Riding the Line: Taking Flight on the World's Best Ziplines
Features & Advice Ryan Rudnansky December 20, 2013

Photo courtesy of www.thinkstock.com
The aerial runway. The flying fox. the Tyrolean traverse. The canopy tour.
Whatever you want to call it, the zipline has become a popular activity for travelers and extreme adventurers throughout the world, allowing them to fly through jungles and across canyons.
Whether you are situated in South America, North America or the United Kingdom, there are options for everyone. For those with a need for speed, you'll want to head to South Africa. For those who want to coast the longest, head over to Peru.
Here are the 10 best ziplining spots on the planet. Let the fun begin!
Longest Zipline
"The Eye of the Jaguar," located 45 miles north of Cusco, Peru, is reportedly the longest unbroken zipline in the world, running for approximately 1.3 miles. Zipliners reach speeds of up to 75 mph while they swing through the valley below, surrounded by lush Peruvian mountains.
Maras Adventure offers an inexpensive zipline tour that includes a drive to the location, orientation and gear fitting. This experience won't last very long (about two minutes), but the rush you'll receive will have you buzzing well after the flight through the Sacred Valley.
Despite being the longest zipline in the world, The Eye of the Jaguar hasn't received much press, primarily because it hasn't been marketed heavily. You may want to jump on the chance to avoid lines and long waiting lists while you still can.
Fastest Zipline
The Sun City Zip 2000 in South Africa used to be the longest zipline before The Eye of the Jaguar took over.
Of course, being the fastest zipline in the world may make up for that.
In addition to running for about 1.25 miles and descending for more than 900 feet, the Zip 2000 also reaches speeds of 99 mph occasionally. The fastest it has ever gone is 115 mph, a world record.
The Sun City Zip 2000 accommodates travelers 12 years old and up and sports a perfect safety record since being established in 2004. Heck, even an 84-year-old Scottish lady can do it (yes, this really happened).
Solo and tandem rides are available, as well as wedding and team-building packages.
Largest Zipline
The Icy Strait Point ZipRider is the largest zipline in the world, measuring more than 5,300 feet long and boasting six cables that each measure over one mile side-by-side.
The ZipRider also features a 1,300-foot drop, an average speed of 60 mph, a 1.5-minute ride time and a peak at 300 feet above ground.
That's not to mention the breathtaking views of the Alaskan trees, waters and mountains on the way down.
A 45-minute transport and tour through Hoonah is included in the price. Passengers from 90 pounds to 275 pounds are eligible.
Zip-Flyer Nepal
Zip-Flyer Nepal is 1.1 miles long, it reaches speeds of up to 87 mph and it drops for 2,000 feet.
Talk about extreme.
The two-minute adrenaline rush features split-second views of the Himalayan and Annapurna mountain ranges, as well as the great Machapuchare peak and the Seti River.
Zip-Flyer Nepal also offers a distinct wrinkle, as two travelers will launch at once and try to race to the bottom.
Zip-Flyer Nepal uses a safe magnetic braking system to slow down zipliners. Passengers must be between 75 pounds and 275 pounds to ride. High Ground Adventures is currently offering 10 percent discounts to students and groups.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
The Monteverde Cloud Forest is a well-documented tourist location in Costa Rica, featuring more than 35,000 acres of protected forest and eight life zones along the Continental Divide. This includes 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, six species of the cat family and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles. You may have never heard of this location, but chances are you've seen photos or video of it.
Only a handful of activities allow visitors to gain access to the magnificent cloud forest. The Selvatura Canopy Tour is one of these activities.
The Selvatura Canopy Tour boasts the longest cable length of any canopy tour in Costa Rica, with 15 cables and 18 viewing platforms that stretch for more than two miles.
Tours range from 2.5 to three hours.
Superfly
Besides being downright fun to say, Superfly also sports Canada's longest ziplines, spanning nearly a mile.
The service peaks at 639 feet high, reaches speeds of up to 63 mph and drops as much as 250 feet.
Tours of the Whistler backcountry run three hours long and are priced at $129 per person. Adventurers fly above a creek in the Cougar Mountain countryside and catch glimpses of the Wedge and Armchair mountains before safely reaching land.
There are six tandem lines. Whether you want a higher, longer or faster journey, Superfly has you covered.
Zip World
Zip World in Bethesda, Gwynedd (United Kingdom), boasts the longest and fastest zipline in Europe. The trip is about a mile long and reaches speeds of up to 100 mph.
That includes traveling through the historic Penrhyn Quarry and the mountains and lakes of north Wales at heights of up to 500 feet.
Zipliners will be supplied with a flying suit that is wind and rain proof, as well as helmets and goggles. Don't forget to wear warm clothing, though.
Ziplines known as Blondins (named after the famous tightrope walker) were built more than 100 years ago at Penrhyn Quarry to extract rock.
La Bestia
"La Bestia" in Orocovis, Puerto Rico — or "The Beast" for the layman — is the highest zipline on the planet, boasting altitudes higher than 850 feet. On top of that, it runs for more than 4,700 feet.
One more thing: You get to do it all face down. Do a Superman pose or spread your wings like a bird during flight. Or, do nothing if you aren't into showboating.
During your two-minute journey, you will reach speeds of up to 65 mph as the rainforests, rivers and valleys below whiz past you.
The experience overall runs about one hour. Best of all, it's relatively cheap at just $65 per person.
Mega Cavern
First thing's first: This is the only underground zipline in the world.
Mega Cavern in Louisville is 17 miles long. The former limestone pit mine stretches beneath the City of Louisville and is lit up by glowing lights of different colors.
Depending on your location during the two-hour tour, you could be up to 165 feet underground.
Zipliners zoom up to 70 feet above the cavern's floor, made possible by ceiling heights of up to 90 feet.
There are six different ziplines at Mega Cavern, including a speedy racing line. Another perk: You don't have to worry about bad weather changing your plans.
Fares vary from $49 per person to $79 per person, depending on discounts and the day of the week.
Flight of the Gibbon
At Angkor Archaeological Park in Cambodia, you have the option to fly through the rainforests as reintroduced gibbons greet you along the way.
"Flight of the Gibbon" features 21 platforms, 10 ziplines and four sky bridges.
"Angkor" may also ring a bell for you historians out there. That's right, the zipline tour is about 30 minutes from the historic Buddhist temple Angkor Wat.
So, not only do you get to fly through a 154-square-mile UNESCO World Heritage Site, you are also close to one of the most famous temples in history.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
Normally $129 per person, the canopy tour is currently being offered at a rate of $79 as part of the tour operator's New Year's promotion.
The offer is available for the first 2,014 bookings. Clever.
For more information on United States, Peru, South Africa, Nepal, Costa Rica
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