Halloween is coming up at the end of this month, and for you that could mean it's time for a special vacation. If you're looking for something out of the ordinary to do, why not try a Grand Canyon flight from either Las Vegas, or Arizona. There are airplane and helicopter tours available, with plenty of different packages. All you need to do is choose one that fits your taste and your budget.
The Best Helicopter Air Tours
Flights run all year around, except for Christmas Day, so you don't need to worry about special schedules over Halloween. If you're flying from the Vegas area, then flights will leave from The Strip, nearby Boulder City, or Henderson. If the South Rim at Arizona is more convenient for you, then you can fly from the town of Tusayan, which is right at the gates of the Grand Canyon National Park.
The great thing about flying from Vegas is that there are landing tours available. Air tours are great, and they offer unrivalled sightseeing, but landing gives you something a little extra that you won't find anywhere else. You can choose to land at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, the top, or even both. At the bottom you could indulge in a Champagne picnic or even a Colorado River tour, whereas the top of the Canyon has the famous Skywalk. The Skywalk is a stunning glass and metal platform which sits almost 4000ft above the bottom of the Canyon. You will feel as if you're walking on air when you step out onto the platform. You can purchase air flights that include Skywalk tickets in the package.
Although you can't take a landing tour from Arizona, you will still be in for some spectacular sightseeing. There are two Grand Canyon flights available from Tusayan. One is a 30 minute journey, while the other is closer to an hour. I recommend the second option because it shows you much more of the park, taking you to the North Rim, the eastern boundary, and back to the South Rim. All in all you will see around three quarters of the entire National Park, and this is the only air tour that offers such a comprehensive flyover.
Choosing Between Deluxe and Basic
When you book your flight, you will have to choose either deluxe or basic tickets. Basic tickets offer fantastic views, albeit inside slightly older helicopters. These helicopters offer safe sightseeing with great visibility, but they're no longer state of the art.
If you want the best experience possible, then you will have to book a deluxe tour. Deluxe tours use EcoStar 130 helicopters. These helicopters are larger inside, offering improved comfort. They also have the best seating arrangement for sightseeing, and they also have a huge viewing windscreen that is designed for sightseeing. If you choose deluxe in Vegas, then you will fly from the strip and receive a limousine shuttle service. Basic tours depart from just outside of Vegas, and use standard shuttle services.
Airplane Tours
There are also airplane tours that offer the same routes as helicopters at the North Rim and South Rim. The difference with these tours is that they fly higher than helicopters, so the view you get isn't as close. This is not to say that the experience isn't fantastic, and because airplanes can seat 19 passengers, they're a good idea for larger groups. Airplane tours also cost less than both basic and deluxe helicopter tours, so if you're flying on a budget, you should seriously consider taking an Airplane.
Conclusion
What's it going to be? Deluxe or basic? Airplane or Helicopter? North Rim, or South Rim? With so many fantastic Grand Canyon flights, it can be hard to choose. My recommendation is that you fly from the area that's most convenient for you, and choose the best package that you can afford. Spending a little more for something like the Champagne picnic at the North Rim means that you'll experience the Canyon like few ever have.
Halloween is right around the corner, so you should make your booking within the next week. Book online for the best deals and seat confirmation, and prepare yourself for a sightseeing vacation that is unlike anything else on earth.
Martin Wynn
