Glacier Experiences for Campervan Travellers: Heli-Hikes, Flights and More

Quick summary: New Zealand’s glaciers can be seen from the ground, from the air and from the ice itself. For campervan and motorhome travellers, the choice usually comes down to time, budget and how adventurous you feel: a free valley walk, a scenic flight with a snow landing, a heli-hike onto the ice, a skydive, or a kayak trip on a glacier lake. These guides explain each experience, where it runs from and how to fit it around a campervan trip.

Experience	Time needed	Fitness	Guide
Heli-hiking	Around half a day	Moderate	Heli-hiking
Flights and snow landings	20–45 minutes in the air	Low	Flights and snow landings
Twin glacier flights	Around 30–40 minutes	Low	Twin glacier flights
Skydiving	Half a day including briefing	Low to moderate	Skydiving
Kayaking	2–4 hours	Low to moderate	Kayaking
Nature and wildlife	1–3 hours	Low	Nature and wildlife
Guided tours	Varies	Varies	Small-group or private tours

Which glacier experience is best?

It depends on what you want. A heli-hike puts you on the ice among crevasses and blue ice formations; a scenic flight with a snow landing shows you the whole sweep of the glaciers and the high peaks; and a kayak trip or valley walk lets you enjoy the scenery from below at a slower pace. If weather allows only one, a snow-landing flight shows the most in the shortest time.

When should you book an RV-friendly glacier experience?

Book for your first morning at the glaciers, so that if it’s cancelled by weather, you have the following day as a back-up. Most operators rebook or refund weather cancellations, and their bases are in the townships, a short walk from the holiday parks.

For the full overview, see our glaciers by campervan hub.

Frequently Asked Questions