"Wow what an experience! Everything was amazing from start to finish. We were very lucky with the weather, and Alex and Tom were fantastic guides throughout the hike. 100% recommend. A must do NZ experience."
Walk on the Ice
Franz Josef Heli-Hike
Fly up, then walk the icefall with a guide.
From
$508
per person
Free cancellation
- 4.7 / 5 404+ Reviews
- About 4 hours (heli-hike) Duration
- 10+ Minimum Age
- 115 kg Weight Limit
- Free Cancellation
Book Your Flight
Check Availability & Prices
Select your preferred date and time. Instant confirmation — free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
The Experience
What the Franz Josef Heli-Hike Includes
A short helicopter transfer onto the glacier, up to 2.5 hours on the ice with a guide, and all the glacier gear, from $508 per person.
Highlights
- Helicopter transfer onto Franz Josef Glacier, about 4 minutes each way
- Up to 2.5 hours walking on the ice with a guide
- Crevasses, ice formations and blue ice caves when conditions allow
- Flight over rainforest and the glacier valley
- Small-group departures
- Gear fitting and briefing at the base in Franz Josef township
What's Included
- Helicopter transfer to and from the glacier
- Guided glacier hike with a professional guide
- Glacier gear: boots, crampons, poles, waterproofs, helmet and gloves
- Safety briefings
- Up to 2.5 hours on the ice, weather permitting
How the Heli-Hike Works
Four steps from the Franz Josef Glacier Guides office to the ice and back, as the listing describes them.
Book your first full day
Reserve on GetYourGuide from $508 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. The operator recommends your first available day in Franz Josef, so a weather cancellation leaves you time to rebook.
Check in and gear up
Check in at Franz Josef Glacier Guides in the township 15 minutes before your trip. You are fitted with boots, crampons, poles, waterproof gear, a helmet and gloves, then given a safety briefing.
Walk to the helipad and fly
A short walk takes you to the helipad. The helicopter transfer up the valley, over rainforest and the glacier, takes around 4 minutes each way, and lands you high on the glacier.
Hike the ice, then fly back
Strap on crampons and follow your guide for up to 2.5 hours among crevasses and ice formations. The route changes with the glacier. The helicopter then carries you back down to the valley.
Photo Gallery
Franz Josef Heli-Hike Photos
The icefall, crampons and crevasses on a guided walk on Franz Josef Glacier.
Three Ways onto the Ice Compared
The Franz Josef heli-hike, the Fox Glacier heli-hike and a 15-minute glacier landing. Prices are per person in US dollars, checked October 2026; the live price for your date is on the booking page.
| Feature | 404 REVIEWS Franz Josef Heli-Hike | Fox Glacier Heli-Hike | Franz Josef Glacier Landing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $508 | $480 | $395 |
| Time on the ice | Up to 2.5 hours | Up to 3 hours | Up to 15 minutes |
| Total time | About 4 hours from check-in | 4 hours | 1 hour |
| Starts from | Franz Josef township | 44 Main Road, Fox Glacier | Franz Josef township |
| Operator | Franz Josef Glacier Guides | Fox Glacier Guiding | Franz Josef Glacier Guides |
| Minimum age | 10 (and 35 kg, 137 cm) | Not suitable under 9 | 4 |
| Weight limit | 115 kg | Restrictions over 116 kg | No weight limit stated by FJGG |
| Hiking and crampons | ✓ Guided hike in crampons | ✓ Guided hike in crampons | ✗ No hiking or special gear |
| Rating | ★ 4.7 (404) | ★ 4.9 (370) | ★ 4.2 (3) |
| Book Now | See Details | See Details |
Other Ways onto the Ice
More Heli-Hikes and Glacier Landings
A full day on Franz Josef, the Fox Glacier heli-hike, a 15-minute glacier landing with no hiking, and the day trip from Queenstown.
UP TO 5.5 H ON THE ICEFranz Josef: Extended Heli-Hike with Lunch (Small Group)
An 8-hour heli-hike on Franz Josef Glacier with up to 5.5 hours on the ice, lunch on the glacier and no more than four guests per guide.
FOX GLACIER HELI-HIKEFox Glacier: Up to 3 Hours Hike with Helicopter Transfer
Two short helicopter flights and up to 3 hours of guided walking on Fox Glacier, from Fox Glacier village. From $480 per person, 4.9 from 370 reviews.
UP TO 15 MIN ON ICEFranz Josef: Scenic Helicopter Flight & Glacier Landing
A one-hour trip from Franz Josef: a short helicopter flight to the icefall and up to 15 minutes on the glacier with a guide.
STARTS IN QUEENSTOWNQueenstown: Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike & Scenic Flight
A 6.5-hour day trip from Queenstown: plane to Franz Josef, helicopter onto the glacier and a two-hour guided hike, then back.
Heli-Hike Guide
Franz Josef Heli-Hike: What to Expect
How hard it is, who can go, what you wear and what happens when the helicopter cannot fly.
To walk on the ice at Franz Josef, book the Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike with Helicopter Transfer. A helicopter carries you up the valley in around 4 minutes, you spend up to 2.5 hours on the glacier in crampons with a guide, and the whole trip takes about 4 hours from check-in. It costs from $508 per person and is rated 4.7 from 404 GetYourGuide reviews. You need to be at least 10 years old, 35 kg and 137 cm tall, and no heavier than 115 kg.
Franz Josef Glacier Guides runs the guided walks on Franz Josef Glacier (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere), and the company says it is the only one that can take you onto the ice; INFLITE flies its helicopter transfers. Walking onto the glacier from the valley ended around 2011 to 2012, when the river cut off the route, so today every guided trip onto the ice starts with a helicopter.
Quick picks
- First time on a glacier: the $508 heli-hike, up to 2.5 hours on the ice and the most reviews of the heli-hikes here.
- A whole day on the ice: the Extended Heli-Hike with Lunch (Small Group), from $876, with up to about 5.5 hours on the ice, a picnic lunch on the glacier and no more than four guests per guide. Over-14s only, and it has a single review so far.
- Staying in Fox Glacier: Fox Glacier: Up to 3 Hours Hike with Helicopter Transfer, from $480 and rated 4.9 from 370 reviews. Our Fox Glacier page covers it.
- Children aged 4 to 9, or no hiking: the Scenic Helicopter Flight & Glacier Landing, from $395, gives you up to 15 minutes standing on the glacier with a guide. It has only 3 reviews.
- Based in Queenstown: Queenstown: Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike & Scenic Flight, from $1,128, flies you over the Alps and back in a day with 2 hours on the ice. See heli-hikes from Queenstown.
How hard the heli-hike is
Franz Josef Glacier Guides calls the fitness needed moderate. Its test is simple: if you can walk comfortably for 2 to 3 hours on uneven ground, including steps cut into the ice, you will likely manage. The GetYourGuide listing says the terrain is variable and reasonably challenging and asks for a reasonable level of fitness and agility. It is not suitable for people with back problems.
Expect a slow pace. Crampons grip well, but every step on ice needs attention, and the guide cuts fresh steps as the group moves. The route changes with the glacier, so the guide chooses it on the day and sets the pace for the whole group, which on the standard trip means one guide to as many as 11 guests. Part of your time on the ice is spent waiting while the guide works ahead, and one reviewer felt the walking itself was far shorter than the time on the glacier. If you want more walking and a smaller group, the extended trip caps each group at four.
Who can go: age, weight and height
The heli-hike has firm limits, and the operator checks them at check-in:
- Age: at least 10. The extended heli-hike starts at 14, the Fox Glacier heli-hike excludes children under 9, and the Glacier Landing takes children from 4.
- Weight: 35 kg to 115 kg on the Franz Josef heli-hike. FJGG says the minimum can rise to 40 kg on slick days.
- Height: at least 137 cm.
- Pregnancy: the listing does not allow pregnant women to take part.
Weight rules differ between operators, and between scenic flights and hikes. Our what to wear and expect guide lists them operator by operator, with the child rules for each trip.
What you wear and what you are given
The listing includes crampons, boots, walking poles, waterproof gear, a helmet and gloves, and FJGG adds a harness, socks, a waist pack and a warm hat. You bring the layers underneath: warm base layers, long pants (no jeans), sunglasses, which FJGG calls essential because of the glare off the ice, and sunscreen. The listing also suggests a camera and a reusable water bottle. Food and drinks are not included, so eat before you check in.
Leave luggage, large bags, drones and selfie sticks behind; none of them are allowed on the trip. The what to wear guide has the full packing list and what changes in winter.
If the helicopter cannot fly
The heli-hike runs only when the helicopter can fly, and there is no walking route from the valley as a fallback. FJGG needs a four-hour window of clear weather and makes its final call just before departure. Rain is frequent here: DOC says up to five meters can fall in a year, and FJGG puts the figure at 6 to 8 meters.
If weather cancels the trip, the listing gives you a full refund, or you can move to another departure. FJGG may also offer its shorter Glacier Landing in its place. Weather can turn after you land, too. One reviewer’s hike was called off minutes after the helicopter set them down, and they flew straight back. FJGG’s own terms consider a partial refund when a trip is cut short with less than 1.5 hours on the ice and none at 1.5 hours or more; on a GetYourGuide booking, refunds go through GetYourGuide, so take any question there.
Book the hike for your first full day in Franz Josef and keep a second day free. FJGG suggests allowing at least two days. Our weather and best time guide covers the seasons and cancellations in more detail.
Times, check-in and getting there
Check-in is at the Franz Josef Glacier Guides office in the township, 15 minutes before your trip, and it closes at that point. There is no hotel pickup. In summer FJGG runs the heli-hike at 7:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; the time on your booking is the one to follow. Allow about 4 hours from check-in to the end, and do not book a long drive straight afterwards.
Franz Josef or Fox for a heli-hike
Glacier Country Helicopters says there is just one heli-hike company at each glacier. The Fox Glacier trip starts at 44 Main Road in Fox Glacier village, about 24 km and 25 minutes’ drive south, gives you up to 3 hours on the ice and takes 4 hours in all, at $480. Its listing does not allow guest changes or refunds inside 24 hours of the trip. If you are staying in Fox, it saves the drive; if you are staying in Franz Josef, the $508 trip checks in right in the township. Our Franz Josef or Fox guide compares the two villages.
Heli-hike or scenic flight
A heli-hike gives you about 8 minutes in the air and hours on the ice. A scenic flight lasts 20 to 60 minutes, landing included, with a few minutes on the snow. If the view across the névé to Aoraki/Mt Cook matters more to you than walking among crevasses, a snow landing flight fits better and costs less. Our heli-hike vs scenic flight guide sets the two side by side, including the free valley walk.
Pick a day early in your stay, then check availability for the heli-hike.
Guest Reviews
What Heli-Hikers Say
4.7/5
from 404 verified GetYourGuide passengers
Ratings and review counts are the operators' live figures on GetYourGuide and may shift slightly day to day.
"From the safety brief, the amazing Heli ride to the engaging guide on the glacier, it was perfection and a trip of a lifetime"
"This was incredible!! We got very lucky and had a beautiful sunny day. The helicopter was awesome, the pilot was friendly, the guides were fantastic and the glacier itself was spectacular. 10/10 experience!"
"It was truly amazing, the guides were super knowledgeable, but also easy to just chat with! It was pretty chill and we were absolutely lucky with the weather. I can definitely recommend doing it, I think you definitely get your moneys wortg :)"
"Depending on the day, you can get a small group and you will have more time with the tour guide. It such an amazing experience because you get to see the glaciers. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and passionate with what they do. Also, they provide everything (gloves, boots, coat, socks, etc.)"
"so good! Our guides, Rebecca and Tom were excellent. The helicopter flight up with our pilot James was awesome. The hike itself was really fun, and challenging without being scary or hard. We really loved it and will definitely give glacier hiking another go !"
"We did the helihike in June. Our original booking was cancelled due to rain but we had planned an extra day for such things. The second day dawned bright and clear. You get geared up with Goretex jacket and pants-what you wear under that is all you. We ended up loosing layers while on the glacier. We had 12 in our group so going was not fast paced. The staff had been up early carving out the route that had been destroyed by the rain. It was a wonderful day. A very neat experience to interact with nature in this way b"
"kirk was awesome! best guide ever! really kind, great stories and cool dude."
Read all 404 verified reviews
See All ReviewsBook the Franz Josef Heli-Hike
Up to 2.5 hours on the ice with a guide and all the glacier gear, from $508 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Starting from $508 per person.
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More tours and times nearby. Each listing shows its own cancellation policy.
Franz Josef Heli-Hike: Common Questions
Difficulty, time on the ice, age and weight rules, clothing, weather days and how the Franz Josef heli-hike compares with Fox.
It needs moderate fitness. Franz Josef Glacier Guides says that if you can walk comfortably for 2 to 3 hours on uneven ground, including steps cut into the ice, you will likely manage. The listing calls the terrain variable and reasonably challenging and rules out people with back problems. The pace is slow, the guide cuts steps as you go, and the group often waits while the guide works ahead.
Allow about 4 hours from check-in to the end. That includes the gear fitting and safety briefing, a helicopter transfer of around 4 minutes each way, and up to 2.5 hours on the ice. The Helicopter Line, which also sells the trip, describes it as a 2-hour hike, so expect roughly 2 to 2.5 hours on the glacier depending on conditions and the group.
On the Franz Josef heli-hike you must be at least 10 years old, weigh at least 35 kg and stand at least 137 cm tall, and you cannot take part above 115 kg. FJGG says the minimum weight can rise to 40 kg on slick days. Pregnant women cannot join. Each operator sets its own limits; see our what to wear and expect guide.
Warm base layers, long pants (no jeans), sunglasses and sunscreen. The operator supplies boots, socks, crampons, poles, a waterproof jacket and over-trousers, a helmet, a harness, gloves and a warm hat. Food and drinks are not included, so eat beforehand and bring a reusable water bottle. Drones, selfie sticks and large bags are not allowed on the trip.
The hike only runs if the helicopter can fly, and there is no walking route from the valley as a fallback. FJGG needs a four-hour window of clear weather and decides just before departure. On a weather cancellation the listing offers a full refund or another departure, and FJGG may offer its shorter Glacier Landing. Book your first full day in town and keep a second day free.
No. The river has cut off the route up the valley, and foot access to the ice ended around 2011 to 2012. The free valley walk is 1.7 km return, about 30 minutes, and ends at a viewpoint about 3 km from the terminal face. Stay behind the rope barriers: ice collapse and rockfall can happen at any time. Compare the options in our heli-hike vs scenic flight guide.
The trip is run under New Zealand's Health and Safety at Work (Adventure Activities) Regulations 2016, which The Helicopter Line says FJGG meets. Guides fit your crampons, helmet and harness, cut steps in the ice and choose the route on the day. Trips run only in suitable weather, and FJGG makes the final weather call just before you leave. Follow the guide's instructions on the ice at all times.
The Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike with Helicopter Transfer is rated 4.7 from 404 GetYourGuide reviews. The low-star reviews are few and centre on time: one guest's hike was called off minutes after landing because of weather, and another felt the walking was much shorter than the time spent on the glacier. Expect a slow, guided pace with frequent stops.
On GetYourGuide the standard heli-hike is from $508 per person and the extended small-group heli-hike with lunch from $876, both in US dollars, checked October 2026. Food is not included on the standard trip. The Fox Glacier heli-hike is from $480. Our price guide sets these against the scenic flights.
They are close. The Fox Glacier trip gives up to 3 hours on the ice in a 4-hour trip, from $480, rated 4.9 from 370 reviews, and starts in Fox Glacier village; children under 9 cannot join. The Franz Josef trip gives up to 2.5 hours on the ice, from $508, with a minimum age of 10. Book the one in the village you are staying in. See our Fox Glacier page.
Yes, on one listing. True South Flights' Queenstown day trip, from $1,128 per person, flies you by plane from Queenstown to the West Coast, then by helicopter onto the Franz Josef Icefall for a two-hour hike, and back the same day in about 6.5 hours. It includes hotel pickup and excludes under-10s and anyone over 115 kg. See heli-hikes from Queenstown.
Yes. Franz Josef Glacier Guides' Scenic Helicopter Flight and Glacier Landing, from $395, lands high on the glacier at around 1,300 meters and gives you up to 15 minutes on the ice with a guide, with no hiking or special gear needed. It takes about an hour, children from 4 can join, and it needs a minimum of 4 guests to run. It has only 3 reviews so far.
Still have questions? Email us at info@franzjosefhelicoptertour.com
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Guides
- What to wear and expect on the Franz Josef heli-hike
- What a Franz Josef helicopter flight costs
- Best time to visit Franz Josef Glacier for a helicopter flight
- Franz Josef or Fox Glacier: which village suits your trip?
- Heli-hike or scenic flight at Franz Josef?
- Which Franz Josef helicopter tour should you book?