Valentine's Day is almost here. Make yours extra special with a tour to the Grand Canyon. From Las Vegas there are plenty of tour packages to choose from, whether you go for bus, airplane, or helicopter tours. Just be sure to book soon, because tickets are in high demand, and you won't want to miss out on seats on the day.
Departure Points
Tours can begin from Las Vegas, or Tusayan in Arizona. Flight times can vary, depending where you travel from. If you want to take a plane to the South Rim from Las Vegas, the flight will take around one hour. Buses to the West Rim take around 2.5 hours, while the bus ride from Vegas to the South Rim takes up to 5.5 hours. If you're heading to the South Rim from Phoenix in Arizona, the bus ride will be under 4 hours.
West Rim Tours
Helicopter tours are able to cover the distance, much faster. If you travel from Vegas to the West Rim, the helicopter ride takes between 30 and 45 minutes. On the way out to the Canyon, you will fly over Lake Mead and Hoover Dam. Once at the Canyon, depending on your ticket, you will perform a flyover and head back, land at the bottom of the West Rim, or land at the top. I love the landing tours, especially the one that goes inside the Canyon for a Champagne Picnic at the bottom. It's the most romantic option for Canyon touring, and perfect for Valentine's Day.
Airplanes also fly to the West Rim, but they can only land at the top of the Canyon. Don't worry though, you could still add on a helicopter ride to the bottom, and of course there's the Skywalk. The transparent glass platform provides an exhilarating experience that nothing can be compared to. If you and your significant other are adventure seekers, then the Skywalk would be perfect for Valentine's holiday.
South Rim Helicopters
There are two helicopter tours available at the South Rim. The first one is a half-hour tour that goes to the North Rim, and back again. The longer tour, which totals about 50 minutes, follows the same route, but also includes the far eastern park boundary. I recommend the longer one, because you will see up to 75% of the entire park area.
You can also tour in a plane to the South Rim, even if you leave from Las Vegas. The Vegas flight takes one hour to reach the South Rim, after which you could complete the longer 50 minute air tour. Just remember that planes fly at higher altitudes than helicopters, so the views aren't as close. They do, however, come with the advantage of seating 19 people. If you're in a group, an airplane tour may be the best option.
Bus Tours
Bus tours are the most affordable way to see the Grand Canyon. Tours will take a full day, and will give you plenty of time to explore the National Park. You can choose from basic and deluxe tours, and tickets are inclusive of fees and taxes. They also provide a light breakfast and lunch. Whether you take a bus to the West Rim or South Rim, you can add on tickets for the full experience. For example, at the West Rim, you could purchase a Skywalk ticket or a bottom landing helicopter ride, while at the South Rim, you could add on the 50 minute helicopter ride to complement the ground tour.
Conclusion
Every touring option comes in basic and deluxe. Because Valentine's is an opportunity to treat your partner, deluxe tours are the way to go. Deluxe air tours come with limousine shuttle services, so you can really impress your date. Deluxe helicopters are larger, quieter, and have larger observation windows, so deluxe is definitely the way to go.
Tours are selling out fast, so book soon. I recommend that you book at least two weeks ahead of the date you intend to travel. Book online so that you can get the best prices, and confirm your purchase with your credit card. With so many options, you will find a tour that suits your budget, which will make this year's Valentine's Day extra special.
Martin Wynn
