55-Minute Grand Circle Helicopter
South Island, New Zealand
- 55 minutes (approx.)
- Flight time: 55 minutes
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
What's Included
- Headsets to hear the guide clearly
- Live commentary on board
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Mount Cook AirportMount Cook Road, Canterbury Region 7999, New Zealand
The airport is located 3 minutes prior to Aoraki Mount Cook Village on State Highway 80.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Tasman Glacier
55 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Franz Josef Glacier
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters by Inflite
55 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Aoraki/Mt. Cook
55 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Total weight per passenger: 256 lbs
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Wheelchair accessible
- Flights may be cancelled due to weather conditions
- Minimum of 4 people per flight applies before the flight will operate
- Departure time will vary daily depending on bookings and weather conditions
- Near public transportation
- Time of departure will be confirmed 24 hours prior to date of flight
- Check in closes 45 minutes prior to flight time
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Shelby_C
The helicopter pilot was experienced and knowledgeable about the area. The flights up and back were cool. Standing on the glacier and taking pics was so special. Gorgeous!
We signed up for the 55 minute tour but it was too windy to go on the back side of Mt Cook. They adjusted our route and made the tour the 45 minute tour and made sure we still got to land on Tasman Glacier. They sent the $100 per person credit request to Viator to have that removed from our credit card. The experience was FANTASTIC!
I would suggest that you wear a neck gaiter as you cannot wear a scarf. You also cannot wear hats or gloves. A hooded jacket is ideal. I didn’t have a hooded jacket and I was fine so it’s not required just warmer if the wind kicks up. They suggest boots to walk on the glacier to avoid slipping. I didn’t pack boots so I wore sneakers, I walked gingerly, and I did just fine. I wore athletic pants and a zip-up New Zealand merino wool sweater with pockets to keep my hands warm. I was plenty warm.
They do weigh you to balance the helicopter so your seating is assigned but you can switch from middle seat to window seat on the way back so everyone gets time by the window. They put two small women in the front seat next to the pilot.
Reviews
4.7
based on 38 reviews
Shelby_C, Mar 2026
The helicopter pilot was experienced and knowledgeable about the area. The flights up and back were cool. Standing on the glacier and taking pics was so special. Gorgeous!
We signed up for the 55 minute tour but it was too windy to go on the back side of Mt Cook. They adjusted our route and made the tour the 45 minute tour and made sure we still got to land on Tasman Glacier. They sent the $100 per person credit request to Viator to have that removed from our credit card. The experience was FANTASTIC!
I would suggest that you wear a neck gaiter as you cannot wear a scarf. You also cannot wear hats or gloves. A hooded jacket is ideal. I didn’t have a hooded jacket and I was fine so it’s not required just warmer if the wind kicks up. They suggest boots to walk on the glacier to avoid slipping. I didn’t pack boots so I wore sneakers, I walked gingerly, and I did just fine. I wore athletic pants and a zip-up New Zealand merino wool sweater with pockets to keep my hands warm. I was plenty warm.
They do weigh you to balance the helicopter so your seating is assigned but you can switch from middle seat to window seat on the way back so everyone gets time by the window. They put two small women in the front seat next to the pilot.
Jasmine_W, Feb 2025
Definitely worth the price, saw three glaciers and two of the highest mountains in New Zealand. And a short landing on the Tasman glacier and the view is truly amazing.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thanks so much for your great feedback! Seeing three glaciers and two of New Zealand’s highest peaks sounds incredible — and that Tasman glacier landing really is something special. We’re thrilled you felt it was worth every penny! Hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure soon!
Declan_O, Feb 2024
Really poor customer service!! Original date cancelled due to rain, which I have no complaints over. Returned for rearranged date, to be told unable to do 55 minute flight but can do 25 mins. Agreed to this reluctantly. They said it was due to weather but more likely due how many rearranged flights they had to do. They then cancelled that flight! No attempt to rearrange or prioritise us given they already cancelled! Won’t even describe the chaos inside the building!!
Jason_R, Feb 2024
Our service from Inflight Ski Planes Limited was disappointing. We scheduled the 55 minute Grand Circle Tour. Two days before the flight we were told we had to take a tour an hour later than we booked due to our helicopter not being full. Then less than two hours before the scheduled flight we were told that our tour was canceled but we could take a 25 minute “Tasman Teaser” tour an md we would be refunded the difference (which we were within a few days). We arrived to the airport an hour before our flight to check in and there were dozens of people waiting for helicopter tours. They seemed to be from a very large group. We were placed with a family from this group for our tour. Our flight left 15 minutes after the scheduled time. While our pilot was competent in his skill, it seemed like he wanted to end his day quickly. After a snafu with the seatbelts we were off. Right away he said that he could not tell us much over the headsets due to all the chatter from other copters in the air. We ended up landing on top of a mountain (not a glacier) but since we were the last to leave in a group of 5 or 6 helicopters we had the worst position on the mountain for the view of Mt. Cook and the valley below. The tour said the landing was supposed to last 8 minutes, but when we landed our pilot said we have 5 minutes to look around. After we got back in the bird, he seemed to take a pretty quick and direct rout back to the airport. I can’t believe I’m saying this about a helicopter ride, but it was pretty underwhelming. We understand that weather concerns can change plans with helicopter tours, but it felt like we were just squeezed in with a much larger group. There are many other helicopter tours in the Mt. Cook area, from other small airports a little further away. If your driving in you’ll see them. I’d suggest checking out some others before booking with this tour company.
Raja_T, Dec 2023
Incredible experience seeing top of MT. Cook and getting to land on the glaciers. Well worth the price!
Seongmi_K, May 2023
Not a single minute was wasted. Stunning views, prime helicopter, and not noisy at all!! Every single minute felt like a once-in-a-life-time moment, for a newbie to helicopter like me 😊 we flew kinda (seemingly) close enough and and went above and between the glaciers. I feel it I had taken 25mins it would have made me felt quite short about the tour hehe the staffs were also super friendly and nice. Enjoy the fly!!
Kastine_C, Apr 2023
We had a fantastic time! The weather was absolutely perfect! Great company that puts safety first. Awesome experience, was more impressive than we anticipated by far. After hiking the day before to Tasman Glacier and walking the Hooker track to the top, it was so awesome to see how big the Mt Cook land mass area really is. The glaciers are so huge, they go on and on! They was the best day of our 3 weeks in New Zealand.
Hai_T, Mar 2023
Our helicopter trip was a blast. Some great scenery and smooth flying from our pilot. Being able to land on the glacier and getting closer to the mountain peaks was a totally unique experience. Highly recommend.
Susan P, Nov 2019
We were scheduled for the 55 minute Grand Circle Helicopter tour and received the 25 minute ridge landing due to the winds! As suggested we called the morning of our tour and thankful we did. We arrived early due to their suggestion and we at least able to go out! It was a FANTASTIC experience!
From $460.89
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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