- 0800 092 4444
- Search
- My Kuoni
Explore destinations
_w=83_h=42.png?v=4a0e641e217046abb053974f12601bb555d5565a)
Tailor-made holidays and safaris full of extraordinary experiences and the same personal service you'd expect from Kuoni.
All Africa destinations
All Asia destinations
_w=161_h=19.png?v=4a0e641e217046abb053974f12601bb555d5565a)
Visit your local store or make an appointment to get face-to-face advice from our friendly team.
- Holiday type
- Brochures
- Collections
- Articles
- Time of year
Speak to one of our experts now about this offer
Call us on - 0800 092 4444
Or drop into your local Kuoni store to find out more
Find your nearest store
West Coast Glaciers & Southern Alps Holidays
The South Island’s spectacular snow-capped mountain and glacial region.
Striking glaciers and towering mountains make the West Coast an unmissable destination on South Island. It’s home to coastal walking tracks, deserted beaches and lush rainforests, but is particularly well known for the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers that can be seen from the air by helicopter or on a hike.
The Southern Alps is the mountainous region of snow-capped peaks including New Zealand’s highest – Aoraki Mount Cook. A lot of this scenery was used as a filming location for The Lord of the Rings. Glacial lakes nestle between the mountains and behind each landscape there is a storybook of Māori legends.
Read more
Holidays in West Coast Glaciers & Southern Alps
- West Coast Glaciers & Southern Alps
- 4.5 Star
A unique boutique lodge with a home-away-from-home feel and spectacular mountain and lake views
- West Coast Glaciers & Southern Alps
- 4 Star
Excellent service and location
- West Coast Glaciers & Southern Alps
- 3 Star
Perfect for exploring Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers
- West Coast Glaciers & Southern Alps
- 3 Star
Surrounded by the Southern Alps with spectacular views
You may also like
-
-
- Kuoni recommended
- Name (A-Z)
- Rating (High to Low)
- Rating (Low to High)
- Price (High to Low)
- Price (Low to High)
- {{ filter.text }}
- Clear all
Grand Traverse Flight
Glide high above the beautiful Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland National Parks on this scenic flight which departs from Mount Cook Village. Fly over an enchanting world of ice and snow, turquoise glacial lakes, river systems, remote sheep stations and rainforest. Highlights include some of New Zealand’s highest mountains and largest glaciers including the famous Tasman, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. Every passenger on board can enjoy a window seat.
Heli Hike
Explore Franz Josef Glacier, departing from the Franz Josef Glacier base. From here you will enjoy a ten minute helicopter flight to Franz Josef icefall where you will land on the glacier to enjoy up to a two hour hike amongst glacial ice formations with an experienced guide. Equipment will be provided including glacier boots, crampons, socks and a waterproof jacket, but make sure you dress warmly.
Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
Depart from Queenstown and travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through rolling countryside to Te Anau. Continue along the scenic Milford Road and board the Milford Mariner to sail the length of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea. Admire spectacular alpine scenery and look out for wildlife including dolphins and seals. Anchor overnight in Harrison Cove where dinner will be served. After breakfast the next morning, disembark and return to Queenstown.
TranzAlpine Train
Journey aboard the renowned TranzAlpine train from Christchurch and Greymouth via Arthur’s Pass. Enjoy the magnificent alpine scenery as the train crosses the Canterbury Plains and heads through the Southern Alps where it wind its way through the Waimakariri Gorge. The train arrives in Greymouth at 12:45pm which allows you plenty of time to pick up a hire car and continue your journey to the glacier region. The excursion also operates in reverse or as a return.
Get to know the West Coast Glaciers & Southern Alps and those important practicalities when planning your perfect holiday.
Capital
TIME DIFFERENCE
GMT +12 (with New Zealand Daylight Time and New Zealand Standard Time applied, this largely equates to 11 hours ahead of the UK from early April to late September and 13 hours ahead from late September to late March)
CURRENCY
New Zealand dollar
FLYING TIME TO DESTINATION
25½ hours (not including stopover time)
RELIGION
New Zealand has no state religion but the majority of people are Christian
LANGUAGE
Māori and English
Where are West Coast Glaciers & Southern Alps?
The West Coast Glaciers & Southern Alps are located in New Zealand’s South Island. The Southern Alps form the backbone of South Island, stretching 400 miles along the west coast and incorporating Fox and Franz Josef’s glaciers.
Twin glaciers
There are few glaciers in the world that are as accessible as Franz Josef and Fox. The best way to experience their glacial crevasses, icefalls and blue ice grottos is to take a heli-hike. Equipped with crampons, waterproofs and glacial boots, you will be flown by helicopter onto the glacier for a two-hour hike with an expert guide. Alternatively, you may wish to hike up from either Franz Josef or Fox villages to the face of the glacier.
Aoraki & the Southern Alps
Located in the Southern Alps, Aoraki Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest peak at 3,724 metres. Surrounding it is Mount Cook National Park, home to permanent snow fields, stunning glaciers and 19 peaks over 3,000 metres high. It was here that Sir Edmund Hillary did much of his training before he set off to conquer Mount Everest. New Zealand’s Southern Alps were named by Captain Cook in 1770 and the region is instantly recognisable as the backdrop for The Lord of the Rings. Take a scenic flight for an aerial perspective of the sheer grandeur of this incredibly beautiful part of New Zealand.
Māori culture
The lakes and mountains of New Zealand play a significant part in Māori culture. When Aoraki and his brothers’ waka (canoe) overturned, the cold turned them to stone. Aoraki, the eldest son of Rakinui, was the name given to Mount Cook and his brothers became other named peaks of the Southern Alps. The Māori stories behind Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are quite tragic. Tuawe fell to his death whilst climbing, leaving his beloved, Hine Hukatere heartbroken. Fox Glacier is called Te Moeka o Tuawe, meaning the bed of Tuawe and Franz Josef’s Māori name is Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere which translates as the tears of Hine Hukatere.
Iconic lakes
The scenic landscapes of New Zealand are reflected in its beautiful lakes. Lake Matheson was formed by the retreating of Fox Glacier over 14,000 years ago. On a calm day the dark colour of the water makes it ideal for capturing the reflection of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Lake Tekapo is famous for its unusual milky-turquoise colour caused by fine rock-flour which is ground by glaciers and left in the water. On its shore you’ll find the beautiful Church of the Good Shepherd, one of the most popular photo spots in New Zealand and a superb frame for the Southern Alps backdrop beyond.
Dec - Mar
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Sorry, your hotel is no longer available
Please check alternatives
Choose dates
{{store.searchDuration}} nights, {{formattedDate}}
Enter dates to check availability
{{ guestRollup || 'Enter guests' }}
{{ store.selectedAirport.text }}
{{ store.selectedClass.text }}
{{ store.selectedOccasion.text }}
Search
-
{{item.body}} -
{{item.body}}
Choose a departure date
{{store.searchDuration}} nights
Enter rooms & guests
Checking prices & availability
{{term}}, {{formattedDate}} for {{searchDuration}} nights
Destinations See all Destinations
HolidaysSee all Holidays
OffersSee all Offers
InspirationSee all inspiration
Talk to an expert today
Your dream holiday is just a phone call away
Call us on 0800 047 3417
Mon to Sat: 10am - 5pm
Sunday: Closed
Visit your local Kuoni store
Find your nearest store
In-person, virtual or phone
Get face-to-face advice from our friendly team
We're transferring you to our tailor-made specialists
 |  |  |
From the multi-award-winning Kuoni