Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike: Helicopter access to ice maze

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Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell out

1/19

Duration4h

GroupUp to 11

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

The glacier shifts constantly, so every hike rewrites itself.

A small-group heli-hike on Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand combines a scenic helicopter flight to the Pinnacles area with a moderately difficult guided walk through the ice. The 2 hour 30 minute walk includes all equipment, expert ice-guides, and commentary on glaciology and local Māori stories. Group size stays under 11 to keep the experience personal, and you can extend the adventure to 5 hours 30 minutes if you want more time on the glacier.

Step-by-step itinerary

Helicopter flight and glacier hike

Scenic helicopter flight to glacier
Hike on Franz Josef Glacier
Learn about glacier environment

The Experience

You start with a helicopter flight from the base, which is the only way to reach the glacier itself. The scenic flight gets you to the Pinnacles area—a section of ice that shifts year to year because Franz Josef is the fastest-moving glacier in the world. Your guide meets you on the ice with crampons already fitted to your boots, and from there you navigate through the maze of crevasses and ice formations that make every trip different from the last.

The hike itself runs about 2 hours 15 minutes and sits at moderate difficulty, which means you need a solid fitness level and the ability to move carefully over uneven terrain. Your guide handles the route decisions and the safety calls; you focus on the ice beneath your feet and the geological story unfolding around you. The commentary covers how the glacier is changing—it's retreating, which is visible in the landscape—and the forces that shaped this landscape over millennia. You'll also hear Māori stories connected to the region.

All the technical gear comes with you: Gore-tex jacket, over-trousers, woolen hat and gloves, leather boots and crampons. The helicopter is round-trip, so you fly back to base at the end. If you want more time on the ice, you can book the Extended option, which stretches the glacier walk to 5 hours 30 minutes and gives you deeper access into the glacier's interior. Weather can shift fast in this region, so the operator reserves the right to adjust or cancel if conditions turn unsafe—dress in layers and bring sunscreen regardless.

What’s included

Round-trip helicopter flight to the glacier.
2 hour 30 minute guided walk on the ice with an expert guide.
all technical gear including Gore-tex jacket, over-trousers, woolen hat and gloves, leather boots and crampons.
commentary on glaciology, environmental change and Māori stories of the region.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Franz Josef Glacier Guides

Is this one for you?Book the standard 2 hour 30 minute hike if you want the core glacier experience in a morning or afternoon slot; choose the Extended option if you have a full day free and want to venture deeper into the ice. The small group size—capped at 11—means you get personal attention from your guide instead of being one of dozens on the ice.