Helicopter Line - Franz Josef Heli Hike

Your tour begins at The Helicopter Line Base, situated on the Main Road (State Highway 6), Franz Josef Glacier, 7856.

On arrival the friendly team will check you in, get you kitted out with the essential gear and give you a pre-trip briefing.

You will walk with your group and your guide to the heli-pad where you will board the chopper waiting to take you to the Glacier.

You will then have a short scenic helicopter transfer flying over the glacier valley and landing on the ice.

Once you land , you will begin your 2.5 hour heli hike exploring the amazing ice formations and crevasses with your experienced guide.

Once you have arrived safely back at the Franz Josef glacier guides check in centre, you can deposit your gear and collect your valuables and head back to your designated accommodation having just experienced one of NZ’s most spectacular destinations.

TRIP CANCELLATIONS

The changeable weather that shapes our dramatic landscape on the West Coast can also impact our ability to operate. We will not compromise the safety of our guests or staff in any circumstance, so if the weather conditions mean it’s not safe to operate a trip we will cancel it. All trips cancelled due to weather will be refunded. We need a four-hour window of clear weather to operate our Heli Hike, and because the weather is so changeable we are constantly monitoring weather reports and conditions on the glacier to make the safest and most accurate decision. Since we usually make the final weather call just before the trip departure, the best way to stay informed is to check with us or The Helicopter Line on the morning of your scheduled trip. If you can manage it, we recommend spending at least two days in the Franz Josef region to allow the best chance of getting onto a Heli Hike trip.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Pre-existing medical conditions Existing or previous medical conditions including (but not limited to) those listed below may have an impact on your ability to participate in our Glacier Heli Hike. It’s important that you advise us of the following when making your booking: Ankle or knee injuries ACL damage Joint replacements or dislocations Neck or back injuries Heart conditions and high / low blood pressure Diabetes Severe asthma If you have any doubt about your ability to participate in the trip we recommend you consult your medical practitioner prior to booking. In addition to this, our lead guides may need to restrict guest participation on a Heli Hike Trip based on the specific conditions of the glacier on the day.

SAFETY RESTRICTIONS

Participation Heli Hike Tours are operated by The Helicopter Line with guiding services provided by Franz Josef Glacier Guides. The Helicopter Line adheres to the highest safety standards to ensure ongoing safety for both guests and our team. They will be delighted to welcome you as a guest provided you: Weigh less than 115kg (253.5lb) Are not pregnant Are over the age of 8 years old, the weight of 35kg and the height of 137cm tall Are not under the influence of intoxicating drugs or alcohol Have not been assessed by a lead guide as lacking the required fitness to complete the trip.

Make sure to check in at the location  specified in your confirmation at least 15 minutes before the  tour begins.

Cancellations & Refunds

If your service provider cancels the tour or activity you have booked, then you are entitled to a full refund.

Happy Travels New Zealand does not refund in cash and can only refund back onto your Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

Fees paid to Happy Travels for credit card fees, deposits, bus tickets and luggage storage are non-refundable or transferable.

If you decide to cancel your activities or accommodation for any reason, a 50% Cancellation Fee will be applied. In addition to Happy Travels Cancellation Fee, you may also be liable for any cancellation fees charged by the service provider as per their own terms and conditions. It is therefore possible your cancellation fees could be up to 100% of the cost of the booking (for example cancellations made within 24hrs of travel).
Booking Confirmations

Your Responsibilities
Trips with booked dates: It is your responsibility to ensure the dates on vouchers are correct and correspond to your own itinerary, including any transport tickets, campervans & bed nights. Please double-check that the pick-up locations for your selected tours are correct. The times printed on your tickets are generally the departure times of the tours you have booked, arrive 15 minutes prior to the time stated on your voucher to ensure you are on time. If you are late for a tour, the tour operator reserves the right to mark you as a no- show and charge a 100% cancellation fee.

All bookings must be reconfirmed 48 hours in advance by contacting your tour provider directly using the contact information listed on your tour voucher.

You may either re-schedule directly with the supplier or you can email our support team on [email protected] and include your voucher number, name of product you booked, planned departure date and your contact details. Once you’ve emailed us, you can drop us a line at +64 340 90 978

Yes, we do have open dated/flexible tickets available. Most tour vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of purchase, however please be aware that you may be subject to supplier price fluctuations. All ticket validity is specified on the tour voucher. If you are unsure of the validity of your voucher, just ask one of our wonderful staff.

If you need help with an existing booking please email us at [email protected], if your enquiry is urgent please follow up your email with a quick call on +64 340 90 978 so we can help you.

We endorse the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that all travellers take out travel insurance. If you already have travel insurance, please understand that it is your responsibility to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all of the adventure style travel you have booked with us.

Absolutely, we understand that paying off a big trip in one go isn’t always that easy. We offer flexible payment plans to suit all types of travellers with zero interest or fee’s (minimum $100NZD deposit required).