About this tour
When Sarah from our team tried the Heli Siberia Max Helicopter Tour, she went in expecting a scenic flight and came out with a pair of wet boots and a grin. The day starts with a roughly 25-minute helicopter ride over Mt Aspiring National Park, with glacier views on the way into the Siberia Valley, a remote pocket of New Zealand's South Island where the mountains feel close enough to touch. The trip includes an alpine landing, a roughly three-hour walk on a clearly marked track, and a river jet safari with Wilkin River Jets back down to base. Plan on four to five hours in total. The valley is quiet and far from towns, so you'll share it with few others, mostly fellow adventurers who've made the effort to get there. It feels wild in a way that's hard to find elsewhere.
Highlights
- Glacier views from the air as the Mt Pollux and Top Forks ice pass beneath
- Alpine landing that feels genuinely remote, with the valley all around
- Clearly marked three-hour walk through the quiet Siberia Valley
- Jet boat pickup at Kerin Forks, where the rivers meet
- River jet safari through two wild rivers, with plenty of spins and spray
- Pilots who handle mountain flying with obvious confidence and skill
- Sense of isolation that few day trips in New Zealand can match
What to expect
The flight is the highlight for most people. Sarah said the helicopter gets surprisingly close to the peaks, and the glaciers look far bigger from the air than in any photo. The alpine landing gives you a few minutes to take it all in before the heli moves you on to the valley floor. From there the walk is the part that surprised her most: the track is easy to follow and the scenery keeps changing, so the three hours passed faster than expected.
The river jet safari closes the loop and is a lot of fun. It's loud, wet and fast, and the guides keep the commentary light while handling the turns with real skill. Our team's take is that the day works best if you're relaxed about timing and happy to go with the flow. Weather in the mountains can shift quickly, so the schedule may move around a little. Pack for changing conditions and enjoy the sense that you're somewhere genuinely wild.
What travellers say
- Spectacular aerial views of glaciers and mountain peaks
- Alpine landing offers remote, uncrowded scenery
- Well-marked walking track suits moderately fit visitors
- Thrilling river jet safari adds a fun finish
- Landing and facility fees plus GST already included
- Not suitable for spinal injuries or poor heart health
- Requires at least moderate fitness for the walk
- Weather in the mountains can change plans quickly
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
If you want one standout adventure in New Zealand that combines flight, hiking and jet boating, this is hard to beat. It suits confident walkers who love big views and don't mind a bit of spray. Landing and facility fees and GST are included, so there are fewer surprises when you pay.
This is not a gentle day out. You need at least a moderate level of fitness for the walk, and it's not suitable for anyone with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. Infants must sit on an adult's lap, which may matter if you're travelling with a little one. The weather can change quickly and cancel or shift flights, so flexibility matters. Bring warm layers, a waterproof jacket, sturdy walking shoes, sunscreen, water and a camera you don't mind getting splashed.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.