Isobel and Tyndall Glacier Heli-hike

Our Glacier Heli-hike takes place on the remote Isobel and Tyndall Glaciers in the Te Wāhipounamu / South West New Zealand World-Heritage site and Mount Aspiring National Park in the Kā Tiritiri o te Moana / Southern Alps. Our trips are run in small private groups adding to the feeling of isolation. This allows all trips to be individually tailored to mountain conditions, fitness, and personal ambition. Savor the views of high alpine peaks of Tititea / Mount Aspiring through to Pikirakatahi / Mount Earnslaw as you explore the glacier with its crevasses and icefalls and remote landscapes with your certified guide.

Location

On the morning of the trip, your guide can pick you up from your accommodation in Wānaka or you can meet them at the Aspiring Helicopters hangar at Cattle Flat on the Wānaka / Mount Aspiring Road.

After introductions and gear checks, the helicopter takes off and travels 15-20 minutes along the Matukituki Valley, across the Harris Mountains, and deep into the heart of the Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana.

The group is dropped off high on the glacier under the slopes of Mount Tyndall.
Your guide will introduce the technical equipment and skills required to safely move around the glacier including using ropes, crampons or snowshoes.

You will spend the day exploring the glacier. With views in all directions, you will get to experience the features of the glacier up close including crevasses, terminal lakes, and ice falls.

At the end of the day, the helicopter returns for the scenic flight back to Wānaka.

What to Expect

The helicopter flight will transport you up above 2000m in the mountains where temperatures can be much colder than the valley floors.

A full range of conditions can be expected and participants need to be suitably prepared. You will need:

Snow boots (available for hire)
Gloves (warm and waterproof)
Long sleeved thermal tops (polyprop or merino)
Warm layers (fleece or synthetic-fill)
Waterproof jacket
Long outdoor trousers or thermal leggings
Sunhat and sunscreen
Warm hat and neck gaiter (eg Buff^®)
Sunglasses (with good face coverage)
Backpack and water bottle

We provide any required technical equipment such as helmets, harnesses, ice axes, gaiters, crampons or snowshoes.

Trips are very weather dependent. We recommend having at least a day either side of your booked date free to give you the best opportunity to get good conditions. Trips take place in a dynamic and remote mountain environment and the itinerary will be flexible to account for conditions.

The Glacier Heli-hike is run in association with Aspiring Helicopters.

Glacier Heli-hike Fitness and Difficulty

Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Glacier Heli Hike

Wānaka Mountain Guides - Glacier Heli-hike

All trips are individually tailored to mountain conditions, fitness, and personal ambition. There are a variety of options and routes available. Shorter-duration trips can be arranged to suit the group.

No mountaineering experience is required. All required technical equipment is provided.

Overnight Options

We also provide overnight heli-hike options either camping on the glacier in our expedition tents, staying in alpine huts, or transferring to Whare Kea Chalet for a more luxurious experience. Staying overnight gives you the opportunity to witness the alpine panoramas throughout the evening light, sunset, and sunrise. The remote location will provide amazing star gazing opportunities and maybe even experience the Southern Lights / Aurora Australis. All food and equipment is provided.

Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Glacier Camp — Glacier Camp

Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Whare Kea Chalet — Glacier Camp

Booking Details

Duration: 4 – 8 hours

Maximum ratio: 1:4

Summer 2025/26 dates: November to April. All trips are run subject to weather.