There is only one way to really experience the splendor of New Zealand?s famed South Island scenery ? by helicopter. A large proportion of this sparsely populated wilderness is completely inaccessible, unless you have a month and a very strong pair of hiking boots, or you take a ?World in a Day? tour with Christchurch Helicopters. This unique island between two oceans, about half the size of California, has many rivers, lakes, rainforests, glaciers, snow covered mountain peaks, beaches, waterfalls and fiords. Wildlife species such as deer, chamois and the rare Himalayan Thar can often be seen.
The experience begins at the Christchurch Helicentre, where you will board your modern and comfortable turbine helicopter and fly over the Canterbury Plains to the awesome Waimakariri Gorge, a steep sided river canyon that is your gateway to the Southern Alps. A low level flight through the Gorge takes you to the first stop on the trip, a picturesque riverbank, where you can enjoy refreshments while listening to the sound of running water ? maybe spotting a trout or salmon jumping.
The next stage of the journey takes you to a mountaintop in the heart of the Alps ? passing lakes, icefalls and waterfalls on the way. Landing at high altitude next to a mountain tarn (an old Scottish word for pond), you will enjoy spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and river valleys.
Taking off again, we fly to the true backbone of the South Island ? the Main Divide. It is during this part of the flight that you will see, up close and personal, the famous Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, along with New Zealand?s highest mountain, Aoraki Mount Cook. The scenery is
absolutely spectacular, and your pilot is highly experienced in the intricacies of mountain flying, as well as possessing great local knowledge. After a short stop at Franz Josef township, enjoy a low level flight down the beautiful West Coast beaches to your next landing ? this is where you will enjoy a gourmet lunch with fresh local produce and top quality wines. The location is unique ? a rocky promontory jutting out into the Tasman Sea, which has two small beaches surrounded by native forest and bush. If you need to get off the ?beaten track?, look no further; this is the perfect isolated picnic spot with views across the water back to Mount Cook.
The next take off takes us up the Paringa River, past rugged rainforests and cascading waterfalls ? you will actually hover next to a waterfall, close enough so that it will seem that you can reach out and touch it. Back into high altitude glacier country, we re-cross the Main Divide and fly past Mount Cook, down the Godley River to stunning Lake Tekapo. We then land beside a rustic mountain mustering hut, or a high altitude tarn, to experience high country farming as it was and still is. After refreshments, we depart for Christchurch, taking in the ?Lord of the Rings? Edoras location as we fly towards the Rangitata River and Mount Hutt.
Descending back to the Christchurch Helicentre, you will have experienced a truly unique and unforgettable day.
Time :
Flying time is approximately 3.5 hours, but allow the whole day for this once in a lifetime tour. The itinerary may vary due to changeable alpine weather conditions.
The World in a Day
