Product Overview

Air Safaris offer a range of scenic flights showcasing the local area, Mount Cook and the glaciers of the Aoraki Mount Cook and Westland national Parks.

The ‘Grand Traverse’ is the premier scenic flight option. Operated by fixed wing aircraft the flight is over 200km and 50 minutes of pure NZ scenery covering the golden tussocks and turquoise lakes of the Mackenzie and New Zealand’s highest peaks and largest glaciers including the Franz Josef and Fox in the National Parks. Every passenger is guaranteed their own window to be able to sit back and enjoy the stunning vistas on offer.

We also have helicopter flights available and specialise in flights for small groups. With three options to choose from and year round landings available there is bound to be something to suit your needs.

 

Product Description

At Air Safaris, we offer fixed-wing and helicopter scenic flights around Lake Tekapo, Mackenzie Basin, Mt Cook and Westland National Park.

Fixed-wing:

GRAND TRAVERSE - 50mins

The flight of a lifetime, the “Grand Traverse” is a spectacular scenic flight that explores the Mount Cook and Westland National Parks and shows you the region like no other flight.

The Grand Traverse is recognised as the premier Aoraki Mount Cook flight-seeing experience and NZ’s “must do” scenic flight; this magnificent flight encompasses two World Heritage National Parks and 200 km of New Zealand’s most memorable and breathtaking scenery.

THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GRAND TRAVERSE FLIGHT INCLUDE:

• Beautiful turquoise glacial lakes, golden tussock lands, and the braided river systems of the Mackenzie basin
• Remote High Country Sheep Stations, glacial valleys, and landforms
• The Aoraki Mount Cook National Park – a magical world of permanent ice and snow
• New Zealand’s highest mountains and largest glaciers – including Aoraki Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier
• The Westland Tai Poutini National Park encompassing the magnificent Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers spilling down to the rainforests of the west coast

The aircraft operated by Air Safaris are ideal for New Zealand’s conditions, offering a window seat for every passenger and have wings-above to ensure unobstructed viewing below. Your friendly pilot will provide an informative and enjoyable commentary in addition to all passengers receiving the Air Safaris multi-language flight-guide.

 

Helicopter:

MACKENZIE EXPLORER - 30mins

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. In winter this flight offers an awesome “snow landing” experience.

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. 
• 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

MOUNT COOK ALPINE GRANDEUR - 45mins

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.

Included in the flight is a snow landing on Liebig Dome (7700′) to enjoy a panorama view of Aoraki Mount Cook and surrounding mountains. ** snow may be limited in Feb – March.

Highlights 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 musterers huts.
• Look down into dense milky waters of the Tasman Terminal lake at the bottom of the Tasman Glacier.
• Marvel at the large icebergs below an the Tasman river formed by the melting ice as it flows down into Lake Pukaki.
• Wonderful panoramic views across towards Aoraki Mount Cook & Mount Tasman.
• Cross the lower part of the Murchison glacier to the Liebig Range.
• Experience a wonderful alpine snow landing on Liebig Dome at 7700′ (landing location can change depending on weather conditions – your pilot will advise on the day) to get the chance to get out and take in panorama views of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, 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. Snow may be limited in the middle of summer from Feb – March.
• 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.

MOUNT COOK FRANZ AND FOX MAGIC - 60mins

On our longest helicopter flight, this 60 minute experience will take 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 then 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. ** snow can be limited Feb – March

Highlights include:

• Seeing the turquoise blue water of beautiful Lake Tekapo and the local rivers that feed 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 musterers huts.
• Look down into dense milky waters of the Tasman Terminal lake at the bottom of the Tasman Glacier.
• Marvel at the large icebergs below an the Tasman river formed by the melting ice as it flows down into Lake Pukaki.
• Traverse around Aoraki Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, crossing into the Tai Poutini National Park to get stunning close up views of the Franz and Fox glaciers.
• Cross the mid Tasman and Murchison glaciers with ice stretching over 10 kilometers in both directions.
• Experience a wonderful alpine snow landing on Liebig Dome at 7700′ (landing location can change depending on weather conditions – your pilot will advise on the day) to get the chance to get out and take in panorama views of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, 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. During the middle of summer snow is limited Feb – March
• 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.

 

Departure Times

Please check our website for the scheduled departure times.

We are also very flexible and can fly on demand.

What To Bring

• Warm and comfortable clothing
• Suitable covered footwear for helicopter landings
• Sunglasses
• A camera and/or phone full of memory and battery
•  No bags on the flights

Company Info

Air Safaris have been flying aircraft in the Mount Cook and Westland National Parks since 1970. The same pioneering family, still own and operate the company. We are one of New Zealand’s largest scenic flight airlines. We operate from our own airports located at Lake Tekapo and Franz Josef Glacier. 

Air Safaris offer a range of scenic flights showcasing the local area, Mount Cook and the glaciers of the Aoraki Mount Cook and Westland national Parks. We also operate charter flights within New Zealand. These flights provide a personalised service that take in New Zealand’s stunning scenery while linking flexibly with a number of destinations including Milford Sound, Queenstown, Wanaka and Christchurch.