Aoraki Mount Cook (Mount Cook Village)

Mount Cook Mountains High Helicopter Flight

Badge of ExcellenceSouth Island, New Zealand
Mount Cook Mountains High Helicopter Flight
  • 40 minutes (approx.)
  • Flight time: 40 minutes
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Gain up-close access to the remote alpine landscapes of the South Island on a premier helicopter flight. This 40-minute aerial tour from Mt Cook village soars above the Southern Alps and makes a snow landing atop Tasman Glacier, where you’ll enjoy prime views of Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. Back in the air. Then, fly through the Burnett Mountains and marvel at the expansive Mackenzie Basin below.
  • 40-minute helicopter flight with snow landing
  • See views of Aoraki/Mt Cook from the summit of Tasman Glacier
  • Hover above the Southern Alps and take in panoramic views of the Mackenzie Basin
  • Hear informative commentary from the pilot
  • Relax with pickup and drop-off from Mt Cook hotels

What's Included

  • Scenic helicopter flight with snow landing (5 - 10 minutes)
  • Pilot guide
  • Items of a personal nature

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • The Helicopter Line, Mount Cook
    Glentanner Park, State Highway 80, Glentanner 7999, New Zealand

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

After a transfer from your Mt Cook hotel to the base at Glentanner Park, board your helicopter for a scenic round-trip flight including a snow landing above Tasman Glacier. Your trained pilot expertly navigates the South Island’s alpine environment, and serves as your aerial guide throughout your 40-minute tour. The open-plan helicopter cabin makes for excellent viewing for up to six passengers.

Fly toward the Tasman Glacier and hover over its vast ice fields before making a soft landing, then step out of the helicopter to stand in the snow, enjoying a panoramic vista with a close-up view of Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand’s tallest mountain peak, which towers 12,217 feet (3,724 meters) above sea level.

Departing your landing site, the pilot traverses the Burnett Mountains. Look down upon the Mackenzie Basin — and admire panoramic views of the rugged landscape and sparkling waterways as they trickle down toward the native rainforests of the rugged west coast.

Learn about the stunning landscape as your pilot delivers informative commentary on natural landmarks. Back on firm ground, you’re transferred from the tour base to your hotel.

Tasman Glacier (Pass By)

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) (Pass By)

Mackenzie Basin (Pass By)

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • It is recommended that warm clothing and suitable footwear be worn on this tour due to cold temperatures.
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Please advise preferred flight time at time of booking
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

See more
Featured review
Mark_H
The views while in flight and after landing were spectacular. It was a gorgeous, clear day so we had good views of all the major peaks and glaciers. Our pilot provided excellent commentary throughout the flight. Highly recommended!

Reviews

4.5
33 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
0
0
0
0
0
Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 33 reviews
Breathtaking views.
Gregory_T, Mar 2024
The experience was breathtaking! The only problem we had was that we could not understand what the pilot was saying through our headsets. This really detracted from the experience but other than that it was awesome!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Kia Ora Gregory, Thank you for taking the time to share your review and experience. We are glad you enjoyed the views, they really are spectacular. We will be sure to pass on your feedback to the team regarding the headsets. Thank you for joining us. Best wishes, The Helicopter Line
Amazing experience with one flaw
Kilian_N, Feb 2024
Once in a lifetime opportunity, amazing to learn about the glaciers. Only 4 stars as we didn't do a snow landing as advertised. Our daughter was disappointed.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Kia Ora Killian, Many thanks for taking the time to share your review. The glaciers are truly spectacular to see up close. Unfortunately, due to current climate, previous winter snowfall and seasonality we haven't been able to guarantee snow landings on our flights this summer. We can understand your disappointment for this. We thank you for joining us in Aoraki / Mount Cook. Best wishes, The Helicopter Line
Mt Cook Helicopter flight/landing
Mark_H, Nov 2023
The views while in flight and after landing were spectacular. It was a gorgeous, clear day so we had good views of all the major peaks and glaciers. Our pilot provided excellent commentary throughout the flight. Highly recommended!
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Kia Ora Mark, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a kind review. We are glad your enjoyed the spectacular views as much as we do. Thank you for joining us in Aoraki / Mount Cook. Kind Regards, The Team at The Helicopter Line
Truly amazing once we went
Jessica_E, Aug 2023
Truly breathtaking views, and our pilot was great. We had to reschedule due to weather, which was fine, but the company communication wasn’t great.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Kia Ora Jessica_E, Thank you for sharing some of the photos from your trip with us, looks like you had an incredible experience. We are glad the weather permitted you to enjoy your flight with us. I am sorry you found that our communication wasn't great. We will pass your feedback onto our team. If you would like to discuss this further please be sure to email us mountcook@helicopter.co.nz. Kind Regards, The Team at The Helicopter Line Mount Cook
Landing on top of MT...
Guillermo_S, Jun 2023
Landing on top of MT Cook!!!! Visually outstanding with the tazman glaciar framing the flight! A superb experience
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Kia Ora Guillermo, Thank you for leaving us a review. We are glad you enjoyed your flight and landing on the snow field. Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos with us from your flight. We look forward to seeing you again in the future. Kind Regards, The Team at The Helicopter Line Mt Cook
Flying High
David_P, Feb 2023
Loved the Mountains High scenic flight, with our pilot Gillie. Views were amazing, the snow/glacier landing was brilliant & just being up in the mountains was incredible. Highly recommend this to anyone
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Kia Ora, David. Thank you so very much for taking the time to leave us a glowing review. We are so glad to know how much you enjoyed your flight with Gillie. The views truly are amazing, and nothing can beat a snowy, glacier landing. We thank you for your kind words and for joining us in Mount Cook. Thank you for your support.
A must do activity in Mount Cook
MaryMarlina_H, Jan 2019
We really enjoyed the helicopter ride.Beautiful view. Our pilot Richard is excellent. He explained the area and history. The staff are very friendly and helpful. This is a highlight of our NZ trip.
S P from Thailand
Suthee_P, Nov 2018
Be carefull!! The flight was not the same as advertised. Our flight suppposed to fly to Fox and Joseph Glacier as well (advertised on the page of Viator) but the helicopter base officers said no!! First they said the wind upstair was not ok to fly. Later they said our program was not included!! Already emailed for reasons to Viator but nobody replied. Anyone could help with this non-responsibility?However, the experience overthere was good.
It was okay. For the money we spent...
Ganesan V, Jan 2015
It was okay. For the money we spent on this I don't believe they showed all the glaciers they promised. The only think that was shown was the front face of Mount Cook and the glaziers on the same side. When asked if they will show the other side as described, they said wind was not favourable, I don't think we had a lot of wind that day, it is just that they say something on the site, but don't do what they say. Little disappointing, suggest people to ask clearly what they will show just before you give the money.
Fantastic. Well worth it. If you...
Richard H, Jan 2015
Fantastic. Well worth it. If you haven't been in a helicopter before that adds to the excitement.
A HUGE highlight of our honeymoon...
Tom_J, Feb 2014
A HUGE highlight of our honeymoon. Unfortunately, our camera was stolen a couple of days later before we had a chance to download our pictures, but as my wife says, "that just means we have to go back!" What a HUGE trip this is. Stunning scenery and landing on the glacier is a highlight. The only downside is that not all the headsets were working, so the pilot commentary wasn't heard by all. But that's a minor point.
This excursion was a big thrill for...
Stan_S, Sep 2013
This excursion was a big thrill for us as we expected it to be. Our son is physically disabled and we were nervous about getting him into the helicopter but we managed by using a small step stool and some good old elbow grease .i.e. lifting. The scheduled ride was tentative due to strong winds in the mountains but we made a slightly modified run, landing on a field of ice rather than a glacier. The thrill factor was present throughout the flight as the mountain and glacier scenery is simply amazing. The pilot was very informative and accommodating asking us if we wanted to stay longer in some areas. There were four of us and we will never forget this spectacular New Zealand experience.
What an amazing experience. You do...
Ian G, May 2013
What an amazing experience. You do not realise the enormous area of the alps until you can view them from above in a helicoptor. The walk in the fresh snow on top of Mount Cook was exhilarating. A 'must do' if you get the chance, from either Mt Cook (Glentanner), Fox Glacier or Franz Josef.
Very professional and considerate...
Douglas W, Apr 2013
Very professional and considerate towards their customers.
The staff were friendly and very...
Laura C, Mar 2013
The staff were friendly and very helpful. The actual helicopter ride was amazing and the pilot was good at informing us of where we were, what we were seeing, giving us background on the glaciers/area and also reassuring us when it got a little bumpy. Landing on the top of the glacier for photos was awesome. Definitely a highlight of my trip!
The organisation at base office was...
Andrew W, Feb 2013
The organisation at base office was friendly and professional, our Pilot Marcus left us with the feeling that he enjoyed his work taking great pride in explaining all the features of the flight. It was my wife's Christmas present, she was smiling from start to finish there is no better accolade
Quite amazing and definitely a must...
MARK D, Dec 2010
Quite amazing and definitely a must for anybody visiting New Zealand. Unexplainable, you have to experience the trip to really "get it"
This trip was truly amazing. We saw all...
Mervyn A, Feb 2009
This trip was truly amazing. We saw all there is to see and the landing on the snow was fantastic. We were booked to fly the following day but when we phoned earlier to confirm our booking etc we were offered this flight a day earlier as the weather was good - we just had to 'race' up from Queenstown to do it - and it was well worth it as the sky was almost cloudless - perfect! Thanks to all at the helicopter base for accommodating us. Just one downside. The helicopter seats 2 people in the front seat and 4 people in the rear seat and we were advised before the flight that although we were in the rear seats for the first part of the flight, seating is rotated after the snow landing to allow some of those in the rear seats to sit up front but the others on the same trip as us ignored this and took the front seats both times. We didn't want to cause a scene, but you need to make this much clearer to everyone going on the flight to make it fair to everyone.
Stunning vistas, excellent scenic...
Meredith H, Feb 2009
Stunning vistas, excellent scenic flights and covered lots of area including circling around Mount Cook. Brilliant snow landing too.
This trip was one of the highlights of...
Isadore U, Dec 2007
This trip was one of the highlights of our two-week journey to the South Island. The views were amazing, and the photo opportunities endless.

From $365.92

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Compare Similar Experiences

1 / 3
Current
No Photo
Mount Cook Mountains High Helicopter Flight

33

40 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$365.92
No Photo
Mount Cook and The Glaciers Helicopter Flight

105

55 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$482.64
No Photo
Mount Cook Alpine Vista Helicopter Flight

30

20 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$208.20
No Photo
Mount Cook Alpine Explorer Helicopter Flight

12

35 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$312.30

Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Explore Similar Things to Do