Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike: Land on New Zealand's longest glacier

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Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell out

1/11

Duration3h

GroupUp to 20

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Fly to the ice and walk among formations carved by 27km of glacier

A 3-hour heli-hike combines a scenic helicopter flight to Tasman Glacier with a 2-hour guided walk on the ice itself, landing at 1200m above sea level in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. The helicopter passes the Tasman Glacier Lake and the Hochstetter Icefall on the return. All gear—crampons, walking boots, waterproof layers and poles—is provided, and the guide is live and in English. Children from age 10 are welcome, though moderate fitness is required and the tour depends on weather conditions.

Step-by-step itinerary

Helicopter flight and glacier hike

Scenic helicopter flight to Tasman Glacier
Snow landing with Aoraki/Mount Cook views
Two-hour guided hike on Tasman Glacier
Return flight passing Hochstetter Icefall

The Experience

If you have a free afternoon in the Mount Cook region and want to step onto a glacier without a full day of trekking, this combines the two halves that make it possible. The helicopter flight gets you to the ice at 1200m elevation in minutes, landing you directly on Tasman Glacier—New Zealand's longest at 27km—so the walk itself stays manageable and the time on the ice is the point. You'll hike for two hours among the formations the glacier carved, with the Southern Alps towering above and icefalls flowing down the mountainsides.

The guide is experienced and leads you through the terrain on foot; crampons, walking boots, waterproof jacket and trousers, woolen socks and walking poles are all included, so you arrive with nothing but layers underneath. The pilot provides commentary on the flight out and back, and on the return you'll pass the Hochstetter Icefall as the helicopter climbs away. Weather decides what happens on the day—a guided walk among ice caves is usually part of the tour, but conditions can change it—so the operator will confirm the final plan closer to your departure.

The whole experience runs three hours door to door. Moderate fitness matters because you're walking on uneven ice, and children can join from age 10. The maximum weight for a rear helicopter seat is 150kg. Bring warm layers and sturdy footwear under the provided gear, and a small backpack with snacks and water will make the hike more comfortable.

What’s included

Scenic helicopter flight to and from Tasman Glacier.
2-hour guided hike on the glacier with a professional guide.
crampons, walking boots, waterproof jacket and trousers, woolen socks and walking poles.
informative pilot commentary on both flights.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Totally Tourism - The Helicopter Line

Is this one for you?The three-hour window—helicopter, hike and return flight combined—fits a free afternoon without eating into a full day, so you can explore the glacier and still have time for other stops in the Mount Cook region. If you need a longer glacier experience or prefer to walk from the valley floor, a different tour may suit you better.