Mount Cook: Aoraki & The Glaciers 55-Minute Flight

Name: Mount Cook: Aoraki & The Glaciers 55-Minute Flight
Brand: GetYourGuide
Price: 500.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.81 (45 reviews)

4.8 (45 verified reviews)

Passengers walking away from a helicopter after a snow landing high in the Southern Alps

Aerial view of a broad glacier névé flanked by snowy peaks

Couple taking a selfie in the snow beside the parked helicopter

Close aerial view of crevasses breaking up a glacier's surface

The Helicopter Line helicopter with rotors turning on a snowfield

About This Experience

This is The Helicopter Line's longest scenic flight at Aoraki/Mount Cook: 55 minutes from its Glentanner Park base, crossing the Main Divide to the West Coast and back. You start over Tasman Glacier Lake and follow the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's longest at 23 km long and up to 4 km wide.

Higher up in the mountains the helicopter lands in the snow, subject to snow levels, with Aoraki/Mount Cook in front of you. After time for photos and videos, you traverse the Southern Alps to the West Coast to see the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, then come full circle past the summit ridge of Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Your pilot gives commentary throughout, and groups are small, limited to six passengers. Complimentary transport to and from Aoraki/Mount Cook Village can be arranged, and the price includes concession fees that contribute to conservation in the national park.

Flights, landings and routes vary with the weather and the pilot's judgement. Reviewers mention days when weather shortened the route to 40 minutes. If poor weather or low numbers cancel the flight you choose another time or a full refund, and the operator advises booking early in your trip with room to move.

Highlights

The full length of the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's longest
A snow landing with Aoraki/Mount Cook in front of you (subject to snow levels)
Across the Main Divide to the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers
Tasman, Fox and Franz Josef glaciers all in one flight
Views of the summit ridge of Aoraki/Mount Cook on the way home
Small groups of no more than six passengers

What's Included

✓ 55-minute scenic helicopter flight, including the landing
✓ Alpine landing (snow landing subject to snow levels)
✓ Informative pilot commentary
✓ Complimentary transport to and from Aoraki/Mount Cook Village on request
✓ Small group, limited to 6 passengers
✓ Concession fees contributing to conservation in the national park

Not Included

Food and drinks
Drones, selfie sticks and tablets (not allowed on board)

What to Bring

Warm clothing
Sunglasses
A camera
Closed-toe shoes

Good to Know & Caveats

Flights, landings and routes vary with the weather and the pilot's discretion. Flight times are approximate and include the landing.
If poor weather cancels the flight, you choose an alternative date or a full refund.
Minimum passenger numbers apply. If they are not met, you can move to another departure or cancel for a full refund.
Book early in your trip and keep some flexibility for weather changes, as the operator recommends.
Children and infants must travel with a paying adult. Infants under 4 years and under 15 kg sit on an adult's knee; infants over 15 kg need their own seat.
The Helicopter Line's helicopters hold up to six passengers or a combined 480 kg.

Meeting Point

Check in at the front desk of The Helicopter Line's base at Glentanner Park Centre, State Highway 80, on the shore of Lake Pukaki about 18 km from the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park boundary. Complimentary transport to and from Aoraki/Mount Cook Village can be provided.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.8/5 by 45 verified GetYourGuide travelers.

Fantastic!! We had beautiful clear weather and the landing was amazing!
— Trisha, April 29, 2026

unfortunately the weather got the first ome cancelled, but staff were amazing and fit us in on the afternoon flight, unfortunately the weather meant the 40min flight instead of 55min, but still was an amazing experience, my son was so happy!
— Jane, March 30, 2026

It was just incredibly beautiful and spectacular. I can only recommend it to everyone! The view up there is so unique, you’ll never forget it!!!
— Christina, March 8, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the flight start?

From The Helicopter Line's base at Glentanner Park Centre on State Highway 80, beside Lake Pukaki and about 18 km from the national park boundary. Check in at the front desk. Complimentary transport to and from Aoraki/Mount Cook Village can be provided if you are staying there.

Will I land in the snow?

The flight includes an alpine landing high in the mountains with Aoraki/Mount Cook before you. It is a snow landing when snow levels allow, which is how the operator words it, so snow is likely but not promised. The landing site and route can change with the weather and at the pilot's discretion.

Which glaciers will I see?

Three. You follow the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's longest at 23 km, from Tasman Glacier Lake up into the mountains, then cross the Main Divide to see the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers on the West Coast before returning past the summit ridge of Aoraki/Mount Cook.

What if the weather changes on the day?

Routes vary with the weather. Reviewers describe flying a shorter 40-minute version when the West Coast was not clear, and still enjoying it. If poor weather cancels the flight, you choose another date or a full refund. The operator advises booking early in your stay so there is time to rebook.

Can children and infants fly?

Yes, with a paying adult. Infants under 4 years and under 15 kg sit on an adult's knee, and infants over 15 kg need their own seat. Drones, selfie sticks and tablets are not allowed on board. Warm clothing, sunglasses and closed-toe shoes are recommended for everyone, children included.