16 of the Best Flightseeing Experiences Around the World
You can get a whole new perspective on a destination by looking at it from above. From gliding through the skies above waterfall-dotted Kauai to soaring over the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacán, these flightseeing tours offer views of some of the world’s greatest wonders that you simply can’t get from terra firma.
1. Soar over Cappadocia in a hot-air balloon
Get a bird’s-eye view of Cappaddocia’s distinctive “fairy chimneys”—tall, cone-shaped rock formations—on this hot-air balloon ride. Then, back down on earth, toast the experience with a glass of Champagne.
2. See Las Vegas lit up at night on a helicopter tour
Soak up the sights of Sin City after dark on this helicopter tour that takes you over the Strip. You’ll get unmatched views of the Bellagio, Mirage, Fremont Street Experience, and more.
3. Fly above Kauai’s otherworldly landscapes
Soak up the lush beauty of Hawaii’s Garden Isle by taking to the skies over Kauai in a helicopter. Soar over diverse terrain, from the waterfalls of Waiapuna to the dry red ravine of Waimea Canyon and emerald spires of the Nā Pali Coast.
4. Get a bird’s-eye view of the Big Apple
Soar over skyscrapers, the Statue of Liberty, Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center, and Central Park on this short but sweet NYC helicopter tour that won’t break the bank.
5. Admire the Atlas Mountains from above and below
See Morocco’s desert and the Atlas Mountains’s foothills from multiple angles on this combination tour that includes a sunrise hot-air balloon ride from Marrakech, as well as a camel ride.
6. Enjoy Milford Sound from all angles on a combo tour
Enjoy aerial views of the Fiordland National Park on a flight from Queenstown. Land at the edge of the fjord then marvel at Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, and Sinbad Gully on a cruise through Milford Sound.
7. Get an aerial perspective on the Grand Canyon’s West Rim
Admire the scale and grandeur of the Grand Canyon by taking to the skies. This helicopter tour from Las Vegas takes you over landmarks such as Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Black Canyon, and the Las Vegas strip.
8. Experience Denali’s peaks on a flightseeing tour
Get close to the summits of Denali without the effort. Admire rugged snow-capped mountain peaks, glacier-filled valleys, and both the south and east faces of Denali on this flightseeing tour, with the option to add on a glacier landing.
9. Glide over Vancouver on a seaplane tour
Soak up the sights of Vancouver on a flightseeing tour with a difference. After enjoying bird's-eye views of the harbor, nearby mountain peaks, and Olympic facilities, you’ll land with an exhilarating splash onto the water.
10. Experience Niagara Falls from above
Get a new perspective on Niagara Falls during this scenic helicopter journey. Admire the American, Bridal Veil, and Canadian Horseshoe Falls from high above, as well as the vineyards of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
11. Soar over the pyramids of Teotihuacan in a hot-air balloon
Admire the ancient City of the Gods from above on this hot-air balloon ride over Teotihuacán. Departing Mexico City, this tour offers new perspectives on the towering pyramids of Teotihuacán that you just cannot get at ground level.
12. See Oahu’s landmarks from above by helicopter
Choose doors on or off for this helicopter tour from Honolulu and get a brand new perspective on Oahu as you soar over island landmarks including Sacred Falls, Diamond Head, Maunalua Bay, the Ko'olau Mountains, and Pearl Harbor.
13. Float over the Sonoran Desert at sunrise
Get an early start for unbeatable sunrise views over the Phoenix Valley and Sonoran Desert. This hot-air balloon ride from Phoenix also includes a Champagne breakfast as a bonus.
14. Ride in a hot-air balloon and vintage Land Rover in Dubai
Glide over the dunes of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve on this hot-air balloon tour, which includes a falconry demonstration while in the air. Back on land, drive to breakfast in style in a vintage 1950s Land Rover.
15. Get up close to Iceland’s volcanic mountains
Don’t settle for admiring Iceland’s mountains from a distance. This helicopter tour from Reykjavík includes a landing on the summit of Mt. Esja or a nearby mountain for an up close and personal experience.
16. Glide over (and land on) glaciers from Franz Josef
Admire some of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscapes from the air on this helicopter tour, then land atop either Fox or Franz Josef glacier and step into a glacial scene of frozen icefalls and glowing blue ice fields.
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