Franz Josef Glacier: Heli-Hike Adventure & Ice Walk

Summary

Helicopter up to Franz Josef then hike wild blue glacier ice

You’ll fly by helicopter straight onto Franz Josef Glacier, then hike across shifting blue ice with an expert guide who shares local stories and glaciology facts. Strap on crampons, squeeze through icy corridors, and pause where sunlight turns everything surreal blue. Includes all gear and round-trip flights — you’ll remember that feeling long after your boots are dry.

What’s the experience like?

Honestly, I didn’t expect the helicopter ride to feel so quick — one minute we were in muddy boots on the grass in Franz Josef town, next thing I knew we were floating above this wild tangle of white and blue. The pilot (I think his name was Pete?) pointed out a waterfall that looked tiny from up there. My stomach did a little flip as we landed right on the glacier. The air was sharper than I thought it’d be, almost sweet, and everything seemed quieter than it should be for so much ice.

Our guide handed out these chunky crampons and showed us how to strap them over the boots — I fumbled with mine for a bit, gloves making my fingers clumsy. She laughed and said everyone does that their first time. We started walking single file into what looked like a maze of frozen waves. Every few steps there’d be some weird crackling sound underfoot or a sudden gust of wind sneaking down your collar. She told us about how fast Franz Josef Glacier moves (apparently the fastest in the world), which means no two heli-hikes are ever really the same. That stuck with me.

I kept stopping to touch the ice walls — they’re not smooth at all, more like cold glass mixed with sandpaper. There was this moment where sunlight hit a crevice just right and turned it electric blue underneath; our whole group went quiet for a second. It’s strange how you can feel so small but also sort of lucky to stand somewhere you can only reach by helicopter. At one point our guide shared a Māori story about the glacier’s origins — I tried repeating one of the words back to her, definitely butchered it, but she just grinned.

The hike itself wasn’t easy but it wasn’t brutal either — you do need to be reasonably fit though (my legs were jelly by the end). We zig-zagged through narrow passages and climbed over ridges for about two hours before flying back down. Even now, sometimes when I open my freezer at home I remember that smell up there: clean, cold, kind of ancient? Hard to explain unless you’ve done it yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Helicopter flight and glacier hike

• Take scenic helicopter flight
• Arrive at Franz Josef Glacier
• Hike on glacier with guide
• Learn about glacier environment

Top questions

How long does the Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike take?

The guided glacier walk lasts around 2 hours 15 minutes plus helicopter flights.

Is equipment provided for the heli-hike?

Yes, all hiking equipment including jackets, gloves, boots, and crampons is included.

What’s the minimum age for this glacier tour?

The minimum age is 10 years old for the 2.5 hour trip and 14 for the extended hike.

Do I need to be very fit for this hike?

A moderate level of physical fitness is required; guides may turn away those unfit for safety reasons.

Are round-trip helicopter flights included?

Yes, return helicopter transfers from Franz Josef township are part of your booking.

What happens if weather is bad?

The operator may cancel or change trips due to weather or other unforeseen events; safety comes first.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip helicopter flights from Franz Josef township directly onto exclusive glacier terrain with an expert local guide leading your moderately difficult hike. All necessary hiking gear—Gore-tex jackets, trousers, hats, gloves, sturdy boots with crampons—is provided along with commentary about glaciology and Māori legends as you explore ever-changing ice formations before returning by chopper.