New Zealand - Day 6: Franz Josef, Fox Glacier

GLACIER COUNTRY

Both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier are known as the Glacier Country of New Zealand, about 20km away from each other. Both glaciers allow visitors except when it's unsafe to walk on. You may read more at http://www.glaciercountry.co.nz/.

FRANZ JOSEF

I was turned down from purchasing the glacier walk tickets for Franz Josef as the glacier was not safe at the time I wanted to purchase the tickets. It seems like Franz Josef glacier is prettier (from far) as we went for a thrilling adventure here!

If you want to do the glacier walk at Franz Josef, check it out here http://www.franzjosefglacier.com/

Skydive Franz

They have been voted the best skydiving experience in New Zealand. Checking in at the town, we were requested to sign a declaration form.

Location:
Main Road, next to the Glacier Guides  Franz Josef 7886, New Zealand
Tel: +64 3 752 0714

Website:
http://www.skydivefranz.co.nz/

Fees: Check out the website above! ^^

This was really a great experience for me being a superwoman with bird's eye view of tallest mountain, Mount Cook, the west coast, the Tasman Sea and Franz Josef glacier, a great combination of iced mountain, ocean, river, land ^^. My first and hopefully not the last experience!

Fox Glacier

Moving down to Fox Glacier, we did the glacier walk here. Some people say that it's easier to walk on Fox glacier than Franz Josef glacier. I don't know but you really need to consider your fitness condition for the route that you wish to do.

You can also do similar things at either Franz Josef or Fox Glacier.


Picture source: Fox glacier



Location:

44 Main Road, State Highway 6, Fox Glacier, 7859, New Zealand

Tel: 800 111 600

Website:
http://www.foxguides.co.nz/


Admission: From NZD49 per person, depending on the trip you're taking.


Our guide, Lizi, from Argentina

The current glacier has very much shorten due to the ice melting more than it's covered. So, there will be many lose stone and rocks. Follow the guide and walk in a line.



Boots and crampons provided

You will be provided with backpack, waterproof jacket, boots, thick socks, and crampons for the ice walking. For all day walk, they will also provide mitten and hat.



Follow the guide up the ice



Going down between the ice



The melted ice water carved the ice




Going through





View up



Go up in a line, go down in a line

 

The walk ended with a beautiful sunset



You will get a certificate for your effort!

Lake Matheson

Take a stroll down to Lake Matheson during sunset or sunrise for a nice photographic view of the lake and Mount Cook which will take at least 40 minutes to 1 hour.

Accomodation: Lake Matheson Motel



Picture source: Lake Matheson Motel


Location:
Corner Cook Flat Rd & Pekanga Drive
Fox Glacier
(400m from Fox Glacier's township)

Tel: +64 3 751 0830

Website:
http://www.lakematheson.co.nz/

Price range: ~NZD40-45 per person (includes free limited internet usage)