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Helicopter tours and hikes are the best way to explore the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, and lucky for you, we have both options for you to choose from! Don't worry about missing out on either one of the glaciers; Franz Josef and Fox Glacier are located just 25 minutes away from each other, and you always have the option of upgrading your tickets to see them both.
Starting point: Franz Josef Glacier & Fox Glacier
Duration: 20 minutes (can be upgraded to 30/40 minutes)
Get a birds eye view of the Southern Alps on this 20-minute helicopter ride, including detailed commentary by the pilot, and a snow walk on the glacier.
Recommended experience:
From Franz Josef: Scenic Helicopter Flight Tour with Snow Landing
From Fox Glacier: Scenic Helicopter Flight Tour with Snow Landing
Starting point: Franz Josef Glacier & Fox Glacier
Duration: 2/4 hours (can be upgraded to 8 hours for Fox Glacier)
Fly up to the glacier on a helicopter and hike through the ice, rocks, and secret caves, all the while listening to your expert hiking guide and taking in the breathtaking scenery around you.
Recommended experience:
From Franz Josef: Expert Guided Heli-Hike in Franz Josef Glacier
From Fox Glacier: Expert Guided Heli-Hike in Fox Glacier
The weather and time of day plays huge roles in deciding the best time to visit Franz Josef Glacier. We've broken it down for you, so you can plan your visit better; take a look!
Final verdict: If you don't mind the crowds, and want a warmer climate, visit during the Summer. If you prioritize a less crowded experience, but don't mind the cooler climate, visit during the Winter. And finally, if you want to see the Southern Alps in full bloom, but are okay with the possibility of last minute flight delays, then visit during the shoulder seasons.
Final verdict: No matter the time of year, mornings are generally the best time to visit the Fox and Franz Josef Glacier. The skies are clearer, and there is a lower chance of your flights being delayed.
There are two main types of tours starting from the Franz Josef & Fox Glacier: heli-hike tours and helicopter tours. Given that they are located close by, you can upgrade your ticket and visit both glaciers on the helicopter tour.
Helicopter tours give you a 20-minute aerial tour of the Souther Alps, covering attractions like the Fox and Franz Josef Glacier, Mt. Tasman, and Mt. Cook, and a 10-minute snow landing on the glacier. You can upgrade your tour to 30/40-minutes, which covers a larger area. Heli-hike tours will take you on a helicopter, to the face of the glacier. From here, you can hike through blue ice caves and crevasses of the glacier for 2/4 hours. There is a return flight back to base, once the hike is completed.
Both heli-hikes and helicopter tours are expensive to begin with. Helicopter tours are comparatively cheaper, starting at NZ$330 for a 20-minute tour, going up to NZ$575 for a 40-minute tour. Heli-hike tours start at NZ$655. They come with an expert hiking guide who will lead you through the tricky surface of the glacier, adding to the premium experience.
While both glaciers are stunning in their own right, Franz Josef Glacier is the steeper of the two, making it a good choice for expert or intermediate hikers. Fox Glacier is less steep, but is longer than Franz Josef. This is a good option for intermediate and beginner hikers.
Helicopter tours will take you on a 20-minute, guided aerial tour of the Southern Alps, and will cover either the Fox or Franz Josef Glacier (based on your selection), and nearby mountains like Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman. Feel free to upgrade your tour for up to 40-minutes to include the other glacier. There is a 10-minute snow landing included in helicopter tours, which is subject to weather conditions.
Yes, you can view the glaciers from free viewing points in the valley, but visibility may be poor during the summer months. Additionally, the only way you can access both glaciers is via helicopter.
It depends on whether you have ever hiked on a glacier, and if you willing to pay the premium. The experience is surreal, especially if it is your first time. Walking through the blue ice caves and waterfalls, being surrounded by lush trees, will transport you to a different universe, one which is pristine and makes you appreciate nature.
Both Fox and Franz Josef Glacier heli-hike tours require children to be a minimum age of 10 years.
Guests must weigh at least 35kgs and less than 116kgs in order to participate in a heli-hike tour.
The heli-hike tours on both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier are physically demanding. Both experiences are not recommended for young kids, pregnant women, and guests with health risks such as heart or lung conditions.
There are plenty of things to do around Franz Josef Glacier. Try your hand at skydiving in Franz Josef or go on a Fox Glacier valley tour. You can also explore the nearby Lake Matheson and Lake Mapourika. If you want to indulge in retail therapy, there are plenty of shopping and dining options in the Franz Josef Glacier town.
Summers (between December and February) are the busiest months of the year, with the glaciers in their active phase. You will see the glacier in motion as you hike! Winters (between June and August) are when the glaciers are more stable. Chances of seeing blue ice are larger during this period, not to mention, the crowds will be lesser. Mornings are the best time to go on your glacier tour, since the skies get cloudier as the day goes on.