Fox Glacier: Half-Day Walking & Nature Tour with Local Guide

About This Experience

This guided half-day walk with Glacier Valley Eco Tours follows trails through the rainforest of Westland Tai Poutini National Park toward Fox Glacier. You do not go onto the ice or near it: the walk stops at the public viewpoint, and the operator says so plainly. At $65 per person it is the cheapest tour on this site, rated 4.7 from 188 GetYourGuide reviews, with groups limited to 10.

The tour starts in Franz Josef or picks you up in Fox. Check-in is 1:15 p.m. at the Glacier Valley Eco Tours office in Franz Josef township, leaving at 1:30 p.m. for the 30-minute drive south. If you are staying in Fox, the pickup is at the Department of Conservation building at 2 p.m., or at your accommodation. You are back in Fox around 5 p.m. and in Franz Josef around 5:30 p.m.

On the walk the guide covers the area's geology, glaciation and plants and birds, and the listing mentions a chance to put your hand in a geothermal spring. You look up toward the upper glacier, the Fox névé and Mt Tasman when the cloud allows, and stop for tea, coffee or hot chocolate with a biscuit. It suits families, slower walkers and anyone in Fox on a day the helicopters are grounded.

Several reviewers pointed out that much of the route is a public DOC track you could walk yourself, that the van ride takes up a good part of the 3.5 hours, and that trees can block the glacier at the lookout. Some also felt rushed in a group of mixed fitness. Off-track viewpoints are at the guide's discretion and not guaranteed. The tour runs in rain, so dress for it.

Highlights

• A guided rainforest walk toward Fox Glacier with a local guide
• Views of the upper glacier and Mt Tasman, cloud permitting
• Talk on glaciation, geology and native plants and birds
• A chance to put your hand in a geothermal spring, per the listing
• Small groups of up to 10
• Rated 4.7 from 188 GetYourGuide reviews

What's Included

• ✓ Pickup and drop-off from your accommodation in Fox Glacier
• ✓ Local guide
• ✓ Tea, coffee or hot chocolate and biscuits
• ✓ Raincoats, waterproof pants and large umbrellas
• ✓ Walking poles and sunscreen
• ✓ Tramping boots, if you need them

Not Included

• Lunch
• Walking on the glacier
• Close access to the glacier

What to Bring

• Sturdy closed-toe shoes
• A camera
• Warm layers for changeable weather

Good to Know & Caveats

• The walk goes no closer to the glacier than the public viewpoint, and you do not walk on the ice.
• The tour runs in all weather. Cancelling on the day because of heavy rain is not refunded unless the operator cancels; operator cancellations for weather, road closures or DOC closures are refunded in full.
• GetYourGuide's free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before the tour. For a same-day booking, call the operator.
• Part of the 3.5 hours is the drive; from Franz Josef it is about 30 minutes each way.
• Off-track and alternative viewpoints depend on the guide and the group's ability and are not guaranteed.

Meeting Point

The Glacier Valley Eco Tours office in Franz Josef township (check-in 1:15 p.m.), or pickup at the DOC building in Fox Glacier at 2 p.m. or your Fox accommodation; check your voucher.