East Branch Heli-Access

East Branch Heli-Access — fly-in wilderness packrafting

The East Branch, reached the fast way. A thrilling 15-minute helicopter flight from Wānaka lifts you over the Matukituki Valley's peaks, hanging glaciers and waterfalls — with a glacier landing when weather permits — before setting you down at Junction Flat to begin your paddle. No walk-in, straight to the river.

From the drop-off it's a pristine, glacier-fed run on the East Matukituki (Class II/III−): exciting wave trains, technical rapids and serene emerald pools, in our stable, self-bailing packrafts. It rewards confident paddlers, but your Grade 3-qualified guides read the day and scale it to your group.

You'll paddle beneath iconic glaciers like Avalanche and Rob Roy, with Tititea Mt Aspiring on the skyline, deep in Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage country — remote enough to spot pīwakawaka and kākāriki in the beech forest. Along the way your guides share the valley's Māori heritage, glacial geology and Lord of the Rings history.

Private, small-group only — your party, your day. It's also a favourite with agents putting together premium, off-the-beaten-track South Island itineraries. Prefer to earn it on foot? See the walk-in East Branch Expedition.

Highlights

• Private, small-group only — your party, your day
• A 15-minute scenic helicopter fly-in to Junction Flat, no walk-in
• A glacier landing en route when weather permits
• Pristine East Matukituki whitewater (Class II/III−) — wave trains, rapids and emerald pools
• Paddle beneath Avalanche and Rob Roy glaciers with Mt Aspiring on the horizon
• Grade 3-qualified, rescue-trained guides

What's included

• A 15-minute scenic helicopter flight with Aspiring Helicopters, with a glacier landing when weather permits
• Self-bailing packraft, paddle and all safety gear
• Grade 3-qualified, rescue-trained guides
• Riverside lunch, as on all our packraft trips

What to bring

• Swimwear, thermal layers and a towel
• Sturdy footwear
• Water bottle and any personal medication

(Full kit list confirmed when you book.)

Good to know

• A heli-access full day for confident paddlers who can swim
• Ages 14+ — a guide assessment applies
• Run for small private groups of four to six paddlers (minimum 4 to book)
• Runs 15 October – 15 April; guest weights required at booking
• The helicopter flight and glacier landing are weather dependent — if conditions don't allow, we'll work with you on alternatives

Prices

Priced per group, not per person — one price, one aircraft, your own expedition. NZ$6,900 for a group of four, or NZ$9,500 for five to six paddlers (around NZ$1,583 per person at six). Minimum four paddlers.

For agents & private groups

Available to private groups and the travel trade. Email [email protected] or call +64 3 443 4416 for dates, net agent rates and availability.