Franz Josef Nature Tour: Informative and Family-Friendly Experience With Experienced Nature Guides

58 Ratings

Franz Josef / Waiau

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Join our Franz Josef Nature Tour for an informative and family-friendly experience. Explore the stunning natural beauty with experienced nature guides and learn about glaciology, geology, flora & fauna, and local legends & history.

Duration: 3 hours

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Franz Josef Glacier - Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation or meeting point in Franz Josef, and drive you to the glacier carpark. From there, you will walk with your small group tour and guide to about 2000m from the Franz Josef Glacier terminal face, at the end of the forest walk.

What's Included

Boots if required - please enquire as stock is limited
Walking poles if required
Umbrellas
Wet weather clothing

What's Not Included

Lunch

Additional Information

This eco-tour is ideal for nature enthusiasts of all ages and abilities, providing opportunities for off-track adventures and a profound insight into the intricate workings of the ecosystem. This unforgettable journey unveils the hidden wonders of the Franz Josef Glacier Valley. Meander through ancient native podocarp rainforest, stroll along a pristine…

Location

20 Main Road

Main Road

Glacier Valley Eco Tours, in The Helicopter Line building (next to Glacier Motors)

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.9

(58 Ratings)

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Kwjw

Dec 28, 2024

Glacier Valley Hike - Knowledgeable guide. She answered many questions and provided interesting facts. She obviously enjoys her work and wants her guests to enjoy and learn about the area.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Tanja

Dec 24, 2024

Great! - Absolute recommendation. We had an awesome tour with a great guide who has so much love for nature and brought us even closer to the beauty of this nature. We had so much fun!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Michael_a

Dec 15, 2024

Franz Josef Nature Tours - Great way to spend a morning - We had a lovely time doing the Franz Josef Nature Tour with Tyler. He was a knowledgeable, friendly and responsible guide. We learnt a lot from him and had a bunch of varied experiences on the walk including drinking fresh spring water from a running waterfall. Rain on the day wasn’t an issue as the company was completely prepared with wet weather clothes so we could return as dry as we left. The tour ran on time and it was a very easy and pleasant walk throughout. Despite cloud cover meaning that we didn’t catch a glimpse of the glacier, we found it a great way to spend the morning and would definitely recommend it if in Franz Josef.

Review provided by Viator

Passenger51450090833

Dec 15, 2024

Enjoyable off the beaten path trip though the bush - Tyler, our guide, was super knowledgeable, enthusiatic and fun. We had a group of 8 and left the regular paths to explore the bush, get up close to some waterfalls, and walk about on the valley floor- Stuff one cannot do if just visiting the park. A good guide is needed because you'll never find you way out of there with out!! We had a lot of fun, some laughs and learned quite a bit about this amazing area, Highly recommended.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Lynne_b

Dec 12, 2024

Stunning vistas and excellent guide, a ‘must do’ while in Franz Josef! - As I am passionate about nature and wildlife, I knew when I visited Franz Josef I wanted to use a company with likeminded values and am pleased I found Glacier Valley Tours. Booking was easy and upon arrival they checked I had the right gear for the terrain and lent me a robust pair of walking boots, as my walking shoes weren’t right. Then off we went with Tyler, our guide, who was so knowledgeable and friendly, it didn’t take long for us all to be chatting away, as if we had known each other for ages! By checking in with us, he ensured that he not only shared his extensive knowledge of the region, ecology and geology, but also ensured he covered the topic we were both particularly interested in. We explored areas of Franz Josef Glacier that you would not get to see if you were self directed, and with Tyler interpreting the environment for us and explaining the difference in ages and types of the vegetation, the time flew by and suddenly we were on our way back to the office. One of the best tours I have ever done, I would highly recommend it. Thank you Tyler, a wonder memory of my visit to New Zealand.

Review provided by Viator

J5116zdlouiseb

Dec 12, 2024

A must do tour in Franz Josef! - As I am passionate about nature and wildlife, I knew when I visited Franz Josef I wanted to use a company with likeminded values and am pleased I found Glacier Valley Tours. Booking was easy and upon arrival they checked I had the right gear for the terrain and lent me a robust pair of walking boots, as my walking shoes weren’t right. Then off we went with Tyler, our guide, who was so knowledgeable and friendly, it didn’t take long for us all to be chatting away, as if we had known each other for ages! By checking in with us, he ensured that he not only shared his extensive knowledge of the region, ecology and geology, but also ensured he covered the topic we were both particularly interested in. We explored areas of Franz Josef Glacier that you would not get to see if you were self directed, and with Tyler interpreting the environment for us and explaining the difference in ages and types of the vegetation, the time flew by and suddenly we were on our way back to the office. One of the best tours I have ever done, I would highly recommend it. Thank you Tyler, a wonder memory of my visit to New Zealand.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Ivy_k

Nov 16, 2024

Worth the trip! - This was an excellent, intimate tour of some beautiful trails you can’t access as an individual. Our guide was really knowledgeable about the area and wildlife, and the tea and biscuits half way through was a nice surprise!

Review provided by Viator

Linda_p

Oct 30, 2024

Worthwhile trip - Very interesting walk with a friendly and knowledgeable guide called Petra. Walking through the rain forest, over boulders & streams added a dramatic dimension to the walk to view the glacier.

Review provided by Viator

Brubble512

Oct 26, 2024

Excellent walk in natural forest - I was a bit apprehensive about the walk as the weather was not great but they supplied us with very good rain coats and off we went. Tyler was a great guide pointing out all the various plants, trees and birds along the way and explaining the geology of the area too. We had a great time and really enjoyed it. The rain eased off too for most of the walk! A fairly easy short walk and thoroughly recommended.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

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