The Grand Canyon is both vast and fascinating. It was carved out of the Kaibab Plateau by the Colorado River in a process that has taken about two billion years.

The canyon is 277 miles long and up to a mile deep. It is 18 miles wide in certain places. It covers an area of approximately 1.2 million acres in size. Tours on Grand Canyon helicopters are so popular because the National Park is so immense. How else could you see more than a tiny portion of this Natural Wonder of the World?

Seeing the canyon from the air is the only way to truly appreciate its beauty. The air tours that fly over the West Rim depart from Boulder City in Nevada or Vegas, while tours of the South Rim depart from Sedona or Tusayan in Arizona. There is no helicopter service between the South and West Rim.

The Rims

The South Rim is too far for choppers to make it from Vegas or Boulder City, so that is why they only go to the West Rim. If you are staying in Vegas and really want to see the South Rim, you can take a plane tour there and then hop on a chopper for a fun rim-to-rim aerial tour.

When you take an air tour of the South Rim, you pick between a thirty-minute flight or a more comprehensive 50 minute tour. If you choose to take a tour of the West Rim, you can go on an air only tour or select a landing tour that adds a lot of excitement to your trip.

Seeing The Sights

Both of the rims provide you with spectacular scenic views from the window of your helicopter. West Rim flights pass over Hoover Dam and scenic Lake Mead, but you\’ll also see the Mojave Desert and Fortification Hill (an extinct volcano). South Rim flights are equally scenic. Since helicopters fly much lower than airplanes, they are perfect for sightseeing.

You\’ll get birds-eye views of fascinating rock formations like Unkar Delta, Vishnu Temple, the Zuni Corridor and more. The rim-to-rim flights you can take at the South Rim take you over the impressive Dragoon Corridor, which is the deepest and widest part of the Grand Canyon. You might even catch glimpses of some of the animals that call the canyon home as it\’s said that 355 species of birds live there, along with 89 mammal and 47 reptile species. The rare California condor is just one of them.

The pilots on these tours are a lot of fun since they tell stories about the history and geology of the canyon during your trip. The information they share makes your tour very interesting and educational.

Tour Upgrades

You can add different options to your helicopter tour. For example, you can go on a fun horseback ride through the beautiful landscape or take a relaxing float trip down the river. Some offer an optional overnight stay in a traditional Native American teepee. You can even arrange for a limo to pick you up and drop you off at your hotel in Las Vegas. There is a West Rim tour that is very popular because it takes you to the floor of the canyon where you can enjoy a Champagne picnic. Flying in the evening is fun too because you get an awesome view of the lights of Vegas and the Strip. Other tour options you can include are a show and dinner when the flight is over.

Recap

Taking a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon is worth the price, but it doesn\’t hurt to look for the best price. Go to the tour operator\’s website to book your tour because you will find the lowest prices there. You are offered a low Internet price when you complete your transaction online. You should also book in advance because these tours are so popular. Book at least a week ahead, but two is even better.

Most awesome way to check out the Grand Canyon? Go on a helicopter ride. Travel author L. Plunket advises checking out this website for the cheapest rates on the top flights: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopter.org/grand-canyon-helicopter-tour-coupons.html

Most awesome way to check out the Grand Canyon? Go on a helicopter ride. Travel author L. Plunket advises checking out this website for the cheapest rates on the top flights: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopter.org/grand-canyon-helicopter-tour-coupons.html

Author Bio: Most awesome way to check out the Grand Canyon? Go on a helicopter ride. Travel author L. Plunket advises checking out this website for the cheapest rates on the top flights: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopter.org/grand-canyon-helicopter-tour-coupons.html

Category: Travel
Keywords: Grand Canyon Helicopters