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Tasman Glacier Hike: Scenic Helicopter and Ice Walk
4.5
22 Ratings
Mount Cook Airport
Embark on a Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike: Scenic flight, guided hike, and epic ice formations in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Experience New Zealand’s longest glacier.
Embark on a Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike: Scenic flight, guided hike, and epic ice formations in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Experience New Zealand’s longest glacier.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) - Snow landing with the mighty Aoraki/Mount Cook before you.
- Tasman Glacier - Aerial views of the Tasman Glacier Lake and the stunning Tasman Glacier itself before landing on the Tasman Glacier for your guided hike.
- Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) - Snow landing with the mighty Aoraki/Mount Cook before you.
- Tasman Glacier - Aerial views of the Tasman Glacier Lake and the stunning Tasman Glacier itself before landing on the Tasman Glacier for your guided hike.
What's Included
- Return Scenic Helicopter Flights
- Glacier Landing
- 2 hour Guided Hike on Tasman Glacier
- Informative pilot commentary
- Crampons and quality Walking Boots
- Walking Poles
- Waterproof Jackets & Trousers (if required)
- Woolen socks
- Return Scenic Helicopter Flights
- Glacier Landing
- 2 hour Guided Hike on Tasman Glacier
- Informative pilot commentary
- Crampons and quality Walking Boots
- Walking Poles
- Waterproof Jackets & Trousers (if required)
- Woolen socks
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Lunch
Additional Information
The Tasman Glacier is Aotearoa New Zealand’s longest glacier measuring at 27km long and as wide as 4km in places, so this is an experience of a lifetime to explore the ever changing ice formations that carved this wonderful landscape in the Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. Your journey will begin with a scenic helicopter flight to the Tasman Glacier,…
The Tasman Glacier is Aotearoa New Zealand’s longest glacier measuring at 27km long and as wide as 4km in places, so this is an experience of a lifetime to explore the ever changing ice formations that carved this wonderful landscape in the Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. Your journey will begin with a scenic helicopter flight to the Tasman Glacier, landing 1200m above sea level. A two hour hike with professional and experienced guides amongst epic glacial ice formations, gentle undulating terrain below the highest peaks of the Southern Alps. The snow-clad giants tower above vast icefalls that flow down the mountain sides. On the return flight, pass the Hochstetter Icefall as your adventure nears its end.
- Minimum age is 10 years years
- Please note: A guided walk among ice caves is usually part of the tour but all tour activities are dependent on the weather
- Moderate level of fitness is required
- The maximum allowable weight for a person on a rear helicopter seat is 150kg.
- It is recommended that you wear sturdy footwear and bring warm layers due to cold temperatures
Location
Mount Cook Airport
Mount Cook Road
Check in is 15 minutes before your chosen departure time. Please meet us at the Mount Cook Airport and head up the stairs where you will get checked in for your trip.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(22 Ratings)
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Duncank223
Aug 19, 2025
Bucket list -1 Great,Amazing experience - Booking was straightforward, confirmation received promptly. Communication received regarding check in and weather update.
Arrived promptly staff friendly, boots, socks provided other items available if necessary.
Safety briefing provided in verbal format. But also written format English and mandarin l believe.
Heli flight was smooth and pilot Dan provided info regarding the surroundings on the way up and back.
Multiple checks of wrist bands regarding which flight on. Save entry and exit of the aircraft.
Tremendous experience on the glacier with Scott entering small prepared voids below the surface. Great to see the colour variations in the ice depending on the depth below the glacier surface and the compaction process.
Walked with crampons on boots and walking stick no issues
He talked about the history of and evolution of the glacier, sadly its diminishing size as well.
A must for everyone , do it before they eventually disappear. Naturally there are risks doing this, but at no time did l believe we were in any danger.
Would happily to it again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ragheshd
Apr 13, 2025
Great experience.. great team!!! - Super stuff... The only feedback I would have is to follow a route on the Heli hike so that it feels structured... Though I enjoyed It thoroughly ... It seemed as if we were randomly moving in search of something to see and doubling back on our route... Again.. nothing bad... But didn't get the sense of a hike... great stuff nonetheless!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maxly1025mg
Feb 12, 2025
Recommended! - Superb experience overall! Really enjoyed it! Ariana is a wonderful tour guide, made the hike super fun and informative!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dan_m
Jan 10, 2025
Helicopter ride was... - Helicopter ride was beautiful and Matt was an excellent guide! We had the chance to explore far down into an ice cave which was a unique sight to see.
Review provided by Viator
Trickyvillains
Dec 20, 2024
Brilliant, but have back up dates - Weather can be a factor! - We finally made it to the glacier on our third try! Be warned, the weather might be nice in Mt Cook but they are responsible for the safety of their guides and passengers on the glacier, so you might not be so fortunate.
It’s a cool hello ride up and back, and the hike around the glacier is very interesting. Our guide was great (although they all seemed very friendly) and you’ll get to see some interesting aspects of the glacier. Well worth it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Priceisgd
Nov 11, 2024
An experience not to be missed - Tour was very organised, from start to finish. All staff was very friendly. Our guide Maddy was very knowledgeable and allow us plenty of time to go through crevices and ice cave. The experience of walking on glacier was exhilarating. Will definitely recommend this.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
153liranl
Jul 22, 2025
- First heli experience in my life, and was amazing. Was enjoying a good view in heli and thanks for my heavy weight to allow me sitting at the front seat :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jiri_b
Mar 8, 2025
Tour operators disregard for my precious vacation time - The tour started 1 hour late…. Finished early… the ride and activities were OK. Actually nice. I would recommend if the tour was handled more professionally
Review provided by Viator
262sunila
Jan 5, 2025
Avoid this tour operator, there are others that provide better experience for same price - We booked a heli hike at Mt Cook for 9am on Jan 1st for 4 of our kids. The overall experience for such an expensive tour was way below par. The reasons being:
1. Most of the time was spent on 'rocks' instead of the glacier. The guide himself said many times that be prepared to walk on the rocks.
2. They barely spent any time within the cave. There were no other activities.
3. The guide spent 15+ minutes talking to other guide asking for directions/help.
The rest of our large group went on the same heli-hike on the same day, at the same time, on the same glacier, but through another tour operator and had a fantastic experience.
We feel the experience was subpar because these were kids, and the guide was barely two months into the job.
When we complained to the manager, Suhaas, instead of being empathetic to the experience, he was very defensive, and at one point even threatened us with physical harm. We had to tell them that we'll call the cops if he keeps on threatening us.
Our overall trip to New Zealand was excellent, except for this specific experience. I hope this is isolated and doesn't represent New Zealand's tourism approach.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Coastal62803135638
Sep 28, 2024
Terrible customer service - Terrible customer service. We had booked a trip to New Zealand specifically to do the glacier helihike, we were scheduled for 9am and told to call and confirm from 8am which we did, we tried maybe 15 times before someone answered and told us to call back in 20 minutes, we headed to the airport anyway as we needed to be there 20 minutes ahead of time, at this time we received a call from someone to say it was cancelled, whilst I completely understand the need to cancel based on weather, the person who called us really needs education on customer service, we were understandably disappointed however he was completely disinterested and unsympathetic and just said nothing available until mid October, see you later basically.
As this was the reason for our visit to New Zealand, we tried various other options. We went online and then booked a scenic flight with a snow landing for the following morning instead at 9.30, once again, we rang 1 hour ahead as instructed and received no answer. Finally received a call from someone to say the flight had never been confirmed so it wasn’t going ahead. I don’t understand why you would put available time slots for people to book if there is no flight……
Throughout our stay we tried very hard to get up on some kind of flight, we also spoke with the 2 other flight companies based at mt cook who were fantastic and helpful despite us not making it up in the end.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
