Christchurch to Aoraki Mount Cook helicopter tour

5.0 (2 reviews) 3 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

2 reviews

5.0

Christchurch to Aoraki Mount Cook helicopter tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Christchurch to Aoraki Mount Cook helicopter tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Fly from Christchurch to view the highest mountain in New Zealand, Aoraki Mount Cook—the training ground of Sir Edmund Hillary.

Viewing the Canterbury plains, lakes, Tasman Glacier, and the spectacular ice falls of the many smaller glaciers in the region.

Experience the New Zealand Southern Alps on board a luxury helicopter.

Alpine landing, seasonal snow if the weather allows.

Fly home through Lord of the Rings country and see the spectacular film site used in the trilogy.

Returning to Christchurch after 3 hours to continue your further travels.'

Great photo opportunities throughout your flight.

Pilot commentary throughout your flight.

Nature and Wildlife Tours Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Helicopter Tours Ports of Call Tours Shore Excursions Small Group Short term availability

At a glance

Duration: 3 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 6 people
People per booking: 1–6
Guide: English
Operated by: Garden City Helicopters

Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Adults (3–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Included: anding and/or facility fees: Landing and facility fees

Not included

Not included: Food and drinks
Not included: Lunch

Itinerary

Garden City Helicopters

10 min

Check in and weighing of passengers. Meet your pilot and be given an extensive helicopter safety briefing. Toilet stop before departing.
Canterbury Region

Passing by

Depart south towards Aoraki Mount Cook, heading over the fertile farmland of the Canterbury Plain. View the variation of farming activity in the fields below from sheep & dairy farming to crops.
Stop 3

Passing by

The mighty Southern Alps, a mountain range extending along the length of New Zealand's South Island. The mountain ranges are bisected by glacial valleys, many of which are infilled with glacial lakes on the eastern side
Lake Pukaki

Passing by

Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo and others in the Mackenzie region. All three lakes were formed when the terminal moraines of receding glaciers blocked their respective valleys, forming moraine-dammed lakes. The glacial feed to the lakes gives them a distinctive blue colour, created by glacial flour, the extremely finely ground rock particles from the glaciers
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)

20 min

If weather allows land atop the mountain ledge of Liebig Dome, which overlooks New Zealand's tallest mountain. Liebig Dome has a front-row seat to gaze upon Mount Cook, Sir Edmond Hillary’s training ground for Everest. Aoraki, its Maori name stands at some 12,218ft feet above sea level, its neighbour Mount Tasman at 11,476. Experience the beauty of the region at 8,000 ft above sea level. Capture the moment with a photo or simply to take in the stunning views. Seasonal snow landing only. Seasonal snow landing only.
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)

Passing by

Back on the helicopter, fly over the Tasman Glacier, called Haupapa in Maori, which is the largest glacier in New Zealand at nearly 15 miles long and 2,000 feet thick. Return to Christchurch via the mountains and mighty rivers.
Stop 7

Passing by

Pass by areas known in the Lord of the Rings movies. Edoras was the capital city of Rohan. Otherwise known to the locals at Mount Sunday in the upper reaches of the Rangitata river. Edoras was where Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and Gandalf met with King Théoden.
Mackenzie District

Passing by

Lord of the rings facts about this tour. Twizel in the Mackenzie Country, the epic battle on Pelennor Fields, where thousands of orcs bred by Sauron clashed with the men of Gondor and Rohan on the grassy fields that stretch to the foothills of the mountains. Lake Pukaki and the mountain background provided the scene for the warg chase in An Unexpected Journey.
Mackenzie District

Passing by

Take in the vast dry lands of the Mackenzie country basin the largest in New Zealand. Rich golden landscapes, powder blue canals and bright turquoise glacial landscapes. Over into the South Canterbury farming region back to Christchurch

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Please report to reception. You will be checked in, weighed and receive a safety briefing

End point

Please report to reception. You will be checked in, weighed and receive a safety briefing

Using your ticket

please call 24 hours prior to departure time to reconfirm 03 3584 360 and supply your cell phone contact number and check weather conditions.
Dress code is smart casual, covered shoes and a warm jacket. Sunglasses and sunscreen
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund

All flight times are approximate and subject to change due to weather conditions and weight restrictions.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
A minimum of 2 paying passengers per booking is required
There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
Wheelchair accessible - if assistance is required, passenger must provide their own care person and a fare paid for them. Pilot may be unable to lift customer.
Please provide a cell phone number for us to contact you on.
reconfirmation of booking is required 24 hours prior to departure by calling 03 3584360
If we are able to land on the alpine site, snow may be present on the landing site. It will be soft and require good mobility to move around
Weather dependent.
We can only land on the alpine landing site if weather allows. Your pilot will inform you.
Please carry any essential medication with you on your flight.
Please advise pilot of any medical conditions that may require urgent care if you fall ill whilst travelling with us.
Snow may be soft to walk on if we are able to land on the alpine landing site