Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike
Overview
Discover the best of New Zealand’s natural beauty on this small-group 2 hour 30 minute Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike. Travel by helicopter to the Pinnacles area of the glacier with your guide. Navigate your way through the maze of ice on your moderately difficult hike. Learn of the dramatic environmental changes affecting the glacier and gain insight into the geological forces at play. Group size is limited to 11 to ensure a personalized experience.
What's Included
- Commentary of local region, glaciology and Maori stories
- All hiking equipment (Gore-tex jackets, over trousers, woolen hats and gloves, leather boots, crampons)
- Round-trip helicopter flights to Franz Josef Glacier
- Exclusive access to the Franz Josef Glacier - only we can take you there
- Option for a longer glacier adventure with the Extended hike (select option)
- Expert ice-guides
- 2-hours 15 minutes (approx.) guided glacier walk
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting Location
Te Ao Marama
Glacier Base, 63 cron street Franz Josef Glacier Franz Josef Glacier, Franz Josef / Waiau 7886, New Zealand
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Book Online
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Franz Josef Glacier
2 hours Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Minimum age is 10 years old for the 2.5 hour trip and 14 for the 5.5 hour trip
- Minimum weight is 35kg, Maximum weight 115kg
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Glacier walks are moderately difficult, clients need to be fit and able. Refunds will not be available for clients who cannot participate on the day due to inappropriate fitness levels, i.e. it is important you are selecting the right trip for your physical fitness ability. Guides reserve the right to curtail or cancel trips for clients whose fitness is not appropriate
- Operates in most weather conditions, please dress appropriately. Two to four warm upper- body layers of clothing are recommended, quick-drying trousers or shorts (no jeans), a hat and gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen and a camera
- The Operator reserves the absolute right to cancel or vary any service for any reason including as a result of weather conditions, insufficient reservations or any unforeseen event or circumstance. These trips are weather dependent.
- For Health and Safety reasons, we are unable to guide pregnant women. Please note: We have a weight limit of 115kg per person on the Heli Hike.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-2524HDICE
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.83 out of 5 stars based on 589 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZDT).
- Commentary of local region, glaciology and Maori stories.
- All hiking equipment (Gore-tex jackets, over trousers, woolen hats and gloves, leather boots, crampons).
- Round-trip helicopter flights to Franz Josef Glacier.
- Exclusive access to the Franz Josef Glacier - only we can take you there.
- Option for a longer glacier adventure with the Extended hike (select option).
- Expert ice-guides.
- 2-hours 15 minutes (approx.) guided glacier walk.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 10. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Commentary of local region, glaciology and Maori stories
- All hiking equipment (Gore-tex jackets, over trousers, woolen hats and gloves, leather boots, crampons)
- Round-trip helicopter flights to Franz Josef Glacier
- Exclusive access to the Franz Josef Glacier - only we can take you there
- Option for a longer glacier adventure with the Extended hike (select option)
- Expert ice-guides
- 2-hours 15 minutes (approx.) guided glacier walk
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Minimum age is 10 years old for the 2.5 hour trip and 14 for the 5.5 hour trip
- Minimum weight is 35kg, Maximum weight 115kg
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Glacier walks are moderately difficult, clients need to be fit and able. Refunds will not be available for clients who cannot participate on the day due to inappropriate fitness levels, i.e. it is important you are selecting the right trip for your physical fitness ability. Guides reserve the right to curtail or cancel trips for clients whose fitness is not appropriate
- Operates in most weather conditions, please dress appropriately. Two to four warm upper- body layers of clothing are recommended, quick-drying trousers or shorts (no jeans), a hat and gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen and a camera
- The Operator reserves the absolute right to cancel or vary any service for any reason including as a result of weather conditions, insufficient reservations or any unforeseen event or circumstance. These trips are weather dependent.
- For Health and Safety reasons, we are unable to guide pregnant women. Please note: We have a weight limit of 115kg per person on the Heli Hike.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travelers
