Best of · HELICOPTER COMBO ADVENTURES IN NEW ZEALAND
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 11 helicopter combo adventures in New Zealand worth the seat price, each with what it costs, how long you are off the ground and the one thing to know before you commit.
Fly over the Southern Alps, land on Franz Josef Glacier, and spend about 2 hours 15 minutes walking among crevasses, pinnacles, and ice caves. Guides such as Sarah, Maya, and Angus combine glacier safety with glaciology and Māori stories. Warm gear and crampons are provided.
“Awesome sights! Staff was amazing and knowledgeable, they are well equipped and well prepared professionals.”
Ride a helicopter onto Te Moeka o Tuawe, or Fox Glacier, then spend up to three hours walking across changing ice with guides such as Charlie, Serena, Henry, and Billy. Boots, crampons, poles, and wet-weather gear are supplied. Expect short flights, mountain views, and an active glacier hike.
“Serena was our AWESOME guide and was very safety oriented. She also watched her group carefully to be sure no one was in difficulty and kept an eye out for weaker members.She was always encouraging and affirming. We saw crevices, manu holes and she dug stairs for us to hike down into canyons and see tunnels (never have ice over your head). Our helicopter pilot was also amazing. It was wonderful flying between the mountains and over the glacier. She set us down so smoothly we didn’t even realize we had landed.”
You’ll fly over Aoraki Mount Cook National Park by ski plane and helicopter, with a snow landing on the Tasman Glacier. The route and aircraft order may change with weather. English-speaking pilots, free parking, and flexible rescheduling are included.
“It was brilliant! The wind was picking up so was a bit hit and miss as to whether it would go ahead, but the team were great at keeping me informed (shoutout to Tina for being amazing and making sure I was able to get a slot!) Can’t recommend enough!”
From Mount Cook Airport, you’ll fly over Tasman Glacier Lake, land on the ice, and spend two hours hiking among crevasses and ice formations. Guides such as Kerry, Scott, Maddie, and Jess have earned high praise for clear safety advice and glacier knowledge. Equipment is provided, but bring warm layers and sturdy shoes.
“excellent day. the helicopter ride and the glacier hike itself was amazing. both the pilot and the glacier guide as well as all the staff at the airport were amazing. would recommend this activity”
Take a 45-minute scenic flight from Mount Cook Airport in both a ski plane and helicopter, with a 10 to 15-minute landing on the Tasman Glacier. You may fly either aircraft first, then change over on the ice. Live commentary, headsets, and a professional pilot are included.
“An amazing experience to fly over Mt Cook in perfect weather and land on the top of the Tasman Glacier by helicopter. Then the plane down was just as memorable. This experience is hard to compare”
Fly from Mount Cook Airport over Aoraki/Mount Cook to a remote Tasman Glacier landing. After fitting boots, crampons or snowshoes, follow guides such as Hunter, Richard, Fiona, or Flav across ice caves, tunnels, and fresh snow. The 3-hour trip includes gear, two helicopter flights, and a small group of up to 11.
“We had a great experience both with the helicopter ride and the glacier hike. The staff and guide were competent and the views were stunning.”
Fly from Queenstown to Mt Cook, then take a helicopter onto Tasman Glacier for about two hours on the ice. Your guide provides boots, crampons, and safety gear, leading you through changing ice formations and caves. The small group returns to Queenstown by air after a six-hour mountain day.
“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 Read more”
Travel from Queenstown to Aoraki Mt Cook in a small group, then take two helicopter flights to the Tasman Glacier for a guided hike. Expect scenic stops at Lindis Pass and Lake Pukaki, supplied glacier gear, and guides such as Tedd, Xavier, or Ryan, depending on the day.
“Amazing experience to fly above and then walk on the glacier. Breathtaking views on the helicopter ride. Fabulous hosts from start to finish.”
Join Trips & Tramps in Te Anau for a small-group Kepler Track hike. Fly by helicopter to Luxmore Hut, walk alpine tussock and beech forest trails, then cross Lake Te Anau by water taxi. Expect 7 hours, 8 km or more on foot, and a sustained 800 m descent.
“Fantastic guided hike on part of the Kepler track (about nine miles or 14 km total) with great views”
From Te Anau, Southern Lakes Helicopters combines a 25-minute flight, a Kepler Track hike, and a 10-minute water taxi ride. You fly over Lake Te Anau and the Hidden Lakes, land near Luxmore Hut, walk toward Luxmore Summit, then return along the lake.
“Great communication, great pilot, great views and a lot of fun. Highly recommended. I can't say enough great things about how well the company is run and how much we enjoyed the day.”
You’ll take a 15-minute helicopter flight from Te Anau to the Kepler Track near Luxmore Hut, walk 8 km downhill with a local guide, and finish by water taxi at Brod Bay. Expect alpine weather, a steep 800 m descent, conservation stories, hot drinks, and a small group of up to 12.
“The entire day was awesome, starting with being picked up out the front of our hotel and the helicopter ride over the bay and up too Luxmore hut. Our 2 guides were very friendly and made the day even more enjoyable, some of the group couldn’t make it all the way up the mountain to Mount Luxmore so the group split and one guide took 4 of us all the way up the mountain and the other turned around and waited back at Luxmore hut. The walk to the top is well worth the effort for those who have reasonable fitness, the views are just stunning. The walk down back…”
By what you want moving underneath the aircraft.
