Dubai fuels aspirations of luxuriousness, indulgence and over-the-top grandeur. As much as we might dream, the lavish lifestyle is usually accessible only to a select few. However, this has changed with HeliDubai as they make the once unreachable now attainable with their Heritage and Explorer helicopter tours of the city. For 12 or 22 minutes, at least, we’re welcome to partake in the ‘high’ life, see how the grandee lives, and feel the thrill of having the world beneath us.
It’s an ideal location to begin exploring the city. The tour operates from the helipad at the Dubai Festival City Mall, which features a gold souk, brand stores, a marina, and signature restaurants. Start with an aerial tour to gain a birds-eye orientation and continue back down on solid ground to visit the shops, eateries, and sites.
We’re in Dubai during the hottest period of the year and are advised that morning flights are preferable over the sizzling afternoons, so we have signed up for a 10 am take off with the Explorer tour (DH895, USD $145, 22 minutes). I’m eager for my first helicopter ride Dubai but a tad anxious, too, as I’m prone to travel sickness. Hubby is as feverish as a six-year-old, noting ‘helicopter pilot’ as their dream job, but also a little nervous as recent aircraft stories blasted disproportionately all over the news are playing double takes in his head.
Learning that HeliDubai, with its strong safety procedures, is the choice of the stars eases our thoughts. The fleet has carried the likes of the Trumps, Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Mike Bloomberg, Crown Prince of Sweden, Jamie Oliver, Colin Farrell, Michael Schumacher, Tiger Woods, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Tony Blair, Tom Cruise and Paris Hilton. The fact that so many high-profile characters have flown with HeliDubai reassures excitable hubby that safety standards are high. I imagine the ride as reasonably smooth as Paris Hilton wouldn’t risk looking a dishevelled mess, or would she?
Apprehensions quelled, we turn to the aircraft and discover we’re flying a Eurocopter AS 350 B3, also known as a Squirrel. Its low vibration levels make it the perfect touring chopper and great for aerial photography. Hearing that it is well suited to high and hot conditions is also a comforting fact, as the heat in Dubai can be sweltering.
Taking off from Festival City, we rise above it all and gasp at the metropolis that seems to rise from the encircling desert and sea. It’s my first helicopter ride. I’m dizzy with excitement but also with motion sickness. Adrenalin kicks in, however, and my nausea is just background to the rush of the ride.
The pilot narrates the flight’s progress so we can spot the key sites on our journey. Taking a path down “The Creek” through the historic centre of Dubai, we pass the regionally typical dhows, old souks and the Dubai heritage village. Next, we change course, heading south and marvelling at the stunning white sands and aquamarine waters that mark the beaches of Dubai. The iconic Burj Al Arab is our next eyeful of wonder, followed by The World and The Palm (an amazing feat of human ingenuity in creating manmade islands in the shape of their namesakes). Our final turn is at the Atlantis Hotel, where we head down along Sheikh Zayed Rd and return to Festival City.
View from the Helicopter |
A New Island – The Sea Horse |
I Wonder Who Lives in These Homes? |
Burj Al Arab |
Atlantis and The Palm |
Return View of the Downtown |
It’s been 22 minutes of exhilarating nervousness, wonder, pleasure and thrill! We can’t wait for a chance to do it again, and we highly recommend the flight as an awe-inspiring kick-off for any visit to this magnificent city.
Tours can be custom-built, but some of the most popular pre-arranged routes are the 12-minute Heritage (DH595, USD$145), the 22-minute Explorer (DH895, USD$160), and the unique Night Lights (DH1095, USD$298).
HeliDubai
Phone direct: UAE to 800-FLY (800-359)
+971 4 2081455
[email protected]
www.helidubai.com/
Phone direct: UAE to 800-FLY (800-359)
+971 4 2081455
[email protected]
www.helidubai.com/
The "High Flying Duo" – eh?
Pretty impressive this Dubai place – really makes you wonder.
I hope the helicopter used by you wasn't the same one as used
by Tiger Woods and Paris Hilton – I would have insisted on a
fumigation first.
Cheers
Colin
I guess you must be flying Emirates airlines.
They were not on the International scene in my days.
Now probably the premier airline of the World.
They fly into Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne with A380s.
Plus Adelaide and Perth with B777's.
Multiple flights daily into SYD and MEL. Incredible and all
full!
Aussies certainly love air travel, eh?
Colin
talk about a bird's eye view! pretty breath-taking! 🙂
What gorgeous and captivating views! 🙂
No, thanks. I've developed a fear for heights – ok when younger, dunno if it comes with old age. 🙁
Lucky you! What a way to explore Dubai!
Amazing from the air, all those shapes come in a being of some kind.
That's totally cool! I miss Dubai so much, & would definitely love to visit the place again. Love to join the tour too! xoxo