Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike Tour
Highlights & inclusions
1. Select date
December 2024
2. Select participants
What you can expect
Experience the ultimate bucket-list adventure on a Franz Josef Heli Hike Tour in New Zealand! Take your exploration of the world-famous Franz Josef Glacier to new heights as you soar above jaw-dropping scenery in a helicopter before embarking on a thrilling two-and-a-half-hour hike with experienced Franz Josef Glacier Guides. Suitable for those aged 10 years and over with a reasonable level of fitness and agility.
The Heli Hike Franz Josef tour offers a unique opportunity to witness the ever-changing beauty of Franz Josef both from a bird's eye view and up close and personal with your guide. Made up of spectacular crevasses, ice caves and seracs, no two tours of the glacier are the same, making this a one of a kind experience.
A Franz Josef heli and glacier walk tour allows you to explore parts of the glacier that are only accessible by helicopter. With the help of the knowledgeable Franz Josef Glacier Guides, you'll learn about the glacier's formation, history, and unique features as you navigate through this frozen wonderland. All Franz Josef glacier hiking equipment is provided, so all you need to bring are warm layers and your camera!
For a spectacular glacier experience on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, the Heli Hike Franz Josef tour is sure to deliver. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the Franz Josef Glacier on a heli hike tour.
Location
What you need to know
- Crampons
- Harness
- Helmet
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof over trousers
- Weatherproof walking boots and socks
- Trekking poles
- A small waist pack to carry your crampons and essentials
- A warm hat and gloves
- This experience departs daily at 7:30am, 10:00am and 12:30pm (check in 15 min prior)
- This experience takes place in Franz Josef, New Zealand
- This experience departs from at the Glacier Base Building on 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef
- Warm, breathable base layers such as merino or polypropylene
- Suitable long pants for walking in (jeans are not suitable, tracksuits and leggings are fine)
- Sunglasses (these are essential - if you don't have any with you we have a selection available for purchase at our front desk)
- Sunblock
- Your own warm hat and gloves if you prefer
- Your camera or phone
- A small water bottle and snack if you need one
- Please leave the following items behind: Valuables such as your passport, wallet and car keys; portable chargers and spare camera batteries
- Heli Hike Tours are operated by Inflite with guiding services provided by Franz Josef Glacier Guides.
- Inflite adheres to the highest safety standards to ensure ongoing safety for both guests and our team.
- They will be delighted to welcome you as a guest provided you:
- Weigh less than 115kg (253.5lb)
- Are not pregnant
- Are over the age of 10 years old, the weight of 35kg and the height of 137cm tall
- Are not under the influence of intoxicating drugs or alcohol
- Have not been assessed by a lead guide as lacking the required fitness to complete the trip
- Restrictions:
- Existing or previous medical conditions including (but not limited to) those listed below may have an impact on your ability to participate in our Glacier Heli Hike.
- It's important that you advise us of the following when making your booking:
- Ankle or knee injuries
- ACL damage
- Joint replacements or dislocations
- Neck or back injuries
- Heart conditions and high / low blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Severe asthma
- If you have any doubt about your ability to participate in the trip we recommend you consult your medical practitioner prior to booking
- In addition to this, the lead guides may need to restrict guest participation on a Heli Hike Trip based on the specific conditions of the glacier on the day
- The changeable weather that shapes our dramatic landscape on the West Coast can also impact this tour's ability to operate. The operator will not compromise the safety of guests or staff in any circumstance, so if the weather conditions mean it's not safe to operate a trip we will cancel it. All trips cancelled due to weather will be refunded.
- The operator needs a four-hour window of clear weather to operate the Heli Hike, and because the weather is so changeable we are constantly monitoring weather reports and conditions on the glacier to make the safest and most accurate decision.
- Since the final weather call is made just before the trip departure, the best way to stay informed is to talk to the operator on the morning of your scheduled trip.
- Change your booking up to 24 hours before the start time of your experience
- Changes are not permitted within 24 hours of your experience
- Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience
- Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
- Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
- Mobile Vouchers are accepted! - Vouchers can also be presented on your mobile device for this attraction
- Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control
- For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
- We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 24 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
Need help?
- Email us at enquiry@experienceoz.com.au
- Help code: D2B-68F8
- This experience is supplied by Franz Josef Glacier Guides
