Franz Josef Glacier Encounter – Heli Flight & Ice Landing

• scenic helicopter flight
• 15 minutes on the glacier
• 1 guide to 6 guests

What to Bring

Please bring the following items with you:

• Warm, breathable layers (temperatures can change quickly)
• Sunglasses (essential for ice glare – available for purchase if needed)
• Sunblock
• A camera or phone for photos
• Enclosed shoes – hiking boots preferred, but sneakers are okay

What to Leave Behind

For your safety and comfort, please leave these items behind:

• Valuables (passport, wallet, car keys)
• Bags and backpacks
• Loose accessories like caps, beanies, hats or scarves
• Portable chargers, spare batteries or power banks
• Vapes, lighters, or e-cigarettes
• Selfie sticks, GoPro mounts or pole attachments

No specialised equipment is required – you’ll stay warm and safe in your own comfortable gear.

Location and Check-in

• Location: Glacier Base, 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef 7856, New Zealand
• Time: Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

Timely check-in is essential to ensure you’re ready for the helicopter briefing and departure. Glacier Base is centrally located in Franz Josef township, within easy walking distance of most accommodation.

Fitness and Experience

This experience is low intensity and suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Children aged 4 years and up are welcome, and no specific medical conditions will prevent you from joining.

If you’re more than 12 weeks pregnant, we ask that you contact our team before booking so we can make sure the experience is right for you.

• Cancellations more than 24 hours before departure: Full refund**.
• Within 24 hours: No refund

Note: **Any refund approved under our terms and conditions will be subject to a 5% admin & processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount.

Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.*

Operator Cancellations:

Franz Josef Glacier Guides reserves the right to cancel or modify any service due to weather conditions, insufficient reservations, or unforeseen circumstances.

If we must cancel the tour due to weather or operational reasons, we will offer you either the next available time slot or a full refund.

If the tour is shortened after it has started (curtailed) due to weather or operational reasons, a partial refund may be available depending on the time spent on the ice. If you spend less than 1.5 hours on the ice, a partial refund will be calculated based on our current policy (generally calculated based on the proportion of time spent on the ice compared to the total duration of the scheduled experience).

No refund will be provided if 1.5 hours or more have been spent on the ice.

What is the Risk?

Our on-ice experiences are classed as adventure activities and carry a degree of inherent risk; as such you need to be aware we cannot guarantee your safety. As with all adventure activities, there is an element of risk.

Franz Josef Glacier Guides has been assessed to meet or exceed the Health and Safety at Work (Adventure Activities) Regulations 2016.  Franz Josef Glacier is an unstable geological feature that presents certain hazards including, but not limited to; avalanche, rock fall, ice fall, heavy rainfall, cold exposure, height, flooding, uneven terrain, slips, trips, fall and sun exposure.  Serious injury or death is a possibility therefore agreeing to participate is your personal decision.

Factors, such as heart conditions, abnormal blood pressure and joint conditions and a lack of physical fitness can affect capacity to safely take part in a glacier trip and in turn increase the possibility of sustaining an injury while participating in a trip.

If any of these medical conditions apply to you, please state them on the risk disclosure that will be supplied to you by our check in team. If you have any concerns about how your medical may affect your ability to participate in the trip, feel free to discuss with our team.