The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular natural wonders in the United States. Sightseers from all around the world travel to Arizona to view the magnificent scenery, and many of them choose a guided tour by bus, helicopter, plane, Jeep, horse, mule, or even on foot.

If you take a tour out of the city of Las Vegas, you can choose between going to the West Rim or the South Rim. However, if your tour leaves from Sedona, Scottsdale, Phoenix, or somewhere else in the central part of Arizona, you can only choose a tour to the South Rim.

Here are some of the exciting and fun-filled tours you can choose:

Scenic Helicopter Tour

Although helicopter tours are offered at both rims, the South Rim is beyond the range of choppers flying out of Las Vegas. So if you are leaving from Vegas, your copter will only fly you to the West Rim. If you really want to see the South Rim and you are in Las Vegas, you still can, you just have to take a bus or plane to a different helicopter departure point.

When you're choosing your tour, remember that the West Rim is the only place where choppers are allowed to land on the canyon floor. That makes this tour almost a must-do experience, especially since you're able to add an optional boat ride down the Colorado River. Other popular options on these landing tours on the West Rim are VIP passes to the impressive glass Skywalk.

Helicopters are not allowed to fly below the level of the South Rim. So, South Rim helicopter tours fly rim-to-rim or take a route that lets you see almost the entire National Park. These flights are great if you don't have much time to explore the canyon; you will get to see a large part of it from above.

Motor Coach Tours

Guide trips by bus from Las Vegas to the South or West Rim are also available. Both of these tours include a stop at the Hoover Dam for a photo opportunity. Since tours to the West Rim are usually flexible, you could even add in a chopper descent to the Colorado River on the canyon floor where you could enjoy a leisurely boat ride.

If you want to visit the South Rim from Vegas, taking a motor coach is the least expensive way to go. You can always add on a helicopter tour if you want.

Airplane Tours

Airplane tours of the Grand Canyon are available for the South Rim and West Rim. You can choose from landing or air-only tours, but landing tours are only permitted at the West Rim. If you do take a West Rim landing tour, I strongly recommend adding a chopper flight to the bottom and the boat ride down the Colorado. Another thing you can do at the West Rim is walk out on the thrilling glass Skywalk. If you choose a plane tour to the South Rim, your pilot will follow the same route as the helicopters take that fly to the South Rim.

Rafting Down The Colorado River

From April to November, you can enjoy smooth-water rafting at both rims; these fun trips are much different from white water rafting. From Las Vegas, you'll take a helicopter to the starting point at the base of Hoover Dam. From there, you'll float 11 miles down the river to Willow Beach, Arizona. The rafting tours at the South Rim begin at Glen Canyon Dam in Page, Arizona and take you fifteen miles down river to historic Lee's Ferry; you can take a luxury bus or airplane from Vegas to Glen Canyon Dam.

All West Rim helicopter, plane and rafting tours include free hotel pickup and drop-off. The motor coach, helicopter, and airplane tours also provide lunch and a knowledgeable guide. Except for rafting tours (which include shuttle service), you'll need to get to Grand Canyon Airport on your own for South Rim air tours.

Guided trips to the Grand Canyon, no matter which kind, are very popular and sell out quickly during tourist season; book in advance so you won't be disappointed. Remember to check the tour operators' websites before you book your seat so you can take advantage of current specials and coupons. To get the lowest internet deals, be sure to complete your purchase online.

Don't wait until the last minute to get your tickets. You will pay a lot more than you have to and you might not even be able to get on a tour you really like.