Helicopter Flight With Landing

Lake Tekapo: 25-Minute Lupins Scenic Flight + landing

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from $211 per person

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Duration: 25 minutes
Meeting point: Lake Tekapo base
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Run by: Mackenzie Helicopters

Overview

This is a short helicopter experience built around one thing: the lupin bloom that usually fills the Mackenzie Basin from late November into early January. Mackenzie Helicopters runs it from a base on Tekapo-Twizel Road, just south of Lake Tekapo township, and the whole outing lasts about 25 minutes from lift-off to landing back at the base.

After a safety briefing, the helicopter climbs over high-country stations and the basin itself. Lake Tekapo sits below in turquoise, and the Southern Alps and Aoraki Mount Cook form the backdrop. The centrepiece is a landing in a private field where the lupins flower in season, giving you time on the ground for photos with the mountains behind you, away from the crowds. You then reboard for the return sweep over the region.

It suits travellers who want the lupin spectacle from the air. Bring comfortable shoes and a camera; the flight runs in English with an experienced pilot.

Past-flowering lupin stalks with seed pods and green leaves on the Tekapo lakeshore, soft lake and mountains behind in late afternoon.

What's Included

Included

20-minute scenic helicopter flight
Private landing in lupin field
Experienced pilot
This unique flight includes a landing in a private field where you can capture amazing pictures with the snow-capped mountains as your backdrop

Itinerary

Arrive at the baseMake your own way to 697 Tekapo-Twizel Road, just south of Lake Tekapo township, and check in for a safety briefing.
Board and lift offClimb into the helicopter and take off over the Mackenzie Basin.
Fly over the basinSee high-country stations, Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps, including Aoraki Mount Cook, from above.
Land in the lupinsTouch down in a private lupin field, flowering in season, for photos with the mountain backdrop.
Return flightReboard for the flight back to the helicopter base, where the experience ends.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most from a short flight like this.

Where this tour sits among 3 tours in Scenic Flights listed here (from-price per person, USD)

Helicopter Flight With Landing (this tour)$211
Mackenzie Alpine Helicopter$219
50-Minute Scenic Plane Flight$313

Season matters. The experience is built around lupin season, which usually runs from late November into early January and varies by year. Bloom timing varies by year and is not guaranteed, so time your booking with that in mind.
What to bring. The booking page recommends comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes and a camera. You will be stepping out into a field for the photo stop, so avoid flimsy footwear.
Getting there. No transport is listed. Plan to make your own way to the helicopter base at 697 Tekapo-Twizel Road, south of the township.
Language and pilot. Flights are conducted in English with an experienced pilot. If that is a concern for anyone in your party, plan ahead.
Photo timing. The landing is the moment to have your camera ready, with the mountains and the lake behind the lupin field as the frames most people want.

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Common issues. The main limitation is seasonality: no lupins outside the bloom window. The experience is brief at 25 minutes, so anyone expecting a long scenic tour should look elsewhere. No transport is listed, and the booking page does not detail provisions for limited mobility, so raise that with the operator before booking.

Common Questions

How Long Is The Flight?

The total experience lasts about 25 minutes. This includes the scenic flight over the Mackenzie Basin and the private landing in a lupin field for photos.

Where Does The Tour Start?

At Mackenzie Helicopters' base, 697 Tekapo-Twizel Road, just south of Lake Tekapo township. No transport is listed, so plan to make your own way there.

Is Pickup Included?

No transport is listed, so plan to make your own way to the base.

When Can I See The Lupins?

The flight is built around lupin season. The bloom usually runs from late November into early January and varies by year, so flowering is not guaranteed on a given date.

What Should I Bring?

Comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes and a camera. The landing involves standing in a field, and the photo opportunity is the highlight.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Plan around the 24-hour cutoff when booking.