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South Island

Start: Aoraki Mount Cook Airport
Location: Aoraki Mt Cook
Travel Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: 2
Minimum Age: 10

Details

Traverse Ancient Icefields on the Tasman Glacier

Begin your adventure with a dramatic helicopter flight high above Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, skimming past glacier lakes, towering icefalls, and sculpted alpine terrain before landing on the vast, shimmering Tasman Glacier. Once on the glacier, you’ll gear up in crampons or snowshoes—depending on seasonal conditions—and explore the ever-changing landscape forged by centuries of ice movement. Guided by an expert, you’ll hike across ice formations, navigate through crevasses, and follow ridgelines carved by time, spending up to two hours immersed in this silent, glacial world.

Each heli-hike is unique as the glacier’s surface continually evolves, creating a different experience with every visit. The journey blends tactile exploration with breathtaking scenery, offering a deep connection to New Zealand’s alpine wilderness. It’s a perfect mix of awe-inspiring landscapes and hands-on adventure for anyone seeking something extraordinary.

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Return Anew Over the Southern Alps

After your glacier trek, board the chopper once again for a breathtaking return flight over the Southern Alps. As you rise from the ice, admire views of expansive peaks, glacier valleys, and alpine lakes—this time from an even more magnificent aerial perspective. With the mountain silence behind you and the grandeur all around, it’s an inspiring way to conclude your adventure.

Whether you're an avid hiker, nature lover, or photographer chasing stunning landscapes, The Adventurer: Tasman Glacier Heli Hike delivers an immersive and unforgettable alpine journey. This one-of-a-kind experience combines a thrilling helicopter flight with serene glacier exploration in New Zealand’s most iconic wilderness.

INCLUSIONS

  • In summer, your guide provides crampons for walking on hard glacier ice.
  • In winter, you can use crampons, try snowshoeing, or both.
  • Once fitted with crampons or snowshoes, explore ice formations with your guide.
  • Your guide will cut steps in the glacier using traditional skills.
  • The trip concludes with a scenic flight back to our Aoraki/Mt. Cook base.

WHAT TO BRING

  • 3 to 4 layers of warm clothing for your upper body
  • Warm trousers (avoid jeans)
  • Sunglasses and sun protection
  • A daypack, along with a drink and snacks
  • A warm hat and gloves
  • A camera

AGE INFO

  • Parental or guardian consent is required for anyone under 18. Children under 12 will be evaluated on an individual basis.

CANCELLATION POLICY

  • More than 24 hours before check-in: Full refund.**
  • 24 hours or less: Non refundable

The weather in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park can change quickly. If flying conditions aren't safe, we may need to reschedule or cancel your flight. If we do cancel, you'll get a full refund**. We’re sorry for any inconvenience. Your safety is our top priority, and we want you to have an amazing experience.

Note: **Refund excludes credit card or payment fees if applicable, which are non-refundable.

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

UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS

This Risk Disclosure covers INFLITE Group Ltd and its subsidiaries including INFLITE Ltd and Mt Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters Ltd and its products.

I accept that this activity inherently involves risks and hazards that could potentially result in harm or injury.

The risks and hazards include, but are not limited to:

Avalanche, rock fall, ice fall, crevasses, moulins, heavy rain, cold exposure, heights, flooding, uneven terrain, tripping, earthquake (including without limitation injury from man-made structures (like buildings, bridges and dams) or natural features (like cliffs and sloping ground) being destabilized or damaged), air travel (including without limitation helicopter/plane crash or accident or injury from collision with spinning rotor blades or propellors) and sun exposure.

I am aware that participating in the activities offered by INFLITE Group can be hazardous if they are not conducted with care, control and responsibility. I acknowledge that these risks could result in my injury (physical or mental) or even death.

Medication/health conditions;

I acknowledge that INFLITE Group staff are not trained medical professionals and cannot provide advice on whether certain medical conditions may pose additional risks for their activities.

Many of the INFLITE Group products include landings in remote areas without immediate access to urgent medical assistance, aside from basic first aid provided by trained staff. In some cases, flights may land up to an hour away from the nearest access to paramedic assistance.

I understand it is my responsibility to evaluate this risk in relation to my health and consult with a medical professional (health or otherwise) prior to undertaking a INFLITE Group activity, to ensure that it won't affect the safety and enjoyment of myself and those around me.

I confirm I am physically fit and able to participate in the activities and I have not been advised otherwise by a qualified medical person.

I consent to receive any first aid that may be deemed necessary by staff in the event of injury, accident or illness while undertaking the activities.

Conditions of participating in activity;

I agree to walk with care, and obey the rules set out by INFLITE Group and instructions given by the guide/pilot/staff at all times.

I accept that if I do not adhere to the instructions and rules, or if I act dangerously, recklessly or in a way that might endanger myself or others, INFLITE Group may remove me from the activity. If this occurs, I acknowledge I will not receive a refund. This is necessary to ensure my safety and the safety of others.

I accept that INFLITE Group reserves the right to cancel this activity if it becomes concerned for my safety, or the safety of another person.

I agree to wear appropriate clothing and use/wear all safety clothing and equipment (as required by the guide) at all times when participating.

Limited liability of Mt Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters.

I understand that if I act recklessly or intentionally, and don’t follow the rules or instructions set out by INFLITE Group and the pilot/guide/ground staff which I have been made aware of, to the extent permitted by law, INFLITE Group will not be held responsible for any injury, damage or loss I cause to myself/my property, or another person/their property, resulting from my action (or lack of action).

Liability of landowner

I agree that the owner(s) of the land on which the activity is conducted, to the extent permitted by law, will not be held responsible for any death, injury, misadventure, damage to or loss of property caused in whole or part by these activities.

Damage to property or equipment

In the event that I damage any of the clothing or equipment, or other property owned by INFLITE Group or a landowner, I agree to pay to INFLITE Group (or the landowner) all costs associated with repairing the damage.

Drugs/ Alcohol

I confirm I am not under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or drugs (be they legal or illegal) which may in any way impair my ability to undertake the activity.

Marketing

I give INFLITE Group permission to send me emails and/or post relating to INFLITE Group events and promotions, as well as the right to use all photos and videos of me taken during the activity for promotional and social media purposes.

Insurance

I acknowledge that INFLITE Group strongly recommend that I have full insurance covering any personal injury and loss or damage to property that I might suffer, including medical treatment cover.

Overnight Stay on Glacier

I understand that INFLITE Group operate in a mountain/alpine environment where certain events may result in having to stay on the glacier overnight.

Participant Acceptance

I agree that by purchasing this ticket and in undertaking the activities, I accept the risks and hazards associated with the activities and all other terms and conditions outlined in this Risk Disclosure Statement.

I also confirm that all persons travelling with me on this ticket have been informed about the terms of this Risk Disclosure Statement and in undertaking the activities, have similarly agreed to accept that there are risks and hazards associated with the activities and to accept the terms of this Risk Disclosure Statement.

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