subject: Quick Grand Canyon Tour? Take A Helicopter Ride To The West Rim [print this page] Did you know that a round-trip helicopter flight from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon's West is only three hours? And, if you wish to plant your feet on the bottom of the Canyon, it's only another 30 minutes?
That's remarkable. Especially since it takes nearly five hours to the Rim and back by motor coach.
This is great news for travelers on a tight schedule as now they can visit Grand Canyon West and return to Vegas with lots of time to spare. It's also the perfect trip for visitors looking for to "do" the Canyon in the most effective way possible.
Las Vegas is home to some of the biggest helicopter tour companies in the U.S. Papillon, Maverick, Mustang, and Grand Canyon Helicopters are all here. The benefit to you? Cheap, quality tours. These operators compete for your travel dollar (or Euro, Yen, Pound, or Mark) and will lower their prices to get it.
Grand Canyon West air tours start at $220, departing from the Las Vegas area and flying over Lake Mead (the biggest reservoir in United States), historic Hoover Dam, Fortification Hill (an extinct volcano, and the West Rim before returning to the Las Vegas Strip.
The fantastic thing about Grand Canyon West helicopter flights are the upgrades. If you are feeling adventurous, you can add a Canyon descent, pontoon river rafting, horseback riding, ATV tours and kayaking. The most popular add-on is the Grand Canyon Skywalk, literally a glass bridge that extends 70 feet over the lip of the rim, suspending you 4,000 feet above the Colorado River.
Additionally, you can upgrade an ordinary helicopter to an EcoStar, which is comes with a bigger, quieter cabin, large wraparound windows, a two-way digital communication system (talk to the pilot, other guests), and stadium-style seating that lets everyone get the "best view in the house." And, if you would like the helicopter just for you your group, charter a helicopter, which includes picking your departure time as well as flight route.
Standard for all tour packages is hotel pick-up and drop-off (you can upgrade the bus to a limousine). Combo packages and landing tours typically include lunch or champagne brunch. Departures leave from McCarran International Airport and Boulder City Airport, located just east of Henderson, NV.
Along with Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, your heli tour will incorporate outstanding views of Joshua Tree forest, buttes, spires, red rock formations, giant boulders, sheer cliffs, and the roaring Colorado River. Be sure to bring an extra, charged battery for your camera or camcorder - there's lots of picture-taking opportunities.
Grand Canyon West is one of Las Vegas' best day trips. Just 120 miles to the east, it's reachable by bus, airplane, and helicopter. Because of competition, heli tours are priced right, and are perfect for travelers who enjoy aerial views of the Mojave Desert and the Grand Canyon. Heli tours are also perfect for travelers who have only a few days in Las Vegas or like the thrill of flying. If you are visiting Vegas, definitely consider including a helicopter ride to the West Rim. It will likely be the highlight of the trip.
by: Keith Kravitz
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