Has it been a long while since you've done something truly breathtaking? New Year's Eve is coming up fast, and if you want to celebrate in unique style, you won't find anything better than a Grand Canyon helicopter tour.
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 your Grand Canyon tour early is not just so you can secure your seat, but so you can take advantage of the best prices and schedule times, especially when you book online.
Las Vegas Grand Canyon Tours
Vegas is by far the most popular place to begin an air tour of the Canyon. Because of that, the Vegas tours offer a lot of options. 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.
At the top of the Canyon, you will have access to the public walkways and viewing platforms. For a little extra, you could purchase a ticket to the Skywalk. If you haven't heard of the Skywalk, it is a glass platform that extends 70 feet over the Canyon rim, and allows you to look down a 4000 foot drop to the bottom of the Canyon. 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.
South Rim Helicopter Tours
The South Rim begins in Arizona, in the small town of Tusayan. If you're starting in Vegas, you'll need to book a flight to Tusayan to begin your tour, but if you'll be staying in a city in Arizona, you can drive yourself to the airport in Tusayan. The airport there is located right outside of the main gates to the South Rim. Even though there are no landing tours permitted at the South Rim, you'll still find the tours there worthwhile. The standard tour is 30 minutes to the North Rim, and then back to the South Rim. The longer tour is much better because it also flies to the North Rim, but it includes a leg over to the eastern border of the Park. This flight gives you 50 minutes of air time and you get to view about 75 percent of the entire wilderness land that makes up the National Park.
Choose a Tour Package
There are basic and deluxe helicopter flights to choose from. Basic helicopters follow the same routes, but they use older choppers. Don't worry, they're excellently maintained and fit for flight.
If you have extra in your budget, deluxe is the preferred option. The helicopter you will fly in has been specially built for touring the Grand Canyon. Seats are large and comfortable, and they're laid out like stadium seating, so even if you're in the second row of the cabin, you will have the perfect view. The cabins are oversized and climate controlled. Most importantly, the deluxe helicopter has a huge windshield that provides 180 degrees of unobstructed sightseeing. The newer helicopters are also quieter inside, and smoother while in flight.
Conclusion
It's going to be cold at the Canyon this year, so dress in some warm layers, with a winter jacket on over top. It can sometimes snow at the South Rim, so dress warm!
Touring the Canyon is a fun way to spend New Year's Eve. Remember to book your tour as soon as possible or you may get shut out. For the best chances of getting the tour you want, secure your seats with your credit card by buying your tour online at least two weeks in advance if you can. You will get the best prices, and you won't have to worry about losing your reservation.
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 your Grand Canyon tour early is not just so you can secure your seat, but so you can take advantage of the best prices and schedule times, especially when you book online.
Las Vegas Grand Canyon Tours
Vegas is by far the most popular place to begin an air tour of the Canyon. Because of that, the Vegas tours offer a lot of options. 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.
At the top of the Canyon, you will have access to the public walkways and viewing platforms. For a little extra, you could purchase a ticket to the Skywalk. If you haven't heard of the Skywalk, it is a glass platform that extends 70 feet over the Canyon rim, and allows you to look down a 4000 foot drop to the bottom of the Canyon. 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.
South Rim Helicopter Tours
The South Rim begins in Arizona, in the small town of Tusayan. If you're starting in Vegas, you'll need to book a flight to Tusayan to begin your tour, but if you'll be staying in a city in Arizona, you can drive yourself to the airport in Tusayan. The airport there is located right outside of the main gates to the South Rim. Even though there are no landing tours permitted at the South Rim, you'll still find the tours there worthwhile. The standard tour is 30 minutes to the North Rim, and then back to the South Rim. The longer tour is much better because it also flies to the North Rim, but it includes a leg over to the eastern border of the Park. This flight gives you 50 minutes of air time and you get to view about 75 percent of the entire wilderness land that makes up the National Park.
Choose a Tour Package
There are basic and deluxe helicopter flights to choose from. Basic helicopters follow the same routes, but they use older choppers. Don't worry, they're excellently maintained and fit for flight.
If you have extra in your budget, deluxe is the preferred option. The helicopter you will fly in has been specially built for touring the Grand Canyon. Seats are large and comfortable, and they're laid out like stadium seating, so even if you're in the second row of the cabin, you will have the perfect view. The cabins are oversized and climate controlled. Most importantly, the deluxe helicopter has a huge windshield that provides 180 degrees of unobstructed sightseeing. The newer helicopters are also quieter inside, and smoother while in flight.
Conclusion
It's going to be cold at the Canyon this year, so dress in some warm layers, with a winter jacket on over top. It can sometimes snow at the South Rim, so dress warm!
Touring the Canyon is a fun way to spend New Year's Eve. Remember to book your tour as soon as possible or you may get shut out. For the best chances of getting the tour you want, secure your seats with your credit card by buying your tour online at least two weeks in advance if you can. You will get the best prices, and you won't have to worry about losing your reservation.
About the Author:
Grand Canyon expert Beth Adams recommends readers check out this list of the best helicopter tours as well as this page which lists the newest specials and promotions: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopter.org/grand-canyon-helicopter-tour-coupons.html
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