Which Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour Should I Take?

by Keith Kravitz
http://www.GrandCanyon123.com

Grand Canyon heli tours are a exciting way to see the National Park. But most importantly, they're the best way to explore the park when you have just a day or two to do it.

Departure Points

The West Rim and the South Rim are the only spots in the canyon where helis are permitted to fly.

If you're starting out from Las Vegas, the West Rim is the place to go for you. The rim is only 120 miles from Las Vegas. If your heart is set on seeing the National Park from Vegas, you must take a 45-minute aeroplane flight and after that transfer to the heli phase of your package.

South Rim helicopter flights leave daily from Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, which is just outside of the main gates of the National Park. When you are driving up from such places in Arizona like Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Sedona, this is the Grand Canyon helicopter trip for you.

Different types of Helicopter Tours

Of the two rims, the West Rim has the most variations. Naturally, there is the air-only tour, but many travelers want more and Vegas tour operators deliver.

The most famous is the landing tour. This ride goes 4,000 feet to the bottom part of the Grand Canyon and lands. Most include a Champagne picnic. There's lots of time to explore, too. There is also the chance to add a canyon water rafting trip to this package.

Another popular West Rim landing tour is the Grand Canyon glass walkway. This package includes total access to the fabulous glass walkway. It's a wonder of modern day engineering and allows you to go 70 feet past the ledge of the rim. Some 4,000 feet down below you roils the Colorado River.

The South Rim is defined by natural beauty. Nothing shows this off better than a heli tour. There aren't any landing rides at this rim. The most requested flight takes you over the Kaibab Plateau and directly into the Dragoon Corridor, the widest, deepest part of the canyon, before going back at the North Rim. Flight time is half an hour, nevertheless, you can lengthen it up to 50 minutes. Additionally you can upgrade to the super-sleek EcoStar 130 chopper.

How to Get a Great Deal

There are 2 simple things you need to do to get the best deal on a Grand Canyon heli tour. First, purchase ahead of time. If you can get a month or two in front of this, you'll win the game. Next, shop the world wide web. There's lots of good prices on the Web. I consistently find exclusive promotions in which you can save up to 35%. It takes some effort but it's worth it.

Time to Fly!

Grand Canyon heli tours are my #1 way to discover the National Park. Flights visit the West Rim and the South Rim. The West Rim offers a selection of great landing tours. The South Rim is air-only. If you've got the budget for it, upgrade to the EcoStar 130. Or follow my two steps to savings and use the difference to combo in side-trips. The Grand Canyon is an aerial delight. Thankfully, there are plenty of heli trips available that permit you to experience it.

Mr. Kravitz is a travel writer specializing in reviewing tours to the Grand Canyon. Go here for his Top 3 Grand Canyon helicopter tour operators. Rankings are based on quality, safety and price. Scan these ratings and make sure you get the trip that meets your needs.

Article submitted Tuesday, May 17, 2011 & read 74 times.

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