Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike with Helicopter Transfer

About This Experience

The Franz Josef Glacier Guides heli-hike pairs a short helicopter transfer with up to 2.5 hours of guided walking on Franz Josef Glacier. From check-in to finish it takes about 4 hours, although GetYourGuide's card shows 4 to 8 hours. The guiding company says it is the only one that can take you onto this glacier, and INFLITE flies its helicopters.

You check in at the guiding company's base in Franz Josef township 15 minutes before departure. Staff fit you with boots, crampons and waterproof gear, and a safety briefing follows. You then walk to the helipad for a flight of around 4 minutes each way over rainforest and up the glacier valley, landing high on the main icefall. Your guide then runs through crampon use and how the group moves on the ice before you set off.

On the ice your guide cuts steps and picks a route through crevasses, ice formations and, when conditions allow, blue ice caves. Routes change from trip to trip with the moving ice. The hike suits you if you are reasonably fit and agile and want time on the glacier on foot. At $508 per person it costs more than a scenic flight with a snow landing.

Two low-star reviews describe the downside. One group was flown up and back down within minutes when conditions changed, and another found the actual walking shorter than expected once briefings and waiting were counted. The guiding company needs a four-hour window of clear weather, and if the helicopter cannot fly, the hike does not run. Book it for your first day in Franz Josef and keep at least two days spare.

Highlights

• Up to 2.5 hours of guided walking on Franz Josef Glacier
• Landing high on the main icefall
• Crevasses, ice formations and blue ice caves when conditions allow
• Helicopter transfer of around 4 minutes each way over rainforest
• A route that changes with the moving ice
• Small group departures

What's Included

• ✓ Scenic helicopter transfer to and from the glacier
• ✓ Guided glacier hike with a professional guide
• ✓ Glacier equipment: crampons, boots, poles, waterproof gear, helmet and gloves
• ✓ Safety briefings before the flight and on the ice
• ✓ Full refund if the trip does not go ahead

Not Included

• Food and drinks
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

What to Bring

• Warm clothing, with breathable base layers
• Long pants (no jeans)
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Reusable water bottle

Good to Know & Caveats

• Check in 15 minutes before departure; check-in closes 15 minutes before the trip leaves.
• Children must be at least 10 years old, weigh at least 35 kg and stand at least 137 cm tall. The maximum weight is 115 kg, and pregnant women cannot take part.
• Every trip depends on the weather. Book for your first day in Franz Josef and keep at least two days free; a canceled trip gets a full refund, and GetYourGuide's free cancellation runs up to 24 hours before.
• You need reasonable fitness and agility for uneven, sometimes steep ice. If you can walk comfortably for 2 to 3 hours on rough ground, including steps cut into ice, you will likely manage.
• Luggage, large bags, drones, selfie sticks and vaping are not allowed.

Meeting Point

Check in at the Franz Josef Glacier Guides base in Franz Josef township; the exact address is on your voucher.