Summer is just around the corner, and that means many of us will be planning our vacations. One way you can make it one to remember, is by choosing to take a Grand Canyon helicopter or airplane tour. It's a busy time of year, so you'll want to get in early, and there are a few tips and tricks to ensure discounts for the best prices.
Flights depart from both Las Vegas, and Tusayan in Arizona. Vegas tours will take you out to the West Rim, while Arizona tours start from the South Rim of the National Park.
Air Tours from Las Vegas
There are flyover and landing tours available from Las Vegas. These tours are popular because not only will you see the Canyon, but also Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam, and other popular landmarks on the way there.
Landing tours are truly something special. You could opt for a Champagne picnic at the bottom of the Canyon, a Colorado boat trip, or even a walk out on to the world famous Skywalk. Packages are customizable so you will always find something that suits your tastes and budget.
If you're keen on landing inside or at the rim of the Canyon, Vegas tours are the way to go, because South Rim tours from Arizona are licensed for flyover only.
South Rim Tours from Arizona
Although you can't take a landing tour from the South Rim, there are some fantastic air-only packages on offer.
There are two air tours available. The first is a 30 minute tour that will take you up to the North Rim and back, and then there's an even more impressive 50 minute tour that takes you to the North Rim, and all the way out to the eastern boundary of the park. On this extended tour you will see up to 75% of the Grand Canyon National Park!
Although there are no landing tours, you could choose to take an air tour, and then bundle it with a 4×4 tour on the ground. On this tour you will see some of the Grand Canyon's most impressive sights from the ground, and it really rounds off the helicopter tour.
There are plane tours from the South Rim too. They follow the same route as the longer helicopter tour, with the only difference being that you will fly at higher altitudes. Plane tours are more cost effective, so if a helicopter tour is a little out of your budget, this is an alternative that still offers a world class experience.
Getting the Best Deals on Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours
There's one sure way to guarantee the best ticket prices and early bird discounts, and that is to book online. Booking at least two weeks in advance means that you will avoid last minute ticket pricing, so I recommend that you confirm your bookings as soon as you have made hotel arrangements. Booking online means that you will also have easy access to the latest promotions.
Booking in advance won't just ensure the best prices, but will also mean that you can fly when you want to. All of the Grand Canyon helicopter tours, and even the airplane tours are hugely popular. Booking early will avoid disappointment once you're in Las Vegas or Arizona.
See You at the Canyon!
Hopefully this article has given you a better insight towards the tours that are available at the Grand Canyon. Don't forget that you can leave from either Las Vegas or Arizona, so there is some convenience for people who are travelling from different parts of the country. Book online, and book early, you'll get the best prices and your preferred schedules.
There's no place on earth like the Grand Canyon, and there's no better way to see this natural wonder than on a West Rim or South Rim air tour. I hope you'll get to see it all soon.
Martin Wynn
