Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour
Discussion
I'm sure this must have been done before but search came up with nothing......
Off to Vegas in a couple of weeks and would quite like to do a Grand Canyon helicopter flight - I'm sure it's a bit over-rated but would like to do it.
Has anyone got any recommendations from good experience of companies to use, or equally those to avoid ?
Off to Vegas in a couple of weeks and would quite like to do a Grand Canyon helicopter flight - I'm sure it's a bit over-rated but would like to do it.
Has anyone got any recommendations from good experience of companies to use, or equally those to avoid ?
I've done this trip a couple of times. The last occasion was last week. We used Maverick. There is a trip where you can land at the bottom of the Canyon though I've not done that. We took the 90 minute tour which includes a flight over the Hoover dam, a ten minute flight within the confines of the Canyon and at the end of the trip back, a flight up The Strip.
My tip would be to take the "sunset tour", the light conditions at that time accentuates the features of the landscape and on the flight into the heliport, the Strip hotel neon lights are beginning to show.
The best view of the Strip is from the left hand side of the aircraft. However, you would have to be in the back seats to sit on that side which restricts the view a little.
My tip would be to take the "sunset tour", the light conditions at that time accentuates the features of the landscape and on the flight into the heliport, the Strip hotel neon lights are beginning to show.
The best view of the Strip is from the left hand side of the aircraft. However, you would have to be in the back seats to sit on that side which restricts the view a little.
My wife and I done a similar trip with mavrick which also included a visit to the skywalk we both thoroughly enjoyed it but I have been told by several people that you do not see the proper Grand Canyon on these flights. I am going to take a drive out the next time to see the true GC
ChrisBMW said:
My wife and I done a similar trip with mavrick which also included a visit to the skywalk we both thoroughly enjoyed it but I have been told by several people that you do not see the proper Grand Canyon on these flights. I am going to take a drive out the next time to see the true GC
I've done a couple of drives before, a few years ago, and was massively underwhelmed and couldn't see what all ht fuss was about tbh........I'm hoping seeing from the air will be a bit more spectacular.....There are two "Grand Canyons" in effect. To the West, nearer Vegas, it is not a National Park, so landing is allowed, you can do a float trip on the river, and there is the Skywalk. It is very much a desert landscape.
To the East, there is the National Park. The rim of the Canyon is higher, so it's cooler, and a lot more foresty.
Both are worth visiting, but on flights from Las Vegas, you're (probably) not going to see much / any of the National Park.
Be very aware of where your chopper leaves from, especially if you think you're going to get a flight over the "Strip."
All the flights I've done have been with Papillon, 1 from the Skywalk down into the Canyon, a float, and chopper back up. 2 in the National Park. All were excellent.
To the East, there is the National Park. The rim of the Canyon is higher, so it's cooler, and a lot more foresty.
Both are worth visiting, but on flights from Las Vegas, you're (probably) not going to see much / any of the National Park.
Be very aware of where your chopper leaves from, especially if you think you're going to get a flight over the "Strip."
All the flights I've done have been with Papillon, 1 from the Skywalk down into the Canyon, a float, and chopper back up. 2 in the National Park. All were excellent.
We used papillon helicopter tours, www.papillon.com, when we were on our honeymoon. Limo pick-up and drop off from the hotel, champagne lunch at the bottom of the canyon. Highly recommend them!
Forget the skywalk, its tiny when you fly over and doesnt go out very far.
Editted to add, flight back is along the strip.
Forget the skywalk, its tiny when you fly over and doesnt go out very far.
Editted to add, flight back is along the strip.
Edited by AWRacing on Wednesday 6th March 15:58
AWRacing said:
We used papillon helicopter tours, www.papillon.com, when we were on our honeymoon. Limo pick-up and drop off from the hotel, champagne lunch at the bottom of the canyon. Highly recommend them!
Forget the skywalk, its tiny when you fly over and doesnt go out very far.
Editted to add, flight back is along the strip.
Myself and Mrs Saleen booked a flight with these last September, as said Limo pick up/drop off from hotel etc, we paid extra for front seats which I strongly advice (cost was an extra £35ish each) the flight took us over the Hoover Dam on the way out and back over the strip on the return, go for the sunset tour as the strip illuminated is a sight to see from the air!Forget the skywalk, its tiny when you fly over and doesnt go out very far.
Editted to add, flight back is along the strip.
Edited by AWRacing on Wednesday 6th March 15:58
Well worth the money!
saleen836 said:
Myself and Mrs Saleen booked a flight with these last September, as said Limo pick up/drop off from hotel etc, we paid extra for front seats which I strongly advice (cost was an extra £35ish each) the flight took us over the Hoover Dam on the way out and back over the strip on the return, go for the sunset tour as the strip illuminated is a sight to see from the air!
Well worth the money!
We were lucky enough to get front seats without paying the upgrade. Definately pay for this upgrade though if you have the option.Well worth the money!
Papillon also take off from vegas airport which is just off the strip.
Doesnt matter which company you choose just make sure you take the trip!
The whole of the canyon is "The Grand Canyon" but only the section in the GC National Park is what people officially class as the Canyon. A word to note however, helicoptors are not allowed to land in the GC National Park so any tour that lands on the canyon floor is not in the official Grand Canyon, to be fair it all looks the same however.
You CANNOT land in the Grand Canyon. These helicopter tours are to the West Rim and quite a long way from the actual Canyon you really need to see!
Look at Maverick/Papillon and other companies, you'll need to get to etiher North Vegas airport or Boulder (will be picked up by the company from your hotel) then you fly to South Rim airport on a fixed wing before taking either or both a small coach to the viewports or a helicopter over the Canyon before taking the coach.
The actual Canyon is stunning and the West Rim is nothing in comparison, don't get drawm in by the marketing and crap. I used papillon and they were excellent, especially the optional heli ride over the canyon.
Look at Maverick/Papillon and other companies, you'll need to get to etiher North Vegas airport or Boulder (will be picked up by the company from your hotel) then you fly to South Rim airport on a fixed wing before taking either or both a small coach to the viewports or a helicopter over the Canyon before taking the coach.
The actual Canyon is stunning and the West Rim is nothing in comparison, don't get drawm in by the marketing and crap. I used papillon and they were excellent, especially the optional heli ride over the canyon.
telecat said:
Went with Maverick from McCarran on the "Wind Dancer" It Does show you the Main bits you would be interested in and does land close to a Canyon. The Little Squirrels were a delight. Keep some of the cake and they'll come right up to you to get it.
I'm sorry to say but you were not anywhere near the actual Grand Canyon. That tour is to the West Rim and would seem pathetic compared to the actual canyon at the South Rim.The West Rim is operated by an Indian Tribe on their lands and isn't even a part of 'The Grand Canyon National Park'. People should avoid it and take a plane to the South Rim Airport to see the actual Canyon.
If you don't take my word for it then google will back me up.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g45963-i10-...
OP, you could book it there and get a good price, but please make sure you get a plane to the South Rim Airport then get the bus to the viewpoints or get a helicopter ride over the Canyon (not landing) before you do the bus tour. If they offer a helicopter from Vegas and/or a landing tour in the Canyon then they are bulls
tting you and I'd hate for you to miss out on the spectacle that the actual canyon is.
Edited by -Ad- on Monday 11th March 15:57
-Ad- said:
telecat said:
Went with Maverick from McCarran on the "Wind Dancer" It Does show you the Main bits you would be interested in and does land close to a Canyon. The Little Squirrels were a delight. Keep some of the cake and they'll come right up to you to get it.
I'm sorry to say but you were not anywhere near the actual Grand Canyon. That tour is to the West Rim and would seem pathetic compared to the actual canyon at the South Rim.The West Rim is operated by an Indian Tribe on their lands and isn't even a part of 'The Grand Canyon National Park'. People should avoid it and take a plane to the South Rim Airport to see the actual Canyon.
If you don't take my word for it then google will back me up.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g45963-i10-...
OP, you could book it there and get a good price, but please make sure you get a plane to the South Rim Airport then get the bus to the viewpoints or get a helicopter ride over the Canyon (not landing) before you do the bus tour. If they offer a helicopter from Vegas and/or a landing tour in the Canyon then they are bulls
tting you and I'd hate for you to miss out on the spectacle that the actual canyon is.Edited by -Ad- on Monday 11th March 15:57
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