An amazing experience! The entire process was so smooth and all the staff, from check in all the way through to guides, were knowledgable and friendly. We booked last minute approx 2 days before the departure date. The website was initially slow to take payment and remained on the loading screen, but we got there in the end. The team were well responsive via email. On arrival, there is free parking on the main street and a tap to fill up water bottles. We were allocated into groups of 11, which was split across 2 helicopters. Our guide, Yula, was so fun and patient. As the first group onto the ice, we were able to stop at a sheltered part of the glacier alone and watch the sunrise over the mountain whilst she told us an indigineous origin story about the glacier - magical! Try to factor in some breathing room into your itinerary. Some flights in the afternoon were cut short due to incoming cloud but the team are very good at communicating this as a possibility throughout. They do everything they can to maximise the experience safely. I would thoroughly recommend this experience to anyone!
I was on my honeymoon, but my husband really doesn’t like the cold. So I did this one solo and was nervous since I’m introverted and shy. Luckily all the other hikers were very welcoming and our guide Sam made it fun and exciting to experience. He provided a lot of facts and reminded us how lucky we are since all later tours were cancelled due to weather. It really felt like a surreal experience and I felt very lucky to see it!
This adventure was so worth the money and effort to get here and do it. We were very fortunate to have the time to rebook when our first attempt didn’t go ahead due to bad weather. I highly recommend planning a few days in FJ and booking this for the first day so that you have the chance to rebook if things don’t go to plan. I was so impressed with the safety procedures followed by this company. We knew we were in good hands when at check in they spoke to each individual who had flagged any kind of health condition to ensure that they can cater to your needs and keep you safe – from knee injuries to high blood pressure. And if you are on medication for serious health concerns, take it with you in case the weather changes quickly and you have to spend overnight on the ice (no, I’m not joking). After our safety briefing and kitting up, we walked to the helipad where our group of 11 was split into a 6 and a 5 to be transferred in two helicopters to the glacier. They delivered us onto the massive ice formation, James Bond style, but safely! Our guide, Jimmy, knew this area intimately, his informed commentary allowing us plenty of time to pause and marvel in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The regular communication between guide team members increased when the cloud began to quickly descend, and soon we received instructions to return to the landing point before the weather prevented the helicopters from transporting us off the ice. No one wanted to spend overnight on the glacier, even though the guides are fully prepared for that possibility – tents and supplies stored in waterproof crates in an ice nook at the ready! The entire experience was thrilling, one of the most unforgettable of our many travels. BONTAKS TRAVELS
We waited three days from our original booking date to complete the heli hike due to bad weather but it was worth the wait. The helicopter trip was thrilling and the hike on the glacier was stunning. It wasn't physically challenging and the pace was relatively slow but we thoroughly enjoyed our time on the ice, guided by Max who was very friendly and informative.
They did not tell me it was cancelled until I got there. I get weather happens but people should know ahead of time. If they had informed me before I literally got there I would have made other plans instead of wasting three days on standby. Best part is I am walking out a whole tour is getting ready to leave on their helicopter.