Mackenzie Alpine Helicopter
25 minutes · Mackenzie Helicopters
from $219 per person Check availability →
50-Minute Scenic Plane Flight
Lake Tekapo: 50-Minute Mount Cook and Beyond Scenic Flight
from $313 per person
Check Price & Availability →Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Duration
- 50 minutes
- Meeting point
- Lake Tekapo aerodrome
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Run by
- Air Safaris
Overview
This 50-minute flight with Air Safaris leaves from Tekapo Aerodrome on State Highway 8 and crosses two national parks in a single loop. From takeoff you track over glacial lakes and golden lands toward Aoraki Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier, then swing west to the coast where the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers spill down toward rainforest. Commentary from a local guide runs throughout, and a flight information guide is included.
Every passenger gets a window seat. Several travellers noted that pilots bank and turn the plane so that everyone on board gets a clear look and a fair chance at photos, and that they point out peaks and glaciers by name as you pass them.
The trip suits anyone who wants the full Mount Cook and West Coast glacier picture without spending a day on the road. There is no hotel pickup, so you make your own way to the aerodrome and check in at least 15 minutes before departure. Weather governs everything: if conditions are poor the operator will cancel and refund in full, and booking for your first available day in the area gives you room to be moved.
What's Included
Included
- 50-minute scenic flight
- Informative commentary from a local guide
- Flight information guide
Not Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Itinerary
- Check in at Tekapo AerodromeArrive at Air Safaris on State Highway 8 at Lake Tekapo at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure to meet the team.
- Take off over the lakesThe flight departs from the local airport and passes over turquoise glacial lakes, golden lands and unique river systems.
- Aoraki Mount Cook and Tasman GlacierYou fly past New Zealand's highest mountains and over the Tasman Glacier, with commentary naming what you see.
- Cross to the West CoastThe route heads across to the remote West Coast.
- Fox and Franz Josef GlaciersYou see the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers where they run down into rainforest, then return toward Lake Tekapo to land.
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points will help you get the most out of this flight, from timing around the weather to what the cabin is actually like.
- Helicopter Flight With Landing$211
- Mackenzie Alpine Helicopter$219
- 50-Minute Scenic Plane Flight (this tour)$313
- Book early in your stay. All flights depend on favourable weather. The booking page suggests booking for your first available day in Lake Tekapo so the operator has room to move you, and travellers report being rebooked or called in early when fronts were approaching.
- Window seat for all. The booking page promises a window seat for every passenger. Reviews confirm the pilots turn the aircraft so both sides of the cabin get views, which also helps with photography.
- It gets loud. One reviewer found the flight very loud without a headset, since headsets are provided for the crew rather than every passenger.
- Getting there yourself. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to Tekapo Aerodrome on State Highway 8 and arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
- Bring a camera. Multiple reviewers describe photographing Mount Cook and the glaciers from above, with pilots making turns so everyone can shoot. One reviewer mentioned hardly any bumps on a calm day.
- Weight limit applies. There is a weight limit of 130 kilograms per passenger for safety reasons, stated on the booking page. If this could affect anyone in your party, raise it with the operator before you fly.
Common issues. The single biggest downside is weather. Cloud or wind can force the operator to cancel, in which case you get a full refund, and reviewers describe having flight times rearranged on the day. Poor visibility does not always ruin the trip, since one reviewer reported the pilot rerouting and breaking through cloud into clear sunshine around Mount Cook, but there is no guarantee. One reviewer also found the flight very loud without a headset, and was asked to come earlier than scheduled when weather was forecast to worsen, so build some flexibility into your day.
Common Questions
What Is Included In The Price?
The booking covers the 50-minute scenic flight, informative commentary from a local guide, a flight information guide, and a window seat for every passenger. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
Where Does The Flight Leave From?
From Air Safaris at Tekapo Aerodrome, State Highway 8, Lake Tekapo. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own transport and arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure.
How Long Is The Flight?
The flight lasts 50 minutes from takeoff to landing. Check-in opens at least 15 minutes before departure, so allow a little extra time either side.
What Happens If The Weather Is Bad?
All flights depend on favourable weather. If the operator cancels because of conditions you receive a full refund, and the booking page recommends booking for your first available day in Lake Tekapo so you have maximum flexibility to be rescheduled.
Can I Cancel My Booking?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A full refund also applies if the operator cancels the flight due to weather.
Is There A Weight Limit?
Yes. A weight limit of 130 kilograms, or 286.6 pounds, per passenger for safety reasons. If this is relevant to anyone in your group, contact the operator before booking.
Pick A Tour And Book
Live dates, times and prices are on the booking page.
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