45-Minute Mount Cook Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo Tour
Milford Sound Glacier Flight & Cruise from Wanaka
Glacier Explorer – 1 Glacier with Snow Landing – 25min
Pilot’s Choice – 2 Glaciers with Snow Landing – 35mins
Franz Josef Heli Hiking Guided Tour
Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers Helicopter Flight & Snow Landing
Franz Josef: Half-Day Glacier Helicopter and Hiking Tour
Exploring the Frozen Marvels of New Zealand
New Zealand’s glacier tours at Franz Josef and Fox Glacier offer an otherworldly experience, unveiling the ancient ice formations and stunning natural beauty of these remarkable landmarks.
Franz Josef Glacier, situated on the West Coast of the South Island, presents an adventure into an icy realm amidst lush rainforests. Guided tours enable visitors to intimately explore the glacier’s awe-inspiring features, from colossal crevasses to towering seracs. Knowledgeable guides lead excursions, providing insights into the glacier’s history, formation, and the environmental changes affecting this dynamic landscape. Visitors can participate in guided walks that navigate through the glacier’s remarkable formations, delving into its mesmerising icy contours.
Fox Glacier, not far from Franz Josef, is another spectacle in the Southern Alps. Tours here offer similar experiences, showcasing the glacier’s beauty and grandeur. Visitors can partake in guided walks or heli-hikes to explore the glacier’s rugged terrains, discovering the ever-evolving ice formations and enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Heli-hikes offer a unique adventure, transporting visitors via helicopter to otherwise inaccessible areas of the glacier. This aerial approach provides an exclusive experience, guiding participants through pristine, untouched regions, deepening their understanding of the glacier’s history and the forces that shape it. Helicopter tours climaxing in snow landings (no hiking involved) are also a popular option for visitors.
Both glaciers are not only natural wonders but hold cultural significance for the local Māori community. These frozen landscapes intertwine with local legends, adding depth and richness to the experience.
It’s important to note the dynamic nature of glaciers, making safety a top priority. Weather conditions can rapidly change, so visitors are advised to follow safety instructions and explore these natural wonders with certified guides.
Taking a glacier tour in New Zealand provides an extraordinary journey into the heart of ancient ice formations, revealing a world shaped by nature’s magnificent forces. Visitors are treated to a unique encounter with some of the most stunning and dynamic landscapes in the world, offering an experience that is both thrilling and profoundly awe-inspiring.