Lord of the Rings and Glacier Helicopter Tour

Highlights

Get both panoramic and up-close views of key film sites
Gain an insider perspective by flying with 'Lord of the Rings' film crew
Convenient round-trip transportation from select Queenstown hotels

Summary

After pickup at your Queenstown hotel, head to the airport to meet pilot Alfie Speight, who completed aerial film work for the 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit.' Once your helicopter lifts off, cover some gorgeous terrain, starting with the mountain range whose peaks became the films’ Misty Mountains and Redhorn Pass, then cross to Glenorchy via Dart Valley and Mount Earnslaw. Along the way, your pilot points out the places that Peter Jackson transformed into Isengard, Amon Hen, and Lothlórien. Two separate landings let you see the remote terrain up close! First, touch down on the massive Clarke Glacier, and then land in Skippers Canyon, a beautiful gorge with towering sides. Lift off a final time for the return trip to Queenstown Airport, where a shuttle meets you for transfer back to your hotel.

Tour info

Duration

1 hour 10 minutes

Why take this tour?

Soar above 'Lord of the Rings' film sites on this helicopter tour, flying above the fictional Middle-earth locations of the Misty Mountains, Isengard, Lothlórien, and more. Make two spectacular landings, on Clarke Glacier in Mount Aspiring National Park and in Skippers Canyon. Your pilot—who worked on the 'LOTR' and 'Hobbit' trilogies—shares stories and commentary throughout the scenic flight.

What’s included?

Landing and facility fees
Hotel pickup and drop-off
70 minutes of flight time
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Things to know

Before you book

Duration: 1h 10m
Mobile tickets accepted

Cancellation Policy

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

Operator Website

Operated by:

Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters

About operator:

Glacier Southern Lakes is Queenstown's leading scenic heli-flight company with a reputation of providing a high standard of professionalism and service. We offer daily scenic helicopter tours over the mountains, lakes, glaciers and fiords in and around Middle-earth, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park & Mt Aspiring National Park. Alpine or snow landings are part of all our flights and glacier landings are included in all our Milford Sound flights. We have the most experienced team of helicopter pilots in Queenstown who will share their extensive local knowledge with you. For Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit fans we can show you many of the Queenstown film locations like nobody else, with pilots who were part of the film crew.