Franz Josef Glacier: 2.5-Hour Heli-Hike with Helicopter Transfer

About This Experience

This is the standard heli-hike on Franz Josef Glacier (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere), run by Franz Josef Glacier Guides from their base in Franz Josef township, about 24 km north of Fox Glacier (roughly 25 minutes by road). You fly a few minutes up onto the ice, walk with a guide in crampons, then fly back down. The listing allows up to 2.5 hours on the ice, and the operator's own pages range between 2 and 2.5 hours, so plan on about 4 hours from check-in to finish. It costs from $511 per person and is rated 4.7 from 404 GetYourGuide reviews.

The day starts at the Franz Josef Glacier Guides base, where you check in 15 minutes before departure, get fitted with boots, crampons and waterproof gear, and sit through a safety briefing. A short walk takes you to the helipad. The helicopter transfer takes around 4 minutes each way, landing high on the glacier. Your guide then leads the group across the ice, choosing a route to suit the conditions on the day. Crevasses, ice formations and blue ice may be on the route, but no feature, ice caves included, is guaranteed. You fly back to the valley and walk back to the base.

It suits travelers with a reasonable level of fitness who are comfortable on uneven, slippery ground for a couple of hours. The operator's limits are a minimum age of 10, a weight between 35 kg and 115 kg, and a height of at least 137 cm; pregnant travelers and people with back problems cannot join. If you are staying in Fox Glacier and want the Fox version, the Fox Glacier Guiding heli-hike starts in Fox township and allows up to 3 hours on the ice.

Weather decides everything here. Franz Josef Glacier Guides wants about four hours of clear weather, and if the helicopter cannot fly, the hike does not run and you can choose a full refund. Book your first available day in Franz Josef and keep a spare day after it. A few low-star reviewers had their time on the ice cut short soon after landing, and one felt the actual walking was much shorter than the time on the glacier suggested, with long waits for the return flight.

Highlights

• Short helicopter transfer of about 4 minutes each way onto Franz Josef Glacier
• Up to 2.5 hours walking on the ice with a guide, weather permitting
• Guide picks the route each day to match the ice and the group
• Crevasses and ice formations along the route (features vary and are never guaranteed)
• Most reviewed heli-hike of the tours compared here, with 404 GetYourGuide reviews
• Starts and ends at the Franz Josef Glacier Guides base in Franz Josef township

What's Included

• ✓ Safety briefing and gear fitting at the base
• ✓ Helicopter transfer to the glacier and back
• ✓ Guided glacier hike with a professional guide
• ✓ Crampons, boots and trekking poles
• ✓ Waterproof gear, helmet and gloves
• ✓ Short walk between the base and the helipad

Not Included

• Food and drinks
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Transport between Fox Glacier and Franz Josef

What to Bring

• Warm clothing
• Long pants
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Reusable water bottle

Good to Know & Caveats

• Every trip depends on the weather. If it does not go ahead on your scheduled departure, you can choose a full refund.
• Check in 15 minutes before departure; check-in closes 15 minutes before the tour leaves.
• Children must be at least 10 years old, weigh at least 35 kg and be at least 137 cm tall. The maximum weight is 115 kg.
• You need a reasonable level of fitness and agility, because the glacier surface is uneven and fairly demanding.
• Luggage or large bags, drones, selfie sticks and vaping are not allowed.

Meeting Point

Franz Josef Glacier Guides' base in Franz Josef township, about 24 km north of Fox Glacier; the exact address is on your voucher.