Essential Information On Grand Canyon Tours
Because the weather's heavenly and the air's at its clearest (greater visibility and truly amazing views!), I think this is the perfect time for Grand Canyon tours. Why put things off? Grand Canyon National Park's got plenty of things to do and it's one of the most easily accessed of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World!
You can take a tour from Las Vegas, NV, or from many of the cities and towns in central Arizona like Sedona, Phoenix and Scottsdale. If you'll be coming from AZ, you'll probably head for the South Rim. Vegas-based travelers can choose either the South or the West Rim.
Tours: South Rim
Most visitors in AZ will make the drive to Tusayan, Arizona, which is just a hop skip away from the entrance to the South Rim. It's from there where you'll take a helicopter or airplane ride. Two versions of helicopter tours are offered. One gives you 30 minutes in the air and the other is 50 minutes of airtime. The "30" takes you from the South Rim to the North Rim and back. The "50" does that two as well as everything up to Park's easternmost border. The plane tour follows a route that's similar to the 50-minute chopper tour, but its less expensive. The big difference between the plane and the heli is altitude. The plane flies higher, which results in some visitors opting for the heli.
A lot of people think of the South Rim as the "real" Grand Canyon, and Vegas-based folks can go there too. I personally find the airplane flight the ultimate way to get from LV to the SR because it only takes 60 minutes (versus a 5.5-hour bus ride). Plus you get up to two hours inside the National Park via luxury bus. Optional helicopter flights can be added to these plane and bus tours.
Tours to the West Rim
Las Vegas is only 120 miles away, so West Rim tours are incredibly popular and perfect for a day trip. Choices include plane, helicopter, bus and rafting (in-season) tours. Plane tours arrive at the canyon in under 30 minutes; helicopters in about 45 minutes; and buses take about 2.5 hours to get there and give you up to 3 hours for sightseeing at the rim.
Coach tours depart daily at 7 a.m. and can be upgraded to include Colorado River rafting trips, helicopter rides to the bottom and more. Plane tours land on the top, but you can also add the rafting trip and/or the chopper flight. FYI: Las Vegas helicopters only go to the West Rim, which is a great thing because it's only here where they are permitted to fly below the rim and land, making these flights extra special.
RSVP & Deals
Grand Canyon tours are popular, so I always recommend booking at least a week or two ahead. Several things can happen if you try to book your tour 24 hours prior to the day you want: 1. you'll pay through the nose; or 2. you won't get the tour you want. What's the moral of the story? Save money by booking in advance.
Yes, there are deals out there, but remember, your time is valuable so don't knock yourself out. The most efficient way to get a fair deal is to book online via the tour operator's website. Stay away from fly-by-night outfits. You'll get the best rates (up to 30% off retail!) as long as you complete your purchase transaction on the tour company's site - you'll get a great Internet discount. Do that and all that's left is to kick back and get pumped up for your trip of a lifetime!
About the Author
Travel writer Lea Fallon is an expert on Grand Canyon tours. She recommends checking out these money-saving articles http://grandcanyoncheap.com/site-map.html on canyon excursions as well as this page that rates the top tour companies: http://grandcanyoncheap.com/
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