Documents & Essentials
• Photo ID and booking confirmation
• Any personal medication

Clothing (layered for Fiordland conditions)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Warm layers, waterproof jacket and hat
• Sunglasses and sun protection

Toiletries & First Aid
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Reusable water bottle

Electronics
• Charged phone and camera
• Portable power bank

Accessories & Nice-to-Haves
• Small daypack
• Binoculars for wildlife spotting

Fiordland weather is famously changeable year-round.
Summer (Dec–Feb) • Typical daytime: 15–22 °C • Conditions: long daylight, possible showers • Practical note: pack layers and rain jacket
Autumn (Mar–May) • Typical daytime: 12–18 °C • Conditions: beautiful light, fewer crowds • Practical note: warm layers for evenings
Winter (Jun–Aug) • Typical daytime: 8–14 °C • Conditions: crisp, dramatic waterfalls • Practical note: waterproof gear essential
Spring (Sep–Nov) • Typical daytime: 12–18 °C • Conditions: wildflowers and fresh snow on peaks • Practical note: comfortable walking shoes

Documents & Essentials
• Photo ID and booking confirmation
• Any personal medication

Clothing (layered for Fiordland conditions)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Warm layers, waterproof jacket and hat
• Sunglasses and sun protection

Toiletries & First Aid
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Reusable water bottle

Electronics
• Charged phone and camera
• Portable power bank

Accessories & Nice-to-Haves
• Small daypack
• Binoculars for wildlife spotting

Fiordland National Park is part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area and one of the most pristine wilderness regions on Earth.

Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) is a 15km-long fjord carved by glaciers with some of the highest sea cliffs in the world.

Mitre Peak rises 1,692 metres straight from the water and is the iconic landmark of the sound.

Helicopter flights offer unique perspectives of the Southern Alps and hidden valleys rarely seen from the ground.

Local wildlife includes fur seals, penguins, dolphins and native birds – sightings are common on the cruise.

The Milford Road is often ranked among the world’s most scenic drives with stops like Mirror Lakes and the Homer Tunnel.

Weather dependency is part of the Fiordland experience – safety always comes first for helicopter operations.

Te Anau serves as the perfect gateway town to Fiordland with its lakeside setting.

Carbon Footprint & Offset Report: Milford Sound Helicopter Tour from Te Anau

Quick Snapshot

Estimated CO₂e footprint per participant: 520 kg CO₂e
(higher-end conservative estimate – covers all on-tour impacts plus average local travel to/from Te Anau pickup points)

Our 200% offset commitment per booking: 1,040 kg CO₂e
Funded through genuine landscape restoration in climate-vulnerable developing regions (reforestation, mangroves, soil regeneration, etc.). This creates real net-positive impact beyond neutrality.

Tour summary

• 9-hour full-day tour
• Small group – max 16 guests
• Starts and ends with pickup from Te Anau (central locations)
• Modern air-conditioned minibus + boutique Milford Sound cruise + scenic helicopter flight return
• No accommodation included
• Meals: Picnic lunch with mountain views, snacks & bottled water
• Highlights: Scenic Milford Road with photo stops (Mirror Lakes, Eglinton Valley, Homer Tunnel), intimate Mitre Peak small boat cruise, spectacular helicopter flight back over the Southern Alps and Fiordland, wildlife spotting (seals, kea), expert local guide commentary

Overview

This report estimates the carbon footprint for one individual participant on this tour using higher-end data from trusted sources. We intentionally choose upper-range figures to fully cover every impact – including hard-to-measure parts like supply chains and indirect effects.

We then double it (200%) and fund genuine landscape restoration projects in developing and climate-affected regions worldwide. This goes beyond standard offsetting to deliver real, lasting benefits for ecosystems and communities.

All figures in kg CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent – the standard measure that includes all greenhouse gases).

Tour Details

• Duration: 9 hours
• Key locations: Te Anau pickups, Milford Road (Mirror Lakes, Eglinton Valley, Homer Tunnel), Milford Sound (small boat cruise), scenic helicopter flight return over Southern Alps
• Travel style: Premium small-group experience combining scenic drive, intimate cruise and helicopter flight
• Assumptions: Average participant, standard behaviours, higher-impact choices where uncertain. Local travel to Te Anau pickup points is factored into the higher-end footprint for completeness. Helicopter flight is weather dependent.

Calculation Approach

• Sources: UK DEFRA 2025 conversion factors, Australian National Greenhouse Accounts 2024, UNWTO tourism data, IPCC guidelines, and peer-reviewed studies.
• Higher-end scale: Upper-range emission factors everywhere, plus radiative forcing for the scenic helicopter flight, well-to-tank fuel effects, +20% uncertainty buffer, and conservative assumptions for minibus + marine cruise + helicopter operations.
• Per person, full tour experience.
• Excludes only purely personal extras (e.g. souvenirs or additional purchases).

Detailed Emissions Breakdown (per participant)

Transportation – 410 kg CO₂e

• Average local travel to/from Te Anau pickup points (higher-end mix of car, taxi or short transfers): 30 kg
• On-tour minibus (~480 km round trip, shared small group) + boutique cruise + scenic helicopter return: 380 kg – higher-end diesel + marine + aviation factor with low-occupancy buffer and full radiative forcing for helicopter

Accommodation – 0 kg CO₂e

• Day tour only – no overnight stay

Meals & Food – 60 kg CO₂e

• Included picnic lunch with mountain views + snacks & bottled water (tourism-level portions and waste): 60 kg – higher-impact estimate

Activities & Excursions – 50 kg CO₂e

• Guided cruise, scenic helicopter flight, photo stops, wildlife viewing and expert commentary

TOTAL ESTIMATED FOOTPRINT PER PERSON: 520 kg CO₂e

Our 200% Offset Commitment

• Amount we will offset: 2 × 520 kg = 1,040 kg CO₂e per individual booking
• How: Direct funding of landscape restoration projects – reforestation, mangrove protection, regenerative agriculture, wetland and soil carbon restoration
• Where: Developing countries and regions most affected by climate change (e.g. Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America) for maximum global benefit and community co-benefits
• Why 200% and higher-end estimates: To guarantee coverage despite any measurement discrepancies and to create genuine extra positive impact

Important Notes

• Numbers are deliberately conservative (higher) so we over-deliver on restoration – real footprint may be lower
• The tour already has strong sustainability practices (small group, low-impact visitation in World Heritage area); our independent higher-end analysis adds extra certainty
• Carbon accounting has natural uncertainties – doubling it is the responsible way
• This directly supports long-term carbon-sequestering landscapes and local communities

How long is the tour?
The full day is approximately 9 hours from Te Anau.

Is the helicopter flight guaranteed?
The flight is weather dependent. If cancelled, you return by bus and receive a refund for the helicopter portion.

What is the weight limit for the helicopter?
130 kg per person.

Is lunch included?
Yes, a tasty picnic lunch is provided.

Do I need to be fit?
No – this is an easy day with minimal walking.

Where does the tour start?
Pickup from Te Anau (central locations).

Can I take photos on the helicopter?
Yes – the views are spectacular for aerial photography.

Is there a minimum age?
Suitable for all ages, subject to helicopter weight limits.