If you plan a holiday in Las Vegas, you must add one of Papillon Helicopter’s trips to the Grand Canyon. Annually, more than 600,000 people choose Papillon, making it the favorite operator of trips to Grand Canyon West and the South Rim from Las Vegas.

Papillon’s fleet of helicopters is state of the art. Most of these modern-day sightseeing aircraft feature 180-degree wraparound windshields, stadium-style seating (everyone faces forward), climate-controlled cabins, personal headsets, and pre-recorded narratives in 11 languages.

Papillon tours leave from two airports: McCarran International and the Boulder City Municipal Airport. Trips include pick up and drop off at most major Las Vegas resort-hotels. Upon arrival in Vegas, it’s recommended that you confirm your tour.

Papillon flies helicopter tours at Grand Canyon West and the South Rim. There aren’t any direct helicopter flights from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon South. Instead, you must book a plane tour and add a helicopter ride – a package that Papillon calls the Grand Celebration with Helicopter tour.

Grand Canyon West is 120 miles east of Vegas. Helicopters make the trip in 45 minutes. A lot of people visit this Rim because it’s home to the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass bridge that lets you walk 70 feet past the edge of the rim to be suspended 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. Papillon’s most widely used trip, however, is the Grand Celebration, which descends to the bottom of the Canyon – a trip ONLY available at the West Rim.

The South Rim is 270 miles away from Las Vegas and requires a spectacular 45-minute airplane flight. Landing at Grand Canyon Airport, you’ll transfer to your helicopter, whereupon you’ll fly into the Dragoon Corridor, the widest, deepest section of the Canyon before turning back at the North Rim. Papillon’s most popular South Rim helicopter tour is the North Canyon trip. It is recommended that you consider the upgrade to the larger, more comfortable EcoStar 130.

Expect to spend a full day on these Papillon helicopter tours (there are no overnight packages with lodging at this time), making them ideal for Las Vegas visitors who want a quick yet satisfying Grand Canyon experience that puts them back on the Strip for a show or dinner with friends.

Costs for West and South Rim trips are similar, with prices starting at about $280 per person. The purchase price increases when you change your package to include a Skywalk visit, river rafting, or an EcoStar 130 aircraft. To get the best price, book directly with Papillon on their website. This is where the business posts its best promotions (some up to 35% off retail!).

The size of the Grand Canyon is monolithic. Seeing it from the ground is an amazing experience. But you are only getting a fraction of the Canyon experience. To pack in as much of the National Park as possible in the least amount of time, take a helicopter tour. Once you are back safely on the ground, you’ll gain a whole new appreciation for this incredibly beautiful and stunning American landscape (and at a price that won’t break your travel budget).

Author Bio: Ready to fly the Canyon from Las Vegas? Read travel writer Keith Kravitz’ honest opinion of Papillon Helicopters (and more) at Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour Reviews

Category: Travel
Keywords: grand canyon, grand canyon tours, grand canyon helicopters, west rim, travel, las vegas, day trips