LakesideChick

We are travelling to NZ in late Sept and I would like to experience walking on a glacier. Ive been told the photo opportunities are stunning. The glaciers (and Lake Matheson) seem to be close to each other. Is this correct?
Are the glacier experiences similar or are both worth visiting? Are there any tour companies that are better than others, that you'd recommend?
Is Lake Matheson as beautiful as it looks in the brochure?
How long would you spend in this area and where would you stay?
Cheers
Cathy

annhig

joining in.....

Melnq8

Franz and Fox are about 30 minutes drive from one another.

They're both interesting, but honestly I can't recommend one over the other. Lake Matheson is closest to Fox Glacier. Okarito lagoon is closest to Franz Josef. The nighttime kiwi tour is based in Okarito if that appeals.

The glaciers aren't particularly stunning from the ground - they're dirt covered and don't show off their glacial blue.
If you plan well, it's easy enough to walk to the terminal face of both glaciers in a day. This won't get you ON one though, just near one.

To get on one, you need to take the organized glacier hike or heli-hike. The latter is subject to weather conditions, and in our experience flights are cancelled more often than not, but if you luck into a beautiful day on the West Coast you absolutely should do a heli-hike if it's in the budget.

From above the glaciers are gorgeous. We did the heli-hike on Fox Glacier many years ago and it was a wonderful experience. All that glacial blue, the surrounding rainforest - really enjoyed it.

Melnq8

Forgot to comment on your other questions - I'd allow at least two nights at the glaciers. This will give you one full day (two chances) for a helihike or guided hike. Three nights is even better if you can spare the time. More time to work with if the weather isn't in your favor. If you enjoying hiking, you'll find plenty to fill your days.

Lake Matheson is very pretty on a clear day. There's a nice walk around the lake too.

We've stayed in both Fox and Franz. Franz has more services, such as a petrol station, a small grocery store, more cafes and accommodation, but otherwise there's not much to distinguish the two villages.

http://www.glaciercountry.co.nz/

LakesideChick

Thank you so much, I just commented on one of your trip reports without realising initially you were the person who replied to me here! Thank you so much.

mlgb

Fox is the more accessible of the two glaciers, you can still book a guided walk that includes walking up the terminal face (less expensive than having to be helicoptered which is the only option for Franz).

This is a good article that is only a few years old.

http://inspiringtravellers.com/2011/...r-hike-choose/

My favorite experience is seeing them from the air and landing on top, much easier!

kbob88

Don't mean to hijack your thread, LakesideChick, but... is it necessary to book the heli tours in advance (we'll be there in mid-July)? Or book a day or two in advance once we see what the weather forecast will be like?

Melnq8

You can walk to the terminal face of both glaciers w/o a guide, but need a guide to walk on them.

I'm confused about your comments mlgb as the Franz Josef Glacier Guides website indicates they have a tour where you can cross the public barriers and climb onto the glacier.

http://www.franzjosefglacier.com/our-trips/

kbob88 - we didn't book until the day before because we had weather concerns, and then we put our name down for both the morning and afternoon helihike so we could see what the weather was up to. I don't know if they let you do that anymore, but it worked for us - we used Fox Glacier Guides.

Winging it in July shouldn't be a problem - dead of winter.

mlgb

Which tour Melnq8? The Glacier Valley Walk> See the last line:

"Please note this trip does not take you onto the ice."

It seems all they do is walk you around the barrier so you can get closer to the terminal face, but you don't go up.

Melnq8

Ah okay, missed that last line.

mlgb