Aoraki Mt Cook Scenic Flight: Is It Worth the Splurge? – Review

So, you’re thinking about seeing Aoraki Mt Cook from above, huh? That sounds like an awesome idea. Well, a scenic flight is, in a way, one of those experiences that sticks with you, is that right? In this article, we’ll cover my thoughts after taking a flight around this pretty incredible peak. Basically, I want to help you figure out if this sky-high adventure is really worth it, like your hard-earned money and precious vacation time.

What To Expect on Your Aoraki Mt Cook Flight

The thing about these scenic flights is, basically, they come in a few different shapes and sizes, you know? It’s almost like choosing your favorite flavor of ice cream. Some of them stick to a classic helicopter ride, typically zipping you around Aoraki Mt Cook, taking in all that magnificent mountain scenery. Others are, like, plane trips that give you a, maybe a broader view of the landscape. You might be wondering, “Okay, so what’s included?”. Usually, it covers the flight itself, of course, a pretty informative commentary from the pilot – very important stuff! – and those stunning views we’ve all been dreaming about. What very few people realize is that a great point to consider is the total time. In some respects you may not even want a very long one!

The real cool part, I found, as a matter of fact, is the views. Picture yourself gliding over these huge glaciers, sparkling in the sunlight, and then gazing up at Aoraki Mt Cook standing, proud and tall. Seriously, the scale of things is totally unreal from above, it’s something that will truly put things in perspective. If the weather is on your side, that is, basically, you are so very much in for a serious treat.

The View: Glaciers, Peaks, and Everything in Between

Alright, let’s talk about those views, because this is basically what you’re paying for, you know? Imagine seeing, that’s the glaciers first, shimmering rivers of ice snaking down the mountains. And, so too it’s not just about the ice, it’s like the deep blue of the glacial lakes. Seriously though, that contrast is actually stunning. In a way you get the feeling that you’ve been dropped in some alien world.

Then you get to see Aoraki Mt Cook. Pictures? Yeah, they’re great and everything, they tend to show the raw majesty, yet it’s completely different seeing it, like your own eyes. Its almost like, up there, you really get a, bit of a feel for its, kind of a, scale and the wildness around it. What many don’t understand, or overlook, is the light and shadows on the mountain face as your fly by. It’s almost breathtaking. You can catch other peaks too it’s almost like, so basically you’ll have, like, a bunch of jagged snow-covered giants all around you.

Choosing the Right Flight: Options and Considerations

So, there are actually quite a number of flight options around Mt. Cook. It might seem, like, a, just a, small town but there are always choices. Very much like I pointed out earlier, these, typically, aren’t all the same.

Helicopter rides are usually very good, as a matter of fact you get, such amazing views and they can actually land up high. Plus the pilots, typically, get very close to all of the sights. Very much on the other hand, fixed wing flights are maybe just, maybe, more smooth for people who very much aren’t used to flying in helicopters or are, like, nervous about being up in the air. I suppose the bonus is basically that the aircraft can carry, like, groups so, obviously, it brings costs down.

For most travellers what usually dictates the flights is the price. It is almost tempting to take that slightly shorter, a bit cheaper flight, isn’t it? Very many flights often, anyway, let you, as a matter of fact, add on something or change the route so, arguably, it very much may pay to shop around to basically get the flight that you need.

The Cost Factor: Is It Worth the Investment?

Let’s just be frank: so scenic flights are basically expensive. Really costly, I have to be honest. In New Zealand, very much like anywhere, adventure activities always hit your pocket. But the questions should be, typically: Is this trip good enough value to be worth blowing the budget a little? Here are, in effect, things to mull over:

• Basically the Scenery: Okay, Mt. Cook is just awesome. Flying really gives it that new dimension. Can you imagine seeing, as a matter of fact, all that snowy mountain grandeur from above? Seriously amazing, right?
• That’s almost the Experience: Yeah, basically, you’re in a helicopter, very important. The excitement as you spin up, so you can feel the, as a matter of fact, freedom. It’s that unforgettable treat kind of thing.
• Pictures are, almost, useless: Look, everyone thinks phone photos do a good job but what are phones against nature?! What most overlook, basically, is that up in the mountains you get photos that most simply don’t see, with that very stunning background. They look truly very incredible in photo albums for so, actually many years after the flights.

So it boils down to your finances, but that scenic flight is truly special if it, so too it’s something you remember way into the, typically distant, future, alright?

Tips for a Smooth Flight Experience

Alright, I want to get very real here for a moment. What very few people realize is that very many travellers who never take helicopters often can make errors to spoil the trips, and some things will make it ten times greater, you see? Anyway, a little very simple thought and you will tend to breeze through everything.

• Is that Weather checks are paramount: That Mt Cook can be fickle, as a matter of fact you just don’t want that super awesome flight nixed by weather that is not that pretty. Therefore watch what things seem, apparently, to be doing before you do something!
• Choose suitable threads: I will tend to put very practical above pretty every time of the, often, year here. Wear layers – you’ll probably change your mind with all of that! Don’t do white, for those pics!
• What most seem to overlook is Motion Sickness, alright: So you just get very, very airsick? Basically get some meds going prior.
• Camera? Fully charge, but very rarely does anybody truly think, apparently, of things like extra memory cards or clearing them beforehand.
• Finally, you almost have to engage with everything. Take it all in – it, arguably, flies by – almost too swiftly!