Franz Josef Heli Hiking Guided Tour

Highlights

Touch down between two dramatic ice falls
Don provided mountaineering equipment for a guided hike
Great way to access extreme mountain terrain with no experience needed

Summary

Make your way to the heli-hiking home base, where you’ll meet a guide and be fitted with all necessary equipment, including a waterproof jacket, glacier boots, and an ice axe. Board a helicopter for the flight over Franz Josef Glacier, a massive 7.5-mile (12 kilometer) glacier. Soar over towering peaks, deep crevasses, and winding streams of glacial melt. The pilot will guide the helicopter onto the ice, touching down high on the glacier. Climb in and around ice caves, capturing remarkable photographs of the frozen landscape, and learn the history of Franz Josef Glacier. Following the hike, board the helicopter for the spectacular return flight, retracing your path with sweeping views across the Southern Alps.

Tour info

Duration

3 hours

Why take this tour?

Heli-hike the Franz Josef Glacier on an adventurous mountaineering tour that explores the Southern Alps from the air and on the ice. Flying over Franz Josef Glacier is great for panoramic views of crevasses and ice falls, and the guided hike gets you to a fantastic vantage point high on the glacier to explore ice caves and glacial terrain up close, with all mountaineering equipment provided.

What’s included?

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

Things to know

Before you book

Duration: 3h
Mobile tickets accepted

Covid Policy

Guides required to regularly wash hands
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Operator Website

Operated by:

The Helicopter Line West Coast

About operator:

Discover the magnificent phenomenon of the glaciers. Experienced helicopter pilots share their knowledge whilst overflying the dramatic expanse of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and snowfields, exposing extraordinary colours of ice flow, ice caves and pinnacles in this largely inaccessible alpine region. All flights feature a snow landing. Alternatively combine a scenic helicopter flight with an unforgettable guided helihike amongst the glacial ice formations with the professional and experienced Franz Josef Glacier Guides.