Monday newsletters at all times function prime 10 journey lists to encourage.
At the moment: High 10 finest locations on the planet for a helicopter flight
Our stunning planet is residence to an abundance of spectacular surroundings and epic cities, a few of that are finest explored from above. Taking a helicopter tour not solely gives vacationers with an unforgettable fowl’s-eye perspective of an space, it additionally provides an exhilarating and entertaining expertise and loads of postcard-perfect photo-ops. As well as, helicopter flights are sometimes the one method guests can get pleasure from viewing extra distant areas that are tough to entry on foot. 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 flights.
There’s extra data (with YouTube movies) under the slideshow. Assume 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 without doubt one of 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 laborious to know the place that comes from if you stand by the world-famous Corcovado statue or on the prime of the Sugarloaf Mountain, having fun with one of many globe’s most enjoyable panoramas. And what may very well 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 in opposition to a backdrop of granite peaks rising from Guanabara Bay.
9. VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE & ZAMBIA
Representing the world’s best curtain of falling water, Victoria Falls is positioned on the Zambezi River, forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Columns of spray may 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 practically two km (1,2 miles) right into a gorge over 100 m (328 ft) under. The vast, basalt cliff over which the falls thunder, transforms the Zambezi from a placid river right into a ferocious torrent reducing by means of a sequence of dramatic gorges. One of the simplest ways to understand the true splendor of the falls is to view them from the air. Because of the location of the heliport, the helicopters are flying over the spectacular surroundings of the Zambezi River inside 30 seconds after take-off.
8. NEW YORK CITY, USA
The Large Apple is outlined by its iconic Manhattan skyline, a mesmerizing silhouette created by dozens of glimmering skyscrapers and simply acknowledged by virtually anyone on the planet. The crown jewel in New York’s skyline is the 102 story Empire State Constructing, which stood because the tallest constructing on the planet from its completion till 1972 (now it it’s the thirty seventh tallest skyscraper). Presently, the tallest skyscraper in New York is the 104-story One World Commerce Middle, which rises 51 m (1,776 ft) above the sacred website the place the Twin Towers had been destroyed within the 2001 terror assault. Among the finest 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 wonderful pictures!
7. GREAT BARRIER REEF, AUSTRALIA
Australia’s Nice Barrier Reef is without doubt one of the planet’s best pure wonders. It’s the largest reef on the planet and consists of practically 3000 particular person reefs, 880 islands and a whole lot and 1000’s of various kinds of plant, fowl 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’ll want to 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 without doubt one of the USA’s hottest vacationer locations. Distinctive combos of geologic shade and erosional varieties carved by the Colorado River beautify a canyon that’s 277 river miles (446km) lengthy, as much as 18 miles (29km) vast, and a mile (1.6km) deep. The Grand Canyon reveals nature’s sheer drive with its towering buttes, pinnacles and mesas, and its immense dimension leaves many guests weak within the knees. Probably the most 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 provide views you’ll be able to’t see from any viewpoint on the bottom and can create reminiscences for a lifetime.
5. OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA
Scenic helicopter flights over the Okavango Delta’s majestic landscapes completely illustrate its uncooked and spectacular magnificence. With lots of the Delta’s most distant areas not reachable in some other method, an aerial perspective is the perfect technique to gaze onto the huge Delta and its meandering labyrinth of crystal-clear channels. The unbelievable variety and quantity of wildlife encountered within the Delta turns into clear from above. Soar above pods of hippo sleeping the day away within the depths of a lagoon, watch a herd of elephants slowly amble alongside open grasslands or marvel on the fleet strikes of crimson lechwe antelope as they leap by means of a fringe of papyrus reeds within the shallows. Eager photographers can select to have the doorways faraway from the helicopter, permitting for unrestricted views and pictures of the spectacular panorama stretching under.
4. BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA
Beneath 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 all over the world 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 technique to emerald waters the place coloured fish animate the coral gardens as they greet the enormous manta rays. It’s also possible to expertise the fantastic thing about Bora Bora’s lagoon by helicopter. After a security briefing along with your pilot, you may be outfitted with a headset with microphones and revel in a guided tour of this magnificent island with fowl’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 experience over the glaciers may be mixed with a hike by means 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 chance 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 allow you to make the ultimate preparations on your hike earlier than you head off to discover the pristine options of this unbelievable 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. Among the finest 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 provides 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 exhilarating helicopter flight. 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 technique to grasp the magnitude of the outstanding Napali Coast. You’ll get a front-row seat to inaccessible scenic areas and get a fowl’s eye view of among 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 numerous extras in between, resembling a flight over Manawaiopuna Falls, a backdrop within the movie ‘Jurassic Park’. Some firms provide a 90 minute helicopter flight that can permit extra time to see Kauai’s unparalleled magnificence or an open-door experience for a extra thrilling expertise.
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