10 Most Spectacular Helicopter Rides in the World

1. Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon, one of the most inspiring and popular tourist destinations in the United States, features one-of-a-kind combinations of geologic color and erosional forms carved by the Colorado River. It is unbelievably vast — 277 river miles long, 18 miles wide, and almost a mine deep. The Grand Canyon reveals the sheer beauty of nature, and only the spectacular aerial views give a complete understanding of these natural rock formations. As you board the helicopter, you can enjoy a glimpse of the Colorado River and its tributaries cutting and forming their way through the canyon.

2. Hawaii

Famed as the “Big Island” of the United States, Hawaii lists among the best helicopter rides in the world for all the right reasons. Located in the Pacific Ocean, visitors can experience its enormous and vivid landscape, which is worth exploring on a helicopter ride. However, there isn’t just one helicopter tour — along with the lush green regions and stunning coastlines, you also get the opportunity to hover over lava flows and spilling volcanoes. The most popular tour lasts for around 60 minutes and covers some of the major attractions, including Keehi Lagoons, Kauai, Hanauma Bay, and Scared Falls.

3. New York

The City that Never Sleeps, New York, is bustling and the most popular city in the world, and capturing aerial views of this city is one of the most exciting experiences. Home to massive skyscrapers, gleaming lights, and metropolises, a helicopter ride over this city feels like walking through concrete tunnels. While exploring the glorious attractions dotted across New York, opt for a helicopter ride, which can take you high over world-famous landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the George Washington Bridge, and more.

4. Dubai

Dubai, the UAE’s sparkling jewel, is home to a variety of adventure activities and is surrounded by spectacular skyscapes, marvelous infrastructure, including man-made islands, and much more. Besides the iconic tour, a helicopter ride in Dubai is truly a unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience where you unleash your inner wanderer and witness the sweeping views of this gleaming city.

Helicopter tour in Dubai has 12, 15, 17 and 22 minutes ride options. You can choose one that suits your preferences and embrace the wonderful ambience of Dubai.

A helicopter ride is also one of the recommended activities for couples in Dubai.

5. Rio de Janeiro

If you are in Rio de Janeiro, you should definitely consider taking a fun ride on one of the best helicopter rides in the world. Home to Samba and Caipirinha cocktails, this sprawling city is the second largest city in Brazil, where visitors get to enjoy its spectacular mountains, white-sand beaches, and lush greenery alongside the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean. It is often said that God made the world in six days and the seventh day is devoted to Rio, and you will soon realize where it all came from when you capture the exotic views of the renowned Corcovado statue standing atop the Sugarloaf Mountain while enjoying the most splendid panoramas.

6. Victoria Falls

Nestled between the borders of Zambia and Zimbabwe in Africa, Victoria Falls offers gorgeous views. It is the world’s greatest curtain of falling water, where columns of spray can be seen from miles away due to the height of the rainy season — more than 500 million cubic meters of water per minute drop over the bridge. The helicopter ride is the best way to appreciate and engulf the splendor of the cascading water, which takes you to the scenery within 30 seconds after take-off.

7. Iguazu Falls

Another spectacular site to witness from the air, Iguazu Falls sits on the border of Brazil and Argentina, featuring the most serene vistas of nature. The falls are actually made up of about 275 separate small falls spread over 2.5 kilometers, making it one of the largest waterfalls in the world. A helicopter ride through this scene showcases a bird’s-eye view of the lush jungle, followed by the Devil’s throat.

8. Cape Town

Exploring Cape Town on rotating cable cars might be a good option, but a helicopter ride may surely change your perspective. This port city ride features views of the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean while zipping through the Twelve Apostles mountain range and Table Mountain. You can also capture scenic views of Muizenberg Beach, and if you are lucky, you might also spot some great white sharks.

9. Everest Base Camp

Mount Everest Base Camp is the best option for those who don’t want to trek all the way up. For most visitors, this helicopter ride can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You get to fly through the majestic Himalayan Mountain ranges and the world’s tallest mountain before landing at the famous Everest Base Camp, which is located at an altitude of 5,364 meters above sea level. This breathtaking location sits at the base of the highest mountain on earth, giving you a heaven-like feeling like no other place in the world.

10. Franz Jozef Glacier and Fox Glacier

Located in New Zealand, the country holds the reputation of having some of the most panoramic scenery in the world, and its Franz Jozef Glacier and Fox Glacier are a must on your journey. The glassy rivers and snow-capped peaks, and a thrilling helicopter ride over these stunning glaciers, offer the most stunning vistas ever. For those with an adrenaline thirst, combine a helicopter ride with a hike through these impressive features and get rewarded by the jaw-dropping landscape surrounded by the mountains.

Helicopter rides are one of the best ways to appreciate our world’s beauty. You can capture breathtaking glimpses of different parts of the Earth. It is something you never regret doing on vacation. Heli rides will impress you in every way, whether it is a getaway or a freak of exploring the lands.

Guest Author

This article is contributed by an expert guest author.