Are you planning to visit the Grand Canyon? Then you are going to want to consider adding an activity or two to your list of things to do. Day trips range from helicopter rides to 1-day rafting tours and all are guaranteed to make your stay at the National Park a memorable one.

Most Popular Park

The Grand Canyon is the second-most visited national park in the U. S. Each year, nearly 5 million people come to enjoy its majestic splendor. Most of these travelers come during the summer months, and many arrive from such starting points like Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Flagstaff, AZ.

Helicopter tours are a traveler favorite. Flights depart from Las Vegas and Tusayan, AZ, the gateway to the South Rim. Vegas helicopters only go to the West Rim. That\’s because the South Rim is too far for them to fly direct. Tusayan helicopters only do the South Rim and are not permitted to fly below the rim.

On the topic of landing tours, these kinds of tours are only out of Vegas. The most popular lets you fly to the bottom for a picnic. This particular trip can be extended to include a boat ride down the Colorado River. There\’s also a trip that lands on the top of the rim and comes with tickets to the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

Rafting Trips

The rafting tours that I recommend are 1-day and feature no white water rapids. These tours are more commonly known as \”smooth-water rafting\” and \”float tours.\” I like these trips because they are affordable and can be done by kids as young as 4 years of age. They\’re also great for active seniors and groups.

The South Rim has two such rafting trips. The basic one is bus/raft. It departs from Tusayan and goes to the base of Glen Canyon Dam where all 19-passenger pontoon rafts are docked. There you\’ll embark on a 15-mile rafting adventure that includes spectacular Horseshoe Bend.

The deluxe version of the 1-day float tour starts with an airplane ride from Tusayan to Page. Then you hop a Jeep and do a 4×4 tour of Antelope Canyon (a/k/a slot canyons). Then you go to the Dam, board a raft and set course down the Colorado River to historic Lee\’s Ferry.

There are number of excellent bus tours that go from Las Vegas to the West Rim and the South Rim of the National Park. The most popular one is the South Rim trip. It lasts a full day and includes up to 2.5 hours inside the Park. Free hotel shuttle service and lunch are included.

Bus Tours

West Rim bus tours are an equally great value and come with many side trips. Travelers are hooked on the package that includes access to the Skywalk. Then there\’s the one that includes a helicopter ride to the bottom with a boat ride down the Colorado. To my mind, there\’s something for everyone when it comes to bus rides form Vegas.

Of course, Grand Canyon tours are popular, with helicopter rides in particular selling out. If you want to make sure you get seats on any of these fine trips (including airplane tours), I recommend you book them at least a week in advance.

Lastly, make sure you purchase your tour on the Internet on a secure website. I recommend the Web because that\’s where the best tour deals are to be had. I understand how exciting it is to get a great price, but always remember to complete your transaction online — it\’s the only surefire way to lock in special Web-only pricing.

Going to the Grand Canyon this summer? Consider taking a tour. For the lowest prices on the best trips, definitely start here first: http://www.grandcanyon123.com/deal-sheet.html.

Going to the Grand Canyon this summer? Consider taking a tour. For the lowest prices on the best trips, definitely start here first: http://www.grandcanyon123.com/deal-sheet.html.

Author Bio: Going to the Grand Canyon this summer? Consider taking a tour. For the lowest prices on the best trips, definitely start here first: http://www.grandcanyon123.com/deal-sheet.html.

Category: Travel
Keywords: taking a tour