“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, ‘This is what it is to be happy.'” - Sylvia PlathFranz Josef Glacier is a place to be for experiencing the ultimate bliss. With fresh air and small streams, the glacier is splendid place to visit. Franz Josef glacier has a lot more to offer from the tallest mountain in NZ and brings you closer to a glacier which moves 50cm everyday. In the last 8 years it has retreated around 800 meters making it under 11km long and it is 3000m high. The Glacier’s Maori name is Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere, which means the tears of Hine Hukatere.
Hiking
It has been said that after a day’s walk, everything has twice its usual value, so the first thing that you should do in Franz Josef Glacier is the trek. Unlike the hundreds of treks in NZ, this one is really unique as you won’t be going through a forest but through a rocky terrain. The trek will take to you from a small bush to the glacier. Along the way you will pass many streams and even have to climb a steep hill. Even though it is a long walk, it is one of those moments where you feel one with nature as you will get to see a different terrain and enjoy the small wonders of life. Such as dipping your feet into a small stream or collecting rocks. At the end of the long hike you will get to see the crystal blue glacier, which is just like looking into a mirror. Which makes it a great trek and enjoyable for everybody!
Helicopter Ride
If you just want to see the scenery and the beauty, the best thing you can do is get on a helicopter. Which makes Franz Josef a great place to get helicopter tour! This helicopter ride will take you right next of the tallest mountain in NZ, Mount. Cook and will stop at a smaller mountain or depending on where you get the tour you will stop on the glacier itself! Where you can get panoramic views of the peaks and breathtaking shots of the glaciers.No need to wear ten layers of clothes looking like an astronaut, it isn’t that cold. The weather in the South Island is pretty rough, so try to do the helicopter ride as soon as possible. If you weren’t able to do it near Franz Josef glacier, don’t worry there are many helicopter services near Mount Cook, Fox Glacier and even Queenstown!
If you just want to see the scenery and the beauty, the best thing you can do is get on a helicopter. Which makes Franz Josef a great place to get helicopter tour! This helicopter ride will take you right next of the tallest mountain in NZ, Mount. Cook and will stop at a smaller mountain or depending on where you get the tour you will stop on the glacier itself! Where you can get panoramic views of the peaks and breathtaking shots of the glaciers.No need to wear ten layers of clothes looking like an astronaut, it isn’t that cold. The weather in the South Island is pretty rough, so try to do the helicopter ride as soon as possible. If you weren’t able to do it near Franz Josef glacier, don’t worry there are many helicopter services near Mount Cook, Fox Glacier and even Queenstown!
So be prepared as the winds will blow their own freshness into you, storm their own energy and satisfy your wanderlust up to some extent…I believe…!
Rakshit Darbari
