Activities Franz Josef Glacier

There are many activities and tours designed for all age groups and physical abilities, all aiming to give you the best Glacier experience possible.

FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER GUIDES are the sole guiding company on the Franz Josef Galcier. The guides offer a range of glacier hiking tours to suit all levels of fitness and ability. All our visitors will be equipped with the very best in quality equipment to explore this spectacular terrain in comfort and safety.

HALF DAY GLACIER ADVENTURE
This is a fantastic introduction to an enthralling world of ice, traversing spectacular tracks of only moderate difficulty. Our walk is longer in duration than others offered allowing you more time to enjoy the impressive terrain on the lower reaches of Franz Josef Glacier. After a short walk through regenerating rainforest, the trip continues along the glacier valley with your guide calling stops to explain the unique features of the Franz Josef Glacier and its surroundings.

After strapping on crampons you make your way up the terminal face of the glacier, where pre-formed tracks make exploring the lower reaches of the glacier achievable for most agile people. Our half day hike includes entry into the fabulous Glacier Hot Pools!

GUIDE TO CLIENT RATIO 1-13
MINIMUM AGE 8 years
DURATION / ICE TIME Duration, up to 4.5hrs Ice Time, up to 2 hrs

TRIP TIMES: 8.45am, 10.30am, 12.30pm (3pm in Summer)

FULL DAY GLACIER ADVENTURE
The world renowned all day option takes you into superb scenery, deep in the heart of the glacier. The excellent step-cutting skills of your guide allows you to travel through the most spectacular and challenging glacier terrain imaginable, satisfying even the most ardent of adventurers.

Gaining confidence as you go and with a total of 5-6 hours on the ice you could find yourself in all manner of situations, from squeezing through tight blue crevasses or sliding through ice caves to shuffling, down near vertical walls of ice.

The Guides will take you further, into the most spectacular ice falls and guarantee the most extensive and rewarding glacier adventure available. The full day hike includes entry in the fabulous Glacier Hot Pools!

GUIDE TO CLIENT RATIO 1-11
MINIMUM AGE 12 years
Duration, up to 8hrs Ice Time, up to 6hrs

TRIP TIMES 8.15am, 915am

HELI HIKE

After an exciting scenic flight, you land high up on the glacier and undertake a two hour guided hike amongst some of the most pristine and awe-inspiring glacier scenery available. Your guide chooses the route as you go and with an eye for the most spectacular ice formations. You'll soon be making your way through a wonderland of towering pinnacles and brilliantly blue ice.

You'll enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains with plenty of photo opportunities and the chance to learn more about this magnificent glacier.
GUIDE TO CLIENT RATIO 1-11
MINIMUM AGE 8 years
Duration, up to 3hrs Ice Time, up to 2hrs
TRIP TIMES
Summer: 9.15am, 11.45am, 2.15pm Winter: 10:15am, 12:45pm


Go white-water heli rafting The West Coast of New Zealand is home to some of the best white-water rafting in the world. With well over a thousand rivers and creeks flowing off the Southern Alps and our access via helicopter, we can offer a huge range of adventures. Rafting trips with ECO RAFTING are all go for every level of thrill-seeker, from scenic floats and family rafting adventures, to medium-level class 2 and 3-4 whitewater and the most extreme class 4-5 heli-rafting adventures that New Zealand has to offer. ECO RAFTING have over 10 years on these rivers, and being owner/operated/guided our thorough knowledge of the terrain lets us pick and choose which rivers we run, ensuring you get the best bang for your buck. Drive and hike-in options for those on a tight budget.
Experience the thrill of off-road riding. BEAUMONT BUGGY'S are road buggys 250cc (2 seater go karts) located 5 kms South of Franz Josef. Off-Road driving through rainforests and beautiful farm country with Spectacular mountain views, an affordable fun activity for the whole family. Try out our fun and fast loop track! Drivers must be 14 years or over All wet weather and safety gear provided (helmets, boots, waterproof trousers and coats) Just bring yourself, your camera, and warm clothing if cold
How about hooves instead of tyres? SOUTH WESTLAND HORSE TREK'S Appaloosa horses are quiet and well mannered, making them suitable mounts for even the most nervous rider. Treks progress at a safe pace, adjusted to your level of experience, and vary in length from 1 to 6 hours, all year round. Trek routes and times may vary depending on the weather Ride with a stunning backdrop of the glacier, mountain and forest views. Choose a trek to suit your riding ability, itinerary and budget.
Ice-climbing FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER GUIDES provide a day packed with adventure and adrenalin highs. Provided with expert tuition and all technical equipment, this is a great way to introduce you to the exhilarating sport of ice-climbing, whilst still enjoying the dramatic scenery and awesome terrain of the Franz Josef Glacier. On the glacier you will learn all the aspects of ice-climbing using the front points of crampons and two technical ice axes.
Walk on the Wild side: GLACIER VALLEY ECO TOURS provide a 3 hour return guided walk up the Glacier Valley river bed. Our tours are especially designed for visitors who want to learn about the wonders of this incredible natural environment. If the conditions are safe the Eco Valley Tours will take you up beyond the general public's saftey rope to check out the front face of the glacier in person. The tours pick up from Bella Vista Motel.