Heli-hike: Helicopter flight and guided glacier walk on the Franz Josef Glacier

Experience the breathtaking Franz Josef Glacier up close on this unique heli-hike—a combination of a scenic helicopter ride and a guided glacier walk right in the heart of Westland Tai Poutini National Park.

Your adventure begins at the meeting point, where you’ll meet your guide and receive a full safety briefing to prepare you for the day ahead. All the essential gear will be provided before you take the short walk over to the helipad.

Then it’s time for a truly spectacular helicopter flight, soaring above lush rainforest and sweeping over the glacier’s vibrant blue ice landscape. Take in the stunning views of the Southern Alps and dramatic icefalls as you fly, before touching down on a secure section of the glacier itself.

After landing, your guide will lead you on an approximately two-hour glacier walk. You’ll make your way through a changing landscape of deep crevasses, towering ice formations, and, if conditions allow, even ice caves. This is your chance to feel the ice beneath your feet, hear its characteristic creaks, and marvel at the intense blue tones found only in living glaciers. Your guide will share insights into the glacier’s movement, history, and natural environment, while the route is adapted each day according to conditions to ensure the highest level of safety and enjoyment.

Following your walk, the helicopter will return you to Franz Josef, where you’ll hand back your equipment and your tour will come to an end.

Start and end point: Franz Josef Glacier Guides Base, Cron Street, Franz Josef (exact address and meeting time will be shown on your voucher). Please note that you are responsible for your own transport to and from the meeting point, and you must arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start.

Duration: Approx. 3.5–4 hours (including safety briefing, helicopter transfers, and around 2 hours walking on the glacier).

Difficulty: Moderate. The tour requires a normal level of fitness and you should feel confident walking on uneven terrain.

Group size: Maximum 11 people per guide.

Price includes: Helicopter flights, professional glacier guide, crampons (for ice walking), harness, helmet, waterproof jacket, waterproof over-trousers, walking boots and socks, hiking poles, waist bag for crampons and small personal items, warm hat, and gloves.

Remember to bring: Layered clothing, good walking trousers (not jeans), sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen, hat & gloves (these can also be borrowed if needed), camera, and any water or snacks you might want.
(Leave all other loose belongings—such as cash, credit cards, or car keys—at your accommodation or with Glacier Guides’ office staff).

Important information: There are 2–3 daily departures except on December 25th. Tours operate year-round, but the best weather is usually from September to April.
The minimum age is 10 years, with a minimum weight of 35 kg and a minimum height of 137 cm.
The maximum weight per person is 115 kg. For safety reasons, pregnant women over 12 weeks cannot take part. You are also unable to join this tour if you have knee or ankle injuries, back problems, heart conditions, high or low blood pressure, diabetes, or severe asthma.

A minimum of 4 participants is required for the tour to run. If this number isn’t reached, you will of course receive a full refund.

Helicopter flights are inherently risky and you will need to sign a risk acknowledgement statement before joining the tour. Please check with your travel insurance provider to make sure you’re covered for this kind of activity.

This tour is dependent on both weather and safety conditions and may be altered or cancelled at short notice.
The ever-changing weather, which shapes the dramatic west coast landscape, can affect whether the tour can go ahead. Franz Josef Glacier Guides never compromise on safety, so if conditions are unsafe, the tour will be cancelled. You’ll receive a full refund if your tour is cancelled due to weather.

A four-hour window of clear weather is needed to run the heli-hike. As conditions can change rapidly, the weather forecast and glacier conditions are monitored closely throughout the day to ensure the safest possible decision is made.

The final decision on the weather is usually made just before departure time. We therefore recommend you contact Franz Josef Glacier Guides on the morning of your planned tour for the very latest updates.

If possible, we recommend setting aside at least two days in the Franz Josef area to maximise your chances of joining a heli-hike.