The Grand Canyon National Park is particularly beautiful at the South Rim, and you can take in all of that beauty when you tour the area by helicopter. Flights are available all year round, and can be surprisingly affordable. To help you choose the best one for you, I've put together this simple list of my top 3 flights at the South Rim.
Top Tour #1: Extended 50 Minute Flyover
The National Park is huge, but having a helicopter allows you to take in most of the sights, in a relatively short amount of time. In fact, if you choose the 50 minute tour, then you will get to see around 75% of the National Park. This tour
starts in Tusayan Arizona, flies to the remote North Rim, and also out to the eastern regions of the park.
Although this is the costliest South Rim tour, it is still my number one pick, simply because it allows you to see so much of the area. Some highlights are the Dragoon Corridor, and the impressive Colorado River Confluence.
Top Tour #2: Standard 30 Minute Flyover
If you're on a tight budget but you don't want to miss out on the opportunity to see the Grand Canyon from the air, then go for the 30 minute flyover tour. It follows the same route as the extended tour, with the difference being that it doesn't include the eastern areas of the park. You will still fly through the Dragoon Corridor, which is the deepest and widest part of the Canyon.
Top Tour #3: Combination Land / Air Tour
This tour is another one of my favorites, and it allows you to see the Grand Canyon from two completely different perspectives. It includes the standard 30 minute flyover tour, as well as a jeep tour that goes through all of the main landmarks on the ground. The jeep tour is an additional two and a half hours, and allows you to see spots like Yaki Point, Mather Point, and the historic Grand Canyon Village where you can enjoy shopping and refreshments.
Landing Tours
All tours at the South Rim are flyover tours, and you can't actually land within the National Park. This is due to landing flights being banned by the park service. If you do want to experience a flyover journey that lands at the Grand Canyon, then you can check out any of the flights that go from Las Vegas to the West Rim.
Additional Info
You should keep in mind that there are two tiers of tours operating at the South Rim, so you will need to choose either basic or deluxe. The big difference is in the helicopter that you will fly in. The deluxe tours use a premium EcoStar 130 helicopter. This helicopter is bigger than the typical Bell Ranger helicopters that are used on tours, so it allows for a more comfortable flight. The seats are laid out in a stadium pattern, so all 5 passengers get a great view, and the helicopter also features a 180 degree windshield that allows for panoramic views. As long as you can make it work with your budget, deluxe is always the best option to go for.
Conclusion
I hope this has helped you to find the best tour package at the Grand Canyon. Remember that South Rim tours don't land within the Canyon, so if you want that experience, then you will have to take a tour to the West Rim from Las Vegas. Although these tours all start in Tusayan, you can also take a one hour flight from Vegas before boarding a helicopter. Go for the extended tour for the most comprehensive air sightseeing, or choose the combination tour if you want some real adventure mixed in with your tour. Whatever you choose, make the most of your budget, and plan for an exciting day with some of the most breathtaking scenery on earth.
Martin Wynn
