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
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.
You'll even get an aerial view of Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam when you fly out of Vegas since they are along the flight path to the Canyon. A helicopter can get to the West Rim from Vegas in under 45 minutes, and it takes an airplane about 60 minutes to fly to the South Rim so you can begin your tour there.
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.
There's a tour that lands at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and allows you to experience a Champagne picnic, or even a boat ride on the River. There's also a top landing tour, where you can take one of the many walking tracks to reach scenic lookout points. At the top you can also purchase tickets for the Skywalk. This special glass platform is transparent, and will give you the ultimate thrill as you stand 4000ft above the bottom of the Grand 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.
South Rim helicopters don't land inside the Canyon itself, but there are ground tours available by Jeep or bus if you really want to experience everything that the Canyon has to offer.
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. I recommend booking once you've already confirmed your Vegas accommodation. When you book online and pay with your credit card, you will receive the best prices, as you avoid added travel agency fees.
Taking an air tour of the Canyon is a sure way to have a fabulous Spring Break vacation you'll always remember. Do it in style with an airplane or helicopter tour, and experience all that the National Park has to offer.
Helicopter Tours
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.
You'll even get an aerial view of Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam when you fly out of Vegas since they are along the flight path to the Canyon. A helicopter can get to the West Rim from Vegas in under 45 minutes, and it takes an airplane about 60 minutes to fly to the South Rim so you can begin your tour there.
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.
There's a tour that lands at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and allows you to experience a Champagne picnic, or even a boat ride on the River. There's also a top landing tour, where you can take one of the many walking tracks to reach scenic lookout points. At the top you can also purchase tickets for the Skywalk. This special glass platform is transparent, and will give you the ultimate thrill as you stand 4000ft above the bottom of the Grand 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.
South Rim helicopters don't land inside the Canyon itself, but there are ground tours available by Jeep or bus if you really want to experience everything that the Canyon has to offer.
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. I recommend booking once you've already confirmed your Vegas accommodation. When you book online and pay with your credit card, you will receive the best prices, as you avoid added travel agency fees.
Taking an air tour of the Canyon is a sure way to have a fabulous Spring Break vacation you'll always remember. 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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