Glacier Explorers

First, I want to say that we have traveled extensively and I have never given a tour company a bad review. I usually do my research which is why I felt strongly about posting this review. We were booked with Glacier Explorers for a 3:30 tour on April 9th. We were told to show up at 3:00, which we did. We were then told that we needed to wait until 3:20 for a bus. We boarded the bus at 3:20 and then things went awry. A tour guide came on board and said that she was going to give the safety briefing while we waited for the other passengers to board. She went on to say that we would be hiking down a steep,slippery gravel path, single file and would need to climb into rubber rafts. She stated that the tour company was not responsible for any injuries while hiking or boating. While the tour guide was talking, several 80 plus year old travelers started boarding the bus. At 3:40 we were still in the parking lot waiting for people. After the safety briefing or lack of for the late travelers, my husband and I talked and decided that we did not feel safe hiking and boarding boats with the passengers on the bus. We left the bus and went immediately to the Glacial Explorer Counter and told them that we did not feel safe on the tour. We have done a lot of white water rafting and we know it only takes one person to flip an entire boat. Additionally, I am less than 100 pounds and was concerned one of the elderly people would fall on to me trying to go down the slippery hill. I told them that I would talk to the hotel about a refund. My husband and I were staying at The Hermitage, so we went back to our room, changed into hiking clothes and looked about a hiking trail to the glaciers. We drove ourselves to the Blue Lake trailhead and there we ran into the tour bus that we had left. We witnessed the Glacial Explorer tour group in action and confirmed that our decision to leave the tour was a good one! This was a good 30 minutes after we had left the tour bus. (the ride to the park was 5 minutes) The tour group had just gotten there and gotten everyone off the bus. One poor guide was wrangling all of the elderly people, while the other guide was standing on a rock lecturing the rest of the group. We also found other people who had been on the bus just walking around the park. They were clearly over the tour as well! We hiked the trails and observed the group finally getting in their boats. The entire boat tour was probably 20 minutes as stated by another reviewer. The glaciers are really not that exciting. The lake is green and not blue as pictured. This is not the small boat and private adventure pictured. We have had multiple correspondences with Claire Norton and Pancho Saucedo expressing our dissatisfaction with our experience and they have refused to give us a refund. Other reviewers have pointed out similar issues. You have been warned, if you book with this company it is on you!
May 2nd, 2023

(Translated by Google) Short-distance hiking + Tasman lake cruise, a highly recommended activity, even in summer, you can see the front of the glacier and touch the icebergs. Even in summer, remember to bring a thin coat. The lake is a bit cold, especially when the speedboat is sailing, the wind is strong and it is quite cold. If you stop and have the sun, it will be slightly hot. (Original) + Tasman lake
Apr 27th, 2023

This was the coolest experience on our trip! You hike to the Tasman Lake, get into a boat, and boat around the glacier and ice bergs. The hike requires some level of fitness, but it is totally worth it! We had Bethany and Sam who were both very friendly and informative. You can taste the glacial ice and feel the water. Unlike any other experience I've had!
Apr 4th, 2023

Thanks Skipper Ryan for giving us an amazing experience! The tour is extremely well organised from the lobby of the Hermitage Hotel, the bus takes you right to the start of the walk to the lake whilst the tour guide talks about the surrounding area (theyll get a chuckle out of you as well!) The walk to the lake was gentle, so almost everyone shouldnt have any difficulty getting there - the guides look out for you on the way. The boat tour on the lake was incredible, weaving in and out of icebergs broken off from the Tasman Glacier (we even seen & heard ice cracking and falling off!). Weve never touched glacier before so that was great too! The guides continued to provide an informative and light hearted experience the entire time - it was one of our best days in NZ! Thank you Ryan & team!
May 1st, 2023

Visited on Weekday Wait time 1030 min Reservation recommended Yes More
Mar 24th, 2023