Monday newsletters all the time function high 10 journey lists to encourage.
In the present day: High 10 greatest locations on this planet for a helicopter tour
Our stunning planet is house to an abundance of spectacular surroundings and epic cities, a few of that are greatest explored from above. Taking a helicopter tour not solely offers vacationers with an unforgettable hen’s-eye perspective of an space, it additionally gives an exciting and entertaining expertise and loads of postcard-perfect photo-ops. As well as, helicopter excursions are sometimes the one means guests can get pleasure from viewing extra distant areas of a area. From stunning coral reefs and lively volcanoes to beautiful waterfalls and iconic metropolis skylines, right here’s my roundup of the world’s 10 most spectacular helicopter rides that it is best to take into account the following time you’re feeling it’s time for an adrenaline rush.
There’s extra info (with YouTube movies) beneath the slideshow. Suppose I missed one? What’s your favourite helicopter tour? Depart a remark.
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10. RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
Residence to the Samba and the Caipirinha cocktail, Rio de Janeiro is among the world’s most stunning cities, nestled amongst spectacular mountains, lush greenery, and white-sand seashores alongside the Atlantic Ocean. Locals prefer to say that “God made the world in six days, the seventh he dedicated to Rio,” and it’s not arduous to grasp the place that comes from if you stand by the world-famous Corcovado statue or on the high of the Sugarloaf Mountain, having fun with one of many globe’s most enjoyable panoramas. And what might be higher than a sightseeing tour of Rio de Janeiro from the air? From the vantage level of a helicopter, you’ll have unforgettable views of this stunning metropolis, nestled towards a backdrop of granite peaks rising from Guanabara Bay.
9. VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE & ZAMBIA
Representing the world’s biggest curtain of falling water, Victoria Falls is situated on the Zambezi River, forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Columns of spray might be seen from miles away as – on the peak of the wet season – greater than 5 hundred million cubic meters of water per minute plummet over the sting, over a width of almost two km (1,2 miles) right into a gorge over 100 m (328 ft) beneath. The huge, basalt cliff over which the falls thunder, transforms the Zambezi from a placid river right into a ferocious torrent chopping by way of a collection of dramatic gorges. One of the simplest ways to understand the true splendor of the falls is to view them from the air. As a result of location of the heliport, the helicopters are over the spectacular surroundings of the Zambezi River inside 30 seconds after take-off.
8. NEW YORK CITY, USA
The Massive Apple is outlined by its iconic Manhattan skyline, a mesmerizing silhouette created by dozens of glimmering skyscrapers and simply acknowledged by nearly anyone on this planet. The crown jewel in New York’s skyline is the 102 story Empire State Constructing, which stood because the tallest constructing on this planet from its completion till 1972 (now it it’s the thirty seventh tallest skyscraper). At present, the tallest skyscraper in New York is the 104-story One World Commerce Middle, which rises 51 m (1,776 ft) above the sacred web site the place the Twin Towers have been destroyed within the 2001 terror assault. Top-of-the-line methods to soak up the New York Metropolis skyline is by air, with a number of helicopter firms letting you dangle your toes over well-known Manhattan landmarks for superb pictures!
7. GREAT BARRIER REEF, AUSTRALIA
Australia’s Nice Barrier Reef is among the planet’s biggest pure wonders. It’s the largest reef on this planet and consists of almost 3000 particular person reefs, 880 islands and lots of and 1000’s of various kinds of plant, hen and marine life. Swimming with the fish and admiring the colours of the coral is a should for any vacation to the Nice Barrier Reef. However to get an entire grasp of the sheer magnitude of the Nice Barrier Reef, you could cease swimming with the various marine creatures, get out of the water, let your toes go away the pure-white seashores, e book a helicopter tour, and admire the reef from the air. On sightseeing flights to and from the reef, you’ll expertise some breathtaking views over the Whitsunday Islands and over the coral reef formations that make this a part of the world so distinctive.
6. GRAND CANYON, USA
A strong and galvanizing panorama, Grand Canyon Nationwide Park is among the USA’s hottest vacationer locations. Distinctive mixtures of geologic colour and erosional kinds carved by the Colorado River embellish a canyon that’s 277 river miles (446km) lengthy, as much as 18 miles (29km) huge, and a mile (1.6km) deep. The Grand Canyon reveals nature’s sheer pressure with its towering buttes, pinnacles and mesas, and its immense dimension leaves many guests weak within the knees. One of the thrilling methods to see the Grand Canyon is on a helicopter tour, with departure from both Las Vegas or close to the doorway of the Grand Canyon Nationwide Park. Flying above and beneath the rim of the Grand Canyon will supply views you’ll be able to’t see from any viewpoint on the bottom and can create reminiscences for a lifetime.
5. TIME + TIDE MIAVANA, MADAGASCAR
Time + Tide Miavana is an extremely luxurious resort situated on distant Nosy Ankao island, which a part of a five-island archipelago off the north-east of Madagascar. The island is just accessible by helicopter, both from Nosy Be or Antsiranana (previously Diego-Suarez). A wonderfully enjoyable journey, the helicopter flight gives breathtaking vistas of the wild landscapes of one of many world’s final wilderness frontiers, together with hen’s eye views of humpback whales within the Indian Ocean beneath if you’re fortunate. While you fly in and/or out through Nosy Be, the flight path will take over Ankarana Nationwide Park, a spectacularly eroded limestone fortress of sharp ridges, patches of dense tropical jungle, deciduous forest, deep caves and canyons (really the most important underground community of Africa) and speeding rivers.
4. BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA
Underneath a one hour flight from the South Pacific island of Tahiti or Moorea, the island of Bora Bora, with a lagoon resembling an artist’s palette of blues and greens, is love at first sight. Romantics from world wide have laid declare to this island the place the castle-like Mount Otemanu pierces the sky. Lush tropical slopes and valleys blossom with hibiscus, whereas palm-covered motu circle the illuminated lagoon like a fragile necklace. Excellent white-sand seashores give method to emerald waters the place coloured fish animate the coral gardens as they greet the large manta rays. You can too expertise the fantastic thing about Bora Bora’s lagoon by helicopter. After a security briefing together with your pilot, you can be geared up with a headset with microphones and revel in a guided tour of this magnificent island with hen’s eye views of the lagoon, the overwater bungalows, Mt Otemanu and the assorted motus that encompass the island.
3. FRANZ JOZEF GLACIER & FOX GLACIER, NEW ZEALAND
The glassy rivers and snow-capped peaks of the Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier are among the many highlights of New Zealand’s South Island, and the West Coast glaciers are much more spectacular from above. The exhilarating helicopter journey over the glaciers might be mixed with a hike by way of probably the most spectacular glacier options. Adrenaline ranges begin to spike as you board a helicopter and are whisked away over the jaw dropping panorama – a possibility to soak up the complete panoramic majesty of Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere nestled throughout the surrounding mountains. Subsequent, your pilot will land you excessive up on the glacier itself, the place a information will enable you to make the ultimate preparations to your hike earlier than you head off to discover the pristine options of this unimaginable icescape.
2. SANTORINI, GREECE
The Greek island of Santorini is arguably one of many world’s most idyllic islands and ranks amongst my favourite locations on earth. Perched excessive above the deep blue Aegean Sea, Santorini’s whitewashed villages are clustered atop dramatic cliffs, with black sand seashores resting on the backside. The island was formed some 3,600 years in the past by one of many largest volcanic eruptions in recorded historical past, which left a large water-filled crater measuring about 12 by 7 km (7.5 by 4 mi) and surrounded by 300 m (980 ft) excessive cliffs on all sides. Top-of-the-line methods to understand the island’s pure splendor is to fly over the world-renowned caldera by helicopter, particularly round sundown time. Peak Helicopter Service gives a alternative between two helicopter excursions, the usual 20 minute or the prolonged 30 minute tour.
1. KAUAI, HAWAII, USA
Most of Kauai’s awe-inspiring sights are inaccessible from the bottom and may solely be seen and appreciated by an exciting helicopter tour. Not solely is helicopter tour one of the simplest ways to discover the rugged interiors of Kauai with out getting your toes muddy, it’s additionally solely method to grasp the magnitude of the outstanding Napali Coast. You’ll get a front-row seat to inaccessible scenic areas and get a hen’s eye view of a few of the world’s most pure magnificence. The preferred excursions final 60 minutes and take you thru Kauai’s lush tropical interiors of Waialelale Crater, Waimea Canyon, and alongside the Napali Coast with a whole lot of extras in between, reminiscent of a flight over Manawaiopuna Falls, a backdrop within the movie ‘Jurassic Park’. Some firms supply a 90 minute flight that can permit extra time to see Kauai’s unparalleled magnificence or an open-door journey for a extra thrilling expertise.
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