The 15 Best Mount Cook Helicopter Tours

1.Mount Cook: Scenic Helicopter Flight with Alpine Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 442 reviews · 25 min · from $226Our pick

Take a 25-minute helicopter flight from Mount Cook Aerodrome through the Tasman Valley and over a blue glacier lake. Land on a mountain in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, with views toward Aoraki Mount Cook. Your English-speaking pilot provides commentary, and the small aircraft carries up to six people. Snow landings occur about 95% of the year, but are not guaranteed in summer.

“Oh my goodness WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!! It was absolutely spectacular. Our pilots Andrew and Jordan were fantastic - they made the whole experience wonderful. It’s a MUST DO in New Zealand - it was the highlight of our whole trip!!”

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2.Mount Cook: Ski Plane and Helicopter Glacier Combo Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 271 reviews · 45 min · from $328

Spend 45 minutes above Aoraki Mount Cook in a ski plane and helicopter, with a snow landing on the Tasman Glacier. Expect changing aircraft, close views of Hochstetter Icefall and Mount Cook, and time on the upper glacier snowfields. English commentary is included, though the amount may vary by pilot.

“We didn’t get to do the Ultimate Combo due to strong winds both days, nevertheless the staff managed to reschedule us a Glacier landing. It was amazing!”

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3.Mount Cook: 3 Hour Heli Hike to the Tasman Glacier

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 218 reviews · 3 hours · from $564

From Mount Cook Airport, you’ll fly over Tasman Glacier Lake, land on the glacier, and spend two hours walking among ice formations with a professional guide such as Scott, Kerry, or Maddie. Glacier boots, crampons, and a jacket are supplied. Expect a small group of up to 10, strong mountain views, and weather-dependent scheduling.

“Magnificent views with breathtaking experience, a professional glacier hiking guidance of Kerry, a great pilot with smooth helicopter ride. A 7 stars journey.”

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4.Mount Cook and The Glaciers 55-Minute Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 133 reviews · from $556

From Glentanner, fly across Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, the Tasman Glacier, and New Zealand’s West Coast glaciers. Your pilot provides commentary, and the 55-minute flight includes an alpine snow landing where you can step out among the mountains. The helicopter carries no more than six people.

“The ground staff provided excellent services by explaining details of our trip and safety procedures. Greg, both our pilot and guide, carried us safely over top of the mountains as well as throughout the trip! We are pleased to say that the whole trip was memorable caused it was managed by capable hands.”

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5.45-Minute Mount Cook Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 107 reviews · from $353

Take off from Mount Cook Airport by ski plane or helicopter, fly over the Tasman Valley and braided rivers, land on the Tasman Glacier for 10 to 15 minutes, then change aircraft for the return flight. A professional pilot provides live commentary, with a maximum of 16 people and weather-dependent departures.

“It was a wonderful trip with clear weather. Beautiful with a great landing on the snow. Would do it again in a heartbeat!”

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6.The Adventurer: Tasman Glacier Heli-hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 92 reviews · from $572Top rated

Fly from Mount Cook Airport over Aoraki/Mount Cook to a remote Tasman Glacier landing site. With boots, outerwear, crampons or snowshoes, and a guide such as Flav, Hunter, or Richard, you’ll explore ice caves, blue holes, snow fields, and unusual formations before flying back.

“This is our first time to took a helicopter, heli hiking, the driving skills are very good, the Tasman Glacier is beautiful, we all enjoyed the trip”

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7.45-Minute Glacier Highlights Helicopter Tour from Mount Cook

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $418

From Mount Cook Airport, you’ll fly over braided rivers, glaciers, and Aoraki Mount Cook before landing on the Tasman Glacier for 10 to 15 minutes with the engines off. Pilots such as Mark, Rob, and Dillon have led flights praised for clear commentary and smooth handling. Bring sunglasses and sturdy shoes, and allow time for weather changes.

“Excellent experience and the Inflight team were very thorough. Pilot Rob took us on a magical tour around Mt Cook, the surrounding mountains and glaciers. We were very fortunate to have perfect weather and the landing on the snow was brilliant.”

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8.Mount Cook: Mountains High 40-Minute Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · from $416

From Glentanner Park, fly above the Hochstetter Icefall and upper Tasman Glacier, then land in the snow for 5 to 10 minutes. Your pilot guides the flight with commentary before crossing the Burnett Mountains and Mackenzie Basin. The open cabin carries up to six people, with flight times set around weather and availability.

“The experience was breathtaking! The only problem we had was that we could not understand what the pilot was saying through our headsets. This really detracted from the experience but other than that it was awesome!”

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9.Glentanner High Country Heli Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · from $307

Take an 8-minute helicopter flight over Lake Pukaki and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, then walk a well-kept 7km 4x4 track through Glentanner High Country. Guide Brian shares stories about glaciers, wildlife, history, and culture. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, snacks, poles, sunscreen, and insect repellent are included.

“We booked the morning tour but the weather was not too good. Our guide Brian suggested us postpone it to the afternoon that the weather was so nice to have our hiking. Brian was very good and shared a lot of interesting information with us. We had a wonderful afternoon with him and the experience was so amazing. Really appreciated!!”

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10.25-Minute Helicopter flight including an alpine landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 49 reviews · from $244

Take a 25-minute AS350 Squirrel helicopter flight from Mount Cook Airport over braided rivers and the iceberg-dotted Tasman Terminal Lake. Land for 10 to 15 minutes on Brass Peak or Liebig Dome, with views toward Aoraki Mount Cook and the Tasman Valley. Pilot commentary and headsets are included, but snow is not guaranteed in summer.

“Flying over the snow cap mountains. Walking on the snow and checking it all out. The pilot was very helpful. Thank you to the staff as well.”

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11.Mount Cook: Alpine Vista Helicopter Flight with Alpine Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 39 reviews

Fly from the Mount Cook area in a helicopter carrying up to six passengers. Your pilot points out the Ben Ohau Range, glacial valleys, Lake Pukaki, and distant Aoraki/Mount Cook before landing in the alpine zone for about 10 minutes. Snow depends on the season. Allow 35 minutes in all.

“Staff at Mt Cook centre very helpful. We were early and staff got us an earlier helicopter flight. Mike, pilot, was very friendly. Told us about the area we were flying over and informative. Took photos of us when helicopter had landed. A great experience”

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12.Mount Cook: Helicopter Flight with Alpine Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 30 min · from $289

From Aoraki / Mount Cook Village, fly over the lower Tasman Glacier and Liebig mountain range in a small group of up to five. Your 30-minute helicopter trip includes an alpine landing, time for photos, and views of snow-covered Southern Alps peaks. Pilots including Sam and guide Glen have earned strong praise for clear explanations and friendly service.

“Sam our pilot was awesome. he gave us details of each of the glaciers and patiently answered our questions.”

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13.55-Minute Grand Circle Helicopter

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 36 reviews · from $476

From Mount Cook Airport, you’ll circle Aoraki Mt Cook, cross the Southern Alps, and see the Tasman, Fox, and Franz Josef Glaciers from above. The 55-minute flight includes a 10 to 15 minute landing on the snow-covered Tasman Glacier. Headsets and live commentary are provided, with a maximum of 12 passengers.

“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. ThRead more”

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14.Mount Cook: 3-Hour Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 29 reviews · from $601

Fly from Mount Cook Airport over Tasman Glacier Lake, land at about 1,200 meters, and spend two hours hiking the ice with a guide. Boots, crampons, poles, wool socks, and waterproof clothing are supplied. The return flight may include views of Hochstetter Icefall and, weather permitting, an ice-cave walk.

“Hiking on the glacier was a one-in-a- lifetime experience. Connor Bensen was our guide and he was great - very communicative, considerate, and accommodating. He knew so much about the glaciers. It takes concentration as you walk on the glacier as it is not flat, but Connor made it very doable.”

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15.Mount Cook Alpine Explorer Helicopter Flight with Alpine Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 22 reviews · from $359

Take a small-group helicopter flight from Glentanner Park over the Ben Ohau Range and Southern Alps. Your pilot provides commentary as you cross alpine ridges, view Aoraki Mount Cook, and land for about 10 minutes in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Snow is seasonal and the flight depends on good weather.

“Amazing sights, friendly crew, but be warned minimum numbers required to fly, so you may end up sitting around waiting for late tourists!”

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