About this tour
When Ben from our team booked the Mt Cook Scenic & Tasman Glacier Heli Hike, we got the full South Island experience compressed into four hours. You fly out from Christchurch over braided rivers and high-country lakes, land at Glentanner airfield in Aoraki National Park, then strap crampons to walk across the Tasman Glacier—New Zealand's largest. The whole thing feels like a helicopter ride to another planet: ancient ice beneath your boots, Aoraki and Mount Tasman looming overhead, then the flight back over Canterbury landscapes. It's accessible to most fitness levels, though the altitude and flight time aren't ideal if you've got serious health concerns.
Highlights
- Scenic flight from Christchurch over braided rivers and lake-studded high country.
- Walking on 2-million-year-old Tasman Glacier ice with crampons.
- Aoraki and Mount Tasman towers framing the entire glacier walk.
- Gently undulating terrain makes the glacier hike feel less strenuous than expected.
- Private flight means no queuing or shared-cabin awkwardness.
- Return flight showcases Canterbury landscapes most tourists miss.
- Land at Glentanner airfield, a working gateway to the park itself.
What to expect
The day kicks off with a flight south from Christchurch. You'll see the braided rivers and high-country lakes from above—genuinely striking stuff, not just promotional imagery. About an hour in, you land at Glentanner airfield, where your guide meets you, sorts out crampons, and does a safety briefing. Then you're airborne again, climbing toward the glacier.
Once you touch down on the Tasman, the walk is straightforward: gently rolling ice terrain, nothing technical. The crampons grip well, and the guide sets an easy pace. What gets you is the scale—Aoraki and Mount Tasman sit directly above, and you're standing on ice that's been there for millennia. After an hour or so on the glacier, legs happy and brain buzzing, you fly back to Glentanner, collect your guide, and head north toward Christchurch. The whole thing feels less exhausting than you'd expect, even at altitude.
What travellers say
- Private helicopter eliminates crowds and queue stress completely.
- Walk ancient glacier terrain accessible without mountaineering credentials.
- Aerial and ground views of Aoraki and Mount Tasman unforgettable.
- Suitable for a broad fitness range, not just elite hikers.
- All flight and crampons gear bundled into one price.
- Gently undulating ice terrain makes glacier walk surprisingly doable.
- Four-hour flight duration rules out anyone with serious medical conditions.
- Weather-dependent; cancellations possible, especially shoulder seasons.
- Ground time on glacier modest—roughly 45 minutes to an hour walk.
- Premium price tag reflects helicopter operation, not budget-friendly option.
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is a rare chance to walk on a major glacier without serious mountaineering skills. The private flight cuts out queue stress, and the scenery—both in the air and underfoot—is genuinely world-class. If you've got a week in the South Island and want one showstopper experience, this delivers. Suits people of varying fitness; the pace is manageable.
Four hours is long for a small aircraft, so don't book if you've got ear problems or recent surgery. Altitude can catch some people off guard. Infants must sit on a lap the whole flight. Weather can cause cancellations, especially in winter. Bring warm layers and sunscreen—the glacier reflects UV hard. Ground time on the ice itself is maybe 45 minutes to an hour, so manage expectations. Group sizes are small, which is a plus, but also means fewer departures per day if weather delays you. Cost is premium, though the private flight and gear are included.
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.