The Grand Traverse Scenic Flight from Lake Tekapo

Depart Lake Tekapo for an enjoyable and breathtaking scenic flight around the 'Grand Traverse' an area rich with natural beauty and consisting of 20 peaks, valleys and glaciers. Explore two World Heritage National Parks on a 50 minute flight including Mount Cook- New Zealand's highest peak standing tall at 12, 316 ft and Westland which has over 140 glaciers including the famous Franz Josef, Fox and Tasman Glaciers. All passengers are given window seats for unobstructed and sweeping views of the region - be sure to remember your camera! Travelling over glacial lakes, valleys and landforms you'll receive a spectacular birds-eye-view of this incredible alpine region.

Scenic flights allow passengers to see areas that cannot be explored on land via bus tour or on foot and the views are surreal and breathtaking. Travel over 200km of New Zealand's incredible mountainous landscape in a tour that is suitable for all ages. This flight option departs from and returns to Lake Tekapo and is one of the most scenic and comprehensive flights in New Zealand. You can book the 'Grand Traverse' scenic flight on here for an experience you will never forget!

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Inclusions

• 50 Minute scenic flight over two World Heritage National Parks (The Aoraki Mount Cook National Park & The Westland Tai Poutini National Park)
• Guaranteed window seating
• Inflight commentary
• Multi-language flight guide

Exclusions

• Hotel transfers

Highlights

• The aircraft are ideal for New Zealand’s conditions, offering a window seat for every passenger and have wings-above to ensure unobstructed viewing below
• 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

Time

• Flights operate daily except Christmas Day 25 December
• At the completion of purchase, you will need to contact the tour operator to book in a flight time that suits you (Tour Operator details will be printed in your tour voucher)
• Please check in at our airport in Lake Tekapo at least 15 minutes before your scheduled flight time
• The Grand Traverse is approximately 50 minutes flying time. Allow one hour total duration

Additional Information

• Minimum of two passengers per booking
• If your flight is postponed or cancelled due to weather you will be able to reschedule your flight or receive a full refund
• It is wise to take a sweater or jacket, sunglasses and of course your camera. Large bags can be left with our ground staff. For our helicopter alpine landing flights, suitable covered footwear will be required during winter months, as well as warmer clothing you feel appropriate such as gloves and a hat
• All aircraft are fitted with heaters which the pilot will use during our colder days. Fresh air vents are available above all seats for your use as required
• As our weather can be so changeable, we advise that you fly at the first available opportunity so as not to be disappointed if the weather changes while you are here. The lighting at different times of the day can have different effects allowing for some great photo opportunities. However, as our flights encompass a large area and we make lots of gentle turns, great photo opportunities will present themselves to everyone who flies with us at any time of the day
• There is always snow on the larger mountains around the Southern Alps, and of course Mt Cook and Mt Tasman, and all of the larger mountains in the area above 9000 feet above sea level. During the cooler and winter months, snow can be all the way down to the MacKenzie basin around Lake Tekapo, and near the foothills on the west coast
• Our modern fleet of various sized aircraft range from 7 to 15 passengers. Choice of aircraft is based on group sizes and flight requirements. Our Gippsland Airvans take maximum 7 passengers; our Cessna Grand Caravan maximum 13 passengers; and our GAF Nomads maximum 15 passengers
• Infants - Depending on the number of adults, children, and infants in your group, there will normally be no problem catering for an infant. Very young infants will sit on an adults lap with a separate lap restraint provided by your pilot. Your pilot will advise on suitability of flight conditions, and which children will need to occupy a seat
• Expectant mothers - We advise you follow professional advice from a doctor where appropriate; however this has not been an issue for us in the past

Terms And Conditions

• An additional fuel surcharge of NZD 25 (net) per passenger will apply at check-in.

Cancellation Policy

• Change your booking up to 48 hours before the start time of your experience
• Changes are not permitted within 48 hours of your experience
• Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience

Booking Information

• Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
• Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
• Mobile Vouchers are accepted! - Vouchers can also be presented on your mobile device for this attraction
• For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
• Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control. We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 24 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements