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Franz Josef Heli Hiking Guided Tour

star-4.5202 Reviews
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Franz Josef, New Zealand
Franz Josef Heli Hiking Guided Tour
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Franz Josef Heli Hiking Guided Tour
Heli Hiking Franz Josef

From $333.34

Lowest Price Guarantee

Select Date and Travelers

Number of travelers
0 Adults1 Adult2 Adults3 Adults4 Adults5 Adults6 Adults7 Adults8 Adults9 Adults0 Children1 Child2 Children3 Children4 Children5 Children6 Children7 Children8 Children9 Children
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
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Safety measures
icon3 hours  (Approx.)
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English
Good for avoiding crowds

Overview

Experience a Franz Josef Glacier heli-hike as you explore ice caves and other glacial terrain with a professional guide.  Then don provided boots, jacket and ice axe for a guided hike past deep crevasses and towering ice-blue pinnacles before the return chopper ride down. Choose from seasonal departure times to suit your schedule.
  • Franz Josef Glacier helicopter tour and guided hike
  • Take a helicopter flight between two icefalls
  • Follow a professional guide on a hike on the glacial terrain
  • Equipment provided, including glacier boots and ice crampons

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

Expert mountaineering guides and equipment make this tour ideal for first-time glacier hikers.
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From $333.34

Lowest Price Guarantee
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Helicopter ride
Professional guide
2-hour hike on the glacier
Use of gear (glacier boots, talons, socks, ice axe, waterproof jacket)
Gratuities
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Departure Point

Franz Josef, Main South Road SH6, Franz Josef 7856, New Zealand

Return Details

Returns to original departure point
Start your Franz Josef Glacier tour at a helicopter base in town. Receive a safety briefing and be fitted with provided gear including a waterproof jacket, glacier boots with socks and ice crampons, and an ice axe.

Then board the AS355 twin-engine Squirrel, a helicopter whose open-plan cabin offers prime views for all six passengers. Hover above remote landscapes with access to the 7.5-mile-long (12-km) Franz Josef Glacier. Fly right by towering peaks, over deep crevasses, and past pristine blue waterways. Admire the sparkling ice before an exciting landing high up on the glacier between two icefalls.

Then hop out to begin your guided hike over the picturesque icy terrain, most often seen only by skilled mountaineers.

Clamber in and around ice caves as your guide points out dramatic pinnacles and seracs, and learn about the history and current conditions of Franz Josef Glacier. Enjoy plenty of photo ops before you reboard the helicopter for the ride back to town.
  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Minimum age is 8 years
  • It is recommended that you wear sturdy footwear and bring warm layers due to cold temperatures
  • Moderate level of fitness is required
  • Subject to favorable weather conditions; if canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
  • Please note: A guided walk among ice caves is usually part of the tour but all tour activities are dependent on the weather
  • Maximum weight limit of 120kg per person including gear / Minimum child weight 30kg (subject to ice conditions)
  • What to bring
  • Warm upper-body clothing (preferably 3-4 layers)
  • Leggings or light trousers, although shorts are acceptable
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Waterproof jacket (provided if you don't have one)
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 22 travelers
  • OPERATED BY Totally Tourism - The Helicopter Line
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Franz Josef Heli Hiking Guided Tour ?
A:The policy on sanitization is:

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
See all safety measures taken by Franz Josef Heli Hiking Guided Tour .
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Franz Josef Heli Hiking Guided Tour ?
A:The policy on staff health & safety is:

  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
See all safety measures taken by Franz Josef Heli Hiking Guided Tour .

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

4.5
star-4.5
202 Reviews
5 stars
147
4 stars
33
3 stars
9
2 stars
2
1 star
11

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 202 reviews
star-5
Great experience worth every cent
Brenda_S
, Oct 2021
I was a bit unsure of this trip at first as it did appear somewhat dangerous and I was concerned I might not be fit and nimble enough to do it and also with a moderate fear of heights. I'm quite clumsy on dry flat land let alone on a glacier so i had some concerns! Jon, Cale and the rest of the team were excellent, very professional and thorough with safety checks. The gear (boots, socks, crampons, poles, helmet, trousers and jackets with a moon bag to store stuff) were excellent and fit for purpose. They really gave me confidence out on the ice especially where I didn't know if I could continue. There was safety rope in most of the right places and a couple of scary parts that were a bit narrow without safety rope that they helped me through. The scenery was absolutely spectacular. There are really no words to describe what we saw up there. It was truly magnificent and definitely a bucket list trip that i'm so glad i did. Special mention to Jon and Cale who were very encouraging and patient with me! I can't thank you enough for making it such a memorable experience. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone.
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1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
Stunning experience
Sarisha_N
, Jul 2021
Amazing experience! The team were so friendly, knowledgeable, and all round awesome. Definitely recommended!
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star-5
Most amazing experience
Fiona_S
, Jun 2021
Using harnesses and ropes we were able to climb right up the glacier - an experience I don't believe would be possible anywhere else in the world
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star-5
Experience of a lifetime
Malcolm_C
, May 2021
From the moment we stepped through the door we felt welcomed , were well informed, all aspects of safety were well explained .The gear that was provided was very clean and comfortable Our guide Scott was just awesome. Very friendly and knowledgeable . Gave us plenty of time to take photos and spend time taking in the amazing views made our experience one to remember and will highly recommend
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1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
Greta tour
Andrew_W
, Jul 2020
Excellent tour and Scott the guide was great. The entire family loved the hiking, and we look forward to the next one. thanks Andrew
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star-5
enthusiastically recommend!
Laurie_L
, Mar 2020
absolutely worth every penny.... the views, the staff support, the explanations, the exhilaration of being present on anything that special.... if you can, do this!
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star-5
Amazing!!
Michelle_G
, Mar 2020
Absolutely amazing!!! Great all the way around! Our guide was friendly, informative and engaging. Worth every penny!
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star-5
Must do!!
Brianne_L
, Feb 2020
Amazing experience, so grateful for the experience! Weather caused our first trip to be canceled but the staff quickly got us on another trip for the following day.
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star-5
Once in a lifetime experience!
Jessica
, Feb 2020
Amazing tour to see the Franz Josef glacier! The tour company was very professional and knowledgable about the glacier and the region. The short helicopter ride was fun, with an overhead view of the town and the glacier. Our tour guide skillfully navigated us on the glacier and was very knowledgable. It was a once in a lifetime experience that we're SO glad we did!
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star-5
Fun with Franz - Don't miss the opportunity!
Kelly_M
, Feb 2020
A fantastic experience that I won't forget. Pre flight instructions were clear and precise & we were helped with correct boot/jacket & pant selection. From there we were give our safety briefing & out over to the helicopters. It's a short but pretty flight to the glacier. Once we landed, we were introduced to our guide (Amilia) who was fantastic. Very knowledgeable, friendly & funny and she showed us how to fit our crampons to our boots. We spent a good 2 hours on the glacier, climbing up, through, around and down the ice. Always given clear instructions on the best way to tackle each part of the hike. I personally got some great photos. Although travelling alone, my fellow hikers were happy to take photos for me where they could. A fab, fab, fab experience. Well done guys! 😁
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