Beautiful clear sky , fresh laid snow and a great team that really looked after us. We felt real special and we had a small group that made it all the more personable. Thanks Jack for your insightful knowledge of the glacier.
Missed a bit but the weather can’t be tamed.
Jodi L,
Oct 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00We were meant to do a heli hike but weather meant we only did a short encounter. Totally ok and understand you can’t control the weather and we were given an option to delay to the next day. We were a little cramped in the helicopter and my husband didn’t see anything because of this. The time on the glacier was shorter than I would’ve liked. It was still a great adventure but perhaps less people in the helicopter would have meant a better experience.
great adventure, guides
newsqn,
Oct 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I can't say enough about how great this experience was: great guides, equipment, safety concerns; I've hiked Kilimanjaro and this was comparable re scenery, adventure! worth every penny! it's a must adventure if you're in the area
A definite must do
BobbyBR,
Sep 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The staff assisted with rebooking our tour when the weather prevented a flight. We were successful on the third day, and it was well worth the wait. The helicopter flight was amazing and the two hour hike on the glacier was even better. The staff was safety conscious during the hike. You will have a better chance of success if you book the early morning flights as weather can change quickly. This is a “must do” activity.
Amazing tour 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
P4542FIjasminew,
Sep 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great tour with our guide Hannah. She made sure everyone was safe and catered for the whole time, was very knowledgeable about the glacier and so much fun! We had a great morning - one of the highlights of our NZ trip! Thank you Hannah and team 🤍
From NZ$815.39
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Operated by Franz Josef Glacier Guides