Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours Enable You To See Extraordinary Things

Travel & Leisure

  • Author Luke Plunket
  • Published May 10, 2012
  • Word count 812

The Grand Canyon is one of the most majestic places on the planet. Thousands rate their Grand Canyon helicopter tour as incredible. Spectacular edges on the canyon and designated lookouts offer incredible views of the area. The vision is totally amazing. Why settle for peanuts. Looking out at the scenery is breathtaking. The Grand Canyon helicopter adventure gives a panoramic view of the floor and sweeping walls.

Tourists arrive at one of two departure points for a Grand Canyon helicopter tour: The West Rim or the South Rim. The West Rim offers great helicopter rides for Las Vegas arrivals. There are no helicopter flights from Vegas to the South Rim - it's too far. To do it, you must take an airplane flight or a bus ride and transfer to a helicopter. The South Rim has an incredible helicopter tour and those arriving from Northern Arizona (Flagstaff, Sedona, Phoenix) frequently drive a rental car to reach the South Rim.

The West Rim

The West Rim, also known as Grand Canyon West, is 120 miles from Las Vegas. It's only 45 minutes away by helicopter. This rim is famous for its things to do and the Grand Canyon Skywalk. It's here where helicopters are allowed to fly 4,000 feet to the bottom and land. A picnic, Champagne and the opportunity to explore the historic canyon bottom is part of this intriguing tour. The waters of the Colorado River provide a comfortable float trip as another option.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk has been a hit with travelers since opening in 2007. Made of glass panels that cost $200,000 each, the bridge lets you walk some 70 feet past the edge of the West Rim. Looking through the glass to the Colorado River 4,000 feet below is an exhilarating feeling. Tourist Alert: Smart phones and cameras are prohibited. That avoids concern about the glass chipping from dropped items.

Free shuttle service for Grand Canyon West guests is unlimited. Ride the shuttle to popular Eagle Point, Guano Point or other areas of interest. Indian Village is a bucket list item. Much study went into the development of this ancient pueblo that features the lifestyle of local Indians centuries ago. For a short while, become part of a prominent community making its livelihood on the edge of the rim.

Delight in a South Rim Trip

Spectacular views and scenery are part of the South Rim. Some regard it as the premier Grand Canyon locality. Photo ops are the atmosphere of the canyon and most of the incredible pictures seen are shots from this area. The front gates of the park are about 10 minutes from the Grand Canyon Airport in the town of Tusayan, the site that helicopter tours begin.

You can imagine in and out heliport air traffic. Three Grand Canyon helicopter tour companies operate here. Airspace is well-defined along the rim. This means that all helicopters follow the same flight plan. The only variable for canyon air tours is upgrading to a deluxe chopper. Amazement accompanies the air travel. Flying along the dramatically wide and deep Dragoon Corridor brings an even more incredible sight than that of the lush Kaibab National Forest where the journey begins. Turn back is at the North Rim. Total flight time is 30 minutes.

Those traveling from Las Vegas have a choice of flying or taking the bus to the South Rim. The flight offers much more. The 45 minute trip starts out towards the Grand Canyon Airport, flying east over the magnificent Colorado River. By the time you land at Tusayan, you'll have seen 50 percent of the canyon. You will see the sunset as you return to Vegas. Your day's adventure still allows you to enjoy plans on The Strip that evening.

Bargain for Incredible Opportunities

Get full quality and pay less. Shop the Internet. Tour operators and brokers offer the best deals online. Experience cuts of 30 percent and more. Try to avoid using a website's customer service number. The person on the other end of the phone is a commissioned sales person and it's their job to upsell you into a higher-priced package. Book reservations online, calling just for answers, and then complete the form and submit it.

Flying High and Loving It!

If you only have a short time to visit the Grand Canyon, a helicopter provides the opportunity for a quick, yet packed, tour. Deciding between the West and South Rim trips is difficult. There is a variety of activities in the West Rim, including the Grand Canyon Skywalk. The tremendous beauty of the South Rim displays itself with a vision of the gorge and a compelling flight through it for a better view. Las Vegas visitors who want to do the South Rim should strongly consider the airplane flight over. There are usually internet discount specials for air tours. Now you're ready to go online and book the helicopter tour that best meets your needs.

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