EARNSLAW FULL DAY HELI CANYONING WITH GLACIER FLIGHT ADVENTURE

No Experience? No Problem!

You don’t need any previous canyoning experience to join this adventure. Our qualified guides will provide all the training and support you need throughout the trip.

To get the most out of your experience, you’ll need a medium level of fitness, to be comfortable with heights and be able to understand and follow instructions in English. Participants should be physically capable of walking, climbing, scrambling over uneven terrain, and moving confidently while wearing a wetsuit for up to five hours.

For safety reasons, all participants must be able to complete the activity within the required time frame. Final participation is at the discretion of your guide, who will assess suitability on the day to ensure your safety.

If you’re unsure whether this adventure is right for you, we’d love to help. Get in touch with our friendly team to discuss your suitability before booking.

Meet Your Guide
8:15am
Meet your guides, we will pick you up from your Queenstown accommodation.

After check-in, we’ll run through a brief safety overview and answer any last-minute questions before setting off.

Scenic Journey to Glenorchy
8:30am
Depart Queenstown and enjoy the stunning drive towards Glenorchy, one of the most scenic routes in the region.

Arrive in Glenorchy and Gear Up
9:15am
We’ll arrive at the Glenorchy airport where you’ll be fitted with all your canyoning equipment and get ready for the adventure ahead.

Scenic Helicopter Transfer to the Canyon
10:00am
Lift off from Queenstown and begin your spectacular 20 minute helicopter journey into the mountains.  Along the way, you’ll fly past the world-famous Earnslaw Burn, internationally recognised as the Valley of Hanging Glaciers, where towering waterfalls, dramatic cliffs and ancient ice formations create one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking alpine landscapes.

Take in the views and capture unforgettable photos before continuing to the top of the canyon, where your heli-canyoning adventure begins.

Learn the Basics
10.30am
Your guides will provide a comprehensive safety briefing and teach you the canyoning techniques you’ll use throughout the trip.  No experience is required.

Into the Canyon
11:00am
The adventure begins with a short downhill walk to the canyon entrance, where you’ll take your first steps into one of New Zealand’s most spectacular alpine playgrounds.

From here, the real excitement begins.  Spend up to five incredible hours descending a series of towering waterfalls, including abseils of up to 80 metres, while surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery, glacier-fed water and dramatic canyon walls.  Expect exhilarating heights, unforgettable exposure and a true sense of wilderness as you journey deeper into the canyon.

Throughout the day, your two experienced guides will be by your side, providing expert instruction, support and encouragement at every stage.  We’ll also take time to stop for snacks and a well-earned lunch, giving you plenty of opportunities to soak in the remarkable surroundings and appreciate this truly unique adventure.

Scenic Helicopter Flight Out
4:00pm
As your canyoning adventure comes to an end, we’ll meet our helicopter for the return flight out of the valley.  Sit back and enjoy another spectacular 10-minute alpine flight as you soar above remote wilderness, cascading waterfalls and rugged mountain terrain.

The journey back offers breathtaking aerial views of the stunning Rees Valley and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Wakatipu, providing a fitting finale to an unforgettable day of adventure.

Change & Return Transfer
4:15pm
After your canyoning adventure, you’ll have time to change into dry clothes and get comfortable before beginning your return transfer back to Queenstown.

Return Journey to Queenstown
4:45pm
Depart Glenorchy and relax as we make our way back to Queenstown, giving you time to reflect on an incredible day of adventure, spectacular scenery and unforgettable memories. Upon arrival, we’ll drop you back at your Queenstown accommodation.

Arrive Back in Queenstown
5:30pm
Arrive back in Queenstown having experienced one of New Zealand’s most exclusive adventure experiences.  From glacier flights and helicopter access to towering waterfalls and epic abseils, you’ll leave with memories, photos and stories that will last a lifetime.

You’ll be too busy enjoying the adventure to worry about taking photos – that’s where we come in.

Throughout your canyoning experience, your guide will capture the action with professional photos, from waterfall abseils and natural rock slides to the laughs, challenges and unforgettable moments shared along the way.

After your adventure, you’ll have the opportunity to view and purchase your photos, giving you a lasting reminder of your time in the canyon.  Whether you’re sharing your experience with friends and family or reliving the excitement years from now, these images are the perfect way to remember your Queenstown adventure.

Because some memories are simply too good to leave behind.

A fresh picnic-style lunch, refreshments and snacks is included, with your choice of a meat or vegetarian sandwich to keep you fuelled for the adventure.

Everything you need for an unforgettable canyoning adventure is included:

✓ Premium canyoning equipment, including wetsuit, helmet and harness, socks and shoes

✓ Qualified and experienced canyoning guides

✓ Return transport from Queenstown

✓ Return helicopter transfers in and out of the canyon

✓ A glacier flight past the internationally recognised “Valley of Hanging Glaciers”

✓ Comprehensive safety briefing and instruction

✓ Fresh picnic style lunch, refreshments and snacks

Just bring your swimwear, a towel and your sense of adventure — we’ll take care of the rest.

We’ve got all the technical gear covered.  All you need to bring is:

✓ Swimwear to wear under your wetsuit

✓ A towel for after the adventure

✓ A personal water bottle

✓ Any personal medications you may require

That’s it!  We’ll provide all canyoning equipment, safety gear and expert instruction throughout your adventure.

Participants must be at least 16 years old to join this adventure.

For guests aged 16 and 17 years, a responsible supervisor aged 21 years or older must accompany them on the tour.

Participants aged 16 years requires their legal guardian to sign our risk disclosure before travel.

While there is no legal maximum age limit, this adventure is physically demanding and requires a medium level of fitness.  Guests aged 60 years and over are welcome to participate, provided they understand the physical requirements and safety considerations of the trip.

If you are over 60 and would like to join this adventure, please contact our friendly team before booking.  We’ll be happy to discuss the activity and help determine whether it’s the right fit for you.

Your safety is our priority.

Canyoning New Zealand is independently safety audited every year and operates to the highest adventure activity standards. As part of our responsibility, we ensure all participants understand the risks involved before joining a tour.

Canyoning is a real adventure activity and can be mentally and physically challenging. Participants must be able to understand and follow instructions in English, move confidently over uneven and potentially slippery terrain, be comfortable in water, and be able to manage heights.

Before your adventure, you’ll be asked to read and sign our acknowledgement of risk form. Please take the time to review this information before booking so you can make sure this experience is right for you.

You can read the full safety information here:
https://www.canyoningnewzealand.co.nz/safety/