Want to mix up this year's Valentine's Day with some adventure and romance? With Grand Canyon airplane tours, you can do exactly that. With tours available from Las Vegas and Arizona's South Rim, there are options for everyone. Check out the tours and book soon, because Valentine's Day is one of the busiest days of the year for these fantastic tours.
Airplanes from Las Vegas
Flying from Vegas, you can head to either the West Rim, or the South Rim in Tusayan, Arizona. On the way to the Canyon, the flights follow the same basic flight path, so no matter which tour you take, you will fly over Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. Heading to the South Rim, you will also fly over Northern Arizona.
You can choose from planes which perform air-only flights, or you can purchase tickets that land at the Grand Canyon. I prefer the landing flights, because the offer much more, and are perfect if you have a sense for adventure.
If you land at the West Rim, you can take a helicopter ride to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Here, you can enjoy a Champagne picnic (absolutely perfect for a Valentine's Day celebration), or you could take a boat ride on the Colorado River. Even if you don't take the helicopter down to the bottom, you could buy tickets for the VIP Skywalk experience. This will allow you to step out onto the transparent Skywalk, which is 4000ft above the bottom of the Canyon, and 70ft over the edge of the rim.
South Rim Tours
South Rim tours won't allow you to go inside the Canyon itself, but there are some incredible sightseeing opportunities which make up for this. It takes just an hour to get to the South Rim from Vegas. The basic plane tour includes a 50 minute flyover of the National Park. This is identical to the helicopter tour that is available, although you will be flying at a higher elevation. This tour takes you on a route that covers 75% of the entire National Park!
There's also a bus tour available, which is 2.5 hours long. It goes to all the major landmarks at the South Rim, and provides plenty of photo opportunities. You can even combine packages which would have you flying to the South Rim, completing the bus tour, and also taking a 30 minute helicopter tour to the North Rim, and back to the South Rim.
Dress for the Weather
It's going to be cold at the Canyon, so dress in layers. Make sure you have a jacket on top if you will be taking one of the landing tours. The South Rim is colder than the West Rim, due to the higher elevation.
Booking in Advance
Valentine's Day is one of the most popular times of the year for Grand Canyon helicopter flights. Whether you will go from Las Vegas to the West Rim, or the South Rim, make sure that you book early. Both areas sell out fast, so you should book at least two weeks in advance. Booking online means that you will get the best prices, and completing the purchase with your credit card will ensure that the seats are confirmed and there's no disappointment on the day.
Conclusion
I hope this has helped you to plan the best Valentine's Day for you and your special someone. There's nothing quite like the Grand Canyon for a romantic and adventurous getaway. Remember that there are plenty of options to suit your budget, and book online before your trip, so that you can confirm your seats and get the best prices. If you're at the West Rim, the bottom landing tour is the highlight. For South Rim travelers, choose the 50 minute flight over the National Park, for the most extensive sightseeing experience. Whatever you choose, have fun, and make the most of Valentine's Day 2016.
Martin Wynn
