New Zealand's only glacial boat tour.
Duration
Full Day
Departure
9.00am
Flight Time
2 Hours
Activity Time
2 Hours
Minimum Age
4 years old
Availability
October - April
Trip Includes
- Round trip scenic flight from Queenstown to Mt. Cook Airport with landing
- 30-minute alpine walk and approximately 1 hour boat tour on the Tasman Terminal Lake with our partners Glacier Explorers
- Complimentary transfers to and from Queenstown Airport available
- Your guaranteed window seat
- $1 donation per passenger to the Kea Conservation Trust
Highlights
- Fly up the spine of the South Island, enjoying panoramic views of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea on one side and Lake Pukaki, arguably New Zealand’s most beautiful lake, on the other
- Experience unparalleled aerial views of the Franz and Fox Glaciers on the West Coast and the Tasman Glacier within Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park
- Marvel at the most awe-inspiring aerial views of the summit ridge of Mt. Cook and the Tasman Glacier
- Land in Mt. Cook National Park at Aoraki/Mt. Cook Airport on the picturesque outskirts of Mt. Cook Village and we'll provide transport up to the Hermitage Hotel
- Team up with your Glacier Explorers guides, departing from the Hermitage Hotel
- Bus to the Tasman Valley and embark on a 30-minute alpine walk through the moraine and National Park
- Take a ride on New Zealand’s only glacial boat tour, boating across the terminal lake and cruising past a towering ice wall, icebergs and lateral moraines
- You will also have some time after your Tasman Glacier Explorers trip to grab a bite to eat at the Hermitage Hotel Cafe, with Mt. Cook as your view
- Follow a different flight path on your return flight to Queenstown, taking in the tussock-drenched Lindis Pass
Our three Mt. Cook flights (Heli Hike, Explore, and Glacier Explorers), all share the same scenic flights in and out so that means you can all fly in at the same time time, even when booking different products.
If booking individually please note down Booking IDs in ‘special requirements’ so we can do our best to seat you in the same aircraft.
Book your Mt. Cook Fly | Glacier Explorers | Fly
Frequently Asked Questions
For additional questions or enquiries
What time is check in?
Please call us on 0800 676 264 1 hour before your scheduled flight time on the day of your flight for your Weather Check. If you are self driving to us at Queenstown Airport, your check in time is 30 minutes prior to departure.
How long is this trip?
This is a Full Day experience. From check in 30 minutes before departure, to landing back at Queenstown Airport, is approximately 8 hours. Please note, this does not include time for self-driving or using our complimentary transfers. If you have plans immediately either side of your experience with us, please let us know.
What should I bring?
We suggest you bring the following with you to make it a great day out:
- Any essential medication
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Camera – make sure it’s fully charged
- Warm clothing layers – incuding a decent jacket
- Sensible footwear is essential
- Bottle of water
- A daypack
- Snacks
How long is the scenic flight?
Your roundtrip flight will be approximately 2 hours.
What equipment is provided?
Glacier Explorers will provide life jackets for your boat trip.
Is food included?
No, food is not included.
You are welcome to bring your own picnic lunch with you as well. You will also have some time after your Glacier Explorers trip to grab a bite to eat at the Hermitage Hotel Cafe, with Mt. Cook as your view.
Will we land on a glacier?
No. As we operate fixed-wing aircraft, we are unable to land on glaciers. Your landing for this trip will be on a runway/airstrip on the outskirts of Mt. Cook Village. We will then team you up with our partners at Glacier Explorers for your boat trip on the Tasman Terminal Lake.
How physically fit do I need to be?
You will need to be able to walk 1.5km (1 mile) in 25 minutes. This is an alpine walk through the Mt. Cook National Park to the boat departure point.
Can children join this trip?
The minimum age for children on this trip is 4 years old. Each child aged 4-9 years inclusive must be accompanied by an adult (i.e. 1:1 ratio).
Can I book this trip in winter (June-August)?
Glacier Explorers operates from September/October to April/May. The glacier lake freezes over in winter. The start of each season is subject to the lake thawing.
We had a great trip with Glenorchy Air! We did the trip where they hand your over to Tasman Explorers for a boat tour of Tasman Lake and the glacier at Mt Cook. I’ll review the Tasman Explorers part separately. The flight was fabulous! The van picked us up at our hotel and communicated well about their arrival time. We waited only a few minutes before getting on board a little Cessna - we had only 3 passengers total plus another employee. Every seat has a window view and the pilot told us about what we were seeing in our incredible views. Upon landing at Mt Cook, the pilot and colleague took one passenger to the Hooker Valley trailhead and then took us to the Hermitage to hand us off to our guided tour. They met us when we returned and we flew home on another scenic route with more explanation of what we were seeing. We felt safe and thrilled the entire trip! Flying to Mt Cook was incredible because of the views and vantage point - it was a great use of our time and worth the cost.
JoKnits via Tripadvisor