A helicopter tour is travel's most concentrated dose of awe. In 30-60 minutes, you see landscapes that would take days to hike, experience perspectives impossible from the ground, and create memories that define a trip. Here are the helicopter tours worth the splurge.
Grand Canyon, USA
Flying over (or into) the Grand Canyon reveals the true scale of this geological wonder — a mile-deep, 277-mile-long chasm carved by the Colorado River over 6 million years. Tours from Las Vegas (45 minutes flight) or the Grand Canyon itself. Some tours land on the canyon floor for a champagne toast. From $300/person.
Milford Sound, New Zealand
The helicopter approach to Milford Sound — over the Southern Alps, past cascading waterfalls, and along glacier-carved valleys — is more spectacular than the fiord itself. Some tours land on a glacier for a snow walk. From NZD 500/person.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe/Zambia
Known locally as "The Flight of Angels," this 15-minute helicopter tour over Victoria Falls reveals the full 1.7 km width of the falls and the Zambezi gorge downstream. The spray from the falls creates permanent rainbows visible from the air. From $175/person.
Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand
Land on a glacier, walk among ice formations, and fly over crevasses and ice caves that are inaccessible on foot. The transition from temperate rainforest to high-alpine ice in minutes is surreal. From NZD 450/person.
Dubai
A 22-minute tour covering the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, World Islands, and the coastline reveals Dubai's extraordinary ambition from the only angle that does it justice. From AED 750/person.
Kauai, Hawaii
The Na Pali Coast — dramatic emerald cliffs plunging into the Pacific — is accessible only by boat or helicopter. The 55-minute tour covers the Na Pali cliffs, Waimea Canyon ("Grand Canyon of the Pacific"), and waterfalls cascading from extinct volcanic craters. From $280/person.
Cape Town, South Africa
The "Two Oceans" tour circles Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula, and the point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. The aerial perspective of the Twelve Apostles mountain range and the colourful houses of Bo-Kaap is extraordinary. From ZAR 3,500/person.
Tips for Helicopter Tours
- Book the front seat: Usually available for an extra fee. The unobstructed forward view is dramatically better than the side window.
- Morning flights: Calmer air, better visibility, and more consistent lighting for photography.
- Noise-cancelling headsets: Included on all tours. They double as communication devices — your pilot provides narration.
- Motion sickness: If you are prone, take medication 30 minutes before. Helicopters are generally smoother than small planes.
- Camera settings: Use a fast shutter speed (1/1000+) to counteract vibration. Shoot through glass at an angle to minimise reflections.
ZFORB adventure packages include pre-booked helicopter tours at negotiated rates. Explore membership for exclusive access to premium experiences.
