5 Great Reasons to Take a Las Vegas Helicopter Tour to the Grand Canyon West Rim
Need a great day trip idea while in Las Vegas
? Do the Grand Canyon. Most people start by considering a bus tour because it's cheap. Tempting as that might be, give the bus a pass, unless you prefer spending a lot of your quality time driving. Rather, take a helicopter tour. Here are five excellent reasons why it's the best option.#1. Helicopters are fast!
It takes a helicopter 45 minutes to reach Grand Canyon West, otherwise known as the West Rim (it takes a bus 2.5 hours). The helicopter you'll be flying is not your average aircraft. It's been fully customized for sightseeing and sports 180-degree wraparound windows, climate-controlled cabins, and stadium-style seating. Papillon Helicopters, for example, offers a great tour called the Golden Eagle, which takes you over the West Rim and the famous Grand Canyon Skywalk. This trip also includes Lake Mead and Hoover Dam flyovers. Total tour time, including pick up and drop off from you Las Vegas hotel, is 3.5 hours.
#2. Helicopters fly to the bottom
The Grand Canyon is huge, but it's only at the West Rim, located 120 miles east of Las Vegas, where you can land on the bottom. The 4,000-foot descent is nothing short of incredible as the Canyon's steep walls, fantastical rock formations, and deep crevasses pass before your very eyes. The most popular trip is Papillon's Grand Celebration, which lands on the Canyon floor and includes a Champagne toast and lots of time for exploration.
#3. Helicopters give you the best aerial views of the Grand Canyon Skywalk
More than a million people have experienced the world-famous Grand Canyon Skywalk. Located at Grand Canyon West, it's an engineering marvel. The $31-million "Glass Bridge" extends 70 feet over the edge and lifts you 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. It's a remarkable sight to see from the air, as it appears to hang precariously from the lip of the Rim. Two tours do this structure justice: Papillon's Golden Eagle Air tour, which flies above the Skywalk and its Golden Eagle Skywalk Express, which lands at the Grand Canyon West airstrip and includes VIP access the Skywalk.
#4. Helicopter feature the most complete canyon tours
Want the most immersive Grand Canyon experience? Try Papillion's Grand Celebration Skywalk and Boat Tour. This helicopter trip starts with descent to the bottom where you walk a short way to your pontoon boat. It's a smooth-water rafting ride and all ages are welcome. Return to the West Rim by motor coach and explore the Canyon's edge before flying back to Las Vegas. This is the tour where you can really say you've seen it all.
#5 Helicopter trips are inexpensive
Helicopter tours let you see more Canyon in less time. Moreover, you get to free aerial views of Lake Mead and Hoover Dam. Air-only trips start at $200 and go up as you upgrade them to include such things as raft rides and Skywalk tickets. By far, Papillon Helicopters is the cheapest without having to sacrifice quality and service. To get their best rates, buy direct on their website.
Summary
Las Vegas helicopters can get you to Grand Canyon West in 45 minutes. Total air-only tour time is 3.5 hours and includes hotel pick up and drop off - perfect for visitors on a schedule. However, if you've come this far, why not go to the bottom? The descent is incredible and the trip includes a Champagne toast. For the most complete Canyon experience, add a smooth-water rafting trip. Papillon helicopters is the low-price leader, and, to get their absolute best deal, book on their website. Ready for some real adventure on your next trip to Las Vegas? Take a helicopter tour. There's no reason not to.
5 Great Reasons to Take a Las Vegas Helicopter Tour to the Grand Canyon West Rim
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