
Rakaia Glaciers
Traveler rating
Not yet rated
No traveler reviews have been published for this experience yet.
Quick answer
Is Rakaia Glaciers worth booking?
Rakaia Glaciers is a 3-hour experience in Christchurch, New Zealand, from $3620 per person. It scores 44 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 44 / 100
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $3620 per person
Get to know the real untouched New Zealand as you take off over the Canterbury Plains towards the well-known braided Waimakariri River. Notice the Craigieburn Basin come into view, a distinguished blockbuster film set, f
What you get
- Lunch
- Alcoholic beverages
About this experience
Get to know the real untouched New Zealand as you take off over the Canterbury Plains towards the well-known braided Waimakariri River. Notice the Craigieburn Basin come into view, a distinguished blockbuster film set, followed by the curious rockscape of Castle Hill. See the glisten of Lake Pearson as you fly by the Southern Alps' main divide, climbing up & over the ridgeline, to debut at the mighty Rakaia River. Without another aircraft in sight come to two of Canterbury's best kept secrets, the rarely visited Lyell & Ramsay Glaciers due to their inaccessibility. Touch down to overwhelming 360 degree views, filled with staggeringly sharp mountaintops & turquoise waters of the the glacier lakes. Enjoy lunch in the amphitheatre of the outdoors without a single disruption. Rise over the depths of Lake Coleridge and return over the Canterbury Plains, inbound for Christchurch. Please note we are unable to guarantee snow at any time particularly during Summer months (November – February)
What's included
Included
- Lunch
- Alcoholic beverages
What you'll see and do
Canterbury Region
Take off over the gridded Canterbury Plains
Pass by without stopping
Tasman Glacier
See the beautiful Tasman Glaciers, New Zealand's largest glacier
Pass by without stopping
Waimakariri River
Fly towards the well-known braided Waimakariri River
Pass by without stopping
Craigieburn
Notice the Craigieburn Basin come into view, a distinguished block buster film set
Pass by without stopping
Castle Hill
See the curious rock-scape of Castle Hill
Pass by without stopping
Lake Pearson
Catch the glisten of Lake Pearson as you fly by the Southern Alps' main divide
Pass by without stopping
Lake Coleridge
Rise over the depths of Lake Coleridge where one of New Zealand's first hydro-electric stations churns on
Pass by without stopping
Rakaia
Pass over the mighty Rakaia River and come to two of Canterbury's best kept secrets - the rarely visited Lyell and Ramsay Glaciers due to their inaccessibility. Touch down to overwhelming 360 degree views, filled with staggeringly sharp mountaintops and turquoise waters of the glacier lakes. Enjoy lunch in the ampitheatre of the outdoors without a single disruption.
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Christchurch
25 Aviation Drive - Enter the Harewood Aviation Park and Christchurch Helicopters is the first on your right
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
25 Aviation Drive - Enter the Harewood Aviation Park and Christchurch Helicopters is the first on your right
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Christchurch Helicopters
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Due to the length of this flight it is not recommended people with serious medical conditions
Photos




Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 3+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- $3620 to $4210
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Christchurch Helicopters, who run 10 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 45.0.
See everything Christchurch Helicopters runsWhy this scores 44
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Rakaia Glaciers: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Christchurch.
How much does Rakaia Glaciers cost?
+
Prices start at $3620 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Christchurch usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Rakaia Glaciers take?
+
Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Christchurch is not rushed.
Is Rakaia Glaciers worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 44 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (0/5 across 0 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Christchurch, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Rakaia Glaciers?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Rakaia Glaciers suitable for kids and families?
+
The operator sets a minimum age of 3. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 3-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Rakaia Glaciers?
+
Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Christchurch can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Christchurch and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Rakaia Glaciers start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Christchurch within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Christchurch?
+
On Outty we rank every Christchurch experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include TranzAlpine Train, Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip, Lord of the Rings, Journey to Edoras Day Tour from Christchurch, Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and Tasman Glacier Tour from Christchurch. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Christchurch?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Christchurch?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Rakaia Glaciers.
Pick your date




