subject: Great Las Vegas Day Trips - Taking A Helicopter Tour To The Bottom Of The Grand Canyon [print this page] Headed to Las Vegas and looking for fun and exciting things to do? How about this: Hop aboard a chopper and descend 4,000 feet to the bottom of the Grand Canyon where you'll deplane next to the Colorado River to savor a glass of Champagne.
Sound awesome? It is.
Luckily, you'll be in Las Vegas because it's the only place where you can take this miraculous tour. Prices start at $280 and depart daily year-round, including all major holidays. The three major Las Vegas-based helicopter tour operators - Papillon, Maverick, and Sundance - offer it. Go and visit Papillon's website for the lowest price. I've used it multiple times to book trips and can vouch that it's safe and secure.
It takes a helicopter 45 minutes to fly from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West, which is 120 miles due east. On your way, you'll see Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Grand Cliffs Wash, and the Skywalk before start your descent.
The Grand Canyon, a World Heritage Site, is 277 miles long, averages 4,000 feet in depth, and comprises 1.2 million acres of land. It's considered by experts to be one of the finest examples of arid-land erosion around the world. It's also famous for its geologic importance: You'll see sections of the Earth's crust that range from 200 million to 2 billion years old.
Be on the lookout for plant and animal life. The canyon hosts several major ecosystems and up to seven life zones - basically a landscape that would require you to drive from Mexico to Canada! Inside its protected borders, the Canyon claims more than 355 bird, 89 mammalian, 47 reptile, 8 amphibian, 17 fish, and 1,500 plant species.
Helicopters alight on private dirt helipads on the canyon floor. Once the rotors stop turning, you'll deplane and cheers your adventure with a glass of Champagne. Light snacks are provided. You'll have 30 minutes to explore. I suggest you hunt for fossils (the Canyon was once under a great ancient sea) or hike a stretch to find petroglyphs. You can also upgrade your package to include a pontoon boat ride down the Colorado River.
Most helicopter rides are flown aboard EcoStar 130 aircraft. These "birds" are created specifically for sightseeing, featuring comfortable stadium-style seating, climate-controlled cabins, and 180-degree wraparound windshields that deliver unobstructed views. The aircraft also feature two-way communication systems that let you talk to your pilot-guide. Pre-recorded taped narrations are available in multiple languages for foreign guests.
The West Rim is the only place in the Grand Canyon where you can fly below the rim and land on the bottom. These chopper tours all originate exclusively out of Vegas. There are no helicopter flights from the West Rim to the South Rim and vice versa. The descent is the main highlight of a trip that includes Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and Grand Canyon West. Prices start under $300 per person and include hotel pick up and drop, Champagne, and light snack. Lasting just four hours, this helicopter adventure makes the perfect day trip for Las Vegas travelers looking for the ultimate thrill.
by: Keith Kravitz
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