Ultimate Glacier Adventure

8h
New Zealand
Photo Steven T.
Steven T.
Tour Provider
View Steven’s tours
Difficulty
Moderate
Duration
8h
Group size
1-4 tourists,
over 14 y.o.

The glacier breathes beneath your feet — ancient, shifting, alive. Step into a world few ever see, where crystal-blue walls rise like frozen waves and the air hums with silence. This is your day to walk on the edge of time itself.

Your adventure begins with a helicopter flight soaring above emerald valleys and snow-dusted peaks before landing high on Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere. Equipped with crampons and rope, follow your expert guide into ice caves, across glittering crevasses, and up walls of sculpted ice. Each route is unique, shaped by the glacier’s constant movement, and no two days ever look the same.

With a small group and hours to explore, you’ll push your limits or simply stand in awe of the raw beauty around you. Lunch on the ice, stories from your guide, and moments you’ll remember long after the glacier melts from view. Join us on this trip and come find your edge in the glacier's magic!

$824
per tourist
Tour date and time
Number of individuals
1-4 tourists, over 14 y.o.
Only in the Hiking Trekking Club
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Photo Steven T.
Steven T. is the provider of this trip
The provider speaks: English
Kia ora, and welcome to the heart of glacier adventure! We are a team of passionate professionals deeply connected to Aotearoa’s wild landscapes. Our staff come from diverse backgrounds — many with years of outdoor and adventure tourism experience — bringing with them a wealth of knowledge, skill, and enthusiasm for guiding guests through this extraordinary environment. Before leading their first group, every new guide completes an intensive multi-week training program and an apprenticeship alongside senior mentors. Continuous learning, regular reviews, and safety assessments are part of our culture — no matter how long someone has been on the team. All guides are certified in first aid and carry safety equipment on every journey. Each of our glacier guides holds, or is working toward, the internationally recognized Hard Ice Guiding (HIG) qualification, certified by the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA) — a program our company helped develop in collaboration with other glacier guiding pioneers. Every day before tours begin, our guides inspect the glacier, carving new step-lines and walking paths. As you move through the stunning ice formations and shifting terrain, their expert eyes ensure your experience is both awe-inspiring and completely safe.

The tour guides you'll probably meet as well

Photo Abbey
Abbey
Born and raised in Franz Josef Glacier, Abbey comes from our local iwi (tribe) Ngāi Tahu. Proud of her roots and actively involved in the local community, Abbey is an excellent guide and a strong representative of our local wharekura (school). You can expect the highest level of care when on Abbey's trips, and a depth of knowledge about our local history and culture.
Photo Amy
Amy
From wielding an axe to handling a chainsaw, few can match Amy’s work ethic. Taking great pride in everything she does, Amy has rapidly progressed through her Glacier Guiding career. Life outdoors has always been second nature to her — from mustering cattle on horseback to volunteering on Kapiti Island, studying the native Hi Hi (Stitchbird). Some would say Amy's quick wit almost outweighs her knowledge when it comes to having fun on the ice with her manuhiri.
Photo Cale
Cale
You’ll often spot Cale kayaking along a West Coast river or skiing high up on the glacier’s neve. His heart truly belongs to the West Coast bush, and he’s always the first to point out the region’s distinctive plants and wildlife. What he enjoys most about glacier guiding is meeting people from all over the world and finding shared connections with them. If you are lucky enough to have him as your guide, you will learn about the history of the Franz Josef area and how the pioneering guides have led us to the path we follow today.
Photo Jule
Jule
Jule is your friendly local nerd and an aspiring adventure therapist. A geographer and social scientist by training, she quickly realised that the best lessons happen outside the lecture hall! Jule has collaborated with communities addressing the impacts of climate change and loves sharing the uniqueness of Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere with people from all walks of life.
Photo Drew
Drew
Originally from North Carolina, Drew discovered his love for the outdoors early on and later headed west to Alaska, where he found his passion for glacier guiding. A big Lord of the Rings fan, he travelled to New Zealand to see the legendary mountains that brought Mordor to life. During his road trip, he stumbled upon Franz Josef Glacier — and decided to make it his new home! Fun fact: he plays the violin! Some also say he looks like Brad Pitt…
Photo Maya
Maya
Originally from the local hapū, Mahaki, Maya knows Tai Poutini like the back of her hand. Having grown up by the coast in Hunts Beach, she feels a deep connection to her home region. With three years of experience at the Department of Conservation, she has gained extensive knowledge of native plants and wildlife and a keen interest in traditional natural remedies. After welcoming many visitors to her Marae, Maya discovered a new passion for guiding and fell in love with the glacier-filled Franz Josef valley. Maya loves sharing a story or two, which generally leaves her guests in fits of laughter.
Photo Michael (Rookie)
Michael (Rookie)
Rookie made the move from Motueka to the Coast and began guiding in 2010. What started as a fun seasonal job quickly turned into a lifelong career — he’s now one of our most experienced guides. He immediately fell in love with the wild beauty of the West Coast and met his wife, Brooke, while guiding on the glacier. Her father founded Franz Josef Glacier Guides back in 1990. Michael is an avid climber who feels most at home among the peaks at the back of the glacier. He proudly calls himself a bit of a nerd — when the climbing conditions aren’t ideal, you’ll find him creating art, watching Star Wars, or playing video games.
Photo Sarah
Sarah
Famous for never letting her axe-swinging get in the way of a good chat, Sarah hails from sunny Naarm (Melbourne, Australia) and is your go-to walker and talker for everything related to Franz Josef Glacier! After falling in love with Aotearoa’s rich ecology, especially that of Tai Poutini, she transitioned from the climbing industry to guiding hikes in Te Rua-o-te-moko (Fiordland) along the Routeburn and Greenstone Tracks. Never missing a chance to share her remarkable knowledge of the West Coast and Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere, you will leave wondering how learning so much could be so entertaining.
Photo Tom
Tom
Originally from Australia, Tom came to Aotearoa in 2022 in search of higher peaks and fresh adventures. With experience in rock climbing, biking, and even data science, he brings both enthusiasm and skill to the team. He’s currently working toward his Hard Ice Guide qualification and graduated top of his class in advanced avalanche training. When he’s not guiding or training, Tom spends his time planning mountaineering trips across the Southern Alps, bike-packing, climbing, and hanging out with his closest friends.

Tour highlights

helicopter
Fly to Another World
Glide over forests and peaks before landing on a living glacier
into the glacier
Walk the Ice Frontier
Explore glowing blue caves and towering ice formations
on the glacier
Adventure Your Way
Try abseiling or take a relaxed hike — every route is unique, only you and unforgettable moments carved in ice

Route details

Itinerary:

  • Scenic helicopter flight over the Southern Alps
  • Guided glacier hike exploring caves and ice formations
  • Optional abseiling and technical ice challenges
  • Lunch on the glacier with panoramic views
  • Return flight to Franz Josef township
Difficulty
Moderate
Does not require physical training but involves moderate physical activity
Tour provider's comments

This trip can be as easy or challenging as you'd like it to be. Your trained, expert guide will give options for activities on the ice.

 

It's important to know

Check in time and location

Address for check in: Glacier Base
Check-in time: 7.05 am 

It is important that you arrive at Glacier Base at your scheduled check in time. 

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Available dates

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Number of individuals
1-4 tourists, over 14 y.o.
$824
1 tourist

Weather during the tour

Weather conditions along the route
You will get a weather forecast for this tour’s route based on
  • the forecasts for this season
  • the statistics from previous years’ trips

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