Are you thinking about a trip to the marvelous Grand Canyon? If so, you've probably heard how much fun the tours are and maybe you are considering a helicopter tour. That is a great idea! You'll need to do a little advance planning, but here are some tips that should cover the basics.

Departure Cities

First of all, you have to figure out where you will begin your tour. You can catch an air tour out of Vegas or in Tusayan, which is a tiny town near the main gates at the South Rim.

You'll want one of the air tours that start in Tusayan if you'll be coming from Phoenix or anywhere in central AZ. Tusayan is 10 minutes from the lodges in Grand Canyon Village and only an hour's drive from Williams, Arizona.

When your tour originates in Las Vegas, the helicopter will take you to Grand Canyon West, or the West Rim. Vegas choppers do not go to the South Rim because it is too far away. You can take an airplane tour to the South Rim from Vegas instead.

The rim you visit will probably be decided for you based upon your departure city, but if you need help deciding which rim tour to take, keep in mind the South Rim is known for its spectacular beauty while the West Rim is known for its thrills and adventure. Here is a little more information to help you decide.

Grand Canyon West Or The South Rim

The South Rim is often considered to be the 'official Grand Canyon'. The sights are spectacular, but one of the most dramatic is Dragoon Corridor, the widest, deepest section of the entire canyon. It is a vast wilderness area still unspoiled by civilization. It has an altitude of 7000 feet above sea level and the vegetation there is more abundant than you will find at the West Rim.

The West Rim of the Grand Canyon is part of the Hualapai Indian Reservation. This is where the Skywalk is located, it is an experience you don't want to miss. If you're not familiar with it, this all-glass cantilevered bridge suspends you 4,000 feet over the canyon bottom-while you're standing 70 feet beyond the edge!

The glass bridge is not the only thrill at the West Rim, you can also hop on a chopper and fly to the floor of the canyon there, it is the only place in the National Park where that is allowed. The floor of the canyon offers fun experiences such as a picnic and a raft ride along the Colorado River.

Types of Air Tours

You have a couple of options in chopper tours, you can land or take an aerial, or air-only tour. The air-only tours fly over notable landmarks as they circle the canyon and then fly back. You can choose an air-only tour from Tusayan and Vegas too. Landing tours, on the other hand, only fly out of Las Vegas. Some land on the bottom while others touch down at the top of the rim.

If you will be taking off from Vegas, you should seriously consider a landing tour. You'll see the canyon from the ground and the air, and it's a much more comprehensive experience than an air-only tour. Both types of tours fly over Hoover Dam and Lake Mead before arriving at the rim.

At the South Rim, you can choose from a short half hour flight or a longer 50 minute flight. The half hour air tour goes over the Dragoon Corridor and the North Rim before returning to the South Rim. The 50 minute flight follows the same flight path but also includes a loop to the eastern edge of the National Park.

Booking Your Seats

Be sure to book your seats early, a week in advance is recommended. The tours sell out often, so waiting until the last minute may lead to disappointment. Also, you can save money on your tour by buying your seats on the tour operator's website and taking advantage of the discounted Internet rate.