Rakaia Glaciers
Rakaia Glaciers
By Christchurch Helicopters
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About
Get to know the real untouched New Zealand as you take off over the Canterbury Plains towards the well-known braided Waimakariri River. Notice the Craigieburn Basin come into view, a distinguished blockbuster film set, followed by the curious rockscape of Castle Hill. See the glisten of Lake Pearson as you fly by the Southern Alps' main divide, climbing up & over the ridgeline, to debut at the mighty Rakaia River. Without another aircraft in sight come to two of Canterbury's best kept secrets, the rarely visited Lyell & Ramsay Glaciers due to their inaccessibility. Touch down to overwhelming 360 degree views, filled with staggeringly sharp mountaintops & turquoise waters of the the glacier lakes. Enjoy lunch in the amphitheatre of the outdoors without a single disruption. Rise over the depths of Lake Coleridge and return over the Canterbury Plains, inbound for Christchurch. Please note we are unable to guarantee snow at any time particularly during Summer months (November – February)
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 3-100
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- A picnic lunch overlooking the Rakaia Glaciers
- New Zealand Wine and beer is included. Champagne/Spirits are an extra cost.
- Start:
- Christchurch Helicopters, 25 Aviation Drive Harewood, Aviation Park, Christchurch Airport, Christchurch 7676, New Zealand25 Aviation Drive - Enter the Harewood Aviation Park and Christchurch Helicopters is the first on your right
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 249560P8- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travellers can participate
- Due to the length of this flight it is not recommended people with serious medical conditions
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 249560P8
From
$3,720.00
per adult (price varies by group size)
Select date and travellers
Similar experiences
Itinerary
- 25 Aviation Drive Harewood, Aviation Park, Christchurch Airport, Christchurch 7676, New Zealand25 Aviation Drive - Enter the Harewood Aviation Park and Christchurch Helicopters is the first on your right
- Pass byCanterbury RegionTasman GlacierWaimakariri RiverCraigieburnCastle HillLake PearsonLake Coleridge
- 1Pass over the mighty Rakaia River and come to two of Canterbury's best kept secrets - the rarely visited Lyell and Ramsay Glaciers due to their inaccessibility. Touch down to overwhelming 360 degree views, filled with staggeringly sharp mountaintops and turquoise waters of the glacier lakes. Enjoy lunch in the ampitheatre of the outdoors without a single disruption.
Buy it with
Top rated
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- 19williep0 contributionsA highlight of our trip to New Zealand!Amazing experience with stunning views of landscapes and wildlife. Super smooth and informative flight by our excellent pilot and guide, Tim Murdoch. Jess Waters in sales and marketing was a delight to work with. Thank you to the ChristChurch Helicopters team!Written 26 February 2025
- waynehJ6965AP0 contributionsHelicopter wine tripThe entire experience was awesome. Our pilot was fantastic and the views were amazing. Lunch and the wines were spectacular. Highly recommend!Written 27 January 2025
- kreddiehk0 contributionsExactly as described and a good experienceA great experience, professional team, adjusted schedule due to weather and Easter concerns and we had a great time. Knowledgeable pilot and all worked smoothly! Probably better in winter or start of summer with snow on mountains but still very good and family enjoyed their first trip in helicopter!Written 11 April 2023
- 10garethm0 contributionsAmazing company to deal withAn amazing company offering incredible tours. I cannot speak highly enough of the professional and caring relationships I have experienced when dealing with Christchurch helicopters. Jess and Tim particularly were top-notch and would recommend a tour with these guys any day of the week. Keep u the amazing work!Written 16 June 2022
- Donotaskmeforopinion0 contributionsA must do when in ChristchurchThanks to Jess for arranging the 2 combined flights. Jess went out of her way to make sure we got the best experience. We combined the Akaroa & Banks Peninsula with the Southern Alps which was breath taking. What topped the experience off was that we had Richie McCaw as our pilot. One of the nicest guys I have ever meet. Thanks again for a great experience Jess and Richie. Hamish and Karen.Written 15 May 2021
- Luke_M_0120 contributionsOne of the best experiences of my lifeThe weather wasn't playing the game in the morning, but Jess kept in contact regularly and made sure I could get up as soon as it cleared. Once I arrived, I was greeted by her friendly smile and made to feel right at home - until Richie McCaw stepped into the room. Fair to say I was somewhat overawed by his presence, however he is a very down-to-earth and personable bloke. After a safety briefing, we were soon flying towards the Southern Alps. He was quite informative, pointing out heaps of interesting things I would have otherwise missed, and he obviously knew how to fly that machine. And I'll tell you something for nothing, the views from up there were incredible. So much so that I was speechless for much of the flight. Just staring out the windows like an idiot. Flying in a helicopter so close to the mountains gives an amazing new perspective on "our backyard", and I encourage anyone who hasn't experienced it to give Christchurch Helicopters a call. You will not regret it.Written 8 September 2020
- 11joannan0 contributionsAwesome tripWe had booked for a morning flight but the weather didn’t play the game. Jess was brilliant at keeping us informed and came up with a new plan. We were extra lucky to have a ex rugby All Black captain as our pilot. Thanks so much for the flight.Written 10 July 2020
- laurlai0 contributionsExciting activity for tourists in Christchurch!We wanted to find an activity to do after the COVID-19 lockdown ended. Fortunately for us, Jess from Christchurch Helicopters happily scheduled trial helicopter flights for us the very first day of Alert Level 2. Our instructor, Scott, was very knowledgeable and encouraging, which made me feel more confident about flying a helicopter for the first time. During the Trial Flight, we flew over Christchurch City Center and practiced hovering drills. The entire staff was cheerful and enthusiastic about flying. The experience made us interested in learning to fly helicopters in the future. This is a can't-miss experience for anyone interested in learning to fly!Written 14 May 2020
- VixHolden0 contributionsHusband and father in lawThe flight was a 94th birthday gift for Louis,my father in law, absolutley loved the flight up to an old ski field chest peak...awesome pilot Richie McCaw something my rugby mad father in law never stops talking about. Richie pointed out things of interest there and back and the boys felt safe. Jess made booking easy,paid a deposit to secure and kept us notified on the weather etc. Was put off one day due to fires in Canterbury and choppers were used but we were rebooked and kept in the loop. Awesome service, great choppers, took heaps of photographs etc...would highly recommend. They have a waiting area where people not going on the flight can wait if need be. Theres a great range of flights this one was about an hour nd half I think but it was cut shirt due to weather and other passenger was catching a flight!! But it was still awesome....😃Written 6 May 2020
- SamiraM6860 contributionsFantastic - kids are still raving about it!Had a fantastic time - kids are still raving about it. Also found it a lot easier than I imagined as I'm a bit of a scared flyer. No worries at all.Written 5 May 2020
- ChristineTomo0 contributionsBirthday treatWe’re from Canada and were visiting my brother and partner in Ashburton when I realized he had never been on a helicopter ride, so we decided to treat them both as an early birthday gift. It was a stunning afternoon and we had a wonderful view of all the recovery since the earthquake . Our pilot was very knowledgeable about the area, and it was fun to fly over so many of the places we had visited on previous occasions. The receptionist was a great help in organizing the trip as a surprise. In all, a very special day and I would highly recommend the company.Written 5 May 2020
- 804kevr0 contributionsFantasic trip to Banks PeninsulaThere were four of us in the party, and this really was an incredible experience. The pilot was very informative, with a great knowledge of the area and was very personable indeed. Landing and being able to get out and take photos, walking around and seeing things from a totally new angle was wonderful. Even though we have lived in Oxford for five years this was totally new for us and simply wonderful throughout.Written 5 May 2020
- Navigator110203047200 contributionsGreat FlightI was gifted this helicopter flight for Christmas... The flight was 45 minutes long so perfect for a first timer like me... Not too long and not too short. We took off over the Christchurch Airport and across the city towards the Port Hills.. Landed next to Mt Herbert where we were able to exit the helicopter and get some photos. One word.. AMAZING! Have included just one of the many photos I took on this flight... I was made to feel very welcome and safe thank you to the amazing staff at Christchurch Helicopters. Fantastic gift idea, am so happy I got the chance to do this...Written 4 May 2020
- steveaX7154ZF0 contributionsExperience of a lifetimeChristchurch Helicopters, what a professional and friendly organization. My family and I were luckily enough to do the Eastern Endeavour tour. We all had an amazing time. It was a great way to finish our holiday in Christchurch. Thank you Christchurch Helicopters for giving my family the experience of a lifetime.Written 21 April 2020
- arnie1234567890 contributionsA memorable day!Christchurch helicopters flew my daughter and son in law around banks peninsula for photos and then on to their wedding. They both said what an amazing experience it was and how friendly the team were especially the pilot Doug. Their local knowledge was a huge help to find out of the way places with incredible scenery. The team at Christchurch Helicopters were very professional and everyone felt safe and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Would totally recommend them for all your flight adventures and something amazing for your special event.Written 21 April 2020
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.