Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand check out : instagram.com/architravelust/

Franz Josef Glacier . photo by: helen agustine

Ice hiking and walking on a Franz Josef Glacier is a special experience for me. We waited for days to get a sunny day so that we could hike during the winter in New Zealand, and finally we made it! The glacier and an the view was breath-taking and beyond words!

Hiking in Franz Josef Glacier . photo by: helen agustine

Ice and rocks – Franz Josef Glacier . photo by: helen agustine

First we were picked up by a helicopter that contains 6 people in it, flew up to Franz Josef glacier. I was so enthusiastic with this because it was one of my dream experience. I was stunned by the magical ice mountains and valleys underneath, we flew through the clouds and landed smoothly on an ice field. The heli couldn’t fly in a bad weather, so make sure that you go in a sunny day.

Heli ride – Franz Josef Glacier . photo by: helen agustine

Beautiful sunset scenery while flying on helicopter – Franz Josef Glacier . photo by: helen agustine

We continued our journey by walking with our guide, wearing a pair of crampons to step our feet firmly on ice. It was quite slippery and I stumbled so many times, it is better to hike in a healthy condition. Nevertheless, the view was spectacular, we saw a big valley behind us and a wide ice ground in front of us.

The valley and ice in Franz Josef Glacier . photo by: helen agustine

Ice mountains – Franz Josef Glacier . photo by: helen agustine

We climbed up and down the glacier, enter some ice caves and narrow pathway between two giant glaciers, while the guide explained a bit about the history of the glacier. On top of the journey, we reached a small natural waterfall comes out from the glacier. The water was drinkable, and as cold as ice (of course).

Small pathway between giant ices – Franz Josef Glacier . photo by: sherly rusli

Ice cave – Franz Josef Glacier . photo by: helen agustine

Pictures taken – Franz Josef Glacier . photo by: helen agustine

In the end of the journey, we were picked up by another heli, and we could see a beautiful sunset while we were flying back. It took 4 hours in total of the journey, and I think this trip was really worth every dollars. for more photos : instagram.com/architravelust/