Visiting the Grand Canyon is a once-in-a-lifetime event and that’s why I recommend taking the 4-in-1 helicopter tour from Las Vegas. This trip takes you to the top and the bottom and beyond. Do it and you’ll have the privilege of joining an elite group of travelers who’ve seen the National Park in ways that few ever will.

From Las Vegas

Please note that this tour is only available from Las Vegas because only Vegas choppers are allowed to fly below the rim and land at the bottom. By contrast, South Rim helicopters are banned from doing this by the National Park Service because of noise regulations, among other things.

The tour starts goes over Lake Mead and Hoover Dam before entering Grand Canyon airspace. The descent starts the minute you get to Grand Cliff’s Wash and from there it will take about 12-15 minutes to reach the bottom and alight on a helipad next to the world-famous Colorado River.

Unlike the Champagne Picnic tour that lands and lets you enjoy brunch at the bottom, the 4-in-1 touches down and lets you explore the bottom for the entire 30-minutes. In addition, you get to take a pontoon boat ride down the Colorado, an incredible experience in my opinion because you are floating on the very source that created the Canyon over the course of millions of years.

Skywalk

The ascent is just as dramatic as the descent as you hover up and through and between the Canyon’s incredible rock walls. Above the Rim, you’ll land at the Grand Canyon West heliport, and from there it’s just a brief shuttle ride to the inimitable Grand Canyon Skywalk, the glass bridge that lets you walk some 70 feet past the edge until you’re standing an amazing 4,000 feet over the bottom.

Couple words about the Skywalk. First, it cost more than $30 million to build. Each of the panels that make up it’s glass deck cost $250,000 each, which is one of the reasons why you can’t bring any of your personal electronics (e.g. cameras, video cameras, smart phones) with you. If you want photos, use one of the professional photographers available on the Bridge itself (go for the most expensive package – it’s the best value).

The 4-in-1 tour uses the EcoStar 130, the most superior sightseeing helicopter flying today. This aircraft is 25% larger than others in its class and features a 180-degree wraparound windshield. Moreover, it comes with stadium-style seating so nearly every seat is the best in the house. Further, this chopper is aerodynamically designed to provide the smoothest ride possible while creating the least amount of engine noise.

Departures

This tour is very limited and only departs in the morning. As such, I urge any traveler interested in taking it to reserve it in as far in advance as possible, usually right after you’ve booked your hotel. Avoid booking this trip within 72 hours as in most cases the price will be more expensive and I can nearly assure you that it will be sold out, especially if you are a group of two or more people.

I hope you get the chance to visit the Grand Canyon this year and if you do I strongly recommend doing it via this helicopter tour from Las Vegas. And be prepared to take lots of photos — the views are incredible!

The author is a Grand Canyon expert and recommends going here for the best South Rim helicopter tours and here for ones that depart from Las Vegas: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopters.org/las-vegas/

The author is a Grand Canyon expert and recommends going here for the best South Rim helicopter tours and here for ones that depart from Las Vegas: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopters.org/las-vegas/

Author Bio: The author is a Grand Canyon expert and recommends going here for the best South Rim helicopter tours and here for ones that depart from Las Vegas: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopters.org/las-vegas/

Category: Travel
Keywords: South Rim helicopter