There are lots of Grand Canyon helicopter tours but the one really gets travelers excited is the one that comes with a Colorado River boat ride. Yes, indeed, this is the king of all tours and deserves the attention of all visitors considering a flight to the Canyon.

See It All

This tour, which is also referred to as the \”4-and-1, \” departs only from Las Vegas (South Rim helicopters are not permitted to fly below the rim and land at the bottom). This tour leaves about three times daily and stays grounded on Christmas Day.

The standard flight path goes over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Grand Wash Cliffs, the Canyon and the Colorado River before descending some 4,500 feet to the base (takes about 15 minutes). Then you exit the aircraft and take a nice 100-yard stroll to the River.

Boats used are 19-seat motorized pontoons. They are adventure-grade and very stable, durable and safe. You\’ll cruise up the River for about 15 minutes before your experienced river pilot cuts the engine and drifts down to the docks. It\’s an utterly phenomenal experience.

The Ascent

There\’s time for pictures and exploration at the bottom and then it\’s back on the chopper for the flight back to the top. To get there, you\’ll take a side canyon that goes by Guano Point, Eagle Point and the inimitable Grand Canyon Skywalk.

The helicopter will land at the Grand Canyon West helipads. Once you exit, you\’ll transfer to a shuttle bus and be driven to the main Skywalk complex where you\’ll get your VIP Skywalk tickets as well as your partner-guide (usually one of the Hualapai Indian natives).

You\’ll be thankful this is a VIP ticket because it lets you cut to the front of the line, which during summer can be excessively long and hot. On the Glass Bridge, you\’ll get to walk some 70 feet past the edge until you are standing 4,000 feet over the bottom! It\’s here where you\’ll get the best views.

Perks

This particular flight comes with a ton of perks. First, it includes free transpiration to and from your hotel. Lunch is also included and so are all taxes, fees and fuel surcharges. The only thing you need to bring is a super-charged sense of adventure and off you go.

Do bear in mind that it\’s hot at the West Rim during the summer months. My recommendation is that you dress accordingly. Helicopters have great climate control so no need to be concerned there. It\’s when you exit the aircraft that you need to be prepared. I suggest you bring a hat, sunglasses, sun block and a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt.

This tour sells out all the time. To make sure you get seats, please book it way in advance. I recommend at least two to three weeks (forget it if you want to do it within 48 hours). In fact, I\’d book this tour after I secured my hotel. I know it sounds crazy early but I know from experience how limited this trip is.

Conclusion

I hope this article about the 4-in-1 helicopter proved helpful as you consider your Grand Canyon flight options. I do recommend this tour but you have to book it early as it only has three departure times during the summer months and less during winter! And dress for heat. The bottom of the Canyon is hotter than the top so make sure you have all your bases covered.

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: grand canyon, las vegas, grand canyon helicopters, las vegas helicopters, grand canyon flights,