Franz Josef: Scenic Helicopter Flight & Glacier Landing

About This Experience

This one-hour trip pairs a short helicopter flight with up to 15 minutes standing on Franz Josef Glacier (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere), with a guide beside you. Franz Josef Glacier Guides runs it from its base in Franz Josef township, and it costs from $395 per person. It has a 4.2 from 3 GetYourGuide reviews, very few so far. The hour runs from the safety briefing to your return, and groups are limited to six people.

You start with a 20-minute safety briefing at the Franz Josef Glacier Guides base, then walk about five minutes to the helipad. The flight up takes about seven minutes, over rainforest with the coastline and the Southern Alps in view, and lands high on the icefall at around 1,300 meters. You spend up to 15 minutes on the ice while your guide tells you about the glacier. A five-minute flight and a short walk bring you back to the base.

Choose it if you want to stand on the glacier itself without the effort of a heli-hike. You do not hike and need no specialist equipment, and children from 4 can join. A guide stays with you on the ice, which the scenic flights do not offer, but you see less of the mountains than on a 20 to 35 minute scenic flight. The trip is not suitable for children under 4 or for pregnant women.

With only three reviews and no low-star themes, the listing has little track record to go on. Departures need at least four guests; if that minimum is not met, you can move to another departure or take a full refund. Weather can cancel the flight, and Franz Josef Glacier Guides makes its final call just before departure. Book early in your stay and keep a spare day. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund.

Highlights

• Land high on the Franz Josef icefall at around 1,300 meters
• Stand on the glacier itself, with no hiking or crampons needed
• Fly over rainforest with the coastline and Southern Alps in view
• Hear stories about the glacier from your guide on the ice
• Keep the whole outing to about an hour from briefing to return

What's Included

• ✓ Safety briefing (about 20 minutes)
• ✓ Scenic helicopter flight to and from Franz Josef Glacier
• ✓ Glacier landing on Franz Josef Glacier (weather permitting)
• ✓ Up to 15 minutes on the glacier
• ✓ Guide providing commentary and storytelling
• ✓ Small group, limited to six people

Not Included

• Food and drinks
• Transport to the meeting point

What to Bring

• Warm clothing suitable for an alpine environment
• Sunglasses (essential)
• Camera

Good to Know & Caveats

• At least four guests are needed; if the minimum is not met, you can move to another departure or take a full refund
• Sunglasses are essential for the glare on the ice
• Wear warm clothing suited to an alpine environment
• Weather can cancel the flight; the final call is made just before departure
• Few reviews so far (3)

Meeting Point

Check in at the Franz Josef Glacier Guides base in Franz Josef township, 15 minutes before departure; the exact address is on your voucher.