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
You can use your credit card and book your helicopter tour online for the most convenience. Paying for your tour online confirms your seats and even better, you get to use the Internet rate for the lowest possible price on your tour. Then on tour day, all you have to do is show your photo ID and check in at the helipad a half an hour before the flight and you're all set.
Departing From Vegas
The Vegas tour to the West Rim will fly you over the Boulder Dam and Lake Mead, before reaching the Canyon for a scenic flyover. There are landing flights available, and these are the ones that I recommend so that you can get the most out of your tour.
These landing tours can set down on top or on bottom of the Canyon. 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.
Touring The South Rim
Helicopters don't fly from Vegas to the South Rim because it's too far, however, you can get to the South Rim by airplane in about an hour, and then you can begin your helicopter tour in Tusayan, Arizona, which is just outside the main gates of the National Park. You can pick from two tours. The first tour flies over to the North Rim and then comes back. The next tour costs a little more, but it is longer, and is definitely worth considering. It flies over the same area as the shorter tour, but it also includes a scenic jaunt over to the eastern edge of the park. It covers an impressive 75 percent of the entire National Park in 50 minutes of flight time. The longer tour is a sightseeing dream because you get to see so many of the highlights and landmarks in the Canyon.
Basic vs Deluxe Tours
Basic tours usually fly on Bell Ranger choppers and provide transportation in a shuttle van. They depart from Boulder City, which is just outside of Vegas. The deluxe tours on the other hand, provide limousine transportation, and they lift off right from The Strip in Vegas. One of the biggest advantages to taking a deluxe tour is that you get to fly in a superior helicopter. It's a late model EcoStar 130, which features a massive viewing window, oversized stadium seats, and a spacious cabin. 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
Keep the advice above in mind as you plan your Memorial Day tour so you have the best time at a price that fits your budget. Most importantly, go online to save money, and buy your tour in advance before it sells out. If you cut it too close and book your tour late, you might have to pay a premium price for your seats.
Take what you need to last a day in the sun so you'll be comfortable and set to enjoy exploring one of America's most beautiful National Parks.
Getting The Best Price On Your Tour
You can use your credit card and book your helicopter tour online for the most convenience. Paying for your tour online confirms your seats and even better, you get to use the Internet rate for the lowest possible price on your tour. Then on tour day, all you have to do is show your photo ID and check in at the helipad a half an hour before the flight and you're all set.
Departing From Vegas
The Vegas tour to the West Rim will fly you over the Boulder Dam and Lake Mead, before reaching the Canyon for a scenic flyover. There are landing flights available, and these are the ones that I recommend so that you can get the most out of your tour.
These landing tours can set down on top or on bottom of the Canyon. 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.
Touring The South Rim
Helicopters don't fly from Vegas to the South Rim because it's too far, however, you can get to the South Rim by airplane in about an hour, and then you can begin your helicopter tour in Tusayan, Arizona, which is just outside the main gates of the National Park. You can pick from two tours. The first tour flies over to the North Rim and then comes back. The next tour costs a little more, but it is longer, and is definitely worth considering. It flies over the same area as the shorter tour, but it also includes a scenic jaunt over to the eastern edge of the park. It covers an impressive 75 percent of the entire National Park in 50 minutes of flight time. The longer tour is a sightseeing dream because you get to see so many of the highlights and landmarks in the Canyon.
Basic vs Deluxe Tours
Basic tours usually fly on Bell Ranger choppers and provide transportation in a shuttle van. They depart from Boulder City, which is just outside of Vegas. The deluxe tours on the other hand, provide limousine transportation, and they lift off right from The Strip in Vegas. One of the biggest advantages to taking a deluxe tour is that you get to fly in a superior helicopter. It's a late model EcoStar 130, which features a massive viewing window, oversized stadium seats, and a spacious cabin. 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
Keep the advice above in mind as you plan your Memorial Day tour so you have the best time at a price that fits your budget. Most importantly, go online to save money, and buy your tour in advance before it sells out. If you cut it too close and book your tour late, you might have to pay a premium price for your seats.
Take what you need to last a day in the sun so you'll be comfortable and set to enjoy exploring one of America's most beautiful National Parks.
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
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