10 Ziplines to Make Tarzan Proud

Published October 11, 2016

3,2,1 GO! Defy gravity as you zip and soar through treetop paradises around the world. Think Tarzan with the added adrenalin rush of reaching speeds of over 50 miles per hour. Want to really get into the thick of things and become one with nature? Take an elevated approach to sightseeing. And as George of the Jungle would say, "Watch out for that tree!"

Spend your day (and night) in the trees at Cypress Valley Canopy Tours, located just outside Austin, Texas. The 90-minute tour includes five zip-lines and two sky bridges, each feature weaving through Cypress groves that reach heights of over 100 feet off the valley floor. On-site, two tree-house lodging options—the Nest and Lofthaven II—fulfill every inner childhood dream of spending the night with a leafy green horizon.

For more: www.cypressvalleycanopytours.com; tel. 512-264-8880 

No trip to Costa Rica is complete without a Canopy Tour or zip-lining. Sky Adventures—one of many similar quality outfits—offers up its services in two locations, Monteverde and Arenal. Glide through the rainforest’s dense canopy with wildlife abound, as well as over the lava flow of active Arenal Volcano.

For more: www.skyadventures.travel; tel. +506-2479-4100

Haleakala, Maui hosts the island’s original zip-lining experience. The course, consisting of 5 different lines, takes about 2 hours to complete. See Hawaii’s raw natural beauty from a bird’s eye view while whizzing through eucalyptus forests and over 90 foot drops.

For more: www.zipline.com; tel. 888-864-6947

Located outside Mae Kompong village near Chiang Mai, the Flight of the Gibbon Zip-line Tour is considered the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. The company boasts of having the longest line in the entire continent, a single track about half a mile long. 33 different platforms and over eight kilometers of zip-lining allow adventure goers to experience the Thai rainforest from new heights.

For more: www.treetopasia.com; tel. +66-53-010-660 or 053-010-660

Known as the “Flying Fox,” this high-speed zip-line provides a uniquely exhilarating experience for those who dare to strap in. Soaring at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, this ride of a lifetime covers 1.1 kilometers, including a stretch 175 feet above the Rangitikei River.  

For more: www.gravitycanyon.co.nz; +64-6-388-9109 or 06-388-9109

Fly over British Columbia’s lush forest, valleys, and rivers at Whistler, one of Canada’s top destinations. Perhaps there won’t be lions or tigers, but bears, oh my! Stunning aerial vistas abound, get this sweeping view of the Fitzsimmons wilderness with the occasional 20-story drop to keep the heart pounding.

For more: www.ziptrek.com/whistler-canada; tel. 604-935-0001 

The ride begins at 1,300 feet above sea level, where only adventure in its purest form awaits. Strapped in alongside 5 other adrenaline seekers, zip-liners enjoy panoramic views of Port Fredrick and Icy Strait as they whizz through the air at a maximum speed of 60 miles per hour.

For more: www.icystraitpoint.com/General/Zipline

Boone, NC is the heart of prime East Coast zippin’ country. Just outside of town, Sky Valley Ziptours’ three hour course includes 10 zip-lines, a swinging bridge, and even the opportunity for cliff jumping. Nestled in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains with flora and fauna galore, this awe-striking ride is not to be missed.

For more: www.skyvalleyziptours.com; tel. 1-855-4-SKY-ZIP 

Deep in the heart of Argentina’s Iguazu National Park, Canopy tours soar over the dense jungle, even whizzing past the alluring Iguazu Waterfall. For extreme adventure seekers, there is an additional repelling excursion offered directly down the waterfall’s face. 

For more: www.iguazuforest.com; tel. +54-03757-421140

India’s first zip-lining company, Flying Fox champions the art of aerial journeys. Their four locations include Jodhpur, Punjab, Neemrana, and Rishikesh. A 20 minute hike is generally required to reach the launch towers as part of these two hour adventures.

For more: www.flyingfox.asia; tel. 098109-99390 or 011-6648-7678