As I sat at our picnic spot, with incredible views of the Franz Josef Glacier on New Zealand’s South Island, I felt like I was on top of the world. However, I knew that the environmental impact of my tour wasn’t adding to the reason why this Glacier is retreating at such a rapid pace. It leaves me wondering how long this glacier will be here if the helicopter tours continue at the pace they are.
I am taking a tour with Glacier Valley Eco Tours who, I believe, are the best Franz Josef tour because they care for the glacier rather than being just another of the many, very polluting, expensive helicopter ride tours that are being advertised. You will learn so much more about the area which is one of just three glaciers in the world which end in a rainforest and you will not be adding to the pollution that causes glacier melt in the area which the ecosystem relies on.
Our guide Lisa took us for a trek through the rain forest keeping our minds active with lots of interesting information about the glacier, geology and the plant life of the incredibly dynamic area. We learned about how far the glacier has receded over the years and why this happens.
From there we followed the path up to the glacier whilst learning even more about the glacier than you would on a self-guided tour. She taught us so much and certainly made me feel that this was the best Franz Josef Glacier tour out there due to their minimal carbon footprint and strong educational focus.
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When we reached the glacier, we headed off the tourist path (something that only tours are allowed to do) and sat on top of a great viewpoint with out own private bird’s eye view of the Franz Josef Glacier. And what more could a travelling Brit want, but a cup of tea and a biscuit at the best private viewpoint of the glacier?
On the way back to the carpark, I even got to hold some dead ice from the glacier, something I would not get to do on a self-guided tour. I highly recommend if you are in the area that you take a trip with Glacier Valley Eco Tours.
Things to know about their Franz Josef Eco Tour:
1/ The prices at the time of writing are NZ$80 per adult and NZ$40 for children (4 – 15yrs). Children 3yrs and under are free of charge.
2/ There are several different departure times throughout the day. Summer: Daily at 9:30am, 1:30pm and 5.30pm. Winter: Daily at 11:00am and 3:00pm.
3/ The walk to the glacier is an easy to moderate walk. A reasonable level of fitness is required.
4/ You will not walk on the glacier. This is not permitted.
5/ You will have a better view of the glacier than doing the self-guided walk.
Things to know about the best Franz Josef Glacier Tour :
1/ Glacier Valley Eco Tours offers quite a few trips around Franz and Fox glacier as well as Lake Matheson and Okarito areas.
2/ Glacier Valley Eco Tours offer you raincoats, over trousers and large heavy duty umbrellas to keep you dry as the weather in the area is very unpredictable.
3/ Obviously as the best Franz Josef Glacier Tour they offer you free hot drinks (which includes yummy hot chocolate) and a biscuit with each tour.
4/ If you are travelling light then Glacier Valley Eco Tours have a limited supply of hiking boots for you to use.
5/ They give complementary pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation.
6/ Private tours are also available.
7/ Glacier Valley Eco Tours is a New Zealand owned local family business.
8/ Glacier Valley Eco Tours also provide lunch packs (for the combo tours) for NZ$25 per person.
Things to take on your Franz Josef Glacier Valley Eco Tours:
- Decent footwear. Glacier Valley Eco Tours can lend you a pair.
- Your camera as there are amazing photo opportunities
- Warm clothes as the weather can change quickly.
- Sunscreen as the New Zealand sun is very strong.
- Water.
Have you ever been to Franz Josef? Is this the type of place you would love to visit? Comment below. And don’t forget to subscribe to my blog (Its free) to get free fortnightly updates.
New Zealand is always my dream destination and Franz Josef Glacier tour here is really very fascinating tour. I love mountains and so I am totally sold out for this tour. It is good that Glacier Valley Eco Tours cares for nature and also provides raincoats, hiking boots etc during rough weather. I would surely book this tour as they take care of glaciers. The cup of hot tea with glaciers must be the best thing to do here.
I haven’t visited New Zealand yet but I’m always up for an eco-tour. I haven’t heard much about the Franz Josef Glacier but it looks absolutely amazing! I don’t like over-commercialized tours and I really appreciate their effort to minimize carbon footprint and focus on education.
Wow! I haven’t been to New Zealand yet as the plane tickets are so expensive from my country. I have always wanted to see Franz Josef Glacier. It’s fascinating and it’s a rare find. I hope to head down to NZ soon! I want to try the local Kiwi cuisine too!
I tend to do more self-guided tours, but this guided exploration of the Franz Josef Glacier sounds really amazing. I like the fact that you get to do things you couldn’t normally do without a guide, like having a special tea break with a view and get up close and personal with the dead ice from the glacier. Definitely an activity to remember for my future trip to New Zealand!
It’s a helpful guide even for the beginners who wants to hike . New Zealand is my dream place to be visited and the idea of feel sounds awesome . Well written post .
I just recently read about disappearing glaciers around the world, and as someone who has spent a lot of time in the Himalayas, it pains me to hear that by 2035 the Himalayan ones would virtually disappear. I love this eco-tour that you went to in New Zealand and I wish tours would emulate the same concept and thoughtfulness as what you had experienced in NZ! If I go to NZ, I am definitely signing up for this – I know nothing about the glaciers and geology in that part of the world.
Glacier Valley Eco Tours sound like a great recommend. It’s always good when your guides can offer you deep knowledge about the area and the environment. The views are incredible on the Franz Josef Glacier Tour, seems they knew the right spots to take you to!
This is my ideal tour. I hate the ones that are very commercial. Their efforts for very minimal carbon footprint and strong education focus is just great. We will surely consider them in case we get to visit Glacier Valley. Bookmarked your post for future reference.