The Glaciers on the West Coast
The South Island is renowned for its rugged nature full of extremes. When traveling along the west coast, you have the opportunity to visit two glaciers. At the foot of the Southern Alps, near the town of Franz Josef, lies the terminus of the Franz Josef Glacier. Slightly further south is the Fox Glacier, near the town of the same name. Along the way, there are viewpoints where you can catch a glimpse of the glaciers. But there are also various ways to experience the glaciers up close.
The best way to see one or both glaciers is during a helicopter flight. An even more impressive experience is to combine such a flight with a landing on the glacier, followed by a walk across the glacier with a guide. The glacier is constantly in motion; it shifts sometimes more than a meter per day. While walking on the glacier, you will hear the cracking of the moving ice all around you. Sometimes paths need to be carved out, and at other times you can visit a turquoise ice cave—each time, it is a truly unique experience.
What you can expect
- A unique landscape carved by ancient glaciers
- Admire the glacier from an observation point or from the air
- Take a unique walk on a glacier
- It is possible to stay near the glaciers
Impression
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