The Franz Josef Glacier hike is the most expensive excursion I’ve ever gone on, especially as a budget traveler. For one person, it’s almost $500, and the reason it’s so expensive is that you arrive at the glacier in a helicopter. The Franz Josef Glacier hike is definitely one of the excursions that I debated the most during my travels. Is this 2 and a half hour experience worth the hefty price tag?
Contents:
- Why Did I Decide to do a Franz Josef Glacier Hike?
- Preparing for Your Flight
- The Helicopter Ride
- Hiking on Franz Josef Glacier
- Was the Franz Josef Glacier Hike Worth it?
- Which Tour Company Should You Use?
- Franz Josef Glacier Hike vs Scenic Helicopter Ride
- Key Points
- Important Links
Why Did I Decide to do a Franz Josef Glacier Hike?
I visited Franz Josef as part of a week-long tour with Wild Kiwi. During this tour, we were given the option of multiple excursions every day. For Franz Josef, two of the options were a Franz Josef Glacier Hike and a Helicopter Ride. Both of these excursions had the helicopter ride, but the difference is that during the hike, you spent a few hours hiking on the glacier and exploring the ice.
After seeing the high price tags for both excursions, I was considering going on the helicopter ride, but was still hesitant about spending $200. After going back and forth for a while, one of my friends I had met on my Wild Kiwi tour told me that she was doing the glacier hike, and that it really wasn’t that much more than the helicopter ride. Her perspective really helped, and she encouraged me to book the hike with her.
Interested in a group tour? Read more in my article “How to Decide Between Solo Travel and Group Tours!”
Preparing for Your Flight
What to Wear
I went on this tour in September, which is the beginning of spring and still a little chilly. The morning of the flight, I layered up with breathable layers and leggings. You want to avoid fabrics like jeans because they can get wet. Sunglasses and sunscreen are the most important items to bring, as the glare from the glacier is very intense.
What the Company Provides
The company provides a ton of gear, which is super helpful, so you don’t have to pack heavy winter gear in your suitcase. They give you a waterproof jacket and pants, walking boots and spikes, trekking poles, and even a small pack to carry your phone and other belongings.
Safety Briefing
Prior to boarding your helicopter, your guide will cover a safety briefing with everything you need to know. They will also weigh you and assign you to a seat in the helicopter to keep the weight even throughout. I was lucky enough to get a front row seat, which was an amazing way to see the scenic views!
To participate on this hike, you don’t need to be super fit, but you should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain.
The Helicopter Ride
The helicopter ride was one of the most insane things I have ever experienced. The views were unreal, and it was so cool to see the glacier from above! The ride was not too long, so definitely cherish it while you are up there! You will fly over a valley until you reach the glacier, where you will land directly on it and get out to start exploring!
Hiking on Franz Josef Glacier
Once you land, you spend about 2 hours exploring the glacier. It was so cool to see the ice caves. It can be a little intimidating to walk on something so slippery, but the spikes on your boots keep you secure. There is also a rope built across most of the glacier that you can hang on to for additional support.
The guides will take you around to explore different ice caves. Be careful when you are taking photos, someone on my tour dropped their phone down an ice crevice! Luckily the guide was able to recover it, but it was almost lost forever. During this tour, I felt just like Yukon Cornelius from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Was the Franz Josef Glacier Hike Worth It?
Regardless of the cost, I felt like this experience was 100% worth it! This helicopter tour was hands-down one of the most unforgettable moments of my New Zealand trip. It intimidated me at first to spend so much, but if you think about it, it will cost you even more to fly back to New Zealand one day in the future. You might as well just do it when you’re already there! This was my first time riding in a helicopter, and even after visiting 40 more countries since I still haven’t experienced anything like this.
It is truly one of the most unique excursions that you can do, especially since glaciers are unfortunately melting around the world.
Which Tour Company Should You Use?
I did this experience with Franz Josef Glacier Guides, and I highly recommend them. You can find the exact experience I booked HERE! I recommend booking through GetYourGuide, as it is over $300 cheaper. I use GetYourGuide for all of my excursions, and always have the best time!
Franz Josef Glacier Guides were highly professional, timely, and made this experience one to remember. This excursion is very popular and can sell out, so I recommend booking in advance!
Franz Josef Glacier Hike Vs Scenic Helicopter Ride
The other popular option is the scenic helicopter ride, which you can book HERE. This tour ranges from $200-$300 and lasts around 30 minutes for the entire experience. This is something that I personally would not splurge on. I’m sure it’s a wonderful experience, but when you are comparing the two options, you get a lot more with the glacier hike for $200 more.
Key Points:
- This tour is 100% worth the money! It’s cheaper than flying back to New Zealand one day to do it.
- Wear breathable layers and bring sunglasses and sunscreen.
- You will spend about 2 hours exploring the glacier after flying there by helicopter.
- Book your tour through GetYourGuide for the best price!
- The scenic helicopter ride is an alternative option, but you aren’t getting much for only a $200 difference.
Have you ever done a glacier landing or a helicopter tour? Drop a comment below, I’d love to hear your stories!