Hong Kong woman's test: The "dual-plane experience" after the weather turned was amazing! A must-try for $3000

Comparison of 3 types of helicopter glacier tours in Mount Cook, New Zealand | Hong Kong woman's test: the "dual-plane experience" after the weather reversal is too shocking!

Going to Mt Cook without a helicopter is like going to Hong Kong without wonton noodles – soulless! As a Hong Kong girl who has personally experienced the "weather game", this time I will explain 3 kinds of helicopter glacier gameplay, from high-priced deep trekking to lazy aerial sightseeing, and my "rescheduled surprise" record, choose the right model will not waste money and time!

A, 3 major helicopter glacier gameplay comparison: price, experience, suitable for the crowd at a glance

1. Glacier Landing Hike Experience (3 hours | NZ$800/person): First choice for depth players, zero distance from blue ice

• The core of the gameplay: Fly directly to the glacier hinterland by helicopter, follow the guide for 1.5-2 hours after landing, touch the thousand-year blue ice, explore the ice cracks, and finally return to the base by plane.

• Advantages: Most “authentic” contact with glaciers! The shock of nature hits the heart as you step on the creaking ice, reach out to touch the blue-lit ice, and listen to the guides tell the story of the formation of glaciers.

• Cons: “Double test of weather and physical fitness”! As long as there is heavy fog, strong wind, the crew will cancel the hike (safety first); and hike to wear non-slip ice claws, physical strength will feel strenuous, completely relying on "luck" and "strength" to win.

• For the crowd: Young people who like deep experiences and are not afraid of hard work, and travelers who want to put “touching the glacier” on their life list.

2. Dual Machine Glacier Brief Experience (40 minutes-1 hour | NZ$500/person): A must for lazy people, play two machines at once

• Core of gameplay: Fly to the shallow area of the glacier in the first helicopter, have 10 minutes to step on the ice, take a picture after landing, then immediately transfer to another different model of helicopter back to base, the whole process "fly-drop-transfer-back" in one breath.

• Pros: Minimal time spent, value for money! You don't have to hike for a long time, even if you have poor physical strength, you can hold it; you can also experience the feeling of flying two helicopters at once, and it's special enough to take pictures.

• Disadvantages: The glacier contact time is short, you can only taste it briefly, and you will feel "not enough" if you want to play in depth.

• Essential reminder: Never wear a waterproof and windproof jacket! The temperature of the glacier is often below 0°C, and there are ice particles and wind blowing through, without protection minutes freezing cold, I saw someone wearing a thin windbreaker, immediately after getting off the plane shrunk into a ball!

• Suitable for the crowd: travelers who are tight on time, have average physical strength, and want to try both "foot on glacier + helicopter".

3. Aerial Glacier Sightseeing (30 minutes | Approx NZ$350-400/person): Elderly friendly, zero hard work to enjoy the beauty

• The core of the gameplay: After taking off from the base, the helicopter flies along the glaciers, snow-capped mountains, overlooking the Tasman Glacier, Hooker Valley lakes and other attractions in the air, all the way back to the base without landing.

• Advantages: No stamina test at all! Elderly people or those who don’t want to move can play, sitting on the plane and watching the snow-capped mountains and glaciers like a silver dragon, with a super wide field of view.

• Cons: There is no way to set foot on a glacier, less of a “hands-on” touch, suitable for those who simply want to experience helicopters and aerial landscapes.

• Suitable for the crowd: Travelers with elders, limited physical fitness, or just want a “check-in helicopter experience”.

Hong Kong girl's test: From "disappointed rescheduling" to "double-plane surprise", the weather in Mount Cook never goes according to the script

Originally I booked the "glacier landing hike" (category 1), and specially prepared waterproof hiking pants, sunscreen, thinking of the next morning with the glacier "zero distance date".

Somehow I woke up at 7am and pushed open the inn window - the dark clouds were so dense that I couldn't even see the building next door! My heart immediately sank, so I gritted my teeth and went to the assembly base at 10. I saw the tour guide and crew members all frowning, looking at the weather and checking radar, but they did not immediately say "cancel".

That hour was like a year, checking mobile weather apps non-stop, and "pleading for better weather" with other tourists. As a result, we arrived at 11:30, and the dark clouds were still thick. The guide had to apologize and said, "I can't hike today. Can I reschedule? Or switch to other ways to play?"

I was a little disappointed, but seeing them do their best to observe and not be perfunctory, understand that safety is the most important thing, finally decided to reschedule to the third day, and switched to the "double-plane glacier short experience" (category 2) - at least can fly, and can play both machines!

On the morning of the third day, the weather actually cleared up! When the first helicopter took off, my hand trembled a little, and when the plane passed through the clouds and overlooked the glacier from the air for the first time, I was stunned: the glacier below was like a blue gem cut by God, the lake next to it was light blue, dark green, and even a little milky white.

When I got off the plane and stepped on the glacier, the soles of my feet were a little slippery, but when I touched the ice, the cold feeling came from the palm of my hand, and I couldn't help but hold a handful of snow and watch it slowly melt in my palm. Then transfer to another helicopter to return, see the snow-capped mountains from another angle, see several snow-capped mountains towering into the clouds, the moment really feel how small humans are, more admiration of those ice climbers - they are the real "snow mountain warriors"!

Final Summary: Choose the right play so you don’t waste the beautiful views of Mount Cook

• For an in-depth experience: Choose Glacier Landing Hike, but be sure to reserve 1 more day in case the weather is bad and rescheduled (I’m an example!).

• If you want to be lazy, you can get two things: Choose the "Double Plane Glacier Short Experience", which is short and has two pleasures. Remember to wear waterproof and windproof clothes.

• Take your elders to travel: Choose "Aerial Glacier Sightseeing", safe and comfortable, you can feel the magnificence of Mount Cook.

No matter which one you choose, remember that the weather in Mount Cook "changes at will" and keep a flexible mindset, there will be unexpected surprises - just like me, although I did not play the hike, but the "double plane + foot glacier" experience, became an unforgettable memory in life!

#Mt Cook Helicopter Guide #New Zealand Glacier Experience #Hong Kong Girl Travel