Franz Josef is the name of both the glacier and the nearby village, though the Maori names are different.
The small but lively Franz Josef Waiau village is surrounded by lush rainforest with the high snow-capped Alps above.
Franz Josef Glacier (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere) was explored by local iwi and in 1865 by geologist Julius von Haast, who named it after the Austrian emperor. The glacier is five kilometres from the town, and a 1.5 hour walk will take you to within 750m of its terminal face.
In the village, you’ll find plenty of places to stay and eat, or relax at the Glacier Hot Pools or explore the wildlife centre. At nearby Lake Mapourika, you can take a kayak tour or rent a stand-up paddleboard.
Franz Josef Glacier Heliport
The Franz Josef Glacier (Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere) is about 12 kilometres long and has a névé or snow catchment area of 20 square kilometres. The terminal face of the glacier is less than 300 metres above sea level. Franz Josef Glacier has been known to move at up to 4 metres per day, making it one of the fastest moving glaciers on the planet. Fly over the Franz Josef Glacier up to 6000 ft and land on the snow. This flight is gives you a good impression of this beautiful landscape. Come fly with us and get bedazzled!
Franz Josef Glacier Heliport
Soaring upwards to 3500 metres we discover New Zealand’s highest peaks, Aoraki Mount Cook, Mount Tasman and enjoy spectaculair views over the Southern Alps. Below us we see the rampant rainforests where rivers race each other on their short and wild journey to the sea. This flight brings together all the highlights of our tours in one ultimate experience! Explore both the Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers, Aoraki Mount Cook & Mount Tasman, including the Tasman Glacier. We top this off by landing you in the snow!
Franz Josef Glacier Heliport
New Zealand is Glacier Country! Whatever you do, don’t miss out on seeing a glacier while you’re here. There are around 3,100 glaciers scattered throughout the Southern Alps. With just about all of these glaciers inaccessible because of the high altitude and rough geography, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are your best bet for getting up close to a glacier. Discover the wonders of both the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers in one scenic flight. Soar across pinnacles and crevasses and witness the deep blue ice of glacier country. This is the ultimate tour for any glacier lover. This tour includes a snow landing!
Franz Josef Glacier Heliport
Discover the staggering beauty of New Zealand's tallest peaks. Flying over the largest glaciers of Aoraki Mount Cook is an experience you will never forget. The mountain itself is a sky-scraping 3,754 metres tall. We offer you a stunning combination of Aoraki Mount Cook and two world famous glaciers Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers that offers a truly compelling experience of our spectacular scenery. This tour is without snow landing. Come fly with us and get bedazzled!
This is an impression of the available flight routes. Rules and safety will take precedence at all times.
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Choose your desired day and time and the reservation is ready! Sit back and relax while we organize the flight.
After the pilot has confirmed the reservation, the booking must be completed by providing the passenger details and making the payment.
The boarding pass with information about the pilot and the meeting point will be sent by e-mail. Enjoy your flight!
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