Splendid Hike! - This is a must-do when you're in the Franz Josef area. And, it really is a hike that is easy enough for most people. I was transported to Lake Matheson and back, and had some wonderful views of a rainbow with the mountains on the way. Once at the lake, we started our several hours' hike (with breaks to take pics). The hike is quite easy and there are some beautiful spots to take pics. Jerome told us all about the plants and wildlife in that area, and also had some hot beverages and snacks for us. The weather co-operated, which gave us some stunning views :)

Could not be better - We were at the end of a month-long trip to New Zealand and our last couple of days of our February 2024 trip before heading towards home was at Franz Josef. We wanted to add a guided activity and found GVET. We arranged a nature guided hike around Lake Matheson. When we arrived for our evening hike, we were greeted by Cliff and Tyana, Tyana was to be our guide and we happened to be her only clients that evening. It is hard to describe the amazing evening we had with Tyana. She knew the environment, was passionate about the surroundings yet had a sense of humor and was just an absolute pleasure to have as a guide. We’ve done a fair amount of guided trips in our travels but the evening with Tyana, no doubt, was our best. I don’t think we could have ended our trip any better or with a better guide. We highly recommend GVET if you are in Franz Josef.

Absolutely superb, highly recommend. - Wow, what a fabulous evening tour, I can’t recommend it highly enough. Kath our lovely guide was delightful, kind, considerate, so knowledgeable about the plants, wildlife and the area, she is so passionate about what she does it’s infectious and not only did she give us a great tour but also provided a hot drink and delicious cookies, thank you Kath all very much appreciated, we learnt so much. The scenery and nature are just stunning and the icing on the cake was the mountain reflections on the lake, just breathtaking. If you get a chance do this trip.

Fantastic evening really... - Fantastic evening really lucky with the weather, it was raining when we left, but the sun came was out by the time we reached the lake. We got some beautiful photos of the lake. Lovely mirrored shots well worth a visit. Our guide Jerome was very informative, thank you Jerome for taking us. A real perfect evening

Astounding view - Besides the guide being very knowledgeable, the area was beautiful despite the weather being rainy. We were still able to go around the lake

Visit to the South Island of NZ - The place is still charming for all types of people. Hikers and non-hikers, the path is very simple, you walk through the lush vegetation of New Zealand until you reach the fantastic views of Lake Matheson, which is an authentic mirror of the mountains. This visit is a must. You can't miss it if you want to enjoy unbeatable views

Stunning Morning watching the Sunrise - It was a very early start for the drive out - but we were rewarded with the most beautiful sunrise over the lake. Along the path, Cliff was fabulous yet again and explained the flora and how things grew! Give yourself a chance to witness this marvelous sight!

Lake Matheson - Great views of the mountains. The Lake was very still so we got some good phots to remember our trip by. Our guide was lovely, and gave us lots of information along the way.

Awesome offbeat tour - This eco tour was awesome simply for the knowledgeable, informative, interactive and friendly tour guide/driver. Learnt a lot about the trees, plantations and natural vegetations of the region. The natural scenery was spectacular in the midst of the rain. Would certainly very highly recommend this eco tour to any off beat traveler.

Lake Matheson Tour, Fox glacier and Franz Joseph glacier - Our transport to Lake Matheson arrived bang on pick-up time at 6am and we were swiftly transported to the village of Fox Glacier to pick up others. We were therefore the first vehicle in the car park beside the café at Lake Matheson and when we walked in our early start was rewarded with the black water being so still that the reflections were perfect. Unfortunately, there was some low cloud over the mountains but the Lake conditions were perfect. We walked round in a clockwise direction and it wasn’t until after 8.15 am that we met other people scrabbling to get the perfect pictures that we had easily got. Around that time a slight breeze got up causing ripples on the water which made us very smug that we had got there early enough to have it all – just wonderful! Our guide was a lovely person but didn’t really have a clear grasp of all the things he should have known about and his commentary was spasmodic and pretty much in passing, lacking in substance and detail. He was unable to answer several fairly simple questions put to him about the Lake’s eco system and fauna which was disappointing. You should do this walk on your own without a guide as it is clearly signposted and you won’t miss anything. There is apparently a very good café at the Lake for breakfast on your return but we couldn’t visit it or the information centre and barely had time for a rest visit before being chased into their van for the return journey. Doing it on your own also applies to going to the viewing site for the Fox Glacier which is further down the same road you take to Lake Mathesen which we did the following day and were rewarded with great views and the same applies to walking into the public viewing area for Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers – do it on your own, you don’t need a guide.