Are you ready to have a fun time doing something exciting and different? Well, it's time to celebrate New Year's Eve in grand fashion by taking a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon.
Helicopter flights run all year round, barring Christmas Day, so you won't have trouble seeing the Canyon on New Year's Eve, or any of the days around it. Of course, you will need to book fast, because tours are expected to be incredibly popular for the end of the year.
Booking your Grand Canyon tour early is not just so you can secure your seat, but so you can take advantage of the best prices and schedule times, especially when you book online.
Helicopter Tours Out Of Vegas
Vegas is by far the most popular place to begin an air tour of the Canyon. Because of that, the Vegas tours offer a lot of options. All the flights give you an aerial view of the Colorado River, the Hoover Dam, and Lake Mead, while some even offer a flyover of The Strip.
If you're tight for time and trying to adhere to a budget, you could choose an air-only tour. These fly out to the Grand Canyon, perform some stunning flyovers, and then head back to the city. If you do have more time, and these tours are by far the most popular, you can choose to land at the Grand Canyon National Park.
Landing tours are so popular because they provide the most adventure. Your helicopter can land on top of the rim, on the bottom of the Canyon, or do both.
At the top of the Canyon, you will have access to the public walkways and viewing platforms. For a little extra, you could purchase a ticket to the Skywalk. If you haven't heard of the Skywalk, it is a glass platform that extends 70 feet over the Canyon rim, and allows you to look down a 4000 foot drop to the bottom of the Canyon. If it sounds scary, don't worry, it's actually one of the most exciting things you could ever do, and it is well worth the price.
If you want to land at the bottom there is a Champagne picnic with lite-bites, and you could also take a tour on the Colorado River. This landing tour is great for couples and celebrations, and is the most popular out of the landing helicopter tours.
Chopper Tours Of The South Rim
South Rim helicopter tours take off from the small town of Tusayan, Arizona. If you're in Arizona, you can drive yourself to Tusayan, but if you're in Vegas, you'll need to catch a flight there. The Tusayan airport is just outside of the main gates to the National Park. Even though there are no landing tours permitted at the South Rim, you'll still find the tours there worthwhile. One of the air tours lasts 30 minutes and it flies to the North Rim and back to Tusayan. The extended tour, which I highly recommend, will do everything from the standard tour, while also taking you to the far eastern area of the Park. The longer flight lasts 50 minutes and flies over nearly 75 percent of the whole National Park.
Choose a Tour Package
You can book a basic or deluxe tour. Basic helicopters follow the same routes, but they use older choppers. Although the choppers are older, they are well maintained and safe for flight at all times.
If you have extra in your budget, deluxe is the preferred option. The helicopter you will fly in has been specially built for touring the Grand Canyon. Seats are large and comfortable, and they're laid out like stadium seating, so even if you're in the second row of the cabin, you will have the perfect view. The cabins are oversized and climate controlled. Most importantly, the deluxe helicopter has a huge windshield that provides 180 degrees of unobstructed sightseeing. The newer helicopters are also quieter inside, and smoother while in flight.
Conclusion
Keep in mind, it might be cold at the Canyon during this time of the year, so you'll want to dress in layers so you are prepared. It may even be snowing at the South Rim, so you'll want to wear warm clothes if you go there.
Touring the Canyon is a fun way to spend New Year's Eve. Remember to book your tour as soon as possible or you may get shut out. For the best chances of getting the tour you want, secure your seats with your credit card by buying your tour online at least two weeks in advance if you can. You will get the best prices, and you won't have to worry about losing your reservation.
Helicopter flights run all year round, barring Christmas Day, so you won't have trouble seeing the Canyon on New Year's Eve, or any of the days around it. Of course, you will need to book fast, because tours are expected to be incredibly popular for the end of the year.
Booking your Grand Canyon tour early is not just so you can secure your seat, but so you can take advantage of the best prices and schedule times, especially when you book online.
Helicopter Tours Out Of Vegas
Vegas is by far the most popular place to begin an air tour of the Canyon. Because of that, the Vegas tours offer a lot of options. All the flights give you an aerial view of the Colorado River, the Hoover Dam, and Lake Mead, while some even offer a flyover of The Strip.
If you're tight for time and trying to adhere to a budget, you could choose an air-only tour. These fly out to the Grand Canyon, perform some stunning flyovers, and then head back to the city. If you do have more time, and these tours are by far the most popular, you can choose to land at the Grand Canyon National Park.
Landing tours are so popular because they provide the most adventure. Your helicopter can land on top of the rim, on the bottom of the Canyon, or do both.
At the top of the Canyon, you will have access to the public walkways and viewing platforms. For a little extra, you could purchase a ticket to the Skywalk. If you haven't heard of the Skywalk, it is a glass platform that extends 70 feet over the Canyon rim, and allows you to look down a 4000 foot drop to the bottom of the Canyon. If it sounds scary, don't worry, it's actually one of the most exciting things you could ever do, and it is well worth the price.
If you want to land at the bottom there is a Champagne picnic with lite-bites, and you could also take a tour on the Colorado River. This landing tour is great for couples and celebrations, and is the most popular out of the landing helicopter tours.
Chopper Tours Of The South Rim
South Rim helicopter tours take off from the small town of Tusayan, Arizona. If you're in Arizona, you can drive yourself to Tusayan, but if you're in Vegas, you'll need to catch a flight there. The Tusayan airport is just outside of the main gates to the National Park. Even though there are no landing tours permitted at the South Rim, you'll still find the tours there worthwhile. One of the air tours lasts 30 minutes and it flies to the North Rim and back to Tusayan. The extended tour, which I highly recommend, will do everything from the standard tour, while also taking you to the far eastern area of the Park. The longer flight lasts 50 minutes and flies over nearly 75 percent of the whole National Park.
Choose a Tour Package
You can book a basic or deluxe tour. Basic helicopters follow the same routes, but they use older choppers. Although the choppers are older, they are well maintained and safe for flight at all times.
If you have extra in your budget, deluxe is the preferred option. The helicopter you will fly in has been specially built for touring the Grand Canyon. Seats are large and comfortable, and they're laid out like stadium seating, so even if you're in the second row of the cabin, you will have the perfect view. The cabins are oversized and climate controlled. Most importantly, the deluxe helicopter has a huge windshield that provides 180 degrees of unobstructed sightseeing. The newer helicopters are also quieter inside, and smoother while in flight.
Conclusion
Keep in mind, it might be cold at the Canyon during this time of the year, so you'll want to dress in layers so you are prepared. It may even be snowing at the South Rim, so you'll want to wear warm clothes if you go there.
Touring the Canyon is a fun way to spend New Year's Eve. Remember to book your tour as soon as possible or you may get shut out. For the best chances of getting the tour you want, secure your seats with your credit card by buying your tour online at least two weeks in advance if you can. You will get the best prices, and you won't have to worry about losing your reservation.
About the Author:
Grand Canyon National Park specialist Beth Adams advises readers check out this selection of the best heli tours as well as this page which lists the latest savings and promotions: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopter.org/grand-canyon-helicopter-tour-coupons.html
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire