If Christmas is starting to feel the same, year after year, then it's time to make things interesting. If you've ever wanted to see the Grand Canyon, then the Christmas Holiday season is one of the best times to do it. Epic views, perfect clear weather for sightseeing, and tours that run every day except the 25th mean that you can make your holiday stand out in 2016.
You can fly to the Canyon from either Las Vegas, or Tusayan in Arizona. Vegas choppers go to the West Rim, and Tusayan tours start at the South Rim. Which will it be? Let's take a look at what is on offer and help you to decide.
West Rim Vegas Tours
With the city of Las Vegas being such a massive attraction and tourist hub, it should come as no surprise to learn that the most popular tours leave from this area. They fly directly to the West Rim, and you'll have plenty of options when it comes to tickets.
The standard package includes a flyover of the Canyon, before heading back to Las Vegas. However, if you want more adventure, then a landing tour is what you're looking for. You can choose to land at the top of the rim, or even at the bottom of the Canyon. If you have the time and the budget, you can even book tickets that include top and bottom helicopter landings!
If you choose the bottom landing, then I highly recommend the Champagne Picnic. This will take you on a slow descent to the bottom of the Canyon, allowing you to disembark right next to the Colorado River. Here you can enjoy a glass of Champagne and a selection of gourmet snacks, and you'll have some time to explore the area. To make this one even better, you could add a river boat tour to the package.
If you choose to land at the top, then make sure you don't miss out on the Grand Canyon Skywalk. If you book your tickets online, then you can get VIP access to the Skywalk in advance. This will mean that you don't have to wait in the regular line and you will have more time to explore your surroundings. The Skywalk is an adventure on its own, allowing you to step out onto a transparent platform that is 4000ft above the bottom of the canyon, and around 70ft from the edge of the rim at its most extended point.
South Rim Tours from Arizona
Tusayan is the gateway to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and due to National Park rules there are no landing helicopter tours here. Don't worry, though, because the flyover tours are spectacular and will allow you to see some of the most remote regions of the Canyon.
There are two tours leaving from Tusayan. The standard tour takes 30 minutes and goes from the South Rim, up to the remote and mysterious North Rim, and then back again. You'll experience the Dragoon Corridor (widest and deepest trench in the Canyon), as well as the Colorado River Confluence. This tour covers a lot, but I still recommend going for the second option.
Why? Because it's a 50 minute tour that covers around 75% of the entire National Park. You will cover everything that the standard tour does, but you'll also fly out to the eastern park boundaries. The extended tour gives you a lot of value for a relatively small increase in ticket price, making it one of the most popular options out of any Grand Canyon tour.
Basic or Deluxe?
When booking, you'll be able to choose from basic and deluxe helicopters. Basic tours use slightly older (but still world class) helicopters like the Bell Ranger. If you choose deluxe, then you'll fly in a premium EcoStar 130. If your budget can stretch, then I say go for deluxe. The helicopter is larger inside, has a stadium style seating layout, it is quieter, and there's a huge panoramic window that wraps around 180 degrees of the front of the helicopter.
Bookings and Conclusion
Christmas is fast approaching, so tickets are going to be in high demand. I recommend waiting no later than 2 weeks before the date that you want to fly, and remember that there are no tours on the 25th of December. Make sure that you book online with your credit card to get the best ticket rates, and this will also ensure that your seats are locked in.
South Rim or West from Las Vegas, the choice is yours. I recommend the landing tours at the West Rim, or the extended 50 minute tour if you're going to be travelling from Arizona. Whichever you choose, make the most of the festive season and ensure that your Christmas is special with a Grand Canyon helicopter tour.
Martin Wynn
