Franz Josef Glacier Guides (Ngai Tahu Tourism)
Details
Experience the Flow of Nature - A guided glacier experience you will never forget! We are proud to share with you the very best of New Zealand's glaciers.
Immerse yourself on a journey of discovery, in one of the most pristine places on Earth. Our friendly and experienced guides will share their knowledge of the glacier region, leaving you with a whole new appreciation for Franz Josef Glacier.
Franz Josef Glacier Guides have exclusive guiding access to the world-renowned Franz Josef Glacier. Our guiding techniques allow us to safely access remote glacier terrain that would normally only be accessible to experienced mountaineers.
We are not only passionate about the glacier but also the West Coast. We are committed to providing the best experience to our guests and we take their safety seriously.
Whether you join us for a Glacier Heli Hike, or a Glacier Heli Ice Climb, you will be amazed by the unique glacial landscape that surrounds you. This is an experience you will never forget.
Location & Directions
63 Cron Street, Franz Josef West Coast West Coast New Zealand
Cancellation Policy
You must be 18 years or older to make a booking on this website. If you are under 18 years old, we will require a parent or guardian to make the booking on your behalf AND purchase their own ticket in order to accompany you for the duration of your chosen trip with Franz Josef Glacier Guides.
In order to uphold safety standards we are not able to accept as clients any person over the weight of 115kg (253.5lb).
Glacier conditions change rapidly and as such we cannot fully brief you on current conditions. In general ice steps on our trips can be over 400mm (1.3 feet) high. This height can challenge people with low physical fitness or low levels of agility.
Children wishing to join our Heli Hikes need to be at least 10 years old, weight at least 35kg and be at least 137cm tall. Ice climbers must be at least 16 years old. Due to glacier and weather conditions this guideline may change and participation in the hike is ultimately the decision of the lead guide on the day. For further information please contact us.
Due to the risks involved on our glacier trips we do not take anyone who is, or may be, pregnant.
Factors such as lack of physical fitness, pre-existing medical conditions including, but not limited to, ankle injuries, knee injuries or ACL damage, joint replacements, dislocations, neck or back injuries, heart conditions, high or low blood pressure, diabetes or asthma can effect capacity to safely take part in a glacier trip and in turn increase the possibility of sustaining an injury. If you have any medical conditions or have had surgery in the last 10 years we recommend consulting your doctor about your participation in a glacier trip and making Franz Josef Glacier Guides aware of your condition.
We do not guide customers who are under the influence of intoxicating drugs and / or alcohol.
As we operate in a mountain environment certain events may result in customers having to stay on the glacier overnight.
Franz Josef Glacier is an unstable geological feature that presents certain significant hazards, including, but not limited to, avalanche, rock fall, ice fall, heavy rain, cold exposure, heights, flooding, uneven terrain, tripping and sun exposure. To learn more about the risk please click here
Franz Josef Glacier Guides reserve the right to curtail or cancel trips for customers whose fitness or ability it not appropriate to the trip on which they are booked. If you are unable to complete the glacier trip you have booked due to inadequate fitness, you will not be entitled to a refund. If you are not familiar with our trips please consult a member of our reservations team for advice on which trip will best suit your ability.
Booking Terms and Conditions
Changes and Cancellations:
You may modify or cancel your booking free of charge by contacting us directly up to 24 hours before your scheduled check-in time, (rescheduling is subject to availability).
Cancellations Within 24 Hours:
Cancellations made within 24 hours of your check-in time will be charged the full amount of your booking.
Changes Within 24 Hours:
Any changes made within 24 hours of your scheduled check-in time are at the sole discretion of the operator and the full payment may be applied.
Failure to Check In (No shows):
If you fail to check in or fail to check in at the designated time, you may be unable to participate in your experience, and the full payment will be applied.
Operator Cancellations:
Franz Josef Glacier Guides reserves the right to cancel or modify any service due to weather conditions, insufficient reservations, or unforeseen circumstances.
If we must cancel the tour due to weather or operational reasons, we will offer you either the next available time slot or a full refund.
If the tour is shortened after it has started (curtailed) due to weather or operational reasons, a partial refund may be available depending on the time spent on the ice. If you spend less than 1.5 hours on the ice, a partial refund will be calculated based on our current policy (generally calculated based on the proportion of time spent on the ice compared to the total duration of the scheduled experience).
No refund will be provided if 1.5 hours or more have been spent on the ice.
Trip Suitability
Franz Josef Glacier Guides reserves the right to cancel or curtail trips for customers whose fitness or ability is deemed unsuitable for the tour they have booked. If you are unable to participate in or complete the tour due to inadequate fitness, no refund will be provided. To ensure you select the appropriate tour, please consult our reservations team for advice on which trip best matches your fitness level and abilities.