HELICOPTER TRAVEL GUIDE
The flights worth leaving the ground for.
The 15 helicopter tours travellers rate highest in New Zealand, from glacier landings on Franz Josef and Fox to the alpine peaks above Queenstown and Mount Cook. The country at its most remote, reachable only from the air.
A 25-minute helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier, with guided commentary and a possible snow or alpine landing for standout photos.
Most Popular“The whole experience was excellent from start to finish. The staff were all really friendly, helpful & knowledgeable”
Fly to Franz Josef by helicopter, land on the glacier, then hike ice caves and crevasses with gear and expert guides.
“An amazing experience! Our guide Angus was fabulous balancing the science of the glacier (had a glaciology degree!) with the traditional Maori stories of how the glacier formed.”
Heli hike Fox Glacier pairs short helicopter flights with guided crampon hiking up to 3 hours, with wet-weather gear and safety kit.
“This was a fun trip to do. Keeley was our guide and looked after us really well. It’s just a short 4 minute helicopter ride to the glacier. It was fun to hike up it and into some caves - I imagine it’d be epic with more snowfall”
25-minute Mt Cook helicopter with alpine landing in Aoraki National Park, Tasman Valley and glacier-lake views. Small-group flight.
“Amazing! My partner and I both got the opportunity to sit in the front. This did mean we didn’t sit together but it was definitely worth it. It was very organised and the pilot was lovely and talked us through the flight and the landing really well.”
Helicopter over Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, plus a snow landing for photos. 35 minutes total from Franz Josef, NZ. $289.
“An amazing experience that is hard to put words around. Fabulous staff who were so friendly and helpful. I decided to book the Helicopter flight to the Glaciers last minute and was provided with information from the team immediately about my trip. They called to move my time so that I would not miss out…”
A 25-minute Queenstown helicopter tour with an alpine landing, hotel pickup, and pilot-led commentary over Lake Wakatipu.
Heli-hike the Tasman Glacier from Mt Cook: 15-min flights, up to 2 hours on ice, and Aoraki/Mount Cook views in 3 hours.
“Knowledgeable guide who made us feel safe throughout the trip. Fantastic pilots who pointed out beautiful landmarks”
Helicopter to the Tasman Glacier for a guided 2-hour crampon hike, with big Southern Alps views and glacier ice formations.
“It was our first helicopter ride and it was an amazing and unforgettable experience. We felt really safe during the hike. Max, the guide was fun and caring. The hike as such could have been longer tho.”
Fly Franz Josef Glacier by helicopter, then land on a mountain peak for an alpine pause with dramatic Southern Alps and ice views.
“Fantastic experience. Safe and comfortable helicopter ride with a very informative pilot/ guide. Great feeling walking on the glacier.”
50-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown with commentary, glacier views, and a chance to land on Mt Aspiring ice.
“Unfortunately we did not get to fly, however the staff were very helpful when we were trying to rebook.”
Fly low over Franz Josef Glacier and step onto a snow landing for close-up ice views, in a short, weather-dependent helicopter ride.
“Awesome! The company is very clear about conditions. You need luck beacouse the weather is the boss.”
Twin Glacier helicopter flight from Franz Josef with snow landing. Fly both glaciers, enjoy live pilot commentary, and step onto the ice.
“Memorable experience, everyone should try it!!!! Watching those snow capped mountains from the top is magnificent, our pilot (Kody) has been great!!!”
A 50-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown to Mt. Aspiring glaciers, with Skippers Canyon views and a chance to land on ice.
“Amazing! Couldn’t have asked for any better, Luke our pilot was incredible- knowledgable, funny and made us feel very safe. The views were out of this world, one of the best moments of our month trip!”
45-minute helicopter ride over Franz Josef, Fox and Tasman Glaciers, including a snow landing with 15 minutes for photos.
“The team was fantastic. The weather was not in our favour but they took advantage of a brief window and we were able to do a partial flight. Amazing views thankyou Would definitely recommend.”
Twin Glacier helicopter flight over Franz Josef and Fox, plus a snowy glacier landing and walk—small-group, pilot commentary, big views.
“Do not book anything with glacier helicopters. And especially through Viator. The sales girl at the counter tried to blame Viator for the reason why their helicopters weren’t flying for two days in a row! My husband and I think that their game is Read more”
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