Franz Josef Glacier Helihike from Queenstown: Glacier ice walk

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/9

Duration7h

GroupUp to 11

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Walk the fastest-moving glacier in the world, then fly back over the Alps

A day trip from Queenstown combining round-trip scenic flights to Franz Josef Glacier with a two-hour guided hike across the ice. You fly north over the Pisa Mountains and Southern Alps, land at the glacier base, strap on crampons, and spend two hours exploring ice formations with an experienced guide before a helicopter lifts you back to the airstrip and a return flight to Queenstown. The glacier is the fastest-moving commercially guided glacier in the world, so the ice features change constantly. Collections from Queenstown hotels are included, as is all hiking gear.

Step-by-step itinerary

Franz Josef Glacier Helihike from Queenstown

Hotel collection or park at Frankton office
Check in and safety briefing at Remarkables Park
Take 1 hour scenic flight from Queenstown Airport
Fly over Pisa mountains and Lake Wanaka
Cross Southern Alps, view West Coast National Park
Land at Franz Josef Airstrip
Drive 10 minutes to glacier base
Gear up and receive safety briefing
Heli ride onto Franz Josef Glacier
Hike glacier with guide for 2 hours
Helicopter returns to base
1 hour scenic flight back to Queenstown
Driver returns you to accommodation or car

The Experience

The day starts with a collection from your Queenstown hotel or a check-in at the Frankton office, then a one-hour scenic flight north from Queenstown Airport. The flight path crosses the Pisa Mountains and Lake Wanaka before you reach the Southern Alps, where you'll see West Coast National Park and its 3,000 glaciers and alpine lakes spread below. Everyone gets a guaranteed window seat. After landing at Franz Josef Airstrip, a 10-minute drive takes you to the glacier base, where you'll gear up with crampons and other hiking equipment and receive a safety briefing from your guide.

A 10- to 15-minute helicopter ride carries you onto the ice itself. Once there, you spend two hours hiking across the glacier with your guide, exploring crevasses, seracs and other ice formations that shift and change with the glacier's constant movement. The helicopter returns to collect you and fly you back to base, where your pilot escorts you to the plane for the return journey to Queenstown. The flight home takes a different route to maximize sightseeing, and a driver meets you at the departure lounge to return you to your hotel or collect your car.

The entire day runs seven hours from hotel pickup to drop-off. You'll need moderate fitness for the hiking and the altitude, and should bring your own lunch and snacks—there's usually no time to buy food in Franz Josef. Children are welcome from age 10, and weight restrictions apply for the helicopter.

What’s included

Round-trip scenic flights from Queenstown to Franz Josef with guaranteed window seats.
two hours of guided hiking on the glacier with an experienced guide.
two helicopter transfers onto the ice.
all essential hiking gear including crampons.
collections from Queenstown hotels and return drop-off.
safety briefings at each stage.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by True South Flights

Is this one for you?This tour suits small groups and solo travelers who are comfortable with moderate physical activity and want to experience a glacier without arranging flights or transport themselves. The fixed itinerary and included pickups mean the day holds together without building it piece by piece.