Grand Canyon Helicopters - How Deluxe Tours Became The #1 Choice


by Lea Fallon

Helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon come in two types-the basic tour and the deluxe tour. A lot of people pick the basic tour since it costs less. Even though the deluxe tours cost more, they are a much better value and offer a better experience.

Deluxe Tour Advantages

So, how's it possible for a tour that costs more to offer the better value? It's because of all the extra perks you get. When you book a deluxe Las Vegas helicopter tour, you get to lift off from the Strip, so you get a fantastic aerial view of Vegas, plus, you are transported to and from your hotel in a luxury limo.

If you opt for the basic tour, you miss the aerial view of Vegas since the chopper lifts off from an airfield in the suburbs, plus, you'll have to go on a 35 minute ride in a shuttle van just to get to the airfield.

Deluxe tours fly on superior aircraft too as compared to basic tours. They operate on the EcoStar 130 choppers, which are made for sightseeing. The seats are ultra comfy stadium-style seats, and the views are spectacular through the panoramic 180-degree windshield. You'll also appreciate the smooth flights offered on these choppers thanks to their enhanced aerodynamic design.

Tours Out Of Vegas

The deluxe tours out of Vegas can be air only, or they can be landing tours. Both tours follow the same flight path, and give you an aerial view of Lake Mead and Hoover Dam on route to the canyon. The landing tours set down at the canyon, on top of the rim or on the bottom, and the air-only tours fly over the area, and then head back to Vegas.

The air-only tours are ideal when you don't have a lot of extra time to spend on touring the Grand Canyon. The landing tours are great though, if you have the time, because you can enjoy a nice picnic on the canyon floor and participate in other fun activities while you're there.

The West Rim is the only place in the Grand Canyon where helicopters are allowed to land on the canyon floor, so if you want to take a landing tour, plan on going to Grand Canyon West. Then there's the option to upgrade your package to includes an incredible helicopter ride to the bottom or a boat trip down the famous Colorado River.

South Rim Tours

The South Rim is situated in Arizona, close to the Utah border. The tours offered there are a shorter one that lasts 30 minutes and a longer one that lasts 50 minutes. The thirty minute tour flies you over the canyon to the other side and back. The longer tour covers a lot more ground, in fact, you get to see around 75 percent of the entire Grand Canyon National Park on that air tour.

Be aware that these air tours fill up quickly. Plan on booking your tour at least two weeks in advance, or it may be sold out. When you buy your tour early, there are more tour options to choose from too, so you might be able to snag seats on the most popular early morning flights.

Be sure to book your seats online too. In this way, you can capitalize on the Internet rate, which is much cheaper than the retail rate.

To Wrap Up

If you're trying to decide between the basic or deluxe tour, you should opt for spending more on the deluxe version, because it is worth it. All things considered, it is the best value. Don't forget to book your tour well ahead of time, and buy your seats online. By booking online you'll automatically save money. It's also a lot easier, too.

About the Author

Fly Grand Canyon! Travel editor Lea Fallon suggests getting a copy of this free guide http://www.grandcanyondaytrips.com/save-money/ so you can get cheap deals on these fantastic helicopter excursions to the Canyon: http://www.grandcanyondaytrips.com/helicopters/

Tell others about
this page:

facebook twitter reddit google+



Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com

Next
Send us Feedback about HowtoAdvice.com
--
How to Advice .com
Charity
  1. Uncensored Trump
  2. Addiction Recovery
  3. Hospice Foundation
  4. Flat Earth Awareness
  5. Oil Painting Prints