Franz Josef: 4-Glacier Helicopter Ride with 2 Landings

About This Experience

This one-hour Glacier Country Helicopters flight covers four glaciers (Franz Josef, Fox, Tasman and Shackleton) and sets down twice on snow. The hour includes both landings. You check in at the Franz Josef office 30 minutes beforehand for weighing and a safety briefing, then take a van to the hangar. Passengers of 120 kg or more, gear included, pay for a Comfort Seat at half the flight price.

After take-off you cross the terminal moraine of Franz Josef Glacier and climb up the valley to the névé. The route continues to Fox Glacier and the Tasman, New Zealand's longest glacier, then on to the Shackleton Glacier and the ice lake beside it. Aoraki/Mt Cook rises along the way, and the pilot points out an area the listing ties to the beacon-lighting scenes in The Lord of the Rings films.

You land at two snow sites in Westland Tai Poutini National Park, weather permitting. The listing does not give minutes for each stop, so take the photo time as unhurried but not fixed. At $506 per person the flight suits you if you want the longest route the operator sells here, and the 45-minute three-glacier flight at $393 covers much of the same ground with one landing.

The listing has 30 reviews and a 4.8 rating, with no low-star reviews yet. The operator warns that weather can change or cancel the route at short notice, and it reprices a flight that cannot land. Flights also need minimum numbers to leave. Keep a second day free in Franz Josef in case the weather shuts the route, and book the flight early in your stay.

Highlights

• Four glaciers: Franz Josef, Fox, Tasman and Shackleton
• Two separate snow landings
• Ice lake beside the Shackleton Glacier
• Aoraki/Mt Cook and the high peaks of the Southern Alps
• Area linked to the beacon-lighting scenes in The Lord of the Rings
• Pilot commentary across the full 60 minutes

What's Included

• ✓ Safety briefing at the Franz Josef office
• ✓ Van transfer to the helicopter hangar
• ✓ 60-minute helicopter flight with an experienced pilot
• ✓ Headset with guided commentary
• ✓ Two snow landings (weather permitting)

Not Included

• Comfort Seat, compulsory at half the flight price for passengers weighing 120 kg or more at check-in
• Front seat request
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

What to Bring

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

Good to Know & Caveats

• The route can change or be canceled at short notice for weather. A weather cancellation gets you a reschedule or a full refund through GetYourGuide; free cancellation runs up to 24 hours before.
• Flights need minimum numbers to depart. If too few people book, you are offered a reschedule or a full refund.
• Passengers of 120 kg or more when weighed at check-in, gear included, must buy a Comfort Seat at half the flight price.
• Check in 30 minutes before your flight time at 10 Main Road, Franz Josef.

Meeting Point

Check in at the Glacier Country Helicopters office at 10 Main Road, Franz Josef township; a van then takes you to the hangar.