The 14 Best Helicopter Tours in Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo

1.Mount Cook: Scenic Helicopter Flight with Alpine Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 442 reviews · 25 min · from $226Our pick

A 25-minute Mount Cook helicopter flight with Tasman Valley views and an alpine snow landing in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park.

“Wonderful! I was worried 25 minutes wouldn’t feel very long but it actually felt quite a bit longer. Very smooth ride, beautiful views. So cool landing on top of the mountain. Felt like we had plenty of time up there to enjoy the scenery and get some fantastic pictures. Definitely recommend wearing layers, quite warm at the airport but cold and windy up top!”

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2.Mount Cook: Ski Plane and Helicopter Glacier Combo Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 271 reviews · 45 min · from $328

Mount Cook skiplane and helicopter combo with a Tasman Glacier snow landing, 45 minutes of epic alpine views for $328.

“Our pilot Jordan was a very experienced pilot negotiating the winds to give us the best trip possible. We had booked the sea plane duo but the winds had made this impossible. Fortunately, I had read other reviews so was prepared when they told us the sea plane wasn’t possible due to the aforementioned winds. We still had a fantastic time and an experience to remember.”

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3.Mount Cook: 3-Hour Tasman Glacier Helicopter Ride and Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 235 reviews · 3 hours · from $537

3-hour Tasman Glacier heli-hike from Mount Cook: two scenic flights, up to 2 hours on the ice, Aoraki views, small groups.

“Knowledgeable guide who made us feel safe throughout the trip. Fantastic pilots who pointed out beautiful landmarks”

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4.Mount Cook and The Glaciers 55-Minute Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 133 reviews · from $556

55-minute Mt Cook helicopter flight with alpine snow landing, Tasman Glacier views, and Franz Josef and Fox from the air.

“I had an amazing experience with the 55 min helicopter ride, we had to wait for a while due to bad weather but the staff was helpful and booked us on a later ride on the same day. The landing on the snow was just too good and the pilot even helped us with the photographs.”

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5.45-Minute Mount Cook Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 107 reviews · from $353

Ski plane out, helicopter back, plus a Tasman Glacier landing by Aoraki/Mt Cook. 45-min scenic flight with headsets.

“Booked the flight even before I depart for nz. Drove all the way to lake tekapo and noticed the weather was quite bad. Didn’t receive any emails on cancellation when the flight up is the very next day. Drove all the way to mt cook and called them only to know it’s cancelled and they are not even operating! I understand it’s due to the weather but the least the company can do is call/email on the cancellation. Time wastage. Hope this communication bit can be improved. Money is not refunded immediately too”

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6.45-Minute Glacier Highlights Helicopter Tour from Mount Cook

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $418Top rated

45-minute Mount Cook helicopter highlights with a Tasman Glacier landing, live guide commentary, and big Aoraki Mt Cook views in South Island.

“This was maybe the highlight of our New Zealand adventure!!! When we arrived we weren’t sure if our flight would take off but luckily it did! Such beautiful views… and experience we will never forget!!!!”

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7.25-Minute Helicopter flight including an alpine landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 49 reviews · from $244

Fly 25 minutes over Aoraki Mount Cook and the Tasman Valley, then land 10 to 15 minutes on a mountain with big views.

“A great way to see Mr. Cook and the area around it. Amazing scenery seen in comfort with a touch of exhilaration. Found 25 mins. long enough to see what we wanted.”

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8.Mount Cook: Helicopter Flight with Alpine Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 30 min · from $289

30-minute helicopter flight from Aoraki Mount Cook with Tasman Glacier views, an alpine landing, and panoramic photo stops.

“Sam our pilot was awesome. he gave us details of each of the glaciers and patiently answered our questions.”

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9.55-Minute Grand Circle Helicopter

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 36 reviews · from $476

55 minute Grand Circle helicopter over Aoraki Mt Cook and Westland parks with a Tasman Glacier landing, plus Fox and Franz Josef views.

“We had a fantastic time! The weather was absolutely perfect! Great company that puts safety first. Awesome experience, was more impressive than we anticipated by far. After hiking the day before to Tasman Glacier and walking tRead more”

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10.Mount Cook: 50-Minute Aoraki Scenic Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 10 reviews · 50 min · from $499

50 minutes of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park thrills, coast to coast views, and a snow landing on the Tasman Glacier.

“Lifetime experience. Spectacular and unique!. Thank you so much.”

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11.Mount Cook: 25-Minute Alpine Vista Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 7 reviews · 20 min · from $230

Short helicopter flight from Glentanner to a Ben Ohau alpine landing, with big views over Lake Pukaki and glacier-carved valleys.

“Not at all good, I was asked to sit on the centre sit and has no chance to see views.... the Pilot did not allow to swap my seat with the guy sitting in front sit. Complete waste of money.... not at all happy....”

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12.Mount Cook: Tasman Glacier Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 7 reviews · 40 min · from $391

40 minutes by helicopter over the Tasman Glacier and Hochstetter Icefall, including a glacier landing and panoramic mountain views.

“We had a great flight and landing, later than planned, but that’s the weather for you! Dan was a great pilot - very informative, took some great photos of us and gave everyone an opportunity to see the same views. Highlight of our trip!”

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13.Mount Cook: Tasman Glacier and West Coast Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 50 min · from $499

Fly from Aoraki/Mount Cook over Tasman Glacier and West Coast glaciers, land on ice, and enjoy a guided 50-minute helicopter flight.

“Despite the cloudy and windy weather, the staff were incredibly kind and professional, taking the time to clearly explain the situation to us. We waited about an hour for the clouds to clear, and once they did, we were off. The flight was absolutely amazing. The scenery was breathtaking and the experience is truly indescribable. Seeing Mount Cook and Fox Glacier up close was something we will never forget. The glacier landing was completely worth it — the kids even got to play in the snow, which was such a special moment. The staff also took amazing photos for us, which we really appreciated. What stood out the most was…”

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14.Mt Cook: 55-Minute Scenic Flight in Helicopter or Ski Plane

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 6 reviews · 55 min · from $447

55-minute scenic flight over Aoraki Mt Cook, Tasman Sea, and major glaciers with expert commentary in a small group, plane or helicopter.

“Amazing trip. Plane landed and took off from glacier, which was awesome.”

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