south island

Upon arrival at the check-in point, we first watched an introductory video, noting the difference between the jumping and landing postures. Then we put on our parachute suits, safety buckles, and hats (be aware that some hats may be very dirty; the entire process takes about 30-40 minutes. Afterwards, I developed a rash on the area of my face covered by the hat, which took a week to clear up after taking allergy medication). Once geared up, our instructors led us onto the plane, securing our safety buckles together during the flight. (My instructor was very kind, constantly reassuring me. Although I wasn't nervous, he even proactively filmed me with a GoPro, worried I might regret not buying one; the file is kept for a month.) After reaching our jump altitude, the instructor pushed us to the exit. As soon as our feet were out, the instructor told us to assume the jump position, and we jumped immediately, without a second of hesitation. Initially, we were headfirst, rotating a few times before straightening up. The instructor patted our shoulders and opened his arms; at this point, it was difficult to breathe, and our faces were flying around. The parachute was only deployed after reaching a certain altitude, allowing us to begin enjoying the scenery. After landing, a shuttle bus will take you to the check-in point. Once you've unloaded your gear, the entire trip will be complete!

Upon arrival at the check-in point, we were first weighed, then watched a video explaining the precautions (available in simplified Chinese). We changed into wool socks and shoes. Perhaps because it's summer, they only provided us with waterproof jackets, no pants, but gloves and small backpacks were given. After gearing up, we boarded a shuttle bus to the helipad. The flight took about 5 minutes to reach the glacier. Because the hike was mostly uphill, it wasn't very cold. With frequent stops and sightseeing and taking photos, there wasn't much time to eat or drink. I recommend eating some snacks beforehand and making sure to use the restroom! When we reached a higher point, the guide suggested we try drinking the glacier water, which tasted like ice water with no strange smell. Our guide, Sabrina, was a very talkative woman. Thank you for giving us a wonderful glacier hiking experience!

Super fun! I was scared at first, but the view after jumping was absolutely stunning. The instructor was also great and provided a lot of emotional support. I'm so glad the weather was perfect that day so I could go skydiving as planned. If you're ever in Queenstown, you absolutely must try it! It's on my bucket list!

The cruise ship has a lot of space, and they sell coffee and bread on board so you can enjoy your meal while admiring the fjord. There are also commentary sessions. Highly recommended!

The helicopter tour alone is excellent value, and the glacier hike takes almost 2 hours in total, offering a wealth of information about glaciers! Highly recommended!

The glowworm caves are very well preserved, the guides explained things in detail, and hot drinks were provided.