If you are going to the Grand Canyon, be sure to take a helicopter tour, as it is a fun and amazing way to view this spectacular wonder of nature. You will find several tours offered to both the South Rim and the West Rim that depart from Las Vegas. Most of these tours offer a convenient shuttle service that picks you up and takes you back to your hotel on the Strip.
Helicopter flights are strictly regulated at the Grand Canyon, and they’re only allowed at the West and South Rims. Your aerial tour from Vegas may start with an airplane ride to the Grand Canyon National Park Airport, which is located in Tusayan, Arizona. There you will board a helicopter and complete your tour.
You can opt for an aerial or landing helicopter tour at the West Rim. If you don’t have several hours to spend at the canyon, the aerial only tour may be the best choice since it only takes around three hours. Landing tours are great if you have more time because you can add on other activities such as walking on the glass Grand Canyon Skywalk or taking a float trip down the Colorado River. One of the most popular options when it comes to West Rim landing tours is the one that takes you to the floor of the canyon to enjoy a scenic champagne picnic.
If you want to see the South Rim, it will have to be by air because helicopters can’t land there. Because the choppers don’t land during the tour, they’re perfect for people who don’t want to walk around or who have mobility issues. The South Rim air tours usually fly over to the North Rim and back again in a flight that takes thirty to fifty minutes. Points of interest on one of these tours includes the deepest part of the canyon known as Dragoon Corridor and Kaibab Plateau. The Tower of Ra, named after the ancient Egyptian god of the sun, is another amazing site as it towers more than 6000 feet tall. Other spectacular highlights include Temple Butte, the impressive Painted Desert, and the Zuni Corridor.
These tours are conducted in state-of-the-art helicopters. The large windows allow for unobstructed sightseeing, there is climate control, and the seats are roomy and comfortable too. The pilots are licensed professionals, and some also serve as tour guides, offering interesting information about different landmarks and tour highlights. Some tours provide you with headphones so you can listen to an entertaining and educational recording during your flight.
Viewing the Grand Canyon by helicopter is a very popular tourist activity and tickets sell out early, so be sure to book your seat in advance. You should book your trip at least three days ahead of time. If you book even earlier, you’ll have more dates and flight times to choose from, and you might find better helicopter specials. Since most of the choppers can only take six passengers, if you are traveling with a larger group, you will have to figure out how to divide it into smaller groups. Children are welcome on helicopter tours but must be accompanied by an adult.
When you are ready to take a break from the neon glitz of the Vegas Strip, book a canyon helicopter tour and marvel at the beauty of nature. They’re a great way to relax while you’re absorbing the scenic beauty of this natural wonder, and helicopter specials can make the experience even sweeter by saving you money.
The flight itself is great fun and it is the only way you can realize the massive scope of the Grand Canyon. If you use an internet special when you book your helicopter tour, you can save up to 35%, and that makes the tour more affordable for everyone.