Rata Wild Eco Tours

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Franz Josef, West Coast · DOC concession #WC-38572

Into the glacier. Through the rainforest. Under the stars.

Small-group guided eco-tours through Westland's glaciers, rainforests and glow-worm caves. Every trip is carbon-offset, DOC-approved, and led by a conservation educator.

Browse our tours

01 · Tour routes

Six ways into the wild.

Showing 6 of 6 tours

  • Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk Easy · 2.5 hr · Max 8 · Year-round

    Follow the Waiho River to the glacier terminal face. Kea spotting, moraines, ice formations explained by your guide.

    $89
  • Roberts Point Track Hard · 6 hr · Max 6 · Oct–Apr

    Steep climb through podocarp forest to a suspension bridge overlooking the glacier. Rewarding and demanding.

    $149
  • Ōkārito Lagoon Kayak Easy · 3 hr · Max 8 · Year-round

    Paddle NZ's largest unmodified wetland. White heron (kōtuku) colony viewing in season (Sep–Mar).

    $110
  • Tātare Tunnels Rainforest Medium · 4 hr · Max 8 · Year-round

    Walk through natural rock tunnels in temperate rainforest. Glow-worm grotto midway. Moderate fitness required.

    $125
  • Fox Glacier Heli-Hike Hard · 8 hr · Max 4 · Nov–Mar

    Helicopter to the upper glacier, guided ice walk with crampons. Weather dependent — alternative date guaranteed.

    $395
  • Twilight Glow-Worm Walk Easy · 1.5 hr · Max 10 · Year-round

    Evening walk to a glow-worm dell. Hot chocolate at the trailhead afterwards. Family-friendly, torches provided.

    $65
Easy — all fitness levels Medium — moderate fitness Hard — good fitness, uneven terrain

02 · Conservation

Every tour funds the forest.

Rata Wild operates under DOC concession #WC-38572 and holds Qualmark Gold sustainability certification. One percent of gross revenue goes to the West Coast Penguin Trust. Here is where the money and the work go.

Carbon offset

Every tour is carbon-offset via Ekos (NZ native forest credits). Includes transport, helicopter fuel and office energy.

14.2 tonnes offset in 2025
Predator trapping

We maintain 320 traps across three DOC traplines in the Waiho and Tatare catchments. Checked fortnightly by our guides.

320 traps, 3 lines
Kiwi monitoring

Acoustic monitors on four sites track rowi (Ōkarito brown kiwi) calls. Data shared with DOC's Kīwi Recovery Programme.

4 monitoring sites
West Coast Penguin Trust

1% of gross revenue donated annually to support tawaki (Fiordland crested penguin) nesting protection.

1% of revenue

04 · Our guides

Three people who know every track.

Kiri Matenga

DOC-trained, 12 years guiding on the West Coast. Specialises in Māori ecological knowledge — rongoā plants, star navigation, and the oral history of Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef Glacier).

Sam O'Brien

Mountaineer and glacier specialist. NZMGA certified, former search and rescue volunteer. Leads the Roberts Point and Fox Glacier heli-hike tours. Calm in weather that changes in minutes.

Aroha Patel

Marine biologist turned forest guide. Bird specialist — can identify every West Coast species by call. Leads the Ōkārito kayak and twilight glow-worm walks.

05 · Safety

Your safety shapes every tour.

  • Emergency equipment

    Every guide carries a personal locator beacon (PLB), satellite phone, comprehensive first aid kit and emergency shelter.

  • Group ratios

    Maximum 4–10 per tour (varies by difficulty). Hard-rated tours run at 1 guide per 4 guests. Easy tours at 1:10.

  • Weather cancellation

    We cancel when conditions are unsafe — full refund or free reschedule, your choice. Heli-hike tours include an alternative date guarantee at no extra cost.

  • Required gear

    Sturdy boots (ankle support), rain jacket, 1L water minimum. We provide crampons, helmets and torches where needed.

  • Medical & dietary notes

    Tell us about allergies, medications or mobility needs at booking. We accommodate wherever possible and will be honest when a tour is not suitable.

06 · Book a tour

Reserve your place.

Rata Wild Eco Tours Ltd

28 Cron Street, Franz Josef 7886, West Coast

03 752 0344 · tours@ratawild.co.nz