Thanksgiving is a great time to get out to Las Vegas and visit the nearby Grand Canyon. As you might imagine, it's also one of the busiest times of the year. If you want to ensure that your tour goes smoothly, then you'll need to book early, and book online to ensure you don't get disappointed on the day.
Canyon tours are at their most affordable when you book online, because there are no additional booking or travel agent fees. In my own experience, up to 35% can be saved from the standard ticket price, which becomes significant if you're travelling with friends or family.
Of course, to get these online rates, you have to complete the whole process over the internet. That means booking and paying with your credit card on one of the trusted tour sites. You'll get your tickets in just minutes, and you'll know that those awesome prices are locked in.
Your Choice – Las Vegas or the Remote South Rim
Vegas is the gateway to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, but it's not the only destination. The South Rim gets fewer visitors, but it's still worth a trip, especially if you like pure wilderness. Flights operate every day of the year, with the exception of Christmas Day. They run from just before sunrise until sunset, and the early morning and late afternoon tours are some of the best.
When you fly out from Vegas to the West Rim, you can choose to either do a flyover of the Canyon, land inside the Canyon at the bottom, or disembark at the top of the rim. It's up to you which one sounds best, or you can even combine different tours!
Although landing tours do cost more, they are worth the increase in ticket price. My personal favorite is the bottom landing tour. When you customize your options, you can take a ride on a Colorado River boat, and you can even make it so that your tour includes a flight to the top of the Canyon where you can walk out on the Skywalk. This glass and steel platform makes for a thrilling experience, as you'll be looking down 4000ft to the bottom of the Canon.
Helicopter tours leaving from Vegas include a Hoover Dam and Lake Mead flyover, and if you choose deluxe tours they will also include a flyover of the Las Vegas Strip.
South Rim
Helicopters don't fly directly to the South Rim, but you can take a one-hour plane flight from Las Vegas, and it also includes a 30-minute flyover helicopter tour once you arrive at Tusayan in Arizona.
If you start from the South Rim, then there are two main flying tours. The 30-minute tour goes from the South Rim, up to the remote North Rim, and then back again. The extended 50-minute tour (my personal recommendation) covers the same route, but also includes the eastern areas of the park. In total, the longer tour covers about 75% of the entire Grand Canyon National Park.
South Rim tours are not permitted to land within the Canyon, although there are some mixed helicopter and ground tours that are available. If you want to see things from a different perspective, then you could always try an exciting 4×4 Jeep tour.
Conclusion
Now that you know more about what's on offer from Las Vegas and Arizona, you'll be able to plan the perfect trip this Thanksgiving. Landing or flyover tours, or maybe a combination of both – the choice is yours. Make the most of your budget, book early, and book online to get the best deals on your next adventure.
Martin Wynn
