Air Safaris Tekapo – Scenic Flights Over Mount Cook & Glaciers
Air Safaris Tekapo – Scenic Flights Over Mount Cook & Glaciers
Discover the beauty of New Zealand’s Southern Alps from the sky with Air Safaris Tekapo. Fly across turquoise lakes, snow-covered peaks, and mighty glaciers, including Aoraki / Mount Cook, Franz Josef, and Fox. Every seat is a window seat, every flight a breathtaking showcase of Mackenzie’s alpine wilderness.
Experience the Majestic Beauty of the Southern Alps from Above
Experience the Majestic Beauty of the Southern Alps from Above
Embark on a breathtaking journey with Air Safaris and uncover the stunning peaks and expansive glaciers of New Zealand’s landscape. Departing from our base at Lake Tekapo, our scenic flights offer unparalleled views of the magnificent Aoraki Mount Cook and the picturesque Westland Tai Poutini National Parks.
In addition to The Grand Traverse, we provide exhilarating heli flights around Mount Cook and across to the iconic Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.
Every flight guarantees a breathtaking panorama of turquoise glacial lakes, towering mountains, and sprawling valleys, making it an unforgettable adventure.
Our Lake Tekapo location, set in the heart of the stunning Mackenzie Country, is surrounded by pristine waters, offering a unique perspective of the Southern Alps. Prepare to fly with Air Safaris and witness New Zealand’s natural wonders like never before!
Air Safaris Mount Cook Scenic Flight Options:
The Grand Traverse – Tekapo’s Signature Scenic Flight
Price: $495 per person – Child $395 pp
Departs: 9:00 am, 10:00am, 11:30 am, 2:00 pm & 3:30 pm
Duration: 50 minutes
‘The Grand Traverse’ is the premier Aoraki Mount Cook flight-seeing experience encompassing 200 km’s of breathtaking scenery of two World Heritage National Parks.
Highlights of this magical world of permanent ice and snow include beautiful glacial lakes and valleys, braided river systems, remote high country sheep stations and New Zealand’s 
highest mountains and largest glaciers.
Get up close to the face of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki Mount Cook standing at a magnificent 3,754 metres and enjoy the magnificence of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers as they spill down to the rainforests of the West Coast.
The Grand Traverse is approximately 50 minutes of flying time and every passenger is guaranteed a window seat. Your friendly pilot will provide an enjoyable and informative commentary with an in-flight guide that is translated into a number of different languages.
“The flight of a lifetime, Simply stunning!”
Mount Cook & Tekapo Scenic Helicopter Flight Options:
Air Safaris – Mackenzie Explorer (Includes Alpine Landing)
Price: $395 per person Child $315 pp
Departs: 9:00 am, 10:00am, 3:00 pm & 4:00 pm
Duration: 30 minutes
Join us for an awesome experience showing off the very best of the Mackenzie with an alpine landing high on one of our local Sheep Stations to enjoy stunning views of Lake Tekapo and the mountains.
One of our most popular helicopter flights, the “Mackenzie Explorer” is a great experience summer or winter.
Highlights include:
- Seeing the turquoise blue water of beautiful Lake Tekapo and the local rivers that fed into the lake.
- Flying around Lake Tekapo Village
Mt John Observatory- Mt Hay, Glenmore & Godley Peaks High Country Sheep Stations – see the family homesteads and higher up hill country where the merino sheep roam
- Experience a wonderful alpine landing at 5500? (snow only in winter months) to get the chance to get out and take in panoramic views of the lakes and mountains. We pride ourselves on the unique experience of enjoying the silence and tranquility of the mountains by shutting down the helicopter once we arrive at our landing site (subject to weather conditions).
- Lake Alexandrina with it’s fresh spring fed water contrasting starkly with glacial fed Lake Tekapo
- Ancient glacial deposits including massive “erractics” left behind as ice melted during the last ice-age
Air Safaris – Mount Cook Franz Josef & Fox Magic (Includes Snow Landing)
Price: $850 per person Child $680 pp Infant $395
Departs: 3:00 pm
Duration: 60 minutes
This flight by helicopter is a totally unique experience taking you from Tekapo, winding through our remote alpine valleys all the way right up close to mighty Aoraki / Mount Cook at over 3724 meters.
Learn all about our high country areas before crossing into the Mount Cook National Park for some amazing views of our highest peaks and longest glaciers.
You will traverse over the Southern Alps and take in views of the Franz and Fox glaciers, before crossing back east for your snow landing.
Included in the flight is a snow landing on Liebig Dome (7700?) to enjoy a panorama view of Aoraki Mount Cook and surrounding mountains.
Highlights include:
- Seeing the turquoise blue water of beautiful Lake Tekapo and the local rivers that feed into the lake.
- Mt John Observatory.
Air Safaris – Mount Cook Alpine Grandeur (Includes Snow Landing)
Price: $625 per person Child $500 pp Infant $295
Departs: 9:00 am, 10:00am, 3:00 pm & 4:00 pm
Duration: 45 minutes
This flight by helicopter is a totally unique experience taking you from Tekapo, winding through our remote alpine valleys all the way right up close to mighty Aoraki / Mount Cook at over 12000’.
Learn all about our high country areas before crossing into the Mount Cook National Park for some amazing views of our highest peaks and longest glaciers.
Included in the flight is an alpine landing (snow only during winter months) on Mount Joseph to enjoy a panorama view of Lake Tekapo and surrounding mountains.
Highlights of the Alpine Grandeur include:
Seeing the turquoise blue water of beautiful Lake Tekapo and the local rivers that fed into the lake.- Mt John Observatory
- Glenmore & Godley Peaks High Country Sheep Stations
- Wind your way through the steep, rugged mountains and passes of the Cass, Fork and Jollie Valleys, home to the merino sheep. Your pilot will tell you all about how these sheep are farmed and show you the remote musterer’s huts.
- Traverse the Murchison and Tasman Valleys to fly alongside Mount Tasman then majestic Aoraki Mount Cook
Fly right over the Hochstetter Icefall tumbling down into the Tasman glacier.- See the main climbing routes on Aoraki Mount Cook and high mountaineers huts where climbers overnight before embarking on there ascents of our highest mountains.
- Heading east back towards Lake Tekapo look across towards the Mount Cook Village from the Tasman Terminal lake at the bottom of the Tasman glacier.
- Marvel at the large icebergs below and the Tasman River formed by the melting ice as it flows down into Lake Pukaki.
- Experience a wonderful alpine landing at 5500? (snow only in winter months) to get the chance to get out and take in panoramic views of the lakes and mountains. We pride ourselves on the unique experience of enjoying the silence and tranquility of the mountains by shutting down the helicopter once we arrive at our landing site (subject to weather conditions) or if you prefer take the totally unique opportunity to land at one of the remote musterers huts in the Cass Valley on Glenmore Sheep Station.
- Lake Alexandrina with it’s fresh spring fed water contrasting starkly with glacial fed Lake Tekapo
- Ancient glacial deposits including massive “erractics” left behind as ice melted during the last ice-age
FAQ: Air Safaris Tekapo & Mount Cook Scenic Flights
What are the available scenic flight options with Air Safaris in Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo?
Air Safaris offers four core options: The Grand Traverse (fixed-wing scenic loop), Mackenzie Explorer (helicopter with alpine landing), Mount Cook Franz Josef & Fox Magic (heli with snow landing), and Mount Cook Alpine Grandeur (heli with snow/alpine landing). Each showcases Aoraki/Mount Cook, glaciers, turquoise lakes, and the Mackenzie Basin.
How long is the ‘Grand Traverse’ scenic flight and what does it include?
The Grand Traverse is about 50 minutes and covers roughly 200 km. Expect soaring views of Aoraki/Mount Cook, the Tasman Glacier, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, braided rivers, high-country stations, and vivid glacial lakes. Commentary and window seats maximise the experience from take-off to landing.
What can I expect from the ‘Mackenzie Explorer’ heli flight?
Mackenzie Explorer is a 30-minute helicopter flight featuring an alpine landing on local high country terrain. You’ll take in Lake Tekapo’s turquoise waters, Mt John Observatory, and surrounding stations, with time to step out for photos and silence in the mountains when conditions allow.
Are there helicopter flights that include snow landings and what do they offer?
Yes. Mount Cook Franz Josef & Fox Magic and Mount Cook Alpine Grandeur include snow or alpine landings when conditions permit. You’ll step onto the snow to enjoy panoramic glacier and summit views, capturing unique photos and an immersive feel for the Southern Alps’ scale and serenity.
What makes Air Safaris’ scenic flights a motivational way to experience New Zealand’s natural beauty?
These flights deliver sweeping perspectives you can’t get from the road: Aoraki/Mount Cook’s summit, cascading icefalls, turquoise lakes, and the spine of the Southern Alps. With expert pilots, window seats, and occasional landings, the experience is both exhilarating and deeply memorable.
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