Seven people were rescued by helicopter this morning after their four-wheel drives became stuck in an alpine river near Mount Cook.

Police were alerted to the Godley River incident in Tekapo shortly after 11am when the group activated a personal locator beacon.

The three four-wheel drives they'd been travelling in became stuck - two in the water and one on a small piece of land - as they tried to cross the river.

The Aoraki-Mt Cook alpine rescue team airlifted all seven to safety, without injury.

By the time everyone was safely on land, the vehicles were almost completely submerged.

Five members of the group stayed at the scene to arrange the recovery of the vehicles.