Few experiences are more exhilarating than weaving through the jungle or forest on a zipline. The moment your feet leave the platform or cliff, your heart leaps into your throat and you’re off for one heck of an adrenaline rush.
These five zipline tours are some of the best in the world, offering not only a great sense of adventure but some pretty spectacular views as well.
1.) Sonoma Canopy Tours, California, United States
The lure of Sonoma Canopy Tours is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly through the treetops of California’s famed redwood trees. These enormous trees are renowned the world over and ziplining through them gives you a sense of just how big and majestic they actually are. This experience is run by Alliance Redwoods, and was developed with the principles of creation, stewardship and environmental responsibility in mind, so you can be rest assured that this experience is a worthwhile one. Take advantage of the Massages in San Francisco, CA after throwing your body all over the place, you won’t regret it.
2.) Piiholo Ranch Zipline, Hawaii, United States
Add a bit of adventure to your Hawaiian vacation by ziplining down the state’s longest course. Located in Maui, the course runs as high as 200 feet and some sections are as long as 1,000. Zipliners will soar over parts of Mt. Haleakala, and take in views of the Pacific Ocean and the lush greenery of beautiful Maui.
3.) Flight of the Gibbon, Thailand
Treetop Asia offers several exciting and environmentally safe courses in Thailand, but the Flight of the Gibbon, located in the mountainous jungle region outside Chiang Mai, is truly special. Guests do some light hiking throughout the course, which gives them a chance to see the coffee and tea plants that provide so much of the surrounding villages income. The ziplines will take you through the jungle and if you’re lucky, you’ll see a beautiful family of gibbons up close. These endangered primates are fascinating to watch and Treetop Asia has made it its mission to try to bring more of them onto their protected land.
4.) Zip 2000, Sun City, South Africa
Created by UNREAL, a company that specialized in designing adventure courses, Zip 2000 is said to be the longest and fastest zipline in the world. This line is up to 280 meters high, two kilometers long, and can reach speeds of more than 150 kilometers per hour. Children as young as 12 are allowed to participate so you can make this into a family event.
5.) Sky Trek Monteverde, Costa Rica
Considered the best of Costa Rica’s many zipline and canopy tours, Sky Trek allows visitors to see the beautiful jungle from a unique vantage point and get their adventure kicks while they are at it. Sky Trek is noteworthy because while reaching different platforms throughout the course, there is plenty of guidance from staff to ensure safety and help guests make the most of their experience. There is also plenty of opportunity to set up great shots for taking photos and videos along the way. This is one adventure you’re going to want to show off over and over again.