Summer is here, and that means its vacation time. What better way is there to spend a summer vacation than touring the Grand Canyon? Air tours are the best way to see the Canyon, but be warned, this is one of the busiest times of the year, so you'll need to book almost as soon as you start planning for your vacation.
Booking in advance will ensure that you get to fly on the day you want, and you'll also be able to take advantage of the best prices.
Online Bookings Make for the Best Deals
Aside from booking early, I strongly advise that you book online. Booking online saves you money because you cut out any third parties. This means no additional booking fees, and the lowest available ticket prices.
There's another trick to get better deals, and that is to book either the very first morning flight, or the final flight of the day, in the afternoon. If you do choose these flights, be aware that you might be met by a strong sunrise on the way out to the Canyon on a morning flight, and the afternoon flights mean that temperatures are at their hottest.
South Rim and West Rim Tours
Grand Canyon helicopters depart from either Las Vegas, or from Tusayan Arizona. Vegas tours fly out to the West Rim, while Arizona tours start from the South Rim. These are two unique experiences, so make sure you choose the one that appeals to you most. Even if you're staying in Vegas, you can take a connecting flight to the South Rim before hopping into a helicopter for your air tour.
Vegas has a definite advantage in that you can book landing tours. These tours can take you to the bottom of the Canyon, where you can add a Colorado River boat ride, or to the top of the Canyon where you can check out the Skywalk. The bottom landing tour even includes a picnic where you can toast your adventure with a glass of complimentary Champagne.
If you choose to fly from Arizona, you won't be able to land anywhere within the Canyon, but the spectacular views help to make up for this. There are two tours available. One is a 30 minute tour that takes you to the North Rim and back to the South, but the one that I recommend is a 50 minute tour that takes the same route, while also adding in an extended leg that flies out to the eastern boundary. On the longer tour you will see around 75% of the park, which is an experience that you don't want to pass up.
One thing that the South Rim tours offer that you can't get at the West Rim, are the 4×4 tours around the National Park. If you can make it work with your budget, these ground tours will allow you to see the Grand Canyon from another unique vantage point.
Basic or Deluxe
You'll be able to choose between basic and deluxe Grand Canyon Helicopter tours. Whichever you choose, you'll be able to select the same routes, but the advantage of deluxe tours is that you'll fly in better hardware. The modern EcoStar 130 has a huge wraparound windshield, a larger and quieter cabin, and the best seating in the air tours market. I recommend deluxe tours as long as you can work one into your budget. The better experience is worth it
Final Thoughts
Don't pass up on this opportunity to make your summer vacation the best yet. Grand Canyon helicopters are the most exciting way to see the Canyon, and they also provide the best views. Don't forget to book early, book online, and make sure you choose the package that suits you best. There are plenty of adventures to be had at the Canyon, and with the tours available you can find one that will suit your personality and budget perfectly.
Martin Wynn
