The Tasman Glacier Heli Hike takes place on the Tasman Glacier, the longest glacier in NZ. Guests spend up to 2 hours on the ice exploring with a professional qualified guide. The terrain is different from the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. The Tasman is gently angled, not steep. The hiking area is wide-open and panoramic, with no risk of falling debris. Most healthy people with ‘street’ level fitness will enjoy the Helihike. Health problems and lack of physical fitness may limit a person’s ability to safely take part on, or complete a Helihike. You land at 1,200 metres above sea level and spend up to 2 hours on this guided interpretative ice trek. The gently undulating terrain is an amazing landscape of fluted ice, runnels, moulins, and sinuous winding streamlets. The helicopter will return you safely to Mt Cook Airport, flying close by the massive 1,000 metre (3,200 feet) Hochstetter Icefall, below Aoraki Mount Cook to finish this amazing adventure.
Important Tour Details:
Departs/ Finishes: Mt. Cook Airport, Mt. Cook National Park. Phone: 03 435 1001 (or 0800 68 26 65).
Check-in: 45 minutes prior departure.
Please reconfirm (and call Alpine Guides) 2-3 hours prior tour departure to check for weather updates.
Length of tour: allow 3.5 hours.
Video: https://youtu.be/wovxnqHp-ds
How to get there: Mt. Cook Airport is located 5 kms before Mt. Cook Village. Turn off the main road to the right. All sign posted.
What to bring: Small backpack (at least 1 between 2 people), hiking boots (supplied if required), sun glasses, wind/waterproof jacket (supplied if required), sun block and lip cream (UV levels are high in the mountains), gloves for hand protection (supplied if required), a warm hat for cool weather, sun hat/ baseball cap for warm weather, camera, required medication, a drink and snacks are useful.
What is provided: 2 x scenic helicopter flights, safety briefing, professional mountain guide services, safety equipment (including crampons), boots, wind/waterproof jackets and rain pants (if required).
Notes: This is a 3.5-hour trip requiring a reasonable level of fitness. 3 - 4 layers of warm upper body clothing (jeans are not recommended on wet days, as they become very cold, uncomfortable to wear). Heli-hiking is a weather dependent activity. We reserve the right to cancel the hike if weather is not safe/suitable for the helicopter or walking. If we cannot operate (due to weather or minimum numbers) a refund of 100% is due for any pre-paid clients who are unable to re-book for a later date or time slot. A minimum of 4 guests at each time slot, and on each helicopter load to operate.
