Heli Hike, Hotel Pickup

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

★ 4.8 270 reviews

from $558 per person

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

Overview

A helicopter sets down on the Tasman Glacier and you spend two hours walking on it. That is the core of this tour from The Helicopter Line Mount Cook, which begins at Mount Cook Airport with a safety briefing, then lifts off over Tasman Glacier Lake and its ice formations before landing on the glacier itself.

Once on the ice, guides fit everyone with glacier boots and crampons, and a waterproof jacket is available if needed. The terrain is surprisingly undulating, and the hike takes place beneath Aoraki and Mount Tasman, the highest peaks of the Southern Alps. The return flight passes close to the Hochstetter Icefall on Aoraki's eastern face, a wall of ice around 1,000 meters high.

The whole outing runs about three hours from briefing to return, and hotel pickup and drop-off in Mount Cook Village is included. It suits travellers aged ten and up with moderate fitness and some hiking ability. Anyone wanting time on a glacier without a full mountaineering day, and happy to share the experience with a group, will find this fits well.

From$558 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, included in the tour.
Safety briefingAt Mount Cook Airport, a briefing lasting 20 minutes, plus time to be fitted for hiking equipment.
Flight to the glacierA 15-minute helicopter flight over Tasman Glacier Lake and the ice formations, with scenic views on the way.
Tasman Glacier hikeTwo hours on foot across the glacier with a professional guide, wearing provided boots and crampons.
Return flightA 15-minute flight back through Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, passing close to the Hochstetter Icefall on Aoraki's eastern face.

Glacier LandingWeather permitting

PickupIncluded

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what matters practically before booking, from the booking details and from what travellers report back.

Arrive early. 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, so build that into your day.
What to wear. Bring warm clothing, rain gear and comfortable closed-toe shoes. Sunscreen, sunglasses and a phone or camera are also recommended. One recurring theme in feedback is that clearer guidance beforehand on clothing and gear would help, so err on the warm side.
Fitness and pace. Moderate fitness and hiking ability are required, and participants must be at least 10 years old. The ice is described as surprisingly undulating, so expect real walking rather than a gentle stroll.
Group experience. You hike with a group and a guide. One reviewer called it a mass-market operation but still a really great tour. Others enjoyed meeting people in their group.
Photography limits. Drones, selfie sticks and tablets are not permitted for passenger safety. Phones and cameras are fine, and reviewers consistently mention the views from both the helicopter and the ice as a highlight.

Where this tour sits among the 8 per person flights in Tasman Glacier Landings (from-price per person, USD)

Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo$280
Tasman Glacier Helicopter, 40 Minutes$373
Tasman Glacier and National Park$373
Glacier Highlights Ski Plane$401.73
Mountains High, 40-Minute Flight$409.68
Grand Glacier Experience, 50 Minutes$468.61
Guided 3-Hour Glacier Hike$558
Heli Hike, Hotel Pickup (this tour)$558

Weather risk. 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. One reviewer praised staff for helping rebook after a weather cancellation.

From$558 per person

Rating4.8 from 270 reviews

Ready To FlyCheck availability →

Common issues. Weather is the main catch: the flight only runs in suitable conditions and with enough passengers, so cancellations happen and you may need to rebook or take a refund. The tour is not recommended for people who are pregnant, and there is a maximum weight limit of 150 kilograms per person including equipment. One reviewer described the operation as mass-market rather than intimate. Some also said clothing and gear advice before the tour could be clearer.

Common Questions

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

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

What Equipment Is Provided?

Glacier boots, ice crampons and a waterproof jacket if required are all included, along with the helicopter flight, the glacier landing and a professional guide for the two-hour hike.

How Long Is The Tour?

The full experience lasts about three hours. That covers a 20-minute safety briefing, a 15-minute flight each way and two hours hiking on the glacier. Check-in is at your requested time, and you should allow at least 45 minutes after that for briefing and fitting.

Can Children Join?

Participants must be at least 10 years old. Moderate fitness and hiking ability are also required, and the tour is not recommended for people who are pregnant.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If the operator cancels because of weather or low passenger numbers, 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. Note that drones, selfie sticks and tablets are not permitted for safety reasons.