We decide to splurge and take a scenic flight to see the New Zealand Southern Alps. We meet Ben, our pilot and the owner of Wilderness Wings, at the Hokitika Airport at 9 am. We are joined for the flight by Graham and Christine from Dumfries, Scotland. Ben provides us with safety information and then helps us into our seats in the six passenger Cessna. We all have our headsets on and seat belts fastened as Ben asks for clearance from the tower. He taxies down the runway and we're off!
The flight is very smooth as Ben takes us up to 8,000-10,000 feet. He expertly flies us toward and around the mountains, Providing commentary and stories throughout the flight. Shortly after taking off we see Lake Hahinapua. Then there are small mountains and lush valleys. The rivers are an incredible blue-green. The first large mountain peak we come to is Elie du Beaumont, elevation 3,111 meters (10,200 feet). There is a smaller Tasman glacier on the side of the mountain.
We circle around and are off to see Frank Joseph Glacier followed by the Fox Glacier. Ben flies us remarkably close to Mount Tasman (3,500 meters) and Mount Sefton (3,150 meters), then we fly toward the summit of Mount Cook (3,724 meters). The scenery is breathtaking. Some of the ice on the mountain peaks has a beautiful blue tint.
Ben turns the plane around and flies approximately the same route on the way back, which is gives everyone on the plane a chance to see the same sights. Ben is in contact with a helicopter flying in the same vicinity and William spots it - seemingly so far below us.
An hour and 15 minutes later we are back at Hokitika Airport, bubbling with excitement from our experience. This experience was definitely worth the money.
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