Mount Cook: 3-Hour Tasman Glacier Helicopter Ride and Hike

Name: Mount Cook: 3-Hour Tasman Glacier Helicopter Ride and Hike
Brand: GetYourGuide
Price: 569.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.87 (329 reviews)

4.9 (329 verified reviews)

Guided group walking across the white ice of the Tasman Glacier below snowy peaks

Glacier guide in red leading hikers in blue jackets across the Tasman Glacier

Mt Cook Glacier Guiding guide talking with hikers on the ice

Hiker at the end of a blue ice cave with icicles hanging from the roof

Close-up of sculpted blue glacier ice under a cloudy sky

About This Experience

This is a guided heli-hike on the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's biggest. After a safety briefing and gear fitting at Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport, a 15-minute helicopter flight drops you on a remote part of the glacier, with views of Aoraki/Mount Cook on the way.

You then spend up to two hours on the ice with a guide, who cuts steps into the glacier as you explore its ice formations. The glacier keeps changing, so the guides are always finding new features to show, and reviewers mention blue ice and, on some days, ice caves. A second scenic flight brings you back to base.

The operator supplies the gear that matters on ice: leather boots, woollen socks, crampons, a walking pole and a waterproof jacket. You bring warm clothing, sunglasses and a hat. Food and drinks are not included, so eat before you check in.

There are two departures a day, at 8:45 am and 10:45 am. The trip is weather dependent and gives a full refund if it cannot operate, and reviewers describe being rebooked for the next day after a weather cancellation. The minimum age is nine, and the hike is not recommended for people with limited mobility.

Highlights

Up to two hours on the Tasman Glacier with a professional guide
Helicopter flights in and out, with views of Aoraki/Mount Cook
Ice formations, crevasses and blue ice as your guide cuts steps ahead
A glacier that changes constantly, so no two trips are the same
Boots, socks, crampons, pole and waterproof jacket all supplied
A choice of two morning departures, 8:45 am or 10:45 am

What's Included

✓ 2 scenic helicopter flights (about 15 minutes each way)
✓ Up to 2 hours guided hiking on the Tasman Glacier
✓ Professional glacier guide
✓ Safety briefing and gear fitting before the flight
✓ Leather boots and woollen socks
✓ Crampons, a walking pole and a waterproof jacket

Not Included

Food and drinks
Transport to Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport

What to Bring

Warm clothing in layers
Sunglasses
A hat
Gloves for the ice
A small snack for after the trip

Good to Know & Caveats

The minimum age is 9 years.
The trip is not recommended for people with limited mobility.
The trip is weather dependent. If weather stops it from operating, you get a full refund for the affected booking.
Allow about 45 minutes for the safety briefing and gear fitting before the first flight.
Departures are at 8:45 am and 10:45 am.
Time on the ice is up to two hours, weather permitting.

Not Suitable For

Children under 9 years
People with mobility impairments

Meeting Point

Meet at the Mt Cook Glacier Guiding desk inside the terminal at Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport, State Highway 80, a short drive from Mount Cook Village. The two daily departures check in at 8:45 am and 10:45 am, and the safety briefing and gear fitting take about 45 minutes before you fly.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.9/5 by 329 verified GetYourGuide travelers.

Kirby was an excellent guide. A great character with excellent knowledge, always prioritising our safety. You could definitely feel her passion for hiking/ the ice.
— Carrina, August 17, 2026

Flavia was an excellant guide. The weather was great. We have loved our day
— Sekscinski, July 13, 2026

Everything about this trip was incredible, real bucket list stuff! Our original date was cancelled due to the weather, but we were able to be rescheduled for the following day (which turned out to be perfect!). From start to finish, you are given clear information, it is clear the staff are extremely well trained, safety was a priority throughout. The helicopter ride was phenomenal, I luckily got to sit in the front!! Stunning views the entire way! Hunter, our hike guide, was brilliant. Very informative, again made sure we were safe at all times and made sure we saw and experienced everything we possibly could. This was a huge bucket list tick for both myself and husband - highly, highly recommend!!
— Denise, July 28, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How much of the 3 hours is spent on the glacier?

Up to two hours, weather permitting. The rest is a safety briefing and gear fitting of about 45 minutes at the airport, a helicopter flight of about 15 minutes each way, and a short break back at base. The time on the ice is guided the whole way, with your guide cutting steps where needed.

What equipment is provided?

Leather boots, woollen socks, crampons, a walking pole and a waterproof jacket are all included and fitted before you fly. Bring your own warm clothing, sunglasses and a hat. Gloves and a snack for afterwards are sensible too, because food and drinks are not included in the price.

How fit do I need to be?

You walk on uneven glacier ice in crampons for up to two hours, so you need to be comfortable on your feet. The listing says the trip is not recommended for people with limited mobility. Reviewers describe the pace as steady, with the guide cutting steps and stopping to explain the ice.

Can children join?

Children aged 9 and over can join; the trip is not suitable for children under 9. The operator's own site adds that children aged 9 to 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The boots, crampons and jacket supplied fit younger hikers too, but check sizes with the operator when booking.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip is weather dependent. If weather stops it from running you get a full refund for the affected booking, and reviewers describe being moved to the following day instead. Booking early in your stay at Mount Cook gives you room to rebook if the first day is cancelled.