3-Hour Heli Hike, Pickup Included

Mount Cook: 3-Hour Heli Hike to the Tasman Glacier

★ 4.8 270 reviews

from $552 per person

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Duration: 3 hours
Meeting point: Mount Cook Airport
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Run by: The Helicopter Line

Overview

This tour pairs a scenic helicopter flight out of Mount Cook Airport with a two-hour guided walk on the Tasman Glacier, inside Aoraki (Mount Cook) National Park. It runs about three hours door to door, and hotel pickup and drop-off in Mount Cook Village is included. The Helicopter Line Mount Cook operates it.

The shape of the day is straightforward. After a safety briefing lasting 20 minutes, you fly roughly 15 minutes over Tasman Glacier Lake and its ice formations to a landing spot on the glacier itself. Guides hand out glacier boots, crampons and a waterproof jacket if needed, then lead you across surprisingly undulating ice terrain below Aoraki and Mount Tasman. On the way back the helicopter tracks close to the Hochstetter Icefall, which is 1,000 meters high on Aoraki's eastern face.

It suits travellers with moderate fitness and hiking ability, aged 10 and up, who want glacier time without a full mountaineering commitment. Reviews repeatedly praise the guides' knowledge and the smooth organisation from check-in to landing. One noted it feels like a mass-market operation rather than an intimate outing, which is worth knowing if a small-group feel matters to you.

From$552 per person

Duration3 hours

Rating4.8 from 270 reviews

What's Included

Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Mount Cook Village
Scenic helicopter flight
Glacier landing
2-hour glacier hike
Professional and experienced guides
All equipment including glacier boots, ice crampons, and a waterproof jacket if required

Run byThe Helicopter Line

Itinerary

Hotel pickupPickup from your accommodation in Mount Cook Village, then transfer to Mount Cook Airport, the starting location.
Safety briefingA 20-minute briefing at the airport. Allow at least 45 minutes after check-in for the briefing and being fitted for your hiking equipment.
Flight to the glacierA 15-minute helicopter flight with scenic views over Tasman Glacier Lake and the ice formations.
Glacier hikeTwo hours of guided hiking on the Tasman Glacier, wearing provided boots and crampons, in the shadow of Aoraki and Mount Tasman.
Return flightA 15-minute flight back over Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, passing close to the Hochstetter Icefall on Aoraki's eastern face.
Hotel drop-offTransfer back to your Mount Cook Village accommodation.

Glacier LandingWeather permitting

PickupIncluded

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the day smoother, from what to wear to how weather can change plans.

Clothing and footwear. Bring warm clothing, rain gear, and comfortable sturdy closed-toe shoes; sunscreen, sunglasses and a camera or phone are also recommended. Boots, crampons and a waterproof jacket are supplied if required. One point raised by reviewers is that clearer guidance on clothing and gear before the tour would help, so err on the warm, layered side.
Fitness and pace. Moderate fitness and hiking ability are required, and participants must be at least 10 years old. The ice terrain is surprisingly undulating, so expect a genuine walk rather than a gentle stroll.
Weather dependency. Flights depend on favourable weather and minimum passenger numbers. If the tour is cancelled you can move to an alternative date or take a full refund.
Photos and devices. Phones and cameras are welcome, but drones, selfie sticks and tablets are not permitted for passenger safety. Several reviewers describe the views from the helicopter and the glacier as extraordinary, so keep your camera accessible rather than buried in a bag.

$552from, per person

3 hoursduration

4.8across 270 guest reviews

Group feel. The hike is led by a guide with the whole group together on the ice. One reviewer called the operation mass-market but still very good, and another enjoyed making connections with others in the group during the walk.
Timing at check-in. Your requested time is the check-in time, not departure. Allow at least 45 minutes after check-in for the safety briefing and equipment fitting before you fly.

From$552 per person

Rating4.8 from 270 reviews

Ready To FlyCheck availability →

Common issues. The main risk is weather: flights are subject to conditions and minimum passenger numbers, and cancellations do happen, though the operator offers an alternative date or a full refund. One reviewer described the operation as mass-market, so anyone expecting a small private group may find it busy. The tour is not recommended for pregnant travellers, has a 150-kilogram per-person weight limit including equipment, and requires a minimum age of 10 plus moderate fitness. Some travellers also wanted clearer pre-tour advice on clothing and gear.

Common Questions

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from hotels in Mount Cook Village are included. The tour starts and ends at Mount Cook Airport, which sits on Mount Cook Road in the Canterbury Region.

What Is Included In The Price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Mount Cook Village, the scenic helicopter flights, the glacier landing, a two-hour guided glacier hike, professional guides, and all equipment such as glacier boots, crampons and a waterproof jacket if required. No exclusions are stated.

Can Children Join The Heli Hike?

Participants must be at least 10 years old. The hike also requires moderate fitness and hiking ability, and the tour is not recommended for people who are pregnant. There is a maximum weight limit of 150 kilograms per person including equipment.

What Happens If The Weather Is Bad?

The flight depends on favourable weather and minimum passenger numbers. If it is cancelled you can choose an alternative date or a full refund.

What Should I Bring?

Comfortable shoes, warm clothing and rain gear, plus sunscreen, sunglasses and a phone or camera. Technical gear like boots and crampons is provided. Drones, selfie sticks and tablets are not allowed on the flight.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Weather cancellations initiated by the operator also come with the choice of an alternative date or a full refund.