Try a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon and you'll enjoy an adventure that surpasses your wildest dreams. Any other experience will not compare to doing it all in a chopper. These tours take off daily year round and have so many options available that you are bound to find the flight of your dreams.

Get Going!

An air tour can depart from two main sites, directly from Las Vegas, NV, or the South Rim, close to Tusayan, AZ. While both tours offer various air or ground tours, only those leaving from Las Vegas and the West Rim offer flights that venture beneath the rim and land on the canyon floor. The National Park Service has banned flight below the South Rim because of noise restrictions.

Vegas Voyage!

The Vegas tours start your sightseeing immediately. You'll see Lake Mead, the 16th largest man-made lake, the Colorado River and the vastness of the Grand Canyon. Landing tours fly to the bottom of the canyon, the top or a combination of both. One tour even lands for a Champagne toast and picnic on the ground.

Another amazing tour combines a helicopter tour with a peaceful float on the Colorado River for 11.3 miles. Your rafting journey begins below the towering Hoover Dam and takes you through the dark volcanic rock walls of Black Canyon. The rafting portion ends in Willow Beach's emerald waters. Don't forget to swim in this oasis, worlds away from the desert. This tour departs early morning once a day.

South Rim Views

South Rim tours are famously air only and offer spectacular views. Two options are available, depending on how much time or money you want to spend. The 30-minute tour flies round trip from the South Rim to the North Rim. The 50-minute tour, goes from rim to rim, but also includes views of up to 75% of the entire Park.

If you're looking for more, consider the package that bundles a 30-minute helicopter tour with a Jeep ride. This combo visits the most recognized stops in the park and gives the best canyon experience. At Mather Point, you see the canyon stretch out in brilliant colors for miles. The path the Colorado has cut through the canyon will be on full display at Yavapai Point. You can also take a break at Grand Canyon Village, a century-old site full of spectacular views, shops, and historic buildings. This is a definite tour for those eager to see the most of the canyon.

Which Way To Fly?

The basic or deluxe tour type depends on the helicopter used. Basic tours utilize the standard Bell Ranger or A Star. Fine crafts for flying, but they lack climate and noise control. The deluxe tour uses the EcoStar 130 that boasts a cabin 25% larger than basic tours, deluxe stadium seating, and climate control. The EcoStar is also quieter and offers a smoother ride than other choppers. Plus its 180-degree wrap around windshield allows for amazing views.

So Many Choices

There are a lot of great helicopter tours from which to choose. Hopefully, this article has narrowed the choices down. Deluxe flights generally have more value, not to mention they're comfortable and offer much more of the Grand Canyon experience. I personally recommend the Las Vegas Champagne picnic tour or the South Rim tour that includes access to a Jeep tour. Whichever one suits you, make sure you book online early before these popular air tours sell out.