Mount Cook: Glentanner High Country Heli Hike

About This Experience

The Glentanner High Country Heli Hike takes you somewhere most visitors to Aoraki/Mount Cook never go: private land on Glentanner Station, a family-owned high-country station, one of New Zealand's most historic. It combines a scenic helicopter flight, a guided walk and a look back at the region's farming history in about three and a half hours.

A helicopter flies you from Glentanner to a landing point high on the station's land. From there a knowledgeable guide leads you along a well-maintained track of about 7 km, descending through tussock country shaped by ancient glaciers. Reviewers single out the guides for their knowledge of the station, its landowners, flora and fauna.

Along the way you visit the fully restored Historic Field Station and its exhibition, and stop for morning or afternoon tea with a snack and drink provided. Walking poles are supplied, or bring your own. The operator cannot cater for special diets, so bring your own snacks if you have one.

The walk covers about seven kilometres of uneven ground, so a reasonable level of mobility is needed. A return flight from the landing site can be arranged for guests who would rather not walk. The hike depends on the weather, and if it is unsafe for flying or walking you can move to another time or day if space allows.

Highlights

• A scenic helicopter flight to a landing point high on Glentanner Station
• Exclusive access to private land on a historic family-owned high-country station
• A guided walk of about 7 km on a well-maintained track
• The fully restored Historic Field Station and its exhibition
• Morning or afternoon tea with a snack and drink provided
• About three and a half hours away from the usual tourist route

What's Included

• ✓ Scenic helicopter flight
• ✓ Alpine landing on Glentanner Station
• ✓ Guided hike of about 7 km with a knowledgeable guide
• ✓ Access to the Historic Field Station museum
• ✓ Snacks and drinks at the tea stop
• ✓ Hiking poles

Not Included

• Food for special diets (bring your own snacks)
• Hotel pickup (no transport is listed; make your own way to Glentanner Park)

What to Bring

• Hiking shoes
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Your own walking poles, if you prefer them
• Your own snacks if you follow a restricted diet

Good to Know & Caveats

• The walk is about 7 km, and you need to be comfortable on uneven ground.
• A reasonable level of mobility is required, but a return flight from the landing site can be arranged for guests who do not wish to walk.
• The hike is weather dependent. If weather is unsafe for the helicopter or walking, it can be cancelled, and you may transfer to another time or day if space allows.
• Scheduled times may be adjusted because of weather or other circumstances.
• Special dietary requirements cannot be catered for.
• Check in at the Glentanner Park Centre reception desk.

Meeting Point

Check in at the reception desk of Glentanner Park Centre (Glentanner Holiday Park), State Highway 80, Mt Cook 7946, on the shore of Lake Pukaki on the road to Mount Cook Village.