Franz Josef & Fox Glacier Tours: See NZ’s Ice Wonders
Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, pretty much located close together on the wild West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, have that dramatic draw. They’re just these powerful rivers of ice that are slowly, actually carving their way through pretty old rainforests. They, so, are really visually interesting. Getting up close to these natural giants might be something that sounds like a bucket-list experience, and guess what? There’s pretty much a tour for absolutely everyone, whether you’re kind of feeling adventurous or more into chilled sightseeing. You should see more info on Franz Josef Glacier’s historic significance.
1. Glacier Valley Walk: An Up-Close Experience
For that person who likes their hikes with a side of incredible view, the Glacier Valley Walk might be that ticket. The guided walks, more or less, actually snake through the valley floor, and this gets you very close to the foot of the glacier. You may read about what makes this experience unique when thinking of safety considerations . This option generally offers a real feel for the scale of the glacier. Expect to spend around 3-4 hours on the hike, and that, actually, includes some moderate-level walking, so you’ll maybe want to bring fairly comfy shoes.
Why it stands out: This one usually offers a relatively approachable way to experience a glacier, without doing something too strenuous. It is like a more grounded view, perfect for those who are a bit, like your, concerned about heights but still really want that personal glacier connection.
2. Glacier Helicopter Flight & Hike: A Bird’s-Eye View & On-Ice Adventure
Up for a proper wow moment? The helicopter flight and hike option more or less combines the rush of a scenic flight with that unique chance to walk on the glacier itself. The helicopter whisks you up and over jaw-dropping landscapes. The helicopters typically have a scenic tour around the area . It lands you right on the ice where the guide has that path set up for you to explore ice formations and that incredibly bright blue ice. So, that combo is really something that creates incredible memories.
Why it stands out: It really does pack in two really awesome experiences in a very short amount of time. You get, as a matter of fact, breathtaking photos from the air and some stories to tell about the time you walked on a glacier. Expect to generally spend about 3-4 hours, with part of the time in the air and the rest hiking on the ice. Of course, they will kit you with very needed boots and crampons. I would generally take that warm hat, very seriously.
3. Scenic Cruise on Lake Mapourika: Reflecting on Serenity
If you are needing more of that gentle way to drink in the gorgeous landscapes, that scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika might be really idyllic. Lake Mapourika could be a glacial lake made long ago. It shows still waters reflecting the surrounding forests and the distant Southern Alps. Those cruises commonly come with interesting commentary about the natural area and its history.
Why it stands out: If your group tends to contain somebody who could benefit from something calmer, or maybe if you are just partial to waterscapes, that cruise offers beauty without much exertion. So, it is good for families with younger kids or pretty much anyone who appreciates chilling in nature.
4. Fox Glacier South Side Walk: Discovering Hidden Gems
Away from some bigger crowds at Franz Josef, Fox Glacier could be, more or less, its own great thing to see, offering a less-travelled trail, or less-traveled. This walk normally gives some nice views of the glacier from a bit of a distance, along with that walk through a rainforest. These tours come in a pretty large range of options and price points .It means, basically, there is that option to be closer to this glacier. So, this is typically good for folk that prefer a calmer experience that focuses on different views.
Why it stands out: It might be pretty great if you don’t really fancy doing anything as intense or very touristy, but you do like feeling like you discovered something special. That calmer setting and slightly isolated glacier views just make it really awesome for folks looking for solitude. Expect a few hours of walking through relatively simple trails. Check for closures because this area tends to have more than its fair share.
5. Heli-Hiking Combo: Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Why pick when you maybe can experience the magnificence of both Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier in just one epic experience? The heli-hiking tours usually start with a scenic helicopter trip that actually flies you over both glaciers. The views on that trip can include those amazing ice formations, snowy peaks, or the dense rainforest below, too it’s almost hard to really explain just how dramatic it actually is.
The tours regularly take you on hikes on the ground, offering closer looks at particular landscape features that are often included in special package deals, along with the pretty important part of safety briefs. During the hikes you may actually learn cool facts and points that are actually brought to you by friendly tour guides with experience.
Why it stands out: You know, the biggest part is seeing both glaciers in that day. This happens if seeing things and packing in is your game. It is the ideal combination if that sounds attractive!