Things to Do in Las Vegas - Helicopter to the Bottom of the Grand Canyon

The ultimate Las Vegas day trip? Hands down it's the 4,000-foot helicopter descent to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. This breathtaking thrill ride carves through a veritable land that time forgot before coming to rest on the banks of the raging Colorado River.

Sound awesome? It is.

Luckily, you'll be in Las Vegas because it's the only place where you can take this miraculous tour. Prices start at $280 and depart daily year-round, including all major holidays. The three major Las Vegas-based helicopter tour operators - Papillon, Maverick, and Sundance - offer it. See Papillon's website for the best price. I've purchased a lot of trips on the website and can attest that it's secure and safe.

It takes a helicopter 45 minutes to fly from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West, which is 120 miles due east. En route, you'll fly over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, the Grand Cliffs Wash, and the Grand Canyon Skywalk before you make the descent.

The Grand Canyon, a World Heritage Site, is 277 miles long, averages 4,000 feet in depth, and comprises 1.2 million acres of land. It's considered by experts to be one of the finest examples of arid-land erosion on the planet. It's also famous for its geologic importance: You'll see sections of the Earth's crust that range from 200 million to 2 billion years old.

Be on the lookout for plant and animal life. The Park contains several major ecosystems and is home to five of the seven life zones, a phenomena you'd experience if you were to travel from Mexico to Canada. Within it's borders, the canyon is home to more than 89 mammalian, 47 reptile, 355 bird, 8 amphibian, 1,500 plan, and 17 fish species.

Helicopters gently land on private dirt "pads" at the bottom. Here, you'll deplane and enjoy a Champagne toast. Light snacks are provided. There's about 30 minutes or more during which you can explore. Take a moment to search for fossils (in ancient times the canyon was under a large sea) or walk a bit to find petroglyphs. You can also upgrade your package to include a pontoon boat ride down the Colorado River.

Tours are conducted aboard EcoStar 130 helicopters. These "birds" are specifically designed for sightseeing, featuring comfortable stadium-style seating, climate-controlled cabins, and 180-degree wraparound windshields that deliver unobstructed views. The aircraft also feature two-way communication systems that let you talk to your pilot-guide. Pre-recorded taped narrations are available in multiple languages for foreign guests.

The West Rim is the only place in the where you can take a canyon helicopter tour below the rim and land on the bottom. Las Vegas is the only place these helicopter tours originate from. There are no helicopter flights from the West Rim to the South Rim and vice versa. In addition to the descent, this trip includes flying over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and Grand Canyon West. Prices start under $300 per person and include hotel pick up and drop, Champagne, and light snack. This four-hour tour is ideal for Las Vegas visitors searching for a great day trip.

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