Halloween will be here at the end of the month, and while many will be out trick-or-treating and taking part in some spooky festivities, there are plenty of people who like to take this time of year to fit in a short vacation before Christmas. What better vacation is there than an air tour at the Grand Canyon?
You can take flights from Las Vegas, from nearby Boulder City, and even from Arizona in the town of Tusayan. Grand Canyon flights run every day of the year except Christmas Day, so Halloween is a great time to travel. High demand is expected for the end of October, though, so make sure you book as soon as possible.
Grand Canyon Helicopters from Las Vegas
Helicopters that fly from Las Vegas and Boulder City will fly out to the West Rim of the Canyon. Here there are attractions like the Grand Canyon Skywalk, and there are even Colorado River boat rides. Of course if you want to enjoy these, then you'll have to book a landing tour. The West Rim is the only part of the Canyon where you can land at the top of the rim, or at the riverside below.
An air tour is fantastic in itself. You will fly out past Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam, before making a scenic pass over of the Canyon. There's no better place to see the canyon than from a helicopter, and you will love the spectacular views on display.
If you can work it into your budget, I do recommend taking a landing tour. Landing tours travel the same route as the air-only tours, with the added bonus that you can land at the Canyon. Stepping out on the Skywalk, 4000ft above the Canyon, is an exhilarating experience. Even if you want to land at the bottom, the riverboat ride will offer you a complete opposite perspective to that which you get in the helicopter. You can even combine different packages to make sure that you experience everything that there is to see.
Sipping Champagne at the bottom of the Grand Canyon is not something that everyone can claim to have done, but it's exactly what you could do if you choose one of the bottom landing tours.
Air Tours at the South Rim
The South Rim in Arizona unfortunately doesn't allow for landing tours, but there are some other options that make this an exciting part of the Canyon to visit.
The first tour available will fly all the way to the North Rim of the park. This area is remote and has an air of mystery, and it's one of the less travelled areas of the Canyon. Your Grand Canyon helicopter tour could even be extended, to a full 50 minute flight which goes to the North Rim, as well as the eastern park boundary. This second option is so extensive that you will see three quarters of the National Park. For just a little extra, it is easy to recommend the second option.
Helicopters
Not every helicopter that flies to the Canyon is created equal, and that's why if you can, you should opt for deluxe tour tickets. Deluxe tours ensure that you will fly in an EcoStar 130 helicopter. It is bigger than other tour helicopters, it has larger seats, it is quieter inside, and most importantly, it has a huge wraparound windscreen that allows for unrivalled viewing of the sights.
Deluxe tours in Vegas are also more convenient because they depart directly from the Las Vegas Strip and include a limousine shuttle service. By comparison, basic tours leave from Boulder City, and require a shuttle bus ride to get out to the air pad.
The extra that you pay for a deluxe tour will offer you the greatest convenience and the best viewing experience. If it works for your budget, go with a deluxe tour. If not, there's still nothing else that compares to flying a basic package to the Grand Canyon.
Conclusion
Halloween is an exciting time of year, but yours could be even more special with a Grand Canyon Helicopter. Air tours show the Canyon from the most impressive perspective, and with so many options, it is easy to find a package that fits your budget and schedule. To ensure you are able to secure your tickets, you should book within the next week. Book online to take advantage of the best prices available, and prepare yourself for a Halloween like no other.
Martin Wynn
