Tasman Glacier (Mount Cook) Heli-Hike from Queenstown

Queenstown, New Zealand

6 hours
Flight time: 2 hours
Flight time: 15 minutes
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

When soaring in a fixed-wing plane from Queenstown to Franz Josef or Tasman Glacier, you may think the one-hour scenic flight is the highlight of this tour. But the best is yet to come. Switch to a helicopter and fly up to a landing point high on the glacier, where you’ll embark on a hike on the snow and ice. Wearing crampons, you’ll explore caves and see remarkable landscapes inaccessible any other way.

Hiking boots and crampons will be provided
An unforgettable way to experience the mountains
Don’t just look at the views: hike within them
This group tour is an economical way to ride a helicopter

What's Included

Hiking boots and crampons are provided
Air-conditioned vehicle

Lunch

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

True South Flights
Building 8 Suite 1B/12 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Check in at our office 30 minutes prior to departure. We are located in the Remarkables Park Town Centre, near Queenstown Airport, with free all-day parking. Park near the New World supermarket and walk across the carpark entrance to our building on the corner of the main road (Hawthorne Drive).

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

We pick-up from Queenstown Central accommodation. Pick up starts 50 minutes prior to departure.

What To Expect

Tasman Glacier

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Total weight per passenger: 331 lbs
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Not recommended for pregnant travelers

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Children and weight restrictions are applicable for this tour
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 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

Featured review

Alex_W

We got lucky to have a beautiful day and were able to hike through ice structures on Tasman Glacier. The helicopter ride from camp to the glacier and the scenic flights from Queenstown town were amazing and an experience in itself!

Reviews

5.0

44 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 44 reviews

A+++++ amazing Franz Joseph

Emily_B, Mar 2024

I ended up at Franz Joseph and it was AMAZING. The flight alone from QT over the alps was unbelievable. I was originally cancelled for Tasman, but they did everything to find me something for the one day I had available. They were open and honest about limitations re: weather (we luckily had none!), and truly were so nice and so helpful. Pilot was great. Could not have had a more amazing experience in the glacier. 5 million stars.

It was very fun and the...

SHUCHENG_K, Mar 2024

It was very fun and the guide is kind :D :) i be the model whem we getting ice claw on when i go up at ski plane i feel little bit throw up

My Cook Heli-Hike bucket list

Lyn_S, Mar 2024

Absolutely fabulous trip from the time we got picked until we returned. Light plane flight to Mt Cook was great. Pilot commentary was very informative and interesting. Helicopter up to the glacier was equally as great. Our guides Sam and Emma made sure we experienced as much as we could safely. You are in a group of 10, which was fine.

Great tour!

Megan_S, Dec 2023

Such a great experience, our guide Scott was very knowledgeable and made sure the whole group got to see some unique sights. Seeing the Glacier up close was definitely a highlight of the trip.

Amazing Heli Hike experience

Alex_W, Dec 2023

Great Time!

Casey_W, Dec 2023

Can't beat the beautiful views. Great experience! All guides and pilots we're very professional and ensure everyone is having a great time.

Amazingly unique and exclusive!

Mehdy_Y, Nov 2023

An Amazing experience! Jason, our pilot, was outstanding and very skilled! They picked us up and dropped us off at our hotel. We highly recommend this once in a lifetime experience. Matt, our hiking guide was amazing too

Breathtaking

Blake_W, Oct 2023

The photos speak for them selves Definitely a must do while in the South Island of New Zealand. A special thanks to plane pilot and helicopter pilot for sharing their knowledge of the landscape along the way.

Spectacular

Amela_M, Jul 2023

An unforgettable experience, delivered by a group of lovely professionals who clearly know their stuff. It was spectacular from start to finish.

What It Was Like to Look Through a Portal Through Ice...

Ying_Z, Jul 2023

Right from the very start, the taxi and staff service was perfect. We never had too long to wait, and there was always a staff member accompanying us. The staff also taught us how to attach the crampons to our boots and what to do when a helicopter was near. The equipment was clearly professionally designed for this sort of activity and all instructions were informative and thorough. The experience was truly unforgettable as it looked like pure water trapped in time. As well as learning about the history of the glaciers, the natural architecture of the glacier-tunnels was captivating. Out of all my travels in my life with Viator, this was absolutely the best of the best. I highly recommend other tourists to check out this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse into the greatness of nature.

Awesome & amazing trip I have ever have

YenJu_H, Feb 2023

Awesome & amazing trip I have ever have ! The everything is so good ! Everyone should come and try again!

Magnificent

Ana_C, Jan 2023

It was a beautiful day. Flying over mountains, rivers and lakes, the exciting helicopter ride, and walking over the Glacier. The plane pilot, Peter, was extremely friendly and made sure to describe everything along the way. Also the guide during the glacier trekking gave us a great insight about the glacier and the surroundings. The view of the mountains is breathtaking. It just makes one feel so small and so grateful.

One of the best days travelling, ever!

Christopher_L, Oct 2022

One of the best days I've ever had. Firstly we had a small group flight to Franz Joseph, which had spectacular views, I had never been in a small plane before, but it was fantastic to see the Southern Alps from above. Our pilot gave us points of interest as flew, and it was interesting hear the air traffic control. Next, the helicopter ride to the glacier, was short but sweet. Again, first time in a heli, and it was impressive to see the glacier from above. The glacier itself was amazing, blue ice that we trekked over, using grips and trekking polls. We had a few hours on the ice, with incredible views. The day ended with another helicopter ride and a flight back to Queenstown, again lovely views from both. An expensive day, but well worth it and a unique experience.

Excellent experience!

Jas_V, Oct 2022

Excellent experience! Once in a lifetime! I loved every bit of the experience! It was fantastic, and I recommend the heli-hike to everyone!!

Overall amazing

Alvaro_M, Mar 2020

We were extremely lucky with the weather and the activity developed perfectly. Our pilot from Queenstown to Tasman Glacier base and return was James and he is an absolute legend!! He is very knowledgeable and friendly. Then our two guides at the Glacier, Sam and Chris, were amazing. They took care of us making sure we were stepping on the right spots and they also took us to really cool caves (as they knew the glacier very well). Highly recommend this trip!

La gentillesse du guide...

Louisr_B, Mar 2023

La gentillesse du guide et l’organisation a la minute. L’experience du survol en helico du glacier et vol autour du mon Cook en elle meme est irreelle