Thursday, December 24, 2015

Grand Canyon New Year's Holiday Helicopter Tour

By Beth Adams


Are you ready to have a fun time doing something exciting and different? Well, it's time to celebrate New Year's Eve in grand fashion by taking a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon.

Christmas Day is the only day of the year when the tour helicopters don't fly, so you're cleared to go on New Year's Eve or any other day over your break. However, holiday tours fill up fast, so you need to buy your tour as soon as you can.

Booking early also allows you to have a wider selection in available tours, and when you buy your tour online, you'll get the lowest price available.

Helicopter Tours Out Of Vegas

Vegas is the most popular departure point for people who want to see the Grand Canyon. There are also a number of tour options from Vegas, so you'll have plenty of packages to choose from. As a little extra, some flights offer tours of The Strip, and all flights go over the Colorado River, Lake Mead, and the Hoover Dam.

If you don't want to spend much time or money, then you'll probably want to book an air-only tour. These tours provide you with amazing aerial views of the Canyon, and then fly back to Vegas. The other option is to take a landing tour, and these are very popular because you get to land at the Canyon and explore on foot.

Landing tours are so popular because they provide the most adventure. Your helicopter can land on top of the rim, on the bottom of the Canyon, or do both.

The top of the rim has scenic lookouts and hiking trails. For a little extra, you could purchase a ticket to the Skywalk. The Skywalk is a world famous structure that extends 70 feet beyond the edge of the Canyon and is suspended 4000 feet above the Canyon floor. If it sounds scary, don't worry, it's actually one of the most exciting things you could ever do, and it is well worth the price.

Another option is to land on the bottom of the Canyon where you can have a Champagne picnic before you float down the Colorado River on a relaxing boat tour. This landing tour is very popular and it's a good one to take when you visit the Canyon.

Chopper Tours Of The South Rim

The South Rim begins in Arizona, in the small town of Tusayan. You can take a flight there from Vegas, or you can start your adventure from there, if the location is more convenient for you. Your flight will start from right outside the National Park gates. You can't land at the South Rim, but there's an extended tour to make up for it. The standard tour is 30 minutes to the North Rim, and then back to the South Rim. The extended tour, which I highly recommend, will do everything from the standard tour, while also taking you to the far eastern area of the park. In around 50 minutes you will have your breath taken away while viewing almost 75% of the entire National Park area.

Deluxe Tours

You can book a basic or deluxe tour. Basic helicopters follow the same routes, but they use older choppers. Although the choppers are older, they are well maintained and safe for flight at all times.

However, if you can afford it, upgrading to a deluxe tour is a good idea. The helicopters used for these tours are designed specifically for sightseeing. The seats are bigger and more comfortable, plus they are arranged stadium style so you have a good view no matter where you sit. The cabins are oversized and climate controlled. The best thing about deluxe helicopters is that they have massive wraparound windscreens that provide fantastic panoramic viewing. The newer helicopters are also quieter inside, and smoother while in flight.

Wrapping Up

Keep in mind, it might be cold at the Canyon during this time of the year, so you'll want to dress in layers so you are prepared. It may even be snowing at the South Rim, so you'll want to wear warm clothes if you go there.

I hope this has helped you to discover a new way to enjoy New Year's Eve. Grand Canyon flights are popular from Las Vegas and Arizona, so make sure you book early. Book at least two weeks before you intend to fly, and book using your credit card, online. You will get the best prices, and you won't have to worry about losing your reservation.




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