There is no sight more spectacular in North America than the Grand Canyon. Certainly other destinations come to mind, but you'll be hard-pressed to find anything more spectacular the first time you see the Canyon in all its majesty.
It's overwhelming in the sense that while you may have seen pictures of it before, you realize just how much more vast and spectacular it is in person. And while your kid's may wonder why you chose the Grand Canyon over a visit to Disneyland, that doubt leaves their head's the moment they first see the awesomeness of the mighty chasm.
Indeed, checking out the Canyon after a long drive is very rewarding, but in no way is it close to the excitement you get hovering above it in a Grand Canyon helicopter from Vegas. Even if you've seen the Canyon a number of times before, flying above it is a completely new adventure you will never forget.
And thus the question: Why book a helicopter tour to the canyon when staying in Las Vegas? You can basically put the reasons into two categories: experience and convenience.
Frankly, as far as experience goes, I can assure you it's something you've never done before. And the thrills you get are definitely something you can get by driving there. These helis allow you to fly above the Canyon or land at the base. It needs to be noted that bottom landings are only available at the West Rim and that they depart exclusively from Las Vegas. South Rim tours are prohibited from flying under the edge. Typically, these landing tours include a Champagne picnic and about 30-minutes of exploration time at the base.
More deluxe landing tours come with a fabulous boat ride on the renowned Colorado River. Experienced Haulapai Indian river pilots guide these excursions and are great sources of information about the river. Another landing trip comes with tickets to the Grand Canyon Skywalk. The deck of the globally famous Glass Walkway is composed completely of glass panels that allow you to walk a tantalizing 70 feet beyond the edge of the rim while suspending you 4,000 over the bottom. Undoubtedly, these air tours - specially the ones that land - show you more of the canyon than you'll ever see if you simply did it on foot.
Convenience comes in the fact that you don't have to concern yourself with driving two-and-a-half hours from Vegas to see the Canyon (the last 10 or so miles are over an unmaintained dirt road. If you self-drive, I urge you to lease an SUV or a vehicle with high ground clearance. Also, make sure you have a full take of gas). Instead, you can wake up in the morning in your Vegas hotel room, take a shuttle to the airport, catch a helicopter, explore the Grand Canyon and be back in town in time for an evening show on the Vegas Strip. The time you save getting there makes booking a chopper tour an unbeatable proposition.
Taking an air tour means you don't miss anything, and that includes the most famous of U.S. landmarks that just happen to be situated en route. Routes from Las Vegas to the canyon offer spectacular views of Lake Mead, the most important reservoir of its kind in the U.S., the Hoover Dam, the new Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge, Fortification Hill, and the roaring Colorado River.
RSVP Grand Canyon helicopter rides ahead of time. I always suggest at least a week. Stay away from same-day bookings. You'll end up paying through the nose. Clearly, the best prices are on the Web. That's where air tour operators post their best promotions. It's not uncommon to find flights marked down nearly 35 percent. However, to be able to qualify, you have to complete the entire transaction on the internet. That's not too much to ask in order to get the discount. Don't be apprehensive about shopping online. Today's travel internet websites are safe and secure. So enjoy a heli trip - it's the experience of a lifetime.
Travel writer Ione Mahler reviews Grand Canyon National Park tours. She suggests clicking Grand Canyon helicopter for more information about helicopter rides and how to get them at a great price.
No comments:
Post a Comment