Memorial Day is just around the corner, and that means that it's time to start planning an unforgettable vacation. Around this time of year, the Grand Canyon will be looking awesome, and if you want to get out there, you can take helicopter tours from the nearby city of Las Vegas. Helicopters operate every day from dawn until dusk, and you'll just need to know what's on offer, and all the small tricks to help make sure you don't miss out on a booking.
Getting The Best Price On Your Tour
Booking online is the most convenient way to arrange your tour, and also make sure that you use your credit card to confirm your flights. This will get you the best ticket price while also ensuring that your seats are fully confirmed. You'll just need to bring a photo ID on the day, and check in 30 minutes early for your flight.
Vegas Tours
When you take a helicopter tour from Vegas to the West Rim, you'll get to fly over the massive Boulder Dam and Lake Mead on the way to the Canyon. The West Rim tours are available as air-only tours or landing tours, and the landing tours are highly recommended.
When you book a landing tour, you can choose to land on the Canyon floor or on top of the rim. Landing on top of the rim puts you close to many scenic walking trails and the famous Skywalk viewing platform. Be sure to add Skywalk tickets to your tour so you can stand on the glass platform and peer down to the Canyon floor 4000 feet below you.
Bottom landing tours are just as exciting, and many people prefer them. You can purchase a ticket that sets you down next to the Colorado River, where you can enjoy a champagne picnic, and even add a Colorado boat trip onto your adventure.
The ultimate tour of the West Rim is a package that includes landings on top of the rim as well as the Canyon floor so you can see it all.
South Rim Tours
Helicopters don't fly directly to the South Rim, but you can take a one hour plane journey from Las Vegas to the town of Tusayan in Arizona, which is right outside of the National Park gates. From there, you can choose from two helicopter tours. The shorter tour is one that goes to the North Rim, and back to the South. The longer tour costs only a little extra, and is highly recommended. It covers the same route but also adds in some extra flying time to the eastern areas of the park. The longer tour is 50 minutes in total and covers around 75% of the entire National Park. If you love sightseeing, then the longer tour is for you.
Basic vs Deluxe Tours
The basic tours come with transportation in a shuttle van and a flight on the Bell Ranger helicopter. The choppers lift off from a helipad in Boulder City, which is a suburb of Vegas. The deluxe tours offer a VIP experience because they transport you in a limo to and from your hotel, and the helicopters lift off from the Vegas Strip. However, the best thing about taking a deluxe tour is the helicopter that's used for the flight. You'll get to experience flying on an EcoStar 130 chopper, which has a massive panoramic viewing window, large cabin, and comfy stadium-style seats that offer unobstructed views no matter where you sit. It is worth paying the extra cost for a deluxe upgrade because of the perks and excellent viewing on your tour.
Because this is one of the hottest times of the year, especially at the West Rim, you'll need to come prepared with light clothing, sun block, some snacks, and plenty of bottled water. Because these tours are hugely popular, you'll also need to book early. I recommend doing this at least two weeks before the date you intend to fly.
Summarizing
Now that you know a little more about what's on offer at the Grand Canyon, you'll be able to pick the best adventure that suits your needs and your budget. Remember to book online, and book early so that you won't miss out on tickets. If you leave it too close to the day you intend to fly, you will end up paying a premium for your tickets.
Remember to prepare with everything that you need for a day trip, and you'll be ready for a scenic adventure like nothing else in the United States.
Getting The Best Price On Your Tour
Booking online is the most convenient way to arrange your tour, and also make sure that you use your credit card to confirm your flights. This will get you the best ticket price while also ensuring that your seats are fully confirmed. You'll just need to bring a photo ID on the day, and check in 30 minutes early for your flight.
Vegas Tours
When you take a helicopter tour from Vegas to the West Rim, you'll get to fly over the massive Boulder Dam and Lake Mead on the way to the Canyon. The West Rim tours are available as air-only tours or landing tours, and the landing tours are highly recommended.
When you book a landing tour, you can choose to land on the Canyon floor or on top of the rim. Landing on top of the rim puts you close to many scenic walking trails and the famous Skywalk viewing platform. Be sure to add Skywalk tickets to your tour so you can stand on the glass platform and peer down to the Canyon floor 4000 feet below you.
Bottom landing tours are just as exciting, and many people prefer them. You can purchase a ticket that sets you down next to the Colorado River, where you can enjoy a champagne picnic, and even add a Colorado boat trip onto your adventure.
The ultimate tour of the West Rim is a package that includes landings on top of the rim as well as the Canyon floor so you can see it all.
South Rim Tours
Helicopters don't fly directly to the South Rim, but you can take a one hour plane journey from Las Vegas to the town of Tusayan in Arizona, which is right outside of the National Park gates. From there, you can choose from two helicopter tours. The shorter tour is one that goes to the North Rim, and back to the South. The longer tour costs only a little extra, and is highly recommended. It covers the same route but also adds in some extra flying time to the eastern areas of the park. The longer tour is 50 minutes in total and covers around 75% of the entire National Park. If you love sightseeing, then the longer tour is for you.
Basic vs Deluxe Tours
The basic tours come with transportation in a shuttle van and a flight on the Bell Ranger helicopter. The choppers lift off from a helipad in Boulder City, which is a suburb of Vegas. The deluxe tours offer a VIP experience because they transport you in a limo to and from your hotel, and the helicopters lift off from the Vegas Strip. However, the best thing about taking a deluxe tour is the helicopter that's used for the flight. You'll get to experience flying on an EcoStar 130 chopper, which has a massive panoramic viewing window, large cabin, and comfy stadium-style seats that offer unobstructed views no matter where you sit. It is worth paying the extra cost for a deluxe upgrade because of the perks and excellent viewing on your tour.
Because this is one of the hottest times of the year, especially at the West Rim, you'll need to come prepared with light clothing, sun block, some snacks, and plenty of bottled water. Because these tours are hugely popular, you'll also need to book early. I recommend doing this at least two weeks before the date you intend to fly.
Summarizing
Now that you know a little more about what's on offer at the Grand Canyon, you'll be able to pick the best adventure that suits your needs and your budget. Remember to book online, and book early so that you won't miss out on tickets. If you leave it too close to the day you intend to fly, you will end up paying a premium for your tickets.
Remember to prepare with everything that you need for a day trip, and you'll be ready for a scenic adventure like nothing else in the United States.
About the Author:
Grand Canyon specialist Ione Mahler endorses these superior heli tours along with these discounts for flights that leave from Las Vegas and the South Rim: http://grandcanyonhelicopter.org/grand-canyon-helicopter-tour-coupons.html
No comments:
Post a Comment