If you plan to visit Las Vegas, booking a Papillon Helicopter tour the Grand Canyon is a must. Launched in 1965, Papillon is the world’s most established helicopter sightseeing company, flying approximately 600,000 passengers annually on its daily air tours to this National Park.

Papillon’s fleet is 48-aircraft strong and growing. These helis are made for sightseeing, and have wraparound windows for maximum visibility, stadium-style seating for great views, and taped tour narratives in more than 10 languages. Smooth flights, too, are assured as the bodies are streamlined to “ride the air.”

For you aviation buffs, the type of helis in the Papillon fleet include the Bell 206L, 206B, Bell 407, A-Star 350B, BA B2, MD900, and the EcoStar 130.

Each aircraft has a two-way sound system. This is essential as it lets you communicate with your pilot, travel partner, and fellow passengers as you fly above this magnificent landscape.

Papillon’s tours are safe. The company’s pilots are the best in the business and must pass a one of the industry’s most difficult pre-employment exams. Prior to all flights, pilots inspect their aircraft from “head to toe.” Papillon maintains a state-of-art maintenance hanger where experienced mechanics service them.

Papillon flies out of the Boulder . Tour packages include hotel pick up (usually 1.5 hours before departure) and drop off. If your trip has a ground “segment” (landing), a light snack or lunch is provided.

Papillon flies the West Rim (120 miles from Las Vegas) and the South Rim. The best-selling West Rim tour is the Grand Celebration. For South Rim travelers, book The Majestic.

The basic West Rim heli tour is about four hours. As you take off from Las Vegas, you’ll pass above Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, the Grand Wash Cliffs, and a series of extinct volcanoes. Depending on your tour, you’ll either land at Grand Canyon West or descend to the Canyon’s floor. For those who choose a bottom-landing flight, a river rafting upgrade is offered.

South Rim flights leave from the Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, a small town that’s minutes away from the Park’s main entrance. There are no direct heli flights to this rim. You must book either a bus/heli or airplane/heli package (Grand Canyon Deluxe w/ Helicopter). The heli takes off over the Kaibab Plateau and heads directly into the Dragoon Corridor, the widest, deepest part of the Canyon. Here, you’ll see never-ending vistas, fascinating rock spires, and sheer cliffs. The aircraft continues to the solitary North Rim before returning to the airport.

The price of Papillon’s trips is extremely competitive. But if you want to really bulk up on savings, it’s strongly recommended that you book online via their safe and secure website, which can save you up to 40 percent.

Las Vegas is a great place to stage a helicopter day trip to the Grand Canyon. Papillon is the choice for seasoned travelers, and offers packages West Rim, South Rim, and Grand Canyon Skywalk tour packages. The West Rim is only 120 miles away and takes 45 minutes to reach by heli. The South Rim is much farther, and requires a combination airplane/helicopter or bus/helicopter package. No matter how you roll the dice, you win when you fly Papillon.

Author Bio: Going to Las Vegas? Book a helicopter tour. Read respected travel writer Keith Kravitz’ review of Papillon Helicopter’s Grand Canyon tours

Category: Travel
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