Top Places To Skydive
The flight up to your first skydive just doesn't seem real. You have the harness on, you went through the demonstration and logically you know what's coming, but nothing can really prepare you for the moment when you have to hurl your body out of a plane that's flying 14,000 feet in the air. [slideshow:73510]
Still, people do it—and love it. And chances are you will too.
Once you manage that out the door maneuver and actually begin your free fall, skydiving is one of the most exhilarating things you can do. If you've made up your mind and want to take your first leap out into the thin, high altitude air, you should head to one of the best skydiving locations in the world.
So, what makes a world-renowned skydive? A beautiful landscape is something to consider, as is the elevation of the jump—in general, the higher you go, the more time you can spend in a free fall. It's also important to find a company with a great safety track record and it's a nice bonus if the location also offers other adventures.
We considered those factors and the local companies in compiling our list. These are the top 10 places to skydive in the world—now all you have to do is make it out the door of the plane.
Namib Desert, Namibia
Trek out, way beyond civilization for this epic skydive in the Namib Desert and experience a 60-second freefall like no other. The ever-shifting orange dunes and rolling waves from the Atlantic Ocean are all you can see during your descent—it's a view and experience frequently described as "surreal." This jump from more than 10,000 feet definitely deserves a spot on any bucket list and after you've landed, there are other desert adventures you should try.
skydiveswakop.com
Mt. Everest, Nepal
The most extreme thrill-seekers with a good chunk of change to spare will find the ultimate skydive in Nepal. Board a helicopter and take off on the highest commercially available skydive in the world—one that only 152 people have ever done solo. With the help of supplementary oxygen, leap from 29,500 feet and take in the views of Mt. Everest and the surrounding peaks as you freefall toward one of the highest drop zones in the world.
everest-skydive.com
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