Escape to New Zealand’s West Coast for the ultimate winter getaway in Glacier Country blending relaxation and adventure in stunning Franz Josef Glacier.
The Special.
Package Includes:
Two Nights in a Deluxe Spa Tree House at Rainforest Retreat:
At the heart of New Zealand’s West Coast lies Rainforest Retreat where luxury is deeply entwined with the pristine wilderness that drapes the landscape. Towering trees and native ferns create a backdrop that feels both ancient and vibrantly alive. It’s within this captivating setting that the Deluxe Retreat Spa Tree Houses offer guests an opportunity to immerse in luxury while being cradled by nature.
Each tree house is elevated in the forest canopy, harmonising with the environment, expansive decks stretch out like arms to the wilderness and floor-to-ceiling glass windows welcome the outside in. Inside, the accommodations are a testament to comfort and luxury, with plush bedding and modern amenities. This is where guests can soak under the stars enveloped by the sounds and sights of the rainforest.
The property features an onsite cocktail bar and restaurant, a nature trail, an outdoor rainforest shower and an alpine barrel sauna.
Heli Hike on Franz Josef Glacier for Two:
Immerse yourself on a journey of discovery, in one of the most pristine places on Earth with New Zealand’s Pinnacle Experience – a guided heli-hike on Franz Josef Glacier. Enjoy a short, exhilarating helicopter ride, jaw-dropping scenery and a two-and-half-hour hike through the most spectacular glacier features. It’s no wonder so many visitors label their Glacier Heli Hike as the highlight of their visit to Aotearoa (New Zealand). Franz Josef Glacier is the fastest-moving commercially guided glacier in the world. As a result, its features are constantly changing and no two trips are ever quite the same. You might find yourself sliding through narrow crevasses, navigating between staggering ice towers, squeezing through ice caves or if you are lucky, all three!
Price: $1845
Terms & Conditions.
This package is available for a limited time, bookings for this will be accepted until September 30, 2024
Rainforest Terms & Conditions
1. Package Overview:
The Franz Josef Glacier Winter Escape (hereinafter referred to as “the Package”) includes a 2-night stay at the Rainforest Retreat Deluxe Retreat – Deluxe Spa Tree House for two people and a guided Glacier Heli-Hike with Franz Josef Glacier Guides for two people. Guests will book the Package online based on the availability of the accommodation.
2. Booking Confirmation:
Upon booking the Package, a member of the Rainforest Retreat concierge team will contact the guest to arrange and confirm the Glacier Heli Hike experience with Franz Josef Glacier Guides included in the Package and this is subject to availability.
4. Alternative Arrangements:
If any Franz Josef Glacier Guides are fully booked during the dates you have booked, guests will have the opportunity to change the dates of their accommodation booking at Rainforest Retreat (subject to availability) in order to align with Franz Josef Glacier Guides availability.
5. Refund Policy:
In the unlikely event that we are unable to secure a guided Glacier Heli Hike with Franz Josef Glacier Guides we will provide a refund for the portion of the Package that pertains to the unavailable activity.
6. Changes and Cancellations:
Guest-Initiated Changes: Any changes to the booking must be requested in writing. Changes are subject to availability and may incur additional charges.
Cancellation Policy: The Cancellation policy of each operator as part of the package will apply. Rainforest Retreats full Terms & Conditions for guests stay can be found at: https://rainforest.nz/about/
7. Force Majeure:
Rainforest Retreat is not liable for any failure or delay in performing any of its obligations under these terms and conditions if such failure or delay is due to causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, war, strikes, labour disputes, government orders, or any other force majeure event.
8. Liability:
Rainforest Retreat is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property in connection with the adventure activities. Guests participate in activities at their own risk.
9. Governing Law:
These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which Rainforest Retreat operates.
10. Acceptance of Terms:
By booking the Franz Josef Glacier Winter Escape you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
Contact Information:
For any questions or concerns regarding your booking, please contact our concierge team at [email protected]
These terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Please review them periodically for updates.
Franz Josef Glacier Guides Terms & Conditions
Health and Safety Information
• You must be 18 years or older to make a booking on this website. If you are under 18 years old, we will require a parent or guardian to make the booking on your behalf AND purchase their own ticket in order to accompany you for the duration of your chosen trip with Franz Josef Glacier Guides.
• In order to uphold safety standards we are not able to accept as clients any person over the weight of 115kg (253.5lb).
• Glacier conditions change rapidly and as such we cannot fully brief you on current conditions. In general ice steps on our trips can be over 400mm (1.3 feet) high. This height can challenge people with low physical fitness or low levels of agility.
• Children wishing to join our Heli Hikes need to be at least 10 years old, weight at least 35kg and be at least 137cm tall. Ice climbers must be at least 16 years old. Due to glacier and weather conditions this guideline may change and participation in the hike is ultimately the decision of the lead guide on the day. For further information please contact us.
• Due to the risks involved on our glacier trips we do not take anyone who is, or may be, pregnant.
• Factors such as lack of physical fitness, pre-existing medical conditions including, but not limited to, ankle injuries, knee injuries or ACL damage, joint replacements, dislocations, neck or back injuries, heart conditions, high or low blood pressure, diabetes or asthma can effect capacity to safely take part in a glacier trip and in turn increase the possibility of sustaining an injury. If you have any medical conditions or have had surgery in the last 10 years we recommend consulting your doctor about your participation in a glacier trip and making Franz Josef Glacier Guides aware of your condition.
• We do not guide customers who are under the influence of intoxicating drugs and / or alcohol.
• As we operate in a mountain environment certain events may result in customers having to stay on the glacier overnight.
• Franz Josef Glacier is an unstable geological feature that presents certain significant hazards, including, but not limited to, avalanche, rock fall, ice fall, heavy rain, cold exposure, heights, flooding, uneven terrain, tripping and sun exposure. To learn more about the risks please click here.
• Franz Josef Glacier Guides reserve the right to curtail or cancel trips for customers whose fitness or ability it not appropriate to the trip on which they are booked. If you are unable to complete the glacier trip you have booked due to inadequate fitness, you will not be entitled to a refund. If you are not familiar with our trips please consult a member of our reservations team for advice on which trip will best suit your ability
Glacier Heli Hike – Terms & Conditions of Participation
The Franz Josef Heli Hike is operated by Franz Josef Glacier Guides Limited. Franz Josef Glacier Guides Limited, (“FJGG”) will provide you with the guiding services on the glacier and we have teamed up with The Helicopter Line Limited who will provide the helicopter flying services to access the glacier. We aspire to provide you a friendly, exciting and safe experience.
In participating in this activity, you, the customer / passenger (“you”), agree to the following terms and conditions:
1. Participation in all adventure activities carries a degree of inherent risk and by participating in the activity provided by FJGG you are expressly assuming those risks personally and are, to the maximum extent permitted by law, waiving and releasing FJGG and its officers and employees and any subsidiary or related company from any liability, claims, losses, damages or expenses caused by any event including, but not limited to:
a) Personal injury or death;
b) Property loss or damage;
c) Acts which may be construed as negligent or accidental;
d) Any other loss, damage, suffering, emotional or nervous disorder.
2. You agree the laws New Zealand apply exclusively to these terms and conditions and that the Courts of New Zealand have exclusive jurisdiction. You agree not to commence any litigation or proceedings in any country in relation to the risks and perils set out in clause 1 above and to indemnify FJGG against any such actions. In the event that any liability is attributed to FJGG, such liability is limited to the price paid by you to the Operator or FJGG as booking agent for the activity.
3. You confirm that you are physically fit and suffer no medical conditions which may be aggravated by this activity. Please see adjacent health and safety information.
4. You consent to receive medical treatment in the case of injury, accident or illness during the activity and to indemnify FJGG against any claims in respect of this treatment.
5. You agree to listen to the guide, follow their instructions and make sure any children in your care do the same. FJGG reserves the right to remove or to refuse to allow any passenger to participate who does not comply with instructions or who is deemed to be a nuisance, acting recklessly or otherwise considered to be unsuitable, to participate.
6. This voucher is issued by an agent for the Operator providing the services and activities described and is non-transferable.
7. Cancellations of the Heli Hike:
In some circumstances it may be necessary to cancel or curtail the Heli Hike eg inclement weather conditions. You agree to the cancellation policy, the policy is available on request from Franz Josef Glacier Guides. The selling agent and/or FJGG accept no responsibility for any loss or additional expenses arising from changes, delays or cancellations of the services and activities.
8. This voucher is non-refundable (other than at the absolute discretion of the FJGG) however pre-paid bookings can be altered in accordance with the following:
a) Up until 24 hours prior to the date and time of any pre-paid reservation you may change (subject to availability) or cancel your booking at no charge.
b) Within 24 hours of any scheduled reservation, any change to the booking is at the absolute discretion of the Operator and may incur a fee up to a maximum of 100% of the price paid for the activity or service.
c) In the event that a pre-paid reservation is not utilised by the customer without any notification to the Operator, this voucher is deemed to have been used.
9. Any decision regarding an exception to these terms and conditions will be made entirely at the discretion of Franz Josef Glacier Guides Limited.
10. The name of the business that will appear on your bank/credit card statements will be Franz Josef Glacier Guides. Your account will be charged in New Zealand Dollar.
