Franz Josef: Grand Circle 60 Minute Scenic Flight

About This Experience

This hour-long flight from Franz Josef crosses the Main Divide of the Southern Alps and lands on the Tasman Glacier, on the Aoraki/Mt Cook side of the range. INFLITE Mt Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters runs it, and it costs from $395 per person. It has a 4.3 from 13 GetYourGuide reviews, few reviews so far. The listed starting point is 69 Cron Street, Franz Josef, and groups are limited to six passengers. The operator emails your exact flight time after booking.

After a safety briefing you take off from the Franz Josef heliport and head south over native rainforest, Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier and the La Perouse and Balfour glaciers, with Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman in view. You then cross the Main Divide and land on the Tasman Glacier, about 23 km long and New Zealand's longest. The helicopter shuts down completely on the landing, so you get quiet and time for photos. The return flight brings you back down Franz Josef Glacier to the heliport.

Choose it if you want to see both sides of the Southern Alps and land on the Tasman Glacier without starting from Mt Cook village. INFLITE says it is the only West Coast operator landing on the Tasman Glacier. This counts as a glacier landing, which INFLITE describes as having more reliable snow year-round than its alpine landings. Passengers over 116 kg cannot fly, and the combined weight of a group can also force a reschedule.

The listing has no low-star review themes, but a one-hour route over the Main Divide needs good weather on both sides of the range. Weather cancellations are fully refundable. Your flight date and time can also differ from the one you requested, and if you cannot make the new time you get a full refund. Book it early in your stay so you have spare days. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund.

Highlights

• Cross the Main Divide of the Southern Alps from the West Coast
• See Franz Josef, Fox, La Perouse and Balfour glaciers on the way south
• Look up at Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Tasman
• Land on the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's longest, weather permitting
• Stand in silence on the ice while the helicopter shuts down

What's Included

• ✓ 60-minute scenic helicopter flight from Franz Josef
• ✓ Glacier landing on the Tasman Glacier (weather permitting)
• ✓ Safety briefing
• ✓ Engine shut-down on the landing for quiet and photos
• ✓ Small group, limited to six passengers
• ✓ Full refund if weather cancels the flight

Not Included

• Food and drinks
• Passengers over 116 kg

What to Bring

• Warm layers
• Closed-toe shoes
• Sunglasses
• Camera

Good to Know & Caveats

• The operator emails your exact flight date and time after booking, and it can differ from the one you requested; if you cannot make it, you get a full refund
• Weather cancellations are fully refundable
• The passenger weight limit is 116 kg (255 lbs), and weight and balance limits apply to the whole aircraft
• If the combined passenger weight reaches the safety limit, your flight may be rescheduled, with the option to cancel for a full refund
• Few reviews so far (13), with an average of 4.3

Meeting Point

The listed starting point is 69 Cron Street, Franz Josef / Waiau; confirm the check-in time in the operator's email.