Franz Josef Glacier Valley
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Jackman Chiu
Franz Josef Glacier Valley
,
New Zealand

Tour Franz Josef Glacier Valley

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New Zealand

Inspiring you to tour Franz Josef Glacier Valley and immerse yourself in its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and share your authentic travel experiences

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Located on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, the Franz Josef Glacier Valley is a dramatic testament to the power and beauty of nature. It is where ancient glacial formations converge with lush rainforests, creating a surreal landscape that leaves visitors in awe.

Franz Josef Glacier, named after the Austrian emperor Franz Joseph I, is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world. This ice giant descends from the Southern Alps and snakes its way down into the verdant rainforests, ending just 300 meters above sea level. This unique low-altitude position amidst a temperate rainforest zone makes it a natural marvel. Over millennia, the glacier has carved out the valley, leaving behind towering cliffs, cavernous crevasses, and a series of cascading waterfalls.

As global temperatures have shifted, so has the glacier. It has been both advancing and retreating over the centuries, each movement shaping the valley's landscapes. The glacial retreat has left behind deep blue pools filled with pristine meltwater, reflecting the surrounding mountains and skies.

Activities around the glacier are varied. Guided ice walks offer an intimate exploration of the glacier's surfaces, where visitors can tread on ancient ice, explore ice caves, and marvel at the sheer blue hues that radiate from within. For those seeking a bird's-eye view, helicopter rides provide a panoramic perspective of the glacier, the surrounding rainforests, and the Tasman Sea in the distance.

Adjacent to the glacier is the Franz Josef Glacier township, a charming community that offers a range of accommodations, dining options, and thermal pools. It's an ideal base for exploring not just the glacier, but also the nearby Westland Tai Poutini National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

But what truly sets Franz Josef Glacier Valley apart is its contrasting ecosystems. Within a short distance, one can transition from icy glacial landscapes to warm coastal rainforests, home to diverse flora and fauna, including the iconic kiwi bird.

In essence, the Franz Josef Glacier Valley is a celebration of nature's paradoxes. It stands as a poignant reminder of our planet's ever-evolving landscapes, and its dramatic interplay of ice and rainforest offers visitors an unparalleled journey into the heart of New Zealand's wild beauty.

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Geeky Facts about Franz Josef Glacier Valley

Fact 1

As it sits at a low altitude, it is easily accessible.

Fact 2

Franz Josef glacier is fed by four alpine glaciers that receive around 30 metres of snowfall each year.

Fact 3

In New Zealnd, it is the fastest moving glacier moving up to 4m per day.

Tours in Franz Josef Glacier Valley

New Zealand Walking Adventure
New Zealand Walking Adventure
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New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Active
Activity level
Activiy Level
3 - Average

14 days from

£6,381 / person

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Legendary New Zealand
Legendary New Zealand
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New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Active
Activity level
Activiy Level
2 - Light

21 days from

£2,685 / person

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Ultimate New Zealand
Ultimate New Zealand
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New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
2 - Light

24 days from

£5,720 / person

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New Zealand
New Zealand
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New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Coach Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
2 - Light

21 days from

£5,999 / person

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Essence of New Zealand
Essence of New Zealand
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New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
2 - Light

18 days from

£5,150 / person

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Ultimate South Island Adventure
Ultimate South Island Adventure
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New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Walking, Hiking & Trekking
Activity level
Activiy Level
4 - Demanding

14 days from

£6,554 / person

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Auckland to Christchurch - 16 days
Auckland to Christchurch - 16 days
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New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
2 - Light

16 days from

£4,895 / person

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New Zealand Uncovered (Northbound)
New Zealand Uncovered (Northbound)
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New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
2 - Light

20 days from

£4,710 / person

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New Zealand Multisport
New Zealand Multisport
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New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Walking, Hiking & Trekking
Activity level
Activiy Level
3 - Average

22 days from

£4,449 / person

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Premium New Zealand Encompassed
Premium New Zealand Encompassed
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New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Adventure Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
2 - Light

18 days from

£7,615 / person

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Breathtaking New Zealand
Breathtaking New Zealand
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New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Adventure Tours
Activity level
Activiy Level
2 - Light

18 days from

£7,099 / person

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New Zealand Amplified (Northbound)
New Zealand Amplified (Northbound)
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New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Walking, Hiking & Trekking
Activity level
Activiy Level
2 - Light

17 days from

£2,175 / person

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Remarkable New Zealand - 20 days
Remarkable New Zealand - 20 days
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New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
2 - Light

20 days from

£6,115 / person

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New Zealand Uncovered (Southbound)
New Zealand Uncovered (Southbound)
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New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
2 - Light

20 days from

£4,710 / person

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New Zealand Wonders - 19 days
New Zealand Wonders - 19 days
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New Zealand
Tour type
Tour Type
Small Group
Activity level
Activiy Level
2 - Light

19 days from

£5,985 / person

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Big Cats
Big Cats
Big Cats
Birdwatching
Birdwatching
Birdwatching
Canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing
Canyoning
Canyoning
Canyoning
Cruise
Cruise
Cruise
Culture
Culture
Culture
Cycling
Cycling
Cycling
Festivals
Festivals
Festivals
Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Hiking
Hiking
Hiking
Kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking
Mountaineering
Mountaineering
Mountaineering
Natural Wonders
Natural Wonders
Natural Wonders
Photography
Photography
Photography
Polar
Polar
Polar
Primates
Primates
Primates
Rafting
Rafting
Rafting
Rail
Rail
Rail
Safari
Safari
Safari
Sailing
Sailing
Sailing
Skiing
Skiing
Skiing
Snorkelling
Snorkelling
Snorkelling
Whale Watching
Whale Watching
Whale Watching
Wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife
Winter Sports
Winter Sports
Winter Sports
Zip Lining
Zip Lining
Zip Lining

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Countries that cover Franz Josef Glacier Valley

Wildlife

Big Cats
Big Cats
Big Cats
Birdwatching
Birdwatching
Birdwatching
Canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing
Canyoning
Canyoning
Canyoning
Cruise
Cruise
Cruise
Culture
Culture
Culture
Cycling
Cycling
Cycling
Festivals
Festivals
Festivals
Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Hiking
Hiking
Hiking
Kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking
Mountaineering
Mountaineering
Mountaineering
Natural Wonders
Natural Wonders
Natural Wonders
Photography
Photography
Photography
Polar
Polar
Polar
Primates
Primates
Primates
Rafting
Rafting
Rafting
Rail
Rail
Rail
Safari
Safari
Safari
Sailing
Sailing
Sailing
Skiing
Skiing
Skiing
Snorkelling
Snorkelling
Snorkelling
Whale Watching
Whale Watching
Whale Watching
Wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife
Winter Sports
Winter Sports
Winter Sports
Zip Lining
Zip Lining
Zip Lining
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