Although there are plenty of other choices, Grand Canyon helicopters are my hands-down favorite way to see the National Park. It\’s because the experience is so intense.

To begin with, choppers fly lower than planes and give you a closer view of the sights. They\’re also much more maneuverable. Unlike planes, helicopters can bank tightly and they\’re able to weave their way through the amazing buttes and cliffs at the National Park.

Helicopter tours cover a lot of area, too. South Rim choppers show you almost 3/4 of the entire Park in less than 60 minutes. And some West Rim flights land on the top and/or the canyon bottom!

Picking Your Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour

Your first choice is your tour\’s departure point. South Rim tours take off from Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN) at Tusayan, Arizona (just outside the Park\’s main gates). West Rim helicopter tours fly out of Las Vegas-area airfields. As I\’ll explain in a second, your choice of departure point depends in part on the type of tour you want. Air-only tours are offered at either place, but landing tours are only available from Las Vegas to the West Rim.

Air-only tours fly to the canyon, show you many of the rim\’s highlights, and then turn back for the airfield. In contrast, West Rim landing tours fly over the canyon, but also land either at the top or on the bottom. Grand Canyon West is the only place in the canyon where choppers are allowed to land on the bottom, and this is the most popular landing tour of them all. After landing, passengers enjoy a picnic near the Colorado River before flying back up to the top. The amped-up version of this tour adds VIP access to the Grand Canyon Skywalk and a smooth-water float trip down the Colorado.

If you prefer the South Rim, you can choose a 30- or 50-minute flight out of GCN. The shorter version is an exciting rim-to-rim flight (South to North and back) through dramatic Dragoon Corridor.

The longer version does that too, but also covers the Park up to its eastern boundary and a bigger chunk of the North Rim. Just wait \’til you see the beautiful turquoise waters of the Little Colorado River!

Booking

Tours on Grand Canyon helicopters are incredibly popular, so it\’s important to book at least a week or so ahead. You might get away with pushing your luck by waiting to book until three days before the date you want, but I don\’t suggest it.

The Internet has the best rates, but you have to know where to go. I\’d avoid the big online travel brokers and book directly with the tour company. If you complete your purchase on the tour company\’s website, you\’ll qualify for a great Internet rate. I\’ve saved up to 30% off retail just by booking this way.

Summing Up

Helicopters are a terrific way to see the glorious Grand Canyon. Flights from Vegas go to Grand Canyon West, while flights from GCN do the South Rim. Air-only tours can be a good choice for folks who are short on time or have limited budgets. Landing tours are more expensive but give you a more comprehensive canyon experience. Finally, book ahead and do it on the Web. You\’ll get a great price if you complete your transaction online!

Ready to fly the Grand Canyon? Make sure to do it on a helicopter. Trips available from Las Vegas, NV, and Tusayan, AZ. Go here for the lowest prices on the best flights: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopter.org/west-rim-coupons.html

Ready to fly the Grand Canyon? Make sure to do it on a helicopter. Trips available from Las Vegas, NV, and Tusayan, AZ. Go here for the lowest prices on the best flights: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopter.org/west-rim-coupons.html

Author Bio: Ready to fly the Grand Canyon? Make sure to do it on a helicopter. Trips available from Las Vegas, NV, and Tusayan, AZ. Go here for the lowest prices on the best flights: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopter.org/west-rim-coupons.html

Category: Travel
Keywords: grand canyon helicopters