Tasman Glacier (Mt Cook) Heli-Hike ex Queenstown

Experience a thrilling heli-hike on Tasman Glacier. Fly from Queenstown, explore ice caves, and witness breathtaking landscapes in New Zealand’s South Island.

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Tasman Glacier - Skilled guides will lead you deep into the glacier through a picturesque helicopter ride. Spend two hours on the ice, discovering caves and witnessing the natural, constantly evolving beauty of the glacier in New Zealand’s South Island.
What's Included
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Hiking boots and crampons are provided
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
Additional Information

The one-hour fixed-wing flight from Queenstown to the Tasman Glacier in Aoraki Mount Cook is certainly spectacular, but the highlight of this trip is the glacier Heli Hike. The experienced guides will take you into a deep part of the glacier via a scenic helicopter flight. The helicopter passes over the deep crevasses of the icefalls and waterfalls to land on the Tasman glacier itself. From there you’ll be fitted with crampons for the two hours on the ice, exploring caves and seeing the natural, ever-changing wonder of the glacier in the South Island of New Zealand.

  • Children and weight restrictions are applicable for this tour
Location
True South Flights
Hawthorne Drive
Check in at our office 30 minutes prior to departure. We are located in the Remarkables Park Town Centre, near Queenstown Airport, with free all-day parking. Park near the New World supermarket and walk across the carpark entrance to our building on the corner of the main road (Hawthorne Drive).
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(50 Ratings)
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964johannam
Jul 9, 2024
Phenomenal Day on the ICE! - The best day out ever! Absolute blast, loved it. Such an amazing experience. Jason did a fantastic job flying us in and showing and sharing the spectacular sights. The team who took the heli hike were also fantastic, so friendly and helpful. Was definitely a highlight and a bucket list memory.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Companion65885412773
Jun 5, 2024
Best experience of my life! - First time on a small plane, first time in a helicopter and first time on a glacier. Jason the pilot out of Queenstown and back was awesome and Mike the helicopter was incredible! Thanks for the views. Out guide Scott on the ice was the coolest mate ever and the glacier hike was the most amazing thing I’ve done. Just incredible. Thanks guys!!🤙🏻
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amylq786qm
Jun 2, 2024
Tasman Glacier Heli Hike better than imagined - We're a family of four with two daughters (12 and 14) and booked the Tasman Glacier Heli Hike trip with True South. The communication leading up to the trip was excellent and the check in process easy. Our pilot,Jason, walked us across the street from the True South offices and right to the airplane. He gave us some easy instructions and seat assignments and we were off. Jason was an awesome tour guide/pilot as we flew the 50 minutes to Mt Cook, pointing out both interesting geographical features and sites. At the Mt Cook airport he walked us to the Alpine Guides folks and introduced us, told us to have fun, and he'd be there when we got back. The Alpine Guides folks were also friendly and accommodating. Check in and getting geared up was easy. They gave us good hiking boots and made sure our coats, hats, and gloves were adequate (and had loaners if needed). We were put in assigned seats in the helicopter and were flown by the amazing pilot, Mike, up the glacier about 15 minutes to the landing site where our guide, Scott, met us and safely got us onto the ice. He showed us how to put our krampons (spikes) on our boots, gave us instructions for safely navigating the glacier and we set off. Scott is clearly passionate about educating people about the glacier, how they form and change, and why they behave the way they do. We were very lucky to have two ice caves to hike through. Scott encouraged us to take our time and really look at the ice and take as many photos as we could. At the end of the hike we made our way back to the landing site and Mike came in to pick us and delivering us safely back at the airport. Jason was there waiting for us to fly us back to Queenstown. We never felt rushed and Jason was so accommodating the entire trip. It felt like he was a friend along for the adventure with us. We can't recommend True South enough. This was a once in a lifetime experience that exceeded every expectation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Suncib
May 27, 2024
If you do one thing in Queenstown, do this! :) - This was an absolutely breathtaking and amazing experience. The views on the plane ride were incredible, so many "wow" moments. The heli ride to the glacier was awesome. The glacier hike was exhilarating! If you do one tour while in Queenstown, this would be my number 1 choice hands down! Everyone involved from the shuttle driver, the staff that briefs you, to of course our pilot and our hike guide - were professional, friendly and made the day unforgettable. Thank you for such a wonderful experience :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sunci_b
May 24, 2024
If you do one thing while in Queenstown, do this!! :D - This was an absolutely breathtaking and amazing experience. The views on the plane ride were incredible, so many "wow" moments. The heli ride to the glacier was awesome. The glacier hike was exhilarating! If you do one tour while in Queenstown, this would be my number 1 choice hands down! Everyone involved from the shuttle driver, the staff that briefs you, to of course our pilot and our hike guide - were professional, friendly and made the day unforgettable. Thank you for such a wonderful experience :)
Review provided by Viator
857tun
Mar 13, 2024
Tasman Glacier helihike with 1 hour flight from Queenstown into Mount Cook. Amazing once in a lifetime experience - Truly an amazing experience to be able to land on a glacier and explore ice caves with an experienced guide. James, our pilot, flew us on a breathtaking flight by Mount Cook and other glaciers in the Southern Alps. The flight to and from Queenstown was very smooth. The operation was truly seamless. I would highly recommend this tour if you are based in Queenstown and don’t want to drive out to see the glaciers. This is a one of a kind experience that I will never forget!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emily_b
Mar 9, 2024
A+++++ amazing Franz Joseph - I ended up at Franz Joseph and it was AMAZING. The flight alone from QT over the alps was unbelievable. I was originally cancelled for Tasman, but they did everything to find me something for the one day I had available. They were open and honest about limitations re: weather (we luckily had none!), and truly were so nice and so helpful. Pilot was great. Could not have had a more amazing experience in the glacier. 5 million stars.
Review provided by Viator
Shucheng_k
Mar 9, 2024
It was very fun and the... - It was very fun and the guide is kind :D :) i be the model whem we getting ice claw on when i go up at ski plane i feel little bit throw up
Review provided by Viator
Lyn_s
Mar 8, 2024
My Cook Heli-Hike bucket list - Absolutely fabulous trip from the time we got picked until we returned. Light plane flight to Mt Cook was great. Pilot commentary was very informative and interesting. Helicopter up to the glacier was equally as great. Our guides Sam and Emma made sure we experienced as much as we could safely. You are in a group of 10, which was fine.
Review provided by Viator
Deestyle17
Jan 28, 2024
Epic! - Today's trip was EPIC! From the moment we were picked up, we knew this business had a great operation. We flew to Mt Cook with Sam, who flew the plane perfectly, not a bump, not a thump; it was as if we were floating. His local knowledge was impressive, and he was a downright lovely bloke! He made my husband’s fear of heights tolerable, which had never happened before. We hope to be back and fly with him again, 10/10! On the ground, at the Glazier we met our tour guide, Scott, who was equally outstanding, possibly the best guide we’ve ever had. We’re on a complete high from today’s adventure and will most definitely be using your services again. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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