Vegas is famous for extraordinary things you can do. Grand Canyon heli rides are no exception. Just in time for summer, you can now fly to the bottom part of the canyon, boat down the Colorado River and walk the Grand Canyon Glass Walkway. And you do all this in one day!

This excitement starts by hopping a helicopter and taking off from the Vegas area for Grand Canyon West, situated just 120 miles away. On the way, you get a bird\’s eye view of Lake Mead, the biggest reservoir in the U.S., and Hoover Dam, the second largest dam in the country.

You\’re in canyon country as you fly over Grand Cliffs wash. Here the heli will begin its gradual descent into the gorge. Buttes, spires and cliffs surround you as you fly above the winding Colorado River. The general affect of this primordial scenery is stunning.

The chopper will land on a dirt clearing that\’s about 100 yards from the river. A Hualapai Indian will open the chopper door and direct you to a genuine Indian Ramada. You\’ll get together with your other passengers here and begin the short stroll to the boat dock.

The Hualapai manage the boating portion of this heli trip. The watercraft are steel pontoon boats with outboard engines. Seating is comfy and the views are utterly stunning. Nate was our river pilot. His familiarity with this riparian area was extraordinary. He motored upstream, cut the engines and let us float back at 15 mph.

Our helicopter pilot welcomed us back on board. He inspected the instrument panel, revved up the chopper, gave us the thumbs up and away we went. The ascent was exhilarating. I was in the front. It was like being in an IMAX movie. We cut through a gorge, rounded the rim and landed at the Grand Canyon West heliport.

Next up: The Grand Canyon Sky Walk. This cantilevered bridge lets you wander 70 feet past the edge of the canyon. The feeling is nothing short of breathtaking. Particularly when you bear in mind that you happen to be standing 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. No cameras are permitted. Professional photographers are ready to take your picture. Select the multi-image offer. There’s no time limit on how long you can stay. The north side has the best views.

Never pay full full price for these heli rides. This means staying away from the hotel concierge and the high-pressure sales reps that populate the Vegas Strip. Instead, acquire your helicopter excursions on the internet. The very best deals are on the Web. I regularly get trips that are discounted by up to 25%. Reserve your trip in advance. These tours are hot and sell out. Selecting before you reach Vegas helps ensure that you and your group have seats.

This is the most enjoyable Las Vegas helicopter excursion to the Grand Canyon I\’ve ever taken. First is the fact that you get to land at the bottom. This can only be done at the Grand Canyon West. Then there\’s the serene boat ride down the river. Just when you think you\’ve seen it all, you walk the Grand Canyon Glass Walk Way. This isn\’t the inexpensive chopper tour out there. But it\’s by far the most definitive. If you have the money, do it.

Author Bio: Mr. Kravitz is a travel writer who reviews tours to the Grand Canyon. Go here for his Top 3 Grand Canyon helicopter tour operators. Rankings are based on safety, quality and price. Use these reviews and enjoy the flight of a lifetime!

Category: Travel
Keywords: grand canyon, las vegas, vegas, helicopters, travel, vacation, national park, west rim, south rim