From Queenstown: Mount Cook Heli-Hike and Bus Tour Combo

About This Experience

This full day pairs the road trip from Queenstown to Aoraki/Mount Cook with a helicopter flight onto the Tasman Glacier and a 2-hour guided hike on the ice. A small-group minibus handles the long drive, so the only effort of the day is the walk itself. The Tasman is New Zealand's longest glacier, about 23 km from end to end, and the flights in and out pass Aoraki, at 3,724 m the country's highest mountain.

The drive out passes through the Kawarau Gorge, past the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and the Roaring Meg lookout, then along Lake Dunstan and through the Cromwell wine region. After a 10-minute stop on Lindis Pass comes a 30-minute break in Omarama, merino country, where the listing recommends the chicken pie. A 10-minute stop at Lake Pūkaki gives you the view up the lake toward the mountains before the tour heads for the glacier.

About three hours are set aside for the heli-hike. After a safety briefing you are fitted with glacier boots and crampons or snowshoes, and a waterproof jacket if you need one. The helicopter lands you on a remote part of the glacier, where your guide cuts steps in the ice as you walk for about two hours. A second scenic flight brings you back to base. Children must be 12 or older, and the weight limit is about 115 kg.

The return leg stops for photos in Mount Cook Village, then spends 15 minutes at High Country Salmon, where you can feed the fish and taste the salmon, and 15 minutes at Jackson Orchards for fruit or real fruit ice cream. Lunch is not included, so bring a light lunch or buy food in Omarama. If the flight cannot operate on your booked date, you can choose a full refund.

Highlights

• About two hours walking the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's longest at about 23 km, as your guide cuts steps in the ice
• Views of Aoraki/Mount Cook (3,724 m), New Zealand's highest mountain, from the helicopter
• Kawarau Gorge, the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and the Roaring Meg lookout on the drive out
• 30-minute stop in Omarama, in merino sheep country, for coffee and a pie
• 10-minute stop at the blue water of Lake Pūkaki, with Lord of the Rings filming locations nearby
• Feed the fish and taste fresh salmon at High Country Salmon (15 minutes) on the way home

What's Included

• ✓ Guided small-group minibus tour from Queenstown, with pickup and drop-off at 28 locations
• ✓ Scenic helicopter flights to and from a landing on the Tasman Glacier
• ✓ 2-hour guided glacier hike
• ✓ Glacier boots, ice crampons or snowshoes, and a waterproof jacket if required
• ✓ Bottled water and snacks
• ✓ Full refund option if the flight cannot run on your booked date

Not Included

• Lunch (bring a light lunch or buy food in Omarama)
• Tips

What to Bring

• 3 to 4 warm upper-body layers
• Leggings or light long trousers
• Gloves and a sun hat
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• A phone or camera secured with a strap
• A daypack with a light lunch

Good to Know & Caveats

• Children must be 12 years or older to take part.
• The listing gives a weight limit of 116 kg per person in one place and 115 kg (254 lb) in another, so treat 115 kg as the limit.
• The tour involves a moderate to substantial amount of walking and needs a reasonable level of fitness.
• Flights are subject to availability and are confirmed with the operator's airline partner; you will be told if your date is unavailable, and if the flight cannot run on your booked date you can choose a full refund.
• Drones, selfie sticks, and alcohol and drugs are not allowed.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Meeting Point

Pickup is included from 28 locations, mostly central Queenstown and Frankton hotels plus the Frankton Bus Interchange near Queenstown Airport and the Cromwell Fruit Sculpture; choose yours when booking. Drop-off is at the same set of locations.