THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Soar above New Zealand’s longest glacier with Southern Lakes Helicopters. This 40-minute flight delivers intense glacier views and a rare landing on the ice in the heart of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.
Soar above New Zealand’s longest glacier with Southern Lakes Helicopters. This 40-minute flight delivers intense glacier views and a rare landing on the ice in the heart of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.
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Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Southern Lakes Helicopters · Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, Canterbury
The Tasman Glacier, stretching over 23 kilometers, stands as New Zealand’s longest glacier. Situated within the remote and rugged expanse of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park in Canterbury, it carves a spectacular icy path through the Southern Alps. Southern Lakes Helicopters offers a standout 40-minute helicopter adventure that takes you along the entire length of this natural marvel, revealing the glacier’s astonishing scale and the park’s dramatic alpine terrain.
Departing from Mount Cook Airport, this 5-star rated flight provides sweeping aerial views of the turquoise-hued Tasman Lake dotted with towering icebergs and the fractured crevasses of the glacier’s surface. The flight path hugs jagged mountain ridges, offering jaw-dropping perspectives on hanging glaciers and the rugged rock formations shaped by millennia of ice flow. At the heart of this journey is a rare opportunity to land directly on the glacier, where the pilot may power down the helicopter to immerse passengers in the profound stillness known as the “sound of silence.”
This tour stands apart due to Southern Lakes Helicopters’ intimate local knowledge—pilots share insightful commentary about the glacier’s ongoing retreat, the geological forces shaping the landscape, and the towering presence of Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s tallest peak at 3,724 meters. The experience is both an education in alpine geography and an unforgettable encounter with one of the most remote wilderness areas in the country.
Ideal for travelers seeking a mix of breathtaking scenery and unique access, Southern Lakes Helicopters positions itself as a crucial gateway to understanding the high country’s natural history and fragile ecosystem. The Tasman Glacier Explorer flight is perfectly suited for those wanting a compact but deeply immersive journey into one of New Zealand’s most extraordinary outdoor destinations.
easy.
40 minutes.
No advanced fitness required; suitable for most travelers comfortable with a brief landing on ice terrain.
Yes, private flights are available upon request; pricing differs from shared tours.
Tours are fully refundable or can be rescheduled if canceled due to weather.
The landing is brief and on stable ice areas; most ages can participate but consult when booking.
Wear layered clothing, sturdy shoes, sunglasses, and bring a camera but no drones.
Yes, pilots share expert local insights and highlight key features throughout the tour.
No, this is a short scenic flight without food service; bring water if desired.
Aoraki/Mount Cook was named by Māori and remains sacred; the National Park was established in 1953 as New Zealand’s oldest.
Glacial retreat due to climate change is monitored closely; operators emphasize low-impact tourism practices.
Southern Lakes Helicopters operates from Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park in Canterbury, New Zealand. The company offers a range of helicopter experiences that include scenic flights, transfers, heli-hikes and alpine landings. Featured on The Adventure Collective, Southern Lakes Helicopters lists multiple trips such as Scenic Te Anau, Mountain Magic, Fiordland Heli-Hike, Twin Lakes Heli Jet, The Works, Tasman Glacier Explorer, Aoraki Panorama, Aoraki/Mt Cook Ultimate and Southern Lakes Explorer. Service options also include transfer and combined packages named in the trip list, for example A20 Transfer + 50 minute Scenic Flight, A20 Transfer + 40 minute Scenic Flight, A2O Transfer + 30 minute Scenic Flight and A20 Transfer + 50 minute Scenic Flight. The Alps To Ocean Bike Transfers and A2O Transfer + 30 minute Scenic Flight connect mountain flights with cycling starts along the Alps to Ocean route. Fiordland-focused experiences in the offering include Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Doubtful Sound, Doubtful Sound & Milford Sound and History Of Fiordland. Trip design ranges from short scenic circuits to longer explorer routes such as Tasman Glacier Explorer and Fiordland Heli-Hike. Several listed trips reference alpine landings and high country access. Travelers can review the specific itineraries and availability on The Adventure Collective listing. Southern Lakes Helicopters' published trip names and locations make it straightforward for visitors planning flights around Aoraki/Mt Cook and the wider Fiordland and Southern Lakes regions. Detailed booking information, schedules and seasonal availability appear alongside each trip listing on the feature page for prospective visitors worldwide.
Book with Southern Lakes Helicopters