Exploring Borobudur by Helicopter

Rising from tropical jungle, magnificent Borobudur stands proud as the world’s largest Buddhist monument. The striking 9th century monastery sits in Indonesia’s Central Java, which is easily accessible by helicopter.

Standing proud as one of Southeast Asia’s cultural icons, Borobudur dominates the sweeping landscapes of lush paddies and thick forest. Nestled atop a hilltop the stunning 9th century temple is a must-see on visitors to Indonesia’s bucket list.

Visiting Borobudur

The sprawling site is home to nine giant stacked platforms – six square and three circular – topped by a central dome decorated with 2,672 ornate relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. In an incredible architectural feat, the structures were built without using cement.

The mighty UNESCO World Heritage-listed complex survived 10 centuries of neglect, and was left forgotten after being buried under volcanic ash. It was rediscovered in 1815 and in the 1970's underwent huge restoration work to return the temple to its former glory.

Due to its size, visitors can spend the day exploring the expansive site. This makes hiring a helicopter the ideal way to enjoy unparalleled views of Borobudur from above, especially for those tight on time.

Helicopter also makes it easy to fit a visit to incredible Prambanan Hindu complex easily into the same day.

Prambanan

Located close to Yogyakarta in Central Java, impressive Prambanan comprises the remains of 244 temples featuring sculptures, carvings and stone spires.

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed complex stands as Indonesia's largest Hindu site and one of Southeast Asia's top attractions. The sprawling site’s main focus is the central compound, home to eight main and eight minor temples on a raised platform.

The largest temple is dedicated to Shiva, with the two smaller structures to its right and left dedicated to Brahma. The tallest temple rises to 47 meters high, dominating the surrounding landscape.

After hundreds of years of neglect, Prambanan was rediscovered by the Dutch in 1733 and has since undergone huge restoration. With the site and surrounding park dotted with temples and religious relics, visitors can spend hours on foot – a special experience that can be enhanced from the air.

Indonesia's Volcanoes: Views from Above

Indonesia is home to more than 17,000 islands and a spectacular smattering of active volcanoes. Hire a helicopter and soak up the best breath-taking views from the sky.

Many Indonesian islands are dominated by piercing volcanic mountains that rise from the earth. A highlight for many visitors is hiking to the peak to stare into the mouth of these active volcanoes.

However, those tight on time or lacking the desire to spend hours – sometimes days – tackling winding trails that skirt up mountain slopes need not miss out. Instead, add the wow factor to volcano viewing and hire a helicopter in Indonesia and get on a high in the sky.

Sunrise at Mount Batur

Sunrise at Mount Batur is one of the most sought-after experiences in Bali. Daily ahead of dawn, thousands of visitors pack the hiking trails to Batur’s 1,717-meter peak to enjoy watching the sun push through the horizon behind surrounding spectacular peaks. Skip the 3-hour trek and the crowds, and soak up striking bird’s eye views of the impressive volcanic crater and picturesque double caldera from the comfort of a helicopter.

Sacred Mount Agung

Standing as Bali’s highest point, Mount Agung’s peak teeters at 3,031 metres above sea level and is one of the popular island’s most sacred sites. At the foot of the volcano sits Bali’s largest temple complex, Besakih, which looks spectacular from above. Book a helicopter and climb high into the sky to circle this incredible volcano.

Explore Mount Rinjani

Indonesia’s second highest volcano looms over the idyllic island of Lombok. It takes an arduous three- to four-day trek to reach its 3,726-meter peak. While this is rewarded with simply spectacular views that take in the gorgeous Segara Anak crater lake and sweeping vistas of the island and beyond, the journey there and back isn’t for everyone. Instead, hover at a height in a helicopter and enjoy magnificent views sprawling below.

Beautiful Mount Bromo

This impressive active volcano in East Java attracts scores of visitors daily wanting to mount its 2,329-meter peak. Skip the crowds and instead enjoy a thrilling helicopter tour lapping up unprecedented aerial views of Bromo’s bounty of breath-taking beauty, which includes its blown-off top, surrounding peaks and waterfalls that dot its base.

Majestic Ijen Crater

Chase Ijen Crater’s majestic blue flames from above. The mysterious blue flames found at Mount Ijen’s caldera is a rare natural phenomenon that has piqued the interest of visitors for decades. A truly special experience is hovering in the sky and watching the flames ignite from the tranquil turquoise waters from above.

Mount Kelimutu’s Coloured Lakes

Famed for its striking tri-colored lakes perched at its summit, Mount Kelimutu is one of Flores’ main attractions. At its peak sits three incredible lakes that differ in color, and are undoubtedly best enjoyed from the sky. Hire a helicopter and stare into Mount Kelimutu’s mouth and breath-taking bodies of water that vary from black to startling turquoise.

Discover Cambodia’s Temples from a Helicopter

Cambodia’s main draw is the ancient temples that dot the country, with Angkor Wat being the jewel in its crown.

As Cambodia’s top tourist attraction, Angkor Wat Archaeological Park is home to hundreds of ancient temples and religious structures dotted throughout the 400-sq km site.

While Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm remain the most popular, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from across the globe daily, there are many more sacred sites worth veering off the well-trodden trail for.

Regardless of the temple, each is impressive and boasts its own unique history, intricacies, design and atmosphere. However, accessing the more remote temples on-land can be time consuming. That’s why an increasing number of tourists are exploring the temples from the sky.

There are several helicopter tours that offer an exciting way to discover the majestic religious relics from above. While helicopters are not able to fly directly above Angkor Wat itself, passengers can get close enough to soak up simply stunning vistas of the sacred site sprawling below without battling the crowds on the ground.

Helicopter tour options also include hovering above Angkor’s lesser-known treasures. These range from Banteay Srei and the Roluos Group, through to Koh Ker. Of course, there is also the option to charter a private flight with a personalized itinerary to really explore the temples in style.

Here is an introduction to some of Cambodia’s must-see temples.

Angkor Wat

This legendary 12th century temple complex needs little introduction and is the main impetus for many travelers to visit Cambodia. Standing as the world’s largest religious monument, spanning 1.6 sq-km, Angkor Wat was originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, before being converted into a Buddhist temple in the 14th century.

It is famed for its many bas reliefs etched with intricate carvings that depict folktales, battles fought and Angkorian life. Magnificent aerial views can be enjoyed from the comfort of a helicopter.

Bayon

Another much-loved temple on the tourist trail, Bayon is best known for the 216 huge faces carved into its stone towers. Although small in comparison to Angkor Wat, this sacred building is much more condensed. It was built in the late-12th and early-13th century as the official state temple of King Jayavarman VII. Huge restoration work has since taken place, and is ongoing.

Hovering in the sky in a helicopter is a memorable way to view the iconic temple.

Ta Prohm

Another favorite with visitors, Ta Prohm found international fame when Angelina Jolie was filmed amid the dramatic, root-riddled walls for Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Ta Prohm dates back to the 12th century and was built by Jayavarman VII to honour his family.

It features a five-tiered pyramid with steep staircases on each side. With many of the ruins consumed by the roots of towering trees, this temple is by far one of the most magnificent and incredible to view from a helicopter.

Banteay Srei

This 10th century temple sits 35 km from Siem Reap center, meaning it comes without the crowds of the main three temples. Nestled amid pristine countryside, vast paddies and farmland and lotus ponds, flying to Banteay Srei serves up breath-taking panoramas.

Boasting intricately-carved buildings made from soft, pink sandstone, this miniature temple could be plucked straight from a fairy tale.

Roluos Group

This pre-Angkorian group of temples sits slightly off the well-trodden temple trail, meaning most visitors on tight timetables skip it. Dating back to the 9th century, the remains of three temple complexes are all that remain of the King Indravarman I’s former capital.

The group comprises three distinctively-different temple complexes – Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko, which can be seen peeking out of lush jungle from above.

Koh Ker

Rarely touched by visitors, due to it sitting an enduring 120 km from Siem Reap, Koh Ker is another jaw-dropping temple complex that Cambodians hold close to their heart. Serving as the capital of the Angkor Empire from 928 A.D. to 944 A.D., the remote site boasts 42 religious structures and monuments spread across a 9 km by 4 km area nestled among jungle. The focal point is striking Prasat Krahom, a 50-meter-wide sandstone pyramid that stretches 40 meters into the sky.