Are you planning to experience the Grand Canyon aboard a helicopter this year? Along with deciding between a flight originating from the South Rim or Las Vegas, you'll also need to decide between basic and deluxe air tours. If you want the best tour on the finest Grand Canyon helicopters, the deluxe package is the only way to go.
Best Value
Realistically, basic tours are the cheapest option. They are for those who have a tight budget and are a decent choice. Deluxe tours give you more. These deluxe variations offer complimentary limousine service and will give you a personalized experience that doesn't come with the basic package's shuttle van. You'll also experience a better helicopter with the deluxe package.
Basic air tours use AStar and Bell Ranger helicopters for their flights. They're good helicopters. But the deluxe package uses the EcoStar 130 which is incredible. It is 25% bigger giving more leg room and personal space. These helicopters are designed for viewing and comfort. They also use bucket stadium style seating. This makes every seat the best available. More importantly, there is a 180 degree wraparound windshield featuring panoramic views.
The deluxe tours are also incredible since they give you an extended flyover of the Las Vegas Strip. Following your visit to the Canyon, you'll have a chance to experience just how breathtaking the city is. From the Stratosphere Tower to the majestic Luxor Pyramid. This is the perfect way to see the breathtaking skyline of the most famous city in the world.
Options
These tours also have plenty of options. A Las Vegas deluxe helicopter may be chosen as a fly over or landing tour. Both will head over Lake Mead, Hoover Damn and the Colorado River as part of the Grand Canyon experience. With a fly over, you fly to the Canyon and back. It's as simple as that. With a landing tour, you actually land at the base of the canyon. This tour does include one of my favorite packages, the Champagne picnic at the base of the canyon. This package is then extended with a trip on the Colorado River and even a VIP pass on the Grand Canyon Skywalk.
South Rim helicopters are a little different. These helicopters take off from the Grand Canyon National Park Airport. This is located in Tusayan, Arizona. These tours cannot land below the rim of the canyon. So you are limited to a 30 minute or 50 minute deluxe flight. The shorter trip takes you from the South Rim to the North Rim and then beads back. As part of the tour, you will experience the Dragoon Corridor. The deluxe trip includes all of this and then extends the experience to the eastern borders of the Park.
My preference is the 50 minute flight. The reason is it does give you the chance to see up 75% of the park during your flight. If you are strapped for cash, the shorter flight is find. But if you can afford it, the 50 minute flight is the best choice.
Conclusion
I sincerely hope you found this article on the Grand Canyon deluxe helicopter tours very informative. This piece is designed to help you decide which tour is the best match for you. Just keep in mind that most helicopter tours sell out as early as two weeks before the day of the flight. To get the best prices and ensure you have a seat, I strongly recommend booking your flight online as soon as you book your Las Vegas vacation.
Martin Wynn
