View an Active Volcano from a Helicopter
Several companies run helicopter tours over the steaming vents of Kilauea, the volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island which has been erupting for many years. Flights with Paradise Helicopters include flying by the volcano’s steaming vents and around Volcanoes National Park then stopping by a waterfall for lunch and swim. Rates are at $185 for the Volcano & Waterfall tour; $530 for the Volcano Waterfall Landing flights, which includes a stop for lunch and a swim.
Sail Over Forests and Canyons on a Zip Line
The height of your adrenalin rush comes with the speed you reach when sailing from one tree to another. Zip lines are sprouting as fast as the foliage grows in some Latin American countries. Costa Rica Uncovered, for example, lists several places. If you’re heading to a country with a tropical rain forest ask at your lodging property’s front desk if there’s a zip-line tour in the region. Tours start around $45 for the zip-line experience, plus an additional fee for hotel pickup.
Bungee Jumping Off a Bridge
If you have a fear of falling bungee jumping isn’t for you, but it’s definitely for adventuresome souls who want to leap off a bridge or from another high place-- but are confident they’re attached to an elastic cord so they’ll just bounce up and down until the energy is dissipated. You’ll find bungee jumping operations from New Zealand to California. Prices range dramatically. Bungee America charges from $69 for one jump to $165 for the Extreme Jump five-jump package off a bridge about 45 minutes from Los Angeles. Idaho-based Bungee Expeditions prices ranges from $50 for two jumps off Glenn’s Ferry (water dipping a must) to $450 for a helicopter bungee jump.
Fly a Biplane Over Wine Country
Don a leather helmet and goggles, climb into the open cockpit and fly high over wine country with California Dreamin in 1928 Travel Air biplane. A 25-minute ride is $258. (If it's just you and the pilot you can be the ace on the second control stick.)
Be Top Dog in a Flying Duel
Expect a Top Gun-style experience when you fly in dueling planes with Incredible Adventures. You and a friend can duel in Varga VG-21s over California. Cost is $593 for a duet. (The company will find an "enemy" if you don't have one who want to play.) Incredible Adventures also offers MiGs Over Moscow, Cosmonaut Advenutres and other Air Combat Adventures.
Float high in the Ski in a Hot Air Balloon
Just listen to a few instructions about following the balloonist’s lead when you are all in the basket, then step in and start looking around as the balloon slowly rises into the sky. You can go ballooning in a tremendous number of scenic locations or probably right in your city. Start by visiting Soaring Adventures of America for day trips or the Bombard Society for vacations. Balloon flights start around $140 and climb, depending upon the locale.
Free Fall While Tandem Sky Diving
Is soaring 10,000 feet or much higher then exiting the aircraft and free falling harnessed to an instructor on your wish list? Soaring Adventures of America offers tandem sky diving in about 200 locations around the country. Rates start at $170.
