There’s a limit to how long you can spend in the air – even for the frequent flyers among us – so every activity that takes your group into the sky comes with a feeling of novelty. Some of these experiences take the form of extreme sports and are not for the faint of heart – but there are still plenty of air-bound activities that are suitable for everyone.
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT
Dinner in the Sky, worldwide
WHERE IS IT?
This Belgium-based franchise has become a global juggernaut that is now offered in nearly 40 countries, mostly in Europe. In Asia-Pacific, it is offered in Australia, India and Dubai, with plans to expand to China.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL?
With a mobile platform mounted on a crane and suspended 50m above the ground, a group has a limitless choice of backdrops for its exclusive dinner, cocktail or meeting. No two Dinner in the Sky experiences are completely the same; the site, set-up and programme concept are different and are customised for each client.
WHAT CAN GROUPS DO THERE?
Dinner in the Sky is no longer just a dining experience. A few years ago, it introduced Meeting in the Sky for small conferences and presentations, and has since broadened its horizons even further. Events have been organised around particular concepts, such as Swing in the Sky, allowing golfers to practice their swings several metres high in the air; Theatre in the Sky, for an unusual movie experience; and Concert in the Sky, involving live music – and the company is open to other suggestions.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Available for both daytime and nighttime events. A maximum of seven sessions are possible per day.
GROUP SIZE
Groups of up to 22 people for dinner events and up to 30 for other events.
CONTACT
TREETOP TUCKER
Soneva Kiri by Six Senses,
Koh Kood, Thailand
WHERE IS IT?
Koh Kood is a remote island in the far southeast of Thailand, known for its pure waterfalls, crystal-clear waters and traditional village life. The resort is an hour’s flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on a private plane. On arrival, groups take a speedboat for a 2km ride to the resort’s pier.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL?
It must be something to do with childhood, but the chance to take in the view from the top of a tree never ceases to captivate. And this is a very special view, of one of the most gorgeous tropical places on earth.
WHAT CAN GROUPS DO THERE?
Soneva Kiri by Six Senses calls it the Treepod Dining experience. The Treepod is situated in one of the best vantage points the resort offers: a few metres along a coastal path from its main facilities on the west-facing side of the island. Guests board a bird’s nest made of rattan fitted with cushioned seats for four diners, which is gently hoisted up about 5m into the tall, native masang trees. A waiter flies through the air on a zip line from a small platform perched halfway down the hill to deliver the group’s meal. He then zips back to his position, ready to fly back at any time for additional orders. The group enjoys a unique outdoor dining experience among the leafy canopy and postcard-perfect view of the coastal waters.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Treepod Dining is available during breakfast and lunch
GROUP SIZE
There is only one treepod, which has a maximum capacity for four people. Advanced booking is recommended.
CONTACT
A BIRD’S EYE VIEW
Flight-seeing tour, Hong Kong
WHERE IS IT?
Aided by the growing economic strength of mainland China, Hong Kong remains one of the world’s top business and financial centres – and so has always been a core destination for global meetings, events and conferences. The city enjoys an immovable perch as a gateway to Asia.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL?
One of the best ways to see Hong Kong in all its cosmopolitan splendour is from a helicopter, with the iconic Victoria Harbour and the city’s towering skyscrapers under your feet.
WHAT CAN GROUPS DO THERE?
Groups are not limited to flying over the city’s famous urban areas. The chopper can take them over Kowloon to the New Territories, large parts of which still retain their untouched natural beauty. Heliservices and The Peninsula Hong Kong, both part of the Kadoorie Group, have linked up to offer two programmes suitable for small groups on either an incentive or a post-event trip.
Both kick off from the hotel’s rooftop helipad for a 15-minute chopper ride around Hong Kong. Back on the ground, groups can then enjoy revitalising treatments at The Peninsula Spa by ESPA, concluding with a healthy breakfast or lunch by the poolside, or a set lunch or dinner of three to five courses in any one of the hotel’s F&B outlets.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Any time between 0900 and 1700. It really depends how you want to see the view – but it’s a good idea to go when the sun is high in the sky.
GROUP SIZE
The chopper can seat five passengers – but keep the group to a maximum of three and everyone can sit by the window.
CONTACT
BALLOONACY
Hot-air ballooning, India
WHERE IS IT?
Sky Waltz floats hot-air balloons from various locations in India: Jaipur, Udaipur, Ranthambore, Pushkar, the National Capital Region – which includes New Delhi – and Neemrana.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL?
Mystical India never fails to awe with its age-old palaces, fortresses and temples. A hot-air balloon flight over the Pink City of Jaipur, the majestic monuments and lakes of Udaipur or the Temple of Brahma in Pushkar offer groups a unique perspective on this most ancient of cultures. Sky Waltz also gives groups the option to see other facets of the country from an elevated viewpoint: the urban splendour of Delhi and its surroundings, and the vast open plains between the Aravalli and Vindhya mountain ranges near Ranthambore, known as the land of the tiger. The flight takes an hour, but is part of a three-hour experience that also includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, inflation of the balloon, tea/coffee and cookies at launch site and pre-flight safety instructions.
WHAT CAN GROUPS DO THERE?
Besides its regular scheduled flights, Sky Waltz can tailor-make a hot-air balloon-themed programme. For a Google event for 60 people, the company designed a sort of airborne relay race as a teambuilding exercise. Also, tethered hot-air balloons have been used as colourful backdrops for nighttime events, where they are synched to glow in time to the rhythm of the evening’s music.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Flying season is between November and February. There are two daily flights.
GROUP SIZE
Three balloons, with a capacity for up to eight people each, can be floated in one flight.
CONTACT
BORROWED WINGS
Ultralight flight, Pokhara Valley, Nepal
WHERE IS IT?
Situated 200km from Kathmandu, Pokhara Valley is one of the most picturesque spots in Nepal.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL?
Pokhara’s proximity to the mountains and scenic lakes of the region makes it a perfect place for aerial activities. You can be as little as 40km from a whole host of 6,500-metre-plus peaks while relaxing in a subtropical valley.The mountain views are splendid, particularly when the still waters create a perfect reflection of the peaks.
WHAT CAN GROUPS DO THERE?
Members of groups take their seats behind the pilot of a two-seater A-22 ultralight aircraft. The shortest flight lasts 15 minutes and takes a group flying in formation over Phewa Lake near Sarangkot hill, over a Buddhist monastery and south of the city. A 30-minute ride takes groups further, to a Tibetan refugee camp and the northern part of the valley. To cover the whole Annapurna range, a one-hour flight, which takes groups to a height of more than 3,500m, is recommended. To added spice, groups can book an ultralight flight together with a paragliding session.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
September to June. Flights typically are scheduled twice daily, from sunrise to 11am and from 3pm to sunset.
GROUP SIZE
Depends on craft availability. Advance booking is advised.
CONTACT
With additional reporting by Andrea Zavadszky
