As the first holiday of summer, Memorial Day is the perfect chance for you to head out to the Grand Canyon on a helicopter or plane air tour. Tours don't slow down for Memorial Weekend, so there are still tickets available, however you'll need to get in fast because this is one of the busiest times of year.
There are tours that leave from both Arizona and Las Vegas. Leaving Las Vegas will have you on a tour that takes you to the West Rim, while Arizona flights head out to the South Rim.
Choosing a Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour
Helicopters are the most popular tours because they are able to fly at lower altitudes. The tours from Las Vegas take a route over Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, so you get a fair amount of value with your ticket.
You can choose an air only flight, or one that lands at the bottom or top of the Canyon. Tours that go inside the Canyon are the most popular, especially the one that includes a Champagne picnic. There are various extras that can be added to your tour, including a Colorado River boat tour, or a walk out on to the Grand Canyon Skywalk. The Skywalk is a thrill-seeker's dream, allowing anyone to step out 70ft over the Canyon's edge, suspended by reinforced viewing glass that reveals the Canyon 4000ft below.
If you want to see the South Rim, there are no landing tours, however the sheer scope of the South Rim tours can make up for this. The first air-only tour is a 30 minute ride that will take you to the North Rim, and back again. The one I recommend though, is the almost one hour tour that covers 75% of the Grand Canyon National Park. This tour covers everything from the shorter tour, and then adds a route that goes right out to the Eastern boundary.
Airplane Grand Canyon Air Tours
Airplane tours cover similar routes to the helicopter tours, only they fly at higher altitudes. If you want to go to the South Rim from Las Vegas, your tour will begin in an airplane. Of course you can go directly to the West Rim from Vegas in an airplane, and there are landing options too.
You can go from Vegas to the West Rim, and upgrade your ticket to land with a Skywalk tour pass. If you want to go to Arizona from Vegas, your airplane tickets can be supplemented with either of the two helicopter tours mentioned above. If you're already in or near to Arizona, flights can be taken directly from Tusayan, and they cover the same route as the extended 50 minute Grand Canyon helicopter tour.
What You Will Fly In
When it comes to helicopters, there are two options. Basic and Deluxe. Basic flights are taken in the Bell Ranger, while deluxe flights use the EcoStar 130. The Bell Ranger is an older design, although it is perfectly safe and offers good views of the scenery at the Canyon.
The EcoStar 130 excels because it is newer and was designed specifically for observation. This is evident from the large panoramic windscreen, the stadium style seating for unobstructed views, and the larger cabin for added comfort.
Booking on Time for Memorial Day
Tickets can sell out early, so if you want to fly to the Grand Canyon on Memorial Day then you should book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Book online so that you can get the best prices, because you'll avoid any added fees.
Memorial Day is an important day of remembrance. What better way is there to honor the heroes of the nation than witnessing what is arguably the most beautiful natural monument in the country?
Martin Wynn
