Grand Canyon, Arizona, US:
The Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. 277 miles long and attaining heights of 7,000 ft, it is contained within the state of Arizona. It’s incredible landscapes, variable weather (it can be storming inside the canyon while blue skies above), clean air and plentiful natural wildlife make it irresistible to nature lovers. This, together with its catalogue of history and legends, proves explains how this gorge can draw over 5 million tourists a year. The canyon can be explored in many ways: by hiking, riding a mule down to the bottom and rafting down the awesome Colorado River. But of course one of the quickest and easiest ways to explore the canyon is by air. The 180 degree field of view that many tour helicopters have, provide the chance to enjoy the massive panorama almost in its entirety. Low noise and great piloting mean if you want to know what it’s like to fly through the canyon like an eagle; a helicopter ride will show you. There are many different helicopter tours of the canyon on offer, but whichever way you do it, this is definitely one for the bucket list.
Rio de Janiero, Brazil, South America:
The outrageous glamour and euphoria of the Rio de Janiero Carnival means it is regarded worldwide as one of the most impressive artistic global events. Many people fly in to Rio by private jet for the carnival, but the best way to take advantage of this city’s amazing sites is by helicopter. The granite and quartz monolith of Sugar Loaf Mountain has been there since time immemorial; Christ the Redeemer Statue has been topping Corcovado Mountain since 1931, while the Olympic Stadium is still being built in time for the 2016 Olympics. Helicopter tours take around 15 minutes in Rio, so why not consider seeing the world famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, and the Maracana stadium – home to some of the most famous footballers in the world – from above.
The Lake District, Cumbria, United Kingdom
The beauty of the Lake District in Cumbria has to be seen to be believed. Amongst its stunning scenery it harbours a huge amount of wildlife and is a truly remarkable place to tour by foot, car or helicopter.. With its wood-fringed lakes, dramatic slopes, rural farms, bleak mountain roads, quaint villages and many rivers and waterfalls, Cumbria also hosts England’s highest mountain – Scafell Pike – and its deepest and longest lakes, Wastwater and Windermere. There are many different helicopter tours on offer but Windermere was where the RAF trained for their Dam Buster flights during WW2, and so to fly over that lake, and all the other amazing scenery that the Lake District has to offer, is one of the greatest treats the aviation world has to offer. This month, with the Lake District covered in snow, and the lakes iced over, you are in for a real winter wonderland treat.
Bungle Bungle, Australia:
Bungle Bungle is the name of the range of famous beehive shaped sandstone domes in Purnululu National Park, Kimberley, Western Australia, a recently designated World Heritage Area. These mounds are unusual in that they rise sharply out of the ground and are visually striking in both form and colour as they have alternating orange and grey bands. Within the Bungle Bungle Range is a 7km diameter ‘topographic feature’ which is believed to be the eroded remnants of an ancient meteorite impact crater. Within a half hour flight around the park, which includes the red rock gorges, and the Bungle Bungle Range, there are more stunning features and amazing landforms than you would have thought possible.
Jurassic Falls Tour, Kauai Island, Hawaii:
Resign yourself to one of the greatest tourist trips of all time: a 75 minute helicopter tour which can take you on the full circuit of Kauai Island where Jurassic Park was filmed. During the tour the helicopter can also set you down deep within the interior of Kauai, otherwise inaccessible to the public. Once near the base of the 400 foot Manawaiopuna falls, the pilot will guide you along a jungle path that will lead you to the bottom of this spectacular waterfall where you can appreciate the awesome power of the water just as the ancient Hawaiians did hundreds of years ago.
