Has it been a long while since you've done something truly breathtaking? New Year's Eve is coming up fast, and if you want to celebrate in unique style, you won't find anything better than a Grand Canyon helicopter tour.
Christmas Day is the only day of the year when the tour helicopters don't fly, so you're cleared to go on New Year's Eve or any other day over your break. However, holiday tours fill up fast, so you need to buy your tour as soon as you can.
Booking early also allows you to have a wider selection in available tours, and when you buy your tour online, you'll get the lowest price available.
Las Vegas Grand Canyon Tours
Vegas is by far the most popular place to begin an air tour of the Canyon. Because of that, the Vegas tours offer a lot of options. As a little extra, some flights offer tours of The Strip, and all flights go over the Colorado River, Lake Mead, and the Hoover Dam.
If you don't want to spend much time or money, then you'll probably want to book an air-only tour. These tours provide you with amazing aerial views of the Canyon, and then fly back to Vegas. The other option is to take a landing tour, and these are very popular because you get to land at the Canyon and explore on foot.
Landing tours are so popular because they provide the most adventure. You can land at the top of the Canyon, at the bottom, or you could even do both.
The top of the rim has scenic lookouts and hiking trails. For a little extra, you could purchase a ticket to the Skywalk. The Skywalk is a world famous structure that extends 70 feet beyond the edge of the Canyon and is suspended 4000 feet above the Canyon floor. If it sounds scary, don't worry, it's actually one of the most exciting things you could ever do, and it is well worth the price.
If you want to land on the Canyon floor, you can enjoy a Champagne picnic by the Colorado River and then take a fun boat ride along the colorful Canyon walls. This landing tour is great for couples and celebrations, and is the most popular out of the landing helicopter tours.
South Rim
The South Rim begins in Arizona, in the small town of Tusayan. If you're starting in Vegas, you'll need to book a flight to Tusayan to begin your tour, but if you'll be staying in a city in Arizona, you can drive yourself to the airport in Tusayan. The airport there is located right outside of the main gates to the South Rim. Even though there are no landing tours permitted at the South Rim, you'll still find the tours there worthwhile. The standard tour is 30 minutes to the North Rim, and then back to the South Rim. The longer tour is much better because it also flies to the North Rim, but it includes a leg over to the eastern border of the Park. This flight gives you 50 minutes of air time and you get to view about 75 percent of the entire wilderness land that makes up the National Park.
Deluxe Tours
There are basic and deluxe helicopter flights to choose from. Basic helicopters follow the same routes, but they use older choppers. Don't worry, they're excellently maintained and fit for flight.
However, if you can afford it, upgrading to a deluxe tour is a good idea. The helicopters used for these tours are designed specifically for sightseeing. The seats are bigger and more comfortable, plus they are arranged stadium style so you have a good view no matter where you sit. The cabins are oversized and climate controlled. The best thing about deluxe helicopters is that they have massive wraparound windscreens that provide fantastic panoramic viewing. The newer helicopters are also quieter inside, and smoother while in flight.
Conclusion
It's going to be cold at the Canyon this year, so dress in some warm layers, with a winter jacket on over top. It can sometimes snow at the South Rim, so dress warm!
Touring the Canyon is a fun way to spend New Year's Eve. Canyon flights are popular from Las Vegas and Arizona, so make sure you book early. For the best chances of getting the tour you want, secure your seats with your credit card by buying your tour online at least two weeks in advance if you can. You will get the best prices, and you won't have to worry about losing your reservation.
Christmas Day is the only day of the year when the tour helicopters don't fly, so you're cleared to go on New Year's Eve or any other day over your break. However, holiday tours fill up fast, so you need to buy your tour as soon as you can.
Booking early also allows you to have a wider selection in available tours, and when you buy your tour online, you'll get the lowest price available.
Las Vegas Grand Canyon Tours
Vegas is by far the most popular place to begin an air tour of the Canyon. Because of that, the Vegas tours offer a lot of options. As a little extra, some flights offer tours of The Strip, and all flights go over the Colorado River, Lake Mead, and the Hoover Dam.
If you don't want to spend much time or money, then you'll probably want to book an air-only tour. These tours provide you with amazing aerial views of the Canyon, and then fly back to Vegas. The other option is to take a landing tour, and these are very popular because you get to land at the Canyon and explore on foot.
Landing tours are so popular because they provide the most adventure. You can land at the top of the Canyon, at the bottom, or you could even do both.
The top of the rim has scenic lookouts and hiking trails. For a little extra, you could purchase a ticket to the Skywalk. The Skywalk is a world famous structure that extends 70 feet beyond the edge of the Canyon and is suspended 4000 feet above the Canyon floor. If it sounds scary, don't worry, it's actually one of the most exciting things you could ever do, and it is well worth the price.
If you want to land on the Canyon floor, you can enjoy a Champagne picnic by the Colorado River and then take a fun boat ride along the colorful Canyon walls. This landing tour is great for couples and celebrations, and is the most popular out of the landing helicopter tours.
South Rim
The South Rim begins in Arizona, in the small town of Tusayan. If you're starting in Vegas, you'll need to book a flight to Tusayan to begin your tour, but if you'll be staying in a city in Arizona, you can drive yourself to the airport in Tusayan. The airport there is located right outside of the main gates to the South Rim. Even though there are no landing tours permitted at the South Rim, you'll still find the tours there worthwhile. The standard tour is 30 minutes to the North Rim, and then back to the South Rim. The longer tour is much better because it also flies to the North Rim, but it includes a leg over to the eastern border of the Park. This flight gives you 50 minutes of air time and you get to view about 75 percent of the entire wilderness land that makes up the National Park.
Deluxe Tours
There are basic and deluxe helicopter flights to choose from. Basic helicopters follow the same routes, but they use older choppers. Don't worry, they're excellently maintained and fit for flight.
However, if you can afford it, upgrading to a deluxe tour is a good idea. The helicopters used for these tours are designed specifically for sightseeing. The seats are bigger and more comfortable, plus they are arranged stadium style so you have a good view no matter where you sit. The cabins are oversized and climate controlled. The best thing about deluxe helicopters is that they have massive wraparound windscreens that provide fantastic panoramic viewing. The newer helicopters are also quieter inside, and smoother while in flight.
Conclusion
It's going to be cold at the Canyon this year, so dress in some warm layers, with a winter jacket on over top. It can sometimes snow at the South Rim, so dress warm!
Touring the Canyon is a fun way to spend New Year's Eve. Canyon flights are popular from Las Vegas and Arizona, so make sure you book early. For the best chances of getting the tour you want, secure your seats with your credit card by buying your tour online at least two weeks in advance if you can. You will get the best prices, and you won't have to worry about losing your reservation.
About the Author:
Grand Canyon National Park professional Beth Adams suggests readers check out this listing of the best chopper tours as well as this page which lists the most recent deals and promotions: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopter.org/grand-canyon-helicopter-tour-coupons.html
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