PRIVATE: Shackleton Glacier Whiskey Flight - 50mins
About this tour
We welcome you to discover the extraordinary Shackleton Glacier and the fascinating story of its namesake's Sir Ernest Shackleton and his legendary Antarctic expedition. This 50-minute flight includes flying over the Franz Josef and Tasman Glaciers. Fly past Mount Cook & Mount Tasman and then through the Southern Alps where the ""Lighting of The Beacons"" was filmed for Lord of the Rings. You'll have an included 15minute snow landing on the Shackleton Glacier where a complimentary sample of Shackleton Whiskey available to those who want to sample. We are a local, family owned and operated company based in Franz Josef and please note that whilst this is a private flight, you may share the check in and van travel with other passengers on other flights. Total weight of passenger load must be within the helicopter's weight and balance requirements.
Check availability for this tour →
Highlights
- ✓All Fees and Taxes
Itinerary
Stop 1
Fly over the Franz Josef Glacier
Stop 2
Fly over the Tasman Glacier
Stop 3
See Mount Cook and Mount Tasman from the air!
Stop 4
Land on snow of the remote Shackleton Glacier for photos where you are welcome to try a complimentary sample of Shackleton Whiskey.
Included
- ✓ All Fees and Taxes
Not included
- ✕ Comfort Seat
From
$1627.17 USD
per person, price varies by group size & date
Check availabilityYou'll complete your booking securely on Viator
- ⏱ Duration varies
- 📍 Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
As an affiliate partner, we may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability are set and provided by Viator.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Helicopter tours in Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
Franz Josef and its neighboring Fox Glacier are two of the most accessible glaciers on earth, dropping from the Southern Alps almost to sea level through dense rainforest. A helicopter is the only practical way to actually land on the ice, since the glaciers have retreated too far for a walk-up ice approach.
When's the best time to fly?
Tours run year-round, but this is New Zealand's West Coast, one of the wettest regions in the country, and cloud cover is the main thing that grounds flights rather than cold. Summer (December to March) has the most reliable weather, though even then a meaningful share of flights get rescheduled on short notice. Morning slots tend to be more stable before afternoon cloud builds up, and it's worth keeping an extra unplanned day in your Franz Josef itinerary in case your first booking gets weathered out.
What should I bring?
A proper waterproof jacket regardless of the forecast, since this coastline sees rain even in summer, plus warm layers for the glacier itself, it's noticeably colder at altitude on the ice than in town. Heli-hike operators supply crampons and ice equipment, so you don't need your own.
What if the weather doesn't cooperate?
Like most operators, tours in Franz Josef have standard weight and balance limits (you may be asked your weight when booking or checking in), and pilots will delay or reschedule rather than fly in unsafe wind, low visibility, or storms. Booking a tour with free cancellation means a weather delay won't cost you anything.
Compare tours in Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Landing | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRIVATE: Shackleton Glacier Whiskey Flight - 50minsThis tour | Duration varies | N/A | N/A | From $1627.17 | |
| Franz Josef Glacier 25-Minute Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing | 25 min | 4.9 (248) | Yes | From $229.29 | View → |
| Franz Josef: Mountain Scenic Spectacular 40-Min Helicopter Flight | 40 min | 5.0 (38) | Yes | From $403.44 | View → |
| Fox Glacier and Mount Cook Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing | 35 min | 4.9 (50) | Yes | From $287.34 | View → |
From
$1627.17 USD
per person, price varies by group size & date
Check availabilityYou'll complete your booking securely on Viator
- ⏱ Duration varies
- 📍 Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
As an affiliate partner, we may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability are set and provided by Viator.
You might also like
Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
Private Flight: 4 Glaciers with 2 Snow Landings - 60mins
Glacier Country Helicopters is a local, family owned and operated company based in Franz Josef, on the West Coast of New Zealand. Husband and wife team Gus and Poppy started the company in January 2014, and you'll genera
Duration varies · Free cancellation
From $1952.6 USD
Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
Twin Glacier 35-Minute Helicopter Flight from Fox Glacier
Twice the ice! Explore the glacial icefalls of not one but two glaciers - Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier on this 35-minute helicopter flight with a glacier landing along the way. Discover up close their neve and unu
Duration varies · Free cancellation
From $287.34 USD
Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
25mins Private Helicopter Flight in Franz Josef with Landing
On our private Glacier Explorer flight, you'll fly over the Franz Josef Glacier and then into the Southern Alps to enjoy the included 10-minute snow landing for photos. Total experience time: approx. 25 minutes. Please
Duration varies · Free cancellation
From $846.13 USD
More helicopter tours in Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
Franz Josef Glacier 25-Minute Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing
From sea level rising to the heart of the magnificent Southern Alps, this 25-minute helicopter flight explores the awe-inspiring ice falls of the Franz Josef Glacier. The flight includes a snow landing, an excellent oppo
25 min
From $229.29 USD
Likely to sell outFranz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
Franz Josef: Mountain Scenic Spectacular 40-Min Helicopter Flight
Experience two of New Zealand's finest National Parks, divided by the imposing Southern Alps. Discover the gigantic expanse of the Franz Josef and Fox Glacier snowfields with a helicopter snow landing on Franz Josef Glac
40 min
From $403.44 USD
Likely to sell outFranz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
Fox Glacier and Mount Cook Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing
Depart Fox Glacier Village, fly over the legendary Fox Glacier and snowfields and watch the crevasses and ice forms race by below you. Land in the snow above the icefalls of the glacier and experience the magnitude of th
35 min
From $287.34 USD
See Franz Josef from above
Compare real-time prices and availability, then book securely through Viator.
From
$1627.17 USD