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The Grand Traverse - the premier Aoraki Mt Cook scenic flight.
To appreciate the beauty and scale of the Mackenzie region, there is nothing better than seeing it from the air. Air Safaris have been flying aircraft in and around the Mount Cook and Westland National Parks since 1970. Over that period, Air Safaris has grown from a single aircraft operation to operating New Zealand’s largest privately owned fleet of modern flight-seeing aircraft. 40 years later, Air Safaris continues to offer the respected ‘Grand Traverse’ flight from both Lake Tekapo and Franz Josef bases.
The Grand Traverse is a magnificent flight encompassing 200 km of New Zealand’s most memorable and spectacular scenery. With approximately 50 minutes flying time, The Grand Traverse reveals golden tussock lands, turquoise glacier lakes amongst New Zealand’s highest mountains and largest glaciers. Every passenger has a window seat, and all aircraft have ‘wings above’ to ensure optimum viewing below.
Throughout the year, view for yourself the dazzling scenery of fresh snow on the Southern Alps, in glacial valleys and a more visible ice-carved landscape. Pilots provide an informative in-flight commentary and are dedicated to providing an excellent passenger experience every time. The company takes great pride in the quality of the operation and the experience it provides.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
Air SafarisCommercial organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Lake Tekapo |
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Business Times |
May - September: 08:30 to 17:00
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Websites |
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Feature | Value | Info |
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Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? ![]() Paid access/participation The experience costs money to access or take part in. Adult: $340 Child $220 |
Weather Requirement |
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Weather RequirementWhat weather conditions are necessary for this experience to operate? Fine weather The experience only operates when the weather is fine (no rain, snow or significant winds). |
Excellent service and commentary.
Great flying experience
AMAZING !!!
Expensive but a very nice flight.
Great experience.
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 38 |
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72% |
9/10 | 11 |
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21% |
8/10 | 3 |
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6% |
7/10 | 0 |
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0% |
6/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 0 |
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2/10 | 1 |
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2% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1.0/5
The only positive detail I can make is that the weather was excellent, however my view from the window was limited due to it being partially blocked by the wing.
Where I was sitting I could not hear the commentary so missed most of the details of the scenery.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
Customer
4.0/5
Great experience with our pilot Tim.
Tim was very well known about the surroundings.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in October 2017
Customer
5.0/5
Der Flug war eins der schönsten Erlebnisse unseres Urlaubs!
Und dank des Deals auch nicht mehr ganz so teuer 😉.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2016
Customer
5.0/5
The ultimate professionals.
The flight was great as was the whole experience booking. The 10% off coupon from Rankers saved us almost $100!
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in May 2016
Customer
5.0/5
Great experience.
We were comparing heli vs plane, price and sights. For us it was the best value with the best tour. And a perfect end for our round trip. Thanks!
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2015
Customer
5.0/5
If we could give a ranking higher than 10 we would!!!
Absolutely awesome. Staff are friendly and are keen to show you the area at its best.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2009
Customer
4.5/5
Amazing and just a trip you need to do on your holiday in NZ.
A must do !!!!
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in June 2014
Customer
5.0/5
Amazing once-in-a-lifetime-experience, just 4 people on the plane, professional, funny, friendly staff...
The perfect overview over new Zealands glaciers with views even to the west coast. A MUST DO IN NEW ZEALAND!
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2014
Customer
1.0/5
The only positive detail I can make is that the weather was excellent, however my view from the window was limited due to it being partially blocked by the wing.
Where I was sitting I could not hear the commentary so missed most of the details of the scenery.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
Customer
4.0/5
Great experience with our pilot Tim.
Tim was very well known about the surroundings.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in October 2017
Customer
5.0/5
Der Flug war eins der schönsten Erlebnisse unseres Urlaubs!
Und dank des Deals auch nicht mehr ganz so teuer 😉.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2016
Customer
5.0/5
The ultimate professionals.
The flight was great as was the whole experience booking. The 10% off coupon from Rankers saved us almost $100!
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in May 2016
Customer
5.0/5
Great experience.
We were comparing heli vs plane, price and sights. For us it was the best value with the best tour. And a perfect end for our round trip. Thanks!
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2015
Customer
4.5/5
Amazing and just a trip you need to do on your holiday in NZ.
A must do !!!!
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in June 2014
Customer
5.0/5
Amazing once-in-a-lifetime-experience, just 4 people on the plane, professional, funny, friendly staff...
The perfect overview over new Zealands glaciers with views even to the west coast. A MUST DO IN NEW ZEALAND!
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2014
Customer
5.0/5
If we could give a ranking higher than 10 we would!!!
Absolutely awesome. Staff are friendly and are keen to show you the area at its best.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2009
Customer
5.0/5
Took flight from Glentanner with a pilot called Phil.
Incredible experience and will remember it for always. Such an informative commentary and he could not have been a nice fellow to everyone. Made our day, week, month Year. Really exciting flight over Mount Cook and around.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2012
Customer
5.0/5
Lake Tekapo branch/airfield.
Highlight.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2012
Customer
4.5/5
Expensive but a very nice flight.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2012
Customer
5.0/5
Very good.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2012
Customer
5.0/5
Scenic flight on Mt Cook.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in January 2012
Customer
5.0/5
What a fantastic crew.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2012
Customer
5.0/5
Awesome!
Very expensive but well worth the price. The noise from the engine does make it rather difficult to hear the commentary at times. Everyone on the staff were friendly.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in May 2010
Customer
5.0/5
The Grand Traverse is amazing.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2011
Customer
5.0/5
Good flight and explanation by the pilot.
Very good views and nice landing on the snow.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2011
Customer
5.0/5
Excellent service and commentary.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2011
Customer
4.5/5
Expensive, easy to book.
Very friendly and informative pilot (Isaac). Definitely need good weather for this to be worth it. We were lucky - it was a real highlight. Mt Cook, Franz Josef, Fox Glacier.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2011
Customer
4.5/5
All the staff and pilots were professional, pleasant and helpful, both in person and on the phone.
Great flight and scenery, except for socked-in west coast. Glad to see the mighty Mt. Cook.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2011
Customer
5.0/5
This was the last, and possibly the greatest, highlight of my trip.
If you're planning to do it, make sure you have time in the area because (as in my case) a cloudy morning can clear by mid-afternoon to near-perfect visibility. The only thing we missed was a view of the west coast; we looked down the glaciers into a mass of boiling cloud, but we saw them; everything else was crystal clear and absolutely fantastic. Tom the pilot was very informative and handled the aircraft so as to give us the best possible views and photo shots. This trip is not to be missed.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2010
Customer
5.0/5
Superb flight, very helpful and friendly staff, pilot very informative.
The views fantastic, worth every cent - do not miss this.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in March 2010
Customer
5.0/5
AMAZING !!!
The Grand Traverse is definately the best option to view Aoraki/Mt Cook, Glaciers, the West Coast as well as the magnificent Mackenzie.
The pilots are friendly, offering great information throughout the flight. My photos are amazing and the scenery spectacular, saw much more than any other flights offered at the same price.
Recommend the flight to all travellers including New Zealanders... Definately one for the Bucket List..
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2009
Customer
5.0/5
Trans-charter flight from Franz Josef.
Well organised, great people. You get exactly what was described in the brochure.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in April 2009
Customer
4.5/5
Very nice flight, Wwe were lucky with fantastic weather) with professional and nice pilot
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in December 2008
Customer
5.0/5
Great flying experience
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2010
Customer
5.0/5
Again perfect weather most hospitible staff, pilot was so helpful.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2010
Customer
5.0/5
We went for a fly 2 months ago - still think of that trip.
Real nice people.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in February 2010
Customer
5.0/5
Evening flight - grand travers - fine weather - very exciting.
We were the only guests in the airoplane. Very friendly pilots.
Reviewed over 3 years ago and experienced in November 2009
Customer