If you find yourself visiting a country that boasts a Natural Wonder of the World or a spectacular skyline, why not take a helicopter tour ride. Experience the sights in the best way possible, with a bird’s eye view. We have narrowed down the top ten most popular helicopter tours worldwide to make this easier for you. Take a look!
1. Victoria Falls – Zambia and Zimbabwe
Travelling around Victoria Falls and the adjoining Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Livingstone can take days. Even the most audacious hiker probably still won’t see all that there is to see. That is the reason that helicopter tour rides are so amazing!
On a helicopter tour of the Victoria Falls, you will be able to take in a mile-long sheet of falling water while dipping through vividly colourful ravines over the Zambezi River, which creates the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Helicopter tour rides over Victoria Falls don’t just offer stunning views of “the smoke that thunders”, the meaning of Mosi-a-tuna. They are also the best way to spot hippos, elephants, and other African wildlife in the area. Plus, the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, so viewing this spectacular natural wonder is a must!
2. The Grand Canyon – Arizona, USA
Track the Colorado River for about 277 miles through this momentous Natural Wonder of the World. The Grand Canyon is almost one mile deep and roughly 17 miles wide and has layers and layers of beautiful rock formations, which are thousands of years old. On a helicopter tour ride of the Grand Canyon, you will get to fly between canyon walls that change shades of red, orange, and yellow as the sun moves across the Arizona sky. You can also be sure of bonus views of the adjacent Hoover Dam, the Mojave Desert, and the Las Vegas Strip.
Numerous Grand Canyon helicopter tour rides also incorporate views of the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park, and adrenaline-inducing walks on the Grand Canyon Skywalk. They may also include boat trips, depending on the Colorado River.
3. Fox Glacier – South Island, New Zealand
Fly above ice and rainforest during a fantastic helicopter ride above Fox Glacier, part of the Westland Tai Poutini National Park. On New Zealand’s South Island, Fox Glacier is an 8-mile long snowy miracle situated on the edge of a prospering wilderness. If that doesn’t get your attention enough to schedule a helicopter tour through the area, the trip additionally guarantees safe passage over Mount Cook before it lands in an area of compacted snow where travellers can go for a walk on the glacier itself. Add a bonus experience by booking a helicopter trip over the adjoining Franz Josef Glacier too.
4. Rio de Janeiro – Brazil
Listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Rio de Janeiro Harbour area is an eminent combination of noteworthy landmarks and widely acclaimed attractions. Walking around sights like the excellent Christ the Redeemer sculpture and Sugarloaf Mountain makes for a remarkable occasion in itself, so imagine being able to see Rio de Janeiro‘s notable attractions from the air! Helicopter tour rides through the region incorporate these most famous sights, and include views of Ipanema Beach, Copacabana Beach, Corcovado Peak and the rolling slopes of Tijuca.
5. Cape Town – South Africa
Take an amazing private helicopter tour ride from Cape Town and see two seas in a single 25-minute flight. Fly around the iconic Table Mountain and take in the view of the Atlantic Ocean on one side of the Cape Peninsula then proceed to the Indian Ocean on the opposite side. Watch the terrain below change as you fly, from seashores and rolling hills to rough cliffs. Circle Table Mountain, a New Seven Wonders of the World site, and get the opportunity to listen to fascinating commentary from your pilot while crossing the Cape Peninsula. You will get the chance to soar past extensive mountain ranges like Signal Hill and also the Twelve Apostles, but don’t forget to watch out for great white sharks sneaking along off the coast of Muizenberg Beach.
6. Iguazu Falls – Argentina, Brazil (and Paraguay)
Having the opportunity to see three countries at once, including one of the most extensive waterfall systems ever, is one helicopter ride that you’ll never forget! Besides the fact that the Iguazu Falls is designated as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, it is also assigned as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Furthermore, it forms part of the border between Brazil and Argentina and joins Paraguay’s west side!
The impressive Iguazu Falls range more than 1.7 miles and consist of almost 300 much smaller waterfalls that spill water over cliffs that are more than 250 feet tall. You can fly over Devil’s Throat on the Argentina side before being whisked over the wilderness of the Iguazu National Park and the Three Borders Landmark, which symbolizes the point of the intersection between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Following that, you can cross over to Brazil to see the Itaipu Dam and hover over the second-longest river in South America, the Parana River.
7. Greater Barrier Reef – Queensland, Australia
Fathoming the size of the Great Barrier Reef is unthinkable, though seeing the 1,250-mile stretch of marine life from above puts this Natural World Wonder into perspective. Taking a helicopter tour ride may be the best way to understand the value of Australia’s most popular fascination, honestly. Book a helicopter trip in Queensland to get the best view of the reef, in addition to seeing Green Island, Whitehaven Beach and also the Low Isles on the same excursion.
Additionally, The Heart Reef is a top pick for aerial picture takers. Now and again, marine life like stingrays and sharks, can be spotted from the air, and broader tour bundles incorporate passes through the Daintree Rainforest, Mossman and Barron gorges, and the Atherton Tableland (Cairns Highlands).
8. Amalfi Coast – Amalfi, Italy
There are very few locales on the planet more beautiful than the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy. Navigate through columns of colourful homes incorporated into a fairyland-like cliffside while taking photos of rich vineyards, plentiful orchards, and also the forests of the Ferriere Valley Nature Reserve (Riserva Statale Valle Delle Ferriere). Romance is undoubtedly an important reason to visit Amalfi. That said, for people travelling alone, seeing the bird’s-eye views of Capri, Naples, and the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Herculaneum (Ercolano) and Pompeii, buried by the eruption of neighbouring Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., merits taking a solo flight!
9. Everest Base Camp – Khumjung, Nepal
For the vast majority, visiting Mt. Everest Base Camp in Nepal is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This is an excursion undoubtedly worth taking, especially for those visitors who have no plans on making the harrowing trip up the 8,848-meter (29,029-foot) mountain. Passengers on this helicopter ride will fly through the stunning Himalayan mountain range and afterwards land at the famous Everest South Base Camp, situated at a height of 5,364 meters (17,598 feet). Perched at the foot of the most incredible mountain on the planet, this spectacular location is really like no other spot on the earth.
10. Sydney – Australia
Australia’s most crowded city is magnificent when seen from high above. People enjoying helicopter tours will have the opportunity to appreciate excellent views of the shimmering Sydney Harbor, the Taronga Zoo, the famous Sydney Opera House and also the world-renowned Sydney Harbour Bridge. A few helicopter tours will fly over Sydney’s stunning coastline, such as Bondi Beach, while others might fly up towards the exquisite Blue Mountains and its Megalong Valley.
