Submitted by: Keith Kravitz

Of course there are numerous ways to experience the Grand Canyon, but helicopter happen to be my favorite way.

My reasoning for this is intensity. For starters, helicopters fly at a lower altitude than airplanes. This means you get a closer view of the canyon. Then there’s maneuverability choppers can bank and weave amid some of the Park’s most incredible buttes and cliffs.

You also cover a lot of ground on a helicopter tour. West Rim tours not only go to the bottom but also land on the top. South Rim trips allow you to see nearly 75% of the Park in under and hour!

So, how do you go about arranging a helicopter flight?

First, you need to pick a departure point. There are two: Las Vegas, NV, and Tusayan, AZ, which is located at the South Rim.

Next, you need to determine what kind of flight you want: air or landing? Air tours are just that they fly over key parts of the canyon and return to the airport.

Landing tours are quite a different story. They go aerial over the canyon and then land. These types of tours are only available from Las Vegas, and the West Rim is the sole place where you can land at the bottom.

The most popular landing tour is the one that lands at the base, deplanes and comes with a picnic. The “super” version of this trip includes a boat ride down the Colorado River and tickets to the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

South Rim helicopters come in two flavors: 30-minute and 50-minute. The shorter of the two flights goes from the South Rim to the North Rim and back. In between, you fly through the incredible Dragoon Corridor.

The longer South Rim flight includes everything the shorter flight does as well as everything up to the Park’s eastern boundary and a good portion of the North Rim. I also like the fact that you see the Little Colorado and its amazing turquoise waters.

Naturally, these air tours are popular. This means you should book this flight in advance. I find that a week ahead of time usually does the trick. If I’m in a pinch for time, I can usually land a trip within 72 hours but I don’t like to push it.

As for deals, the best prices are on the Web. That said, not all sites offer the best prices. In other words, you need to know where to look. My advice here is to stay away from brand-name sites and go direct to the tour supplier. Once you find the right supplier, make sure you complete the booking online. This is how you lock in the Internet rate, which is significantly cheaper than retail (often by up to 30 percent).

Conclusion

Grand Canyon helicopters are a great way to see the National Park. They fly from Las Vegas and Tusayan, AZ, and fly over the West rim and the South Rim (please note that Las Vegas helicopters only go to the West Rim). Types of air tours are air or landing. The former is great for travelers with limited time for sightseeing while landing tours give you a more in-depth experience. Try to book your tours a week in advance. As for deals, go online. But remember: complete the purchase online in order to save money.

About the Author: Travel editor Keith Kravitz is an expert on Grand Canyon tours and recommends

starting here

for the best prices on the choicest helicopter rides:

grandcanyonhelicoptertourreviews.com/grand-canyon-helicopter-tour-deals.html

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