A cut above the rest: Stunning drone photographs capture the new Seven Wonders of the World like you’ve never seen them before

By Becky Pemberton For Mailonline: 17:02 GMT, 21 December 2015
A group of enthusiastic drone photographers have shot a series of stunning images high above the new Seven Wonders of the World.

AirPano, a Russian-based photography group, spent years travelling to attractions including the Great Wall of China, Petra, the Roman Colosseum and Machu Picchu.

The breathtaking panoramic shots highlight the grandness and splendour of the timeless locations, which were selected via a process that received more than 100 million votes.

+Swirling clowds surround the iconic Christ The Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, just one of the new Seven Wonders of the World

AirPano, a Russian-based photography group, spent years travelling to the likes of Chichen Itza in Mexico to capture the new list

+The breathtaking panoramic shots highlight the grandness and splendour of timeless locations like the Taj Mahal in India

As there are numerous interpretations of the world’s wonders, AirPano’s members decided to opt for the ‘New7Wonders’ list, an initiative that was launched in 2001.

Two-hundred different landmarks were voted on, with the seven chosen wonders being announced in 2007.

AirPano began shooting their series in 2011 and visited their final location in 2013.

Since they began shooting it has become increasingly difficult to gain drone access at such historic landmarks, thanks mainly to their increased usage.

On their site, the panoramic images allow visitors to travel around the locations, zooming in on specific elements of the wonders.

+Two-hundred different landmarks were voted on, with the seven chosen wonders, including Machu Picchu, Peru (pictured), being announced in 2007

+More than 100 million votes were received by people giving their say on which sites should be selected for the new list, with Petra, Jordan being one of the popular choices

Despite the crispness of the images, Sergey Semenov, a photographer with AirPano, revealed some of the locations were difficult to shoot.
At the Taj Mahal they required special shooting permission, as the last photography shoot from a helicopter took place in 1997.
The group had to wait two months for permission, before being granted two days of shooting access.
The group continue shooting the other finalists from the wonders competition, having also visited finalists such as Timbuktu, Sydney Opera House and the Statue of Liberty.

+On their site, the panoramic images allow visitors to travel around the locations such as the Colosseum in Rome, zooming in on specific elements of the wonders

+At the Taj Mahal they required special shooting permission, as the last photography shoot from a helicopter took place in 1997. The group had to wait two months for permission, before being granted two days of shooting access

+Chichen Itza in Mexico basks in the glow of sunlight, which peeks just over the tip of the picturesque attraction 

+Christ The Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro stands tall through the swirling orange clouds, perfectly illuminated by the sunset

Sergey said: ‘People love it – we received hundreds of positive comments.

‘We’re pleased to give all people opportunity to see Wonders of the World from above, to give them feeling of a personal presence on the spot.

‘All these places we photographed by using radio controlled helicopters – drones.

‘Sometimes it wasn’t very easy to shoot there, because special permission is required in some of these locations.

‘As drones become more popular, it got almost impossible to use it in many places.’

+All of the places were photographed using drones, showing the mesmerising backgrounds to the famous attractions, such as the Colosseum, Rome

+The Great Wall of China winds its way through the colourful rolling hills, with tourists dotted along its walkway 

+The spectacular city of Petra was constructed in the 3rd century BC by the Nabataeans, who carved palaces,tombs and temples from the sandstone cliffs

+Approximately 1.2 million people visit the ruins of Chichen Itza every year, and these impressive drone images show why 

+Machu Picchu was built during the Inca Empire around 1450 but was abandoned just over a century later in 1572 after the Spanish arrived in Peru

+Petra lay forgotten for years, apart from the Bedouin who made it their home. The Swiss explorer, Jean Louis Burckhardt, stumbled upon it in 1812, and today it holds its own in the new Seven Wonders of the World

+Opened in AD 80, the 50,000-seat Colosseum was originally covered by a huge awning held by 240 masts

+Construction started on Christ The Redeemer in 1922 and was built as a symbol of Brazilian Christianity in Rio de Janeiro

+The stunning Taj Mahal was built by an estimated 22,000 people including labourers, painters, stonecutters and embroidery artists

+In December 1987 the Great Wall was placed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO, and in 2007 it was named as part of the new Seven Wonders of the World list

+Lights illuminate the ancient Great Wall of China at night, with drone footage capturing the wall from unique angles

+The aerial helicopter photography soars over the Peruvian landscape to Machu Picchu, nestled in the mountains