Top Heli Experiences Around the World
Top Heli Experiences Around the World
Experiencing the world from a new perspective is one of the greatest things about travel; it’s also one of the greatest things about aviation. Helicopter tours are a special way to explore a new destination, but some destinations offer better opportunities or scenery than others. Check out the rest of this slideshow to learn more about some of the best helicopter experiences around the world.
AlUla, Saudi Arabia
AlUla is located in northwest Saudi Arabia. Home to a lush oasis valley that has been inhabited for thousands of years, it’s also home to Hegra, an ancient Nabataean city that is the country’s first UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, as well as Dadan and Jabal Ikmah, both of ancient historic importance. A helicopter tour in this region can help visitors see Hegra from above, as well as the region’s most famous geographical formation, Jabal AlFil, or Elephant’s Rock. To round out the tour is a viewing of the Maraya, the world’s largest mirrored building.
Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island, Canada
Travelers to the Clayoquot Sound on Canada’s Vancouver Island can enjoy staying at the Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, where they can soar above the sound in the lodge’s very own helicopter! Whales, trees and the sea are only some of the beautiful things travelers to this region can spot during a helicopter tour. The Sound is only accessible by boat or plane, so travelers here can enjoy viewing the pristine wilderness that seems at times completely detached from modern life. Sustainable dining, eco-friendly glamping experiences and more await.
Grindavik, Iceland
Perhaps you’ve already been on a helicopter tour. But have you been on a helicopter tour above an actively erupting volcano? Guests at Grindavik’s Blue Lagoon Iceland can book an hour-long private helicopter tour to view some of the country’s most stunning landscapes, from black sand beaches to the eruption of Mount Fagradalsfjall.
South Australia, Australia
Explore the Outback of southern Australia at Rawnsley Park Station, which offers a heli-camping experience that includes a helicopter flight over two of the area’s great geographical structures, Rawnsley Bluff and Wilpena Pound, before setting up for a two-course sunset dinner and camping experience on the Chace Range, where travelers can sleep under the stars for a night. After making breakfast, travelers can enjoy a second helicopter flight back.
Piedmont, Italy
Italy is considered one of Europe’s best adventure destinations because of its northern mountain ranges. The Dolomites in Piedmont, Italy offer perfect heli-skiing opportunities. What’s heli-skiing, you ask? Travelers to Valle Stura, a practically untouched wilderness, can enjoy taking a helicopter tour before being dropped off for a day of high-adrenaline skiing.
Carlsbad, California, USA
Carlsbad, California is located along one of the most picturesque portions of the western coast of the United States, with seven miles of coastline within Carlsbad itself. Travelers can enjoy traveling up and down the coastline with Icon Helicopter Tours, which offers customizable options like a sunset tour with champagne for couples, a winery tour focusing on San Diego’s wine country or an explorer tour that includes a golf outing and a visit to La Jolla Cove.
Honorable Mention: Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia is one of the most entrancing regions of Turkey. Home to ancient history, stunning geography, delicious foods and herds of partially wild horses, it’s a place that shouldn’t be ignored when visiting this country. The famed “fairy chimneys” of the region are notable for their gorgeous and unique structures, but it’s not helicopters or even planes that dominate the Cappadocian skyline in search of its breathtaking views. It’s hot air balloons. That’s right; Cappadocia is quite possibly the world’s hot air balloon capital, and many of its most shared photos are those of the hot air balloons floating above a Cappadocian sunset, sunrise or its fairy chimneys. It’s also more sustainable and quieter than a helicopter ride.