About this tour
When Ben from our team booked this helicopter tour out of Christchurch, we knew we were after something properly scenic — and it delivered. You're airborne for four to five hours, banking over the Canterbury Plains, grinding past the Southern Alps, and landing at a glacier-fed river valley for a plated lunch with two glaciers as your tablescape. The route threads through the Mackenzie Basin, skirts Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki, eyeballs Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier, and winds back through braided rivers and the Craigieburn ranges. It's a full-on aerial tour, not a short hop.
Highlights
- Touchdown at Rakaia River braids with unobstructed glacier views either side
- Lake Pukaki's aquamarine clarity hits different from above the cockpit
- Platter picnic served mid-flight, wine and beer factored in
- Mount Cook and Tasman Glacier reveal from the side-by-side seat angle
- Murchison Glacier approach shows raw alpine terrain few ground-walkers reach
- Route loops the Craigieburn Basin scenery on the way home
- All-up duration meant we clocked serious ground without feeling rushed
What to expect
Ben and the team strapped in for a proper flight experience, not a scenic joyride. The first half climbs altitude steadily over the Canterbury Plains, banking towards the Alps with increasing drama — Lake Tekapo appears almost unreal in its colour, and Mount Cook looms larger the closer you get. The Murchison and Tasman Glaciers came into full relief, which was the payoff for the flight time. Then comes the landing at Rakaia River's braided channels, which is genuinely remote and delivers the isolation you're paying for.
The picnic setup was straightforward — your platter, local wine or beer, and a solid two-hour window to eat and absorb the vista. The return flight retraces through the Craigieburn and loops past Lake Coleridge, so you're not doubling back the same path. Weather on the day matters; the operator warns snow isn't guaranteed in summer months, so the Alps might look less dramatic depending on season. Overall pacing felt natural — no rushing, no excessive circling.
What travellers say
- Glacier views only possible by helicopter — genuine access advantage
- Platter lunch included mid-flight with wine and beer factored in
- Full four-to-five-hour itinerary covers serious ground without filler
- Mount Cook and Tasman Glacier combo is the alpine centrepiece
- Braided river landing feels genuinely remote, not tourist-park staged
- Summer months offer no snow guarantee; Alps less photogenic
- Long flight duration not ideal for time-pressed schedules or nervous fliers
- Not recommended for those with serious medical conditions; check first
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're serious about alpine scenery without a multi-day hike, this is the ticket. The glacier views are genuinely inaccessible any other way, and the picnic landing transforms it from a fly-over into an experience. Wine and beer included keeps the cost honest. Suits most fitness levels since you're strapped in a seat the whole time.
Four to five hours is a proper commitment; factor in transfer time to the airfield. The helicopter seats are compact, so larger frames might feel snug. Summer months (November–February) mean no snow guarantee — winter or shoulder season will look more dramatic. Not suitable if you have serious medical conditions; the operator flags this. Infants need to sit on laps. Weather can ground flights or reroute, so flexibility matters. The braided river landing, while stunning, is chilly and exposed — bring layers even if it's warm in town.
Bottled water provided. Wine and beer included; spirits and champagne cost extra. Picnic is platter-style, not à la carte. Small group size keeps it intimate. Peak times are shoulder seasons (spring, early autumn) when snow lingers and weather's stable.
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.