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Glentanner High Country Heli Hike
Glentanner High Country Heli Hike
5
MountainsHelicopter ToursHiking & Camping ToursPrivate ToursAir Tours
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Our fully guided Heli Hike begins with an exhilarating helicopter flight to a high point on Glentanner Station. Take in dramatic views of Lake Pukaki, the Tasman River Delta and Aoraki Mount Cook, towering over the landscape in the distance. From the landing spot the tour continues on foot with an easy walk over a rugged farm track. The track descends gradually past alpine tarns, beneath towering peaks. Your guide will ensure plenty of stops for photographs and will share stories of the station’s history, geological features, flora and fauna and present-day operations. The walk features a stop at the recently restored Field Station huts — the perfect place for a morning or afternoon tea break, kindly provided by your hosts. The exhibition at the fully restored historic Field Station features stories of early scientific and farming endeavours on Glentanner and the inter-relationship between farmer and scientist.
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5.0
58 reviews
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Johnathon47
Timaru, New Zealand5 contributions
Nov 2020 • Friends
Last winter, when discussing where our group of active septuagenarians might go for this year's walkabout, we read an article in the paper of Glentanner's new activity - a short helicopter flight up into the station's mountains and then walk back, with a cuppa along the way. That sounded like us, so we were privileged to be the inaugural group taken on this memorable afternoon excursion. Ross, the station owner, was our guide and along the way of the four + hour walk he shared his passion for the station, (close to Aoraki Mt Cook National Park), it's history, geology and ecology. The walk is along the farm track, which can be a little rough in places (this is the high country after all) and is either flat or down hill and we stopped for half an hour at the hut to boil the billy. From the moment we landed amongst the tussocks 'til we crossed the road back to the Park buildings we were treated to magnificent views of Lake Pukaki and the surrounding ranges, from Mt Cook in the north to the horizon in the east and south, and from 1000 metres up, the horizon is a long way away. This was a highlight of our trip and well worth considering. It must be booked before hand as walk-ins can't be catered for.
Written 6 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimMilross
Surrey, Canada2 contributions
Apr 2023
This was a unique activity for this area. We had never tried something like a helicopter ride up, and then a hike down a mountain, but strongly recommend people new to the area try it. It was not physically strenuous, and amounts to a casual walk down a very well-groomed path. The walk was about 5 km on our day, as the sun sets earlier at the time we went. Our guide, Matt, was enthusiastic, passionate about the area and its history, and very knowledgeable. He made us feel welcome, and was able to accommodate our curiosity (which involved a tsunami of questions). Matt had a professional, yet approachable style, and we learned an immense amount about the area, including its indigenous, colonial, and geological history. This was a key part of our "trip of a lifetime" to New Zealand.
Written 10 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sylvia B
Auckland Central, New Zealand25 contributions
Jan 2022
An excellent experience all around. We had a fairly large group, visiting on 1 January and the team managed all the logistics of three helicopters. We were a large, extended family group ranging in age from 7 months to nearly 7. The helicopter flight provides amazing views over Lake Pukaki and Aoraki, Ross, our guide, was super knowledgeable and enthusiastic, the walk down is pleasant - great views and information, and the tea stop was in such a fantastic spot with incredible home baked goodies. A huge thank you to Ross, Helen and the whole team at Glentanner. What an incredible day!
Written 4 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Waimairi
Queenstown, New Zealand7 contributions
Dec 2021
The team at Glentanner were really helpful in setting up the trip and some logistical last minute changes that we encountered.
Matt was our guide for the day and met us at the park reception prior to taking off in the helicopter. With a slight delay in heading out due to low cloud, Blair our pilot for the short trip described the local area as we took off and headed down the lake towards Mt. Cook after about 8 minutes we banked round and then headed towards the valley wall and the edge of the station.
Blair landed the helicopter on a small piece of hillside covered in tussocks, and once we had hopped out he headed off back down the valley to leave us with the views and the walk back to base.
The view from our drop off point went all the was to Mt. Cook, across to the Glacial Lake at the bottom of the glacier and then back down the lake towards the main road.
We headed down the track, stopping from time to time as Matt explained information about the Glentanner Station, it's history and also some of the animals and work that goes on throughout the year.
After working out way along the ridgeline we turned down into the valley and headed towards some old station buildings for a rest and a hot drink and some homemade morning tea.
We then finished up with a leisurely stroll down the track and appeared by the main road and bridge almost opposite from where we started.
Great trip for a family or group that has all the benefits of a helicopter flight, amazing views but doesn't want a "full on" uphill hike!!
Matt was our guide for the day and met us at the park reception prior to taking off in the helicopter. With a slight delay in heading out due to low cloud, Blair our pilot for the short trip described the local area as we took off and headed down the lake towards Mt. Cook after about 8 minutes we banked round and then headed towards the valley wall and the edge of the station.
Blair landed the helicopter on a small piece of hillside covered in tussocks, and once we had hopped out he headed off back down the valley to leave us with the views and the walk back to base.
The view from our drop off point went all the was to Mt. Cook, across to the Glacial Lake at the bottom of the glacier and then back down the lake towards the main road.
We headed down the track, stopping from time to time as Matt explained information about the Glentanner Station, it's history and also some of the animals and work that goes on throughout the year.
After working out way along the ridgeline we turned down into the valley and headed towards some old station buildings for a rest and a hot drink and some homemade morning tea.
We then finished up with a leisurely stroll down the track and appeared by the main road and bridge almost opposite from where we started.
Great trip for a family or group that has all the benefits of a helicopter flight, amazing views but doesn't want a "full on" uphill hike!!
Written 29 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauren
5 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
My friend and I loved this activity, it started with a short helicopter ride over the lake, followed by a relaxing stroll back down to Glentanner. Matt was a great leader and had lots of knowledge about Glentanner and the surrounding areas which was very interesting. I would highly recommend this activity to anyone wanting to exert minimal effort but have maximum rewards!
Written 20 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bri
1 contribution
Sept 2022 • Friends
My friends and I had a great time on this trip! The views of the mountains and lake are stunning, the hike is relaxing, the snacks were delicious, and Matt was a great guide. He was easy to communicate with while booking, had lots of information about the area, and was fun to chat with. Definitely recommend.
Written 25 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MountainMountain
Bacolod, Philippines56 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
We took a short helicopter ride from the base to the top of the hike — about 1100m above sea level. We were 8 people overall, excluding our wonderful guide Matt Sutton. There were children and older people in the group, and everyone seemed to enjoy the leisurely walk down the mountain. The views were fantastic as the weather was perfect. The route down the mountain was clear and we got to hike down at our own pace. Overall, the trip was around 3.5 hours. Along the way, we were served tea and delicious cookies at the old Glentanner hut. At 700NZD for 2 people, it was quite expensive but then, no helicopter flight in New Zealand is cheap. It was a good experience as the views of Mt Cook and Lake Pukaki from up high are as good as they can get. I highly recommend this one. 👍 Get Matt as your guide.
Written 7 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LynnKools
4 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
We really enjoyed this experience! First a nice short helicopter flight and then an easy walk down to Glentanner. The weather was really good and we got plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful views. Big thanks to our great guide Matt.
Written 28 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gael B
Northland Region, New Zealand11 contributions
Jan 2022 • Solo
Helen was very helpful in arranging my trip as I could only go on 1st January and needed to go with another group. What an awesome day we had. There were 3 helicopters dropping off. And a great group we had.
Short flight, drop off up onto Glenn tanner Station. Ross was a great guide. Down hill tramp down back to the park. Half way stop for pafternoon tea. Lovely slice home made by Helen. Thanks guys.
Short flight, drop off up onto Glenn tanner Station. Ross was a great guide. Down hill tramp down back to the park. Half way stop for pafternoon tea. Lovely slice home made by Helen. Thanks guys.
Written 7 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Belinda B
Christchurch, New Zealand5 contributions
Feb 2022 • Friends
This was my sisters birthday present. We did this on Saturday and we are still on a high! The most amazing experience even on an overcast day. Into the helicopter, views to die for especially after the rain and informative commentary over the lake. Dropped onto the hill of Glentanner station by our skilled pilot. We were left there with Matt our guide, very experienced and so knowledgeable and passionate about Glentanner, and the surrounding area.
We took in the view while a Falcon circled above us. We started out on our walk back down, enjoying spectacular views, tarns, trying mountain berries, crossing rushing waters. Stopped off at a hut for a cuppa and scrummy home baking. There was also a loo with view :) This is an absolute must do adventure!!!
We took in the view while a Falcon circled above us. We started out on our walk back down, enjoying spectacular views, tarns, trying mountain berries, crossing rushing waters. Stopped off at a hut for a cuppa and scrummy home baking. There was also a loo with view :) This is an absolute must do adventure!!!
Written 9 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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