Valentine's Day is just around the corner. One way to make the occasion really special is to take a tour of the Grand Canyon with your loved one. There are several types of tours that depart to the Canyon from Vegas, and you can tour by airplane, bus, or helicopter. No matter what type of tour you choose, you want to book it as soon as possible, because these tours are popular and fill up fast.
Departure Cities
You can book a tour that departs from Tusayan in Arizona and from Vegas. The starting city determines how long it will take you to get to the Canyon to start your tour. For example, the flight from Vegas to the South Rim will take an hour or so. The Vegas bus tours take much longer, so if you're going to tour the South Rim, you'll be in for a 5.5 hour bus ride to get to the rim and a 2.5 hour ride to get to the West Rim. If you start your bus tour from Phoenix instead, it will take around four hours for you to get to the South Rim.
Tours Of The West Rim
Helicopter tours are able to cover the distance, much faster. If you travel from Vegas to the West Rim, the helicopter ride takes between 30 and 45 minutes. In addition to getting an aerial view of the Canyon, the Vegas helicopters fly over Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam when they leave the city, so you get magnificent views of them as well. Helicopter tours are available in different types, for example, you can take an air-only tour that does a flyover of the Canyon, or you can take a landing tour that lets you out on top of the rim or on the bottom. The landing tour that flies into the Canyon and lands on the floor is very popular, and it even comes with a Champagne picnic. It's a perfect tour to take on Valentine's Day.
Planes that fly out of Vegas can also land at the West Rim, but they can only land on top of the rim. However, that doesn't really matter because you can hop on a helicopter once you get to the rim and ride down to the bottom of the Canyon, or you can stay on top of the rim and visit the Skywalk. The Skywalk is a thrilling attraction that gives you an amazing view of the Canyon below you. If you love adventure, and aren't afraid of heights, then visiting the Skywalk would be a great way to spend Valentine's Day.
Helicopter Tours Of The South Rim
There are a couple of helicopter flights that tour the South Rim. The first one is a half-hour tour that goes to the North Rim, and back again. The other tour is longer, it gives you 50 minutes of flight time and goes to the North Rim as well as the eastern edge of the park. Book the longer tour if you can because it flies over about 3/4 of the entire national park, and you'll get to see a lot of interesting views.
You can also take an airplane tour of the South Rim, even if you want to depart from Vegas. You'll start with an hour flight to the South Rim and then follow that with the 50 minute air tour that follows the same path as the longer helicopter tour. The difference between the two air tours is that the airplanes have to fly higher, so the views aren't quite as good as the views from the helicopters that fly lower. One advantage of flying on an airplane is that they carry 19 people at a time. So if you're traveling with a big group and everyone wants to go on the tour together, then taking an airplane tour is the way to go.
Motor Coach Tours
If price is an important consideration, then you may prefer a bus tour since they are the most affordable. The tours last all day, so you have plenty of time to see a lot of sights. There is a basic and deluxe option, and the tours are all-inclusive including taxes and park fees. Light meals for lunch and breakfast are included as well. Bus tours to the West and South Rim come with the ability to add on adventures. Some upgrades to consider are Skywalk tickets at the West Rim or a helicopter ride to the Canyon floor, and at the South Rim, you can add on a 50-minute helicopter tour of the National Park.
Final Thoughts
These tours are available as basic or deluxe tours. A deluxe tour is a good choice if you want to make your Valentine's Day experience even more special. The deluxe air tours provide transportation to and from your hotel in a limousine, which adds an element of romance. Plus, you'll get the best views when you fly on a deluxe helicopter that has panoramic views through massive windows, and the deluxe aircraft are quieter and give you more personal room too.
These tours are popular and they sell out quickly, so book yours as soon as possible. It's a good idea to book yours about two weeks ahead of time. Buying it is easy when you book online where you'll find the lowest price, plus you'll get instant confirmation when you use your credit card. With all the options available, you're sure to find a tour that fits your budget and your interests, so you can make this Valentine's Day something to remember.
Departure Cities
You can book a tour that departs from Tusayan in Arizona and from Vegas. The starting city determines how long it will take you to get to the Canyon to start your tour. For example, the flight from Vegas to the South Rim will take an hour or so. The Vegas bus tours take much longer, so if you're going to tour the South Rim, you'll be in for a 5.5 hour bus ride to get to the rim and a 2.5 hour ride to get to the West Rim. If you start your bus tour from Phoenix instead, it will take around four hours for you to get to the South Rim.
Tours Of The West Rim
Helicopter tours are able to cover the distance, much faster. If you travel from Vegas to the West Rim, the helicopter ride takes between 30 and 45 minutes. In addition to getting an aerial view of the Canyon, the Vegas helicopters fly over Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam when they leave the city, so you get magnificent views of them as well. Helicopter tours are available in different types, for example, you can take an air-only tour that does a flyover of the Canyon, or you can take a landing tour that lets you out on top of the rim or on the bottom. The landing tour that flies into the Canyon and lands on the floor is very popular, and it even comes with a Champagne picnic. It's a perfect tour to take on Valentine's Day.
Planes that fly out of Vegas can also land at the West Rim, but they can only land on top of the rim. However, that doesn't really matter because you can hop on a helicopter once you get to the rim and ride down to the bottom of the Canyon, or you can stay on top of the rim and visit the Skywalk. The Skywalk is a thrilling attraction that gives you an amazing view of the Canyon below you. If you love adventure, and aren't afraid of heights, then visiting the Skywalk would be a great way to spend Valentine's Day.
Helicopter Tours Of The South Rim
There are a couple of helicopter flights that tour the South Rim. The first one is a half-hour tour that goes to the North Rim, and back again. The other tour is longer, it gives you 50 minutes of flight time and goes to the North Rim as well as the eastern edge of the park. Book the longer tour if you can because it flies over about 3/4 of the entire national park, and you'll get to see a lot of interesting views.
You can also take an airplane tour of the South Rim, even if you want to depart from Vegas. You'll start with an hour flight to the South Rim and then follow that with the 50 minute air tour that follows the same path as the longer helicopter tour. The difference between the two air tours is that the airplanes have to fly higher, so the views aren't quite as good as the views from the helicopters that fly lower. One advantage of flying on an airplane is that they carry 19 people at a time. So if you're traveling with a big group and everyone wants to go on the tour together, then taking an airplane tour is the way to go.
Motor Coach Tours
If price is an important consideration, then you may prefer a bus tour since they are the most affordable. The tours last all day, so you have plenty of time to see a lot of sights. There is a basic and deluxe option, and the tours are all-inclusive including taxes and park fees. Light meals for lunch and breakfast are included as well. Bus tours to the West and South Rim come with the ability to add on adventures. Some upgrades to consider are Skywalk tickets at the West Rim or a helicopter ride to the Canyon floor, and at the South Rim, you can add on a 50-minute helicopter tour of the National Park.
Final Thoughts
These tours are available as basic or deluxe tours. A deluxe tour is a good choice if you want to make your Valentine's Day experience even more special. The deluxe air tours provide transportation to and from your hotel in a limousine, which adds an element of romance. Plus, you'll get the best views when you fly on a deluxe helicopter that has panoramic views through massive windows, and the deluxe aircraft are quieter and give you more personal room too.
These tours are popular and they sell out quickly, so book yours as soon as possible. It's a good idea to book yours about two weeks ahead of time. Buying it is easy when you book online where you'll find the lowest price, plus you'll get instant confirmation when you use your credit card. With all the options available, you're sure to find a tour that fits your budget and your interests, so you can make this Valentine's Day something to remember.
About the Author:
Grand Canyon pro Jacky O'Shea recommends these fabulous air tours. And for a complete list of tours, she recommends bookmarking this web site: http://grandcanyondaytrips.com/tours/
No comments:
Post a Comment