Tekapo Departure, 50 Minutes
50 minute flight · Air Safaris
from $317 per person Check availability →
Small Group Heli Hike Combo
Mt Cook Small Group Tour & Heli Hike Combo from Queenstown
from $695.41 per person, price varies by group size
Check Price & Availability →Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Meeting point
- The Station, Queenstown
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Run by
- Cheeky Kiwi Travel
Overview
This day trip from Queenstown pairs a guided road journey to Aoraki Mount Cook with a helicopter flight and a guided hike on the Tasman Glacier. It runs about 12 hours in total, starting early at The Station on Shotover Street in Queenstown, and the group is capped at 15 travellers. The drive north passes through Cromwell, over Lindis Pass and into Omarama for a break, with a stop at Lake Pukaki before reaching the Mount Cook region.
The centrepiece is the heli hike. Two scenic helicopter flights carry the group onto the Tasman Glacier, where a glacier guide leads roughly three hours on the ice. All the technical gear is supplied: leather boots, socks, gaiters, crampons or snowshoes depending on conditions, walking poles, a waterproof jacket and over trousers. Water and snacks are provided on the bus, and the vehicle is air-conditioned.
- Tekapo Departure, 50 Minutes$317
- Coach Tour and Flight Combo$504.60
- Fly Explore Fly From Queenstown$505.18
- Day Tour With Pickup$618.34
- Small Group Heli Hike Combo (this tour)$695.41
The return leg adds stops at High Country Salmon and Jackson Orchards, both free to enter, before the day finishes back at the meeting point in Queenstown. Lunch is not included, but there are chances to buy food along the route. This tour suits travellers with strong fitness who can handle a long day, a big drive and a substantial hike. It is not suitable for people with walking disabilities, and it is not recommended for those with back problems, pregnant travellers, or anyone with serious medical conditions. Weather calls the shots on the flying, so flexibility matters.
From$695.41 per person, varies by group size
Duration12 hours
Rating4.8 from 68 reviews
What's Included
Included
- Small Group Fully Guided Bus Tour from Queenstown & Return
- Tasman Glacier Heli Hike including all equipment
- 2 Scenic Helicopter Flights
- Water available & snacks provided
- Leather boots, socks, gaiters, crampons/snowshoes, walking poles, waterproof jacket, over trousers
- Air-conditioned vehicle
Not Included
- Lunch - opportunities to purchase along the way
- Toilets on board (Restroom on board)
Run byCheeky Kiwi Travel
Itinerary
- Meet in QueenstownMeet the guide at The Station, Home of Adventure, corner of Shotover and Camp Streets, at 6:30 AM. The day ends back at this same point.
- Cromwell stopA 5-minute stop in Cromwell.
- Lindis PassA 15-minute stop at Lindis Pass.
- Omarama breakA 30-minute stop in Omarama.
- Lake PukakiA 15-minute photo stop at Lake Pukaki, free of charge.
- Tasman Glacier heli hikeArrive at Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters for a 10-minute check-in, then two scenic helicopter flights and about 3 hours on the Tasman Glacier with a guide and all equipment provided.
- High Country SalmonA 20-minute stop at High Country Salmon on the way back.
- Jackson OrchardsA 15-minute stop at Jackson Orchards.
- Return to QueenstownThe drive back finishes with about an hour in Queenstown, ending at the original meeting point.
Glacier Landing: Weather permitting
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points shape how this day goes, from what to wear to how the weather can change plans.
$695.41from, per person
12 hoursduration
4.8across 68 guest reviews
15booking group cap
- Dress in layers. Wear 3 to 4 layers of warm upper body clothing and no jeans. Gloves, boots and outer gear are provided, as one reviewer noted, but the base layers are on you.
- Fitness required. A large amount of hiking is involved and a strong physical fitness level is called for. Reviewers describe real time walking on the ice in crampons, so it is a proper hike, not a stroll.
- Weather decides. The flight only goes if conditions allow, and the operator's flight partner makes the call on the day, sometimes at the last minute. Many reviewers mention getting lucky with clear weather, and others describe the heli hike being cancelled for rain or wind.
- Food planning. Lunch is not included, with purchase opportunities along the way. Water and snacks are provided on the bus, but there is no toilet on board, so use the stops along the way.
- Book early. The heli hike depends on availability with the airline partner and must be confirmed separately. One reviewer advises booking well in advance because the glacier portion books up fast.
- Group size. The tour runs with a maximum of 15 travellers.
From$695.41 per person, varies by group size
Rating4.8 from 68 reviews
Ready To FlyCheck availability →Common issues. The biggest risk is the weather scrubbing the helicopter flight, in which case the tour continues without the glacier hike and the operator offers alternatives. One reviewer had the heli hike cut from their booking before departure due to availability rather than weather, though they said the team worked hard to rearrange an alternative. The day is long, with hours of driving either side of a demanding hike, so it does not suit travellers with limited mobility, back problems or low fitness. The tour also needs a minimum number of travellers to run.
Common Questions
What Is Included In The Price?
The guided small group bus tour from Queenstown and back, the Tasman Glacier heli hike with all technical equipment, two scenic helicopter flights, water and snacks, and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle. Gear such as leather boots, socks, gaiters, crampons or snowshoes, walking poles, a waterproof jacket and over trousers is all provided. Lunch is not included.
Where Does The Tour Meet And What Time?
The meeting point is The Station, Home of Adventure, at the corner of Shotover and Camp Streets in Queenstown, and pickup time is 6:30 AM. The tour ends back at the same spot. Hotel pickup is not stated, so check the booking page if you need it.
Is The Heli Hike Guaranteed?
No. The heli hike is subject to availability and confirmation with the operator's airline partner, and the decision to fly is made on the day based on weather. If it is cancelled for poor weather you are offered a different date or a full refund.
How Fit Do I Need To Be?
Travellers should have a strong physical fitness level, because a large amount of hiking is involved on the glacier. It is not suitable for people with walking disabilities, and it is not recommended for those with back problems or who are pregnant.
What Should I Wear And Bring?
Wear 3 to 4 warm upper body layers and no jeans. Outerwear, boots and glacier equipment are all supplied. Bring money or a card for lunch and for the stops at High Country Salmon and Jackson Orchards.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours receive no refund and are not accepted, with cut-off times based on local time. If the operator cancels for weather or because the minimum traveller number is not met, you are offered a different date, a different experience or a full refund.
Find And Book A Flight
Live dates, times and prices are on the booking page.
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