Spring Break is not far away, so it's a good time to start thinking about how you're going to celebrate. If you plan on being in Vegas anyway, then you should consider taking an airplane or helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. These tours are very popular and they sell out fast, so if you want to take one, you need to book early.
Helicopter Tours Of The Canyon
Helicopters fly at the South Rim and the West Rim. The West Rim is closest to Las Vegas, and helicopters fly direct. If you want to take a helicopter ride at the South Rim in Arizona, there's a connecting airplane flight from Las Vegas.
All tours take you over Lake Mead and the monumental Hoover Dam. Airplanes take an hour to reach the South Rim, while helicopters make it to the north rim in under 45 minutes.
When you go to the West Rim, you can choose a landing tour or an air-only tour. The air-only tour shows you all the main highlights from the air only and then flies back to the city. The landing tours are even more fun because you get to add on ground adventures.
One of the more popular tours lands on the Canyon floor after a thrilling descent inside the Canyon, and once it lands, you can enjoy a champagne picnic or a boat tour along the Colorado River. There's also a top landing tour, where you can take one of the many walking tracks to reach scenic lookout points. The Skywalk is also located on top of the West Rim. This special glass platform is transparent, and will give you the ultimate thrill as you stand 4000ft above the bottom of the Canyon.
Helicopter Tours Of The South Rim
If you fly to the Grand Canyon South Rim, you will transfer to a helicopter for the sightseeing tour. There are two options available. One is a 30 minute trip, and the other is a 50 minute extended tour. The shorter tour goes to the North Rim, before heading back to the town of Tusayan. The longer tour, which I recommend, follows the same path but also goes all the way out to the eastern boundary. The extended tour is the best option because it will fly you over the top of 75% of the National Park. The small increase in ticket price is worth every penny.
The South Rim tours aren't permitted to land inside the Canyon like the West Rim tours can, but you can still take a ground tour by adding on a bus or Jeep tour of the South Rim.
Canyon Plane Tours
Airplane tours go directly to both the South and West Rim. If you're looking for an affordable type of air tour, then touring by plane is your best bet. Plus, you can add other adventures to your tour such as a helicopter flight to the bottom of the West Rim. If you take an airplane tour of the South Rim, your plane will follow the same flight path as the 50-minute helicopter tour.
It's important to note that airplanes fly at higher altitudes, but they do have an advantage in that they can seat more people. If you're in a group, the 19 seats in an airplane may be more suited to your needs. However if it's pure sightseeing that you're aiming for, helicopters provide a lower flying route, as well as large front facing viewing windows. If you purchase deluxe helicopter tickets, you will fly in a newer EcoStar helicopter that features a huge 180 degree windshield, and 6 stadium style seats. Helicopters are also quieter and fly smoother.
To Conclude
Spring Break calls for a special adventure, and there's no place that offers more adventure than the Grand Canyon. Flying from Las Vegas, you will have a number of options, with something that will suit any budget.
Book soon to avoid disappointment. It's a good idea to book your tour when you book your Vegas hotel so you don't forget. Buy your tour online with your credit card and you'll get the best deal and avoid fees added by travel agencies.
A trip to the Grand Canyon remains memorable for a lifetime. Do it in style with an airplane or helicopter tour, and experience all that the National Park has to offer.
Helicopter Tours Of The Canyon
Helicopters fly at the South Rim and the West Rim. The West Rim is closest to Las Vegas, and helicopters fly direct. If you want to take a helicopter ride at the South Rim in Arizona, there's a connecting airplane flight from Las Vegas.
All tours take you over Lake Mead and the monumental Hoover Dam. Airplanes take an hour to reach the South Rim, while helicopters make it to the north rim in under 45 minutes.
When you go to the West Rim, you can choose a landing tour or an air-only tour. The air-only tour shows you all the main highlights from the air only and then flies back to the city. The landing tours are even more fun because you get to add on ground adventures.
One of the more popular tours lands on the Canyon floor after a thrilling descent inside the Canyon, and once it lands, you can enjoy a champagne picnic or a boat tour along the Colorado River. There's also a top landing tour, where you can take one of the many walking tracks to reach scenic lookout points. The Skywalk is also located on top of the West Rim. This special glass platform is transparent, and will give you the ultimate thrill as you stand 4000ft above the bottom of the Canyon.
Helicopter Tours Of The South Rim
If you fly to the Grand Canyon South Rim, you will transfer to a helicopter for the sightseeing tour. There are two options available. One is a 30 minute trip, and the other is a 50 minute extended tour. The shorter tour goes to the North Rim, before heading back to the town of Tusayan. The longer tour, which I recommend, follows the same path but also goes all the way out to the eastern boundary. The extended tour is the best option because it will fly you over the top of 75% of the National Park. The small increase in ticket price is worth every penny.
The South Rim tours aren't permitted to land inside the Canyon like the West Rim tours can, but you can still take a ground tour by adding on a bus or Jeep tour of the South Rim.
Canyon Plane Tours
Airplane tours go directly to both the South and West Rim. If you're looking for an affordable type of air tour, then touring by plane is your best bet. Plus, you can add other adventures to your tour such as a helicopter flight to the bottom of the West Rim. If you take an airplane tour of the South Rim, your plane will follow the same flight path as the 50-minute helicopter tour.
It's important to note that airplanes fly at higher altitudes, but they do have an advantage in that they can seat more people. If you're in a group, the 19 seats in an airplane may be more suited to your needs. However if it's pure sightseeing that you're aiming for, helicopters provide a lower flying route, as well as large front facing viewing windows. If you purchase deluxe helicopter tickets, you will fly in a newer EcoStar helicopter that features a huge 180 degree windshield, and 6 stadium style seats. Helicopters are also quieter and fly smoother.
To Conclude
Spring Break calls for a special adventure, and there's no place that offers more adventure than the Grand Canyon. Flying from Las Vegas, you will have a number of options, with something that will suit any budget.
Book soon to avoid disappointment. It's a good idea to book your tour when you book your Vegas hotel so you don't forget. Buy your tour online with your credit card and you'll get the best deal and avoid fees added by travel agencies.
A trip to the Grand Canyon remains memorable for a lifetime. Do it in style with an airplane or helicopter tour, and experience all that the National Park has to offer.
About the Author:
Expert journalist Erik Magnus is a big fan of these Grand Canyon National Park airplane tours as well as these heli trips that start off from Vegas and the South Rim: http://www.grandcanyondaytrips.com/helicopters/
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