Are you tired of the same old New Year's holiday celebrations? Well, nothing could be more unique and exciting than taking an air tour of the Grand Canyon, and you can begin one of these tours in Arizona or Vegas.
Arizona flights leave from Tusayan, which is just over three hours north of Phoenix. Las Vegas flights leave from The Strip, or nearby Boulder City. There are still tickets available, but you'll have to book soon if you want to beat the holiday rush, and avoid the disappointment of tickets being sold out on the day you want to travel.
Booking online is the best way to ensure that your tickets are secured, and that you get the best prices. Again, you'll have to book quick, because New Year's Eve is one of the busiest times of the year for Grand Canyon tours.
Helicopter Tours
Helicopters provide the premier Canyon experience. When you fly from Vegas, there are landing and air-only tours available. Both will take you over Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam, before heading to the Canyon and performing a scenic flyover, but only the landing tours can get you right into the action.
Try to book a landing tour if you can, because you'll get a very comprehensive experience at the Canyon. Some of the landing tours set down on the Canyon floor, and when you get there, you are treated to a champagne picnic, plus you'll have the opportunity to take a boat ride along the Colorado River. Other tours land on top of the Canyon rim where you can visit the Skywalk, which is a massive glass viewing platform that hangs over the Canyon. If you want the full experience, you can book a combination tour that lets you explore both the top of the rim and the Canyon floor.
The Tusayan air tours are all air-only because helicopters are not allowed to land inside the Canyon at the South Rim. This part of the Canyon is filled with spectacular natural beauty and you'll get to see it from the air as your helicopter flies over to the North Rim and back to the South Rim. There are two air tour options, and one of them lasts 30 minutes and the other lasts 50 minutes. Book the longer tour if you can because you'll get to see the South Rim, North Rim, and all the land over to the eastern Park border, which amounts to about 75 percent of the whole National Park. You'll get to view many famous landmarks from the air, including the massive Dragoon Corridor.
Grand Canyon Plane Rides
Plane rides will take you on the exact same routes that helicopters do, with the only difference being that they fly at higher altitudes. If you travel from Vegas to the West Rim, plane rides can only land at the top of the Canyon, but you will have an option to purchase helicopter tickets to the bottom. You also have the Skywalk at the top, and plenty of viewing areas and walking trails.
You can also fly to the South Rim on a plane tour from Las Vegas. The flight time is only an hour, whereas it would take you over five hours to get there by vehicle. From there, you could include the South Rim helicopter tour, or even a massive 2.5 hour bus tour that takes you to all the landmarks near the South Rim.
If you're airplane touring at the South Rim, take the extended option. Just like with the helicopter tours, it will show you 75% of the national park, from the South Rim, to the North, and the eastern park boundary.
An airplane tour is the ideal choice when you have several people on your tour. Nineteen people can fly on an airplane tour, while only six can fly at a time on a helicopter tour.
Wrapping Up
I hope this information helps you to decide on which Grand Canyon tour is best for you. Whether you choose Las Vegas or Arizona, airplane or helicopter, you will find plenty of options that suit any budget. I always recommend landing tours at the West Rim, and if you fly at the South Rim then consider the extended 50 minute tour. The opportunity to see so much of the park, is one that you don't want to miss.
Book now to avoid disappointment, and book with your credit card online. You'll get the best rates, and will be all set for a fantastic New Year's Holiday adventure at the Grand Canyon.
Arizona flights leave from Tusayan, which is just over three hours north of Phoenix. Las Vegas flights leave from The Strip, or nearby Boulder City. There are still tickets available, but you'll have to book soon if you want to beat the holiday rush, and avoid the disappointment of tickets being sold out on the day you want to travel.
Booking online is the best way to ensure that your tickets are secured, and that you get the best prices. Again, you'll have to book quick, because New Year's Eve is one of the busiest times of the year for Grand Canyon tours.
Helicopter Tours
Helicopters provide the premier Canyon experience. When you fly from Vegas, there are landing and air-only tours available. Both will take you over Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam, before heading to the Canyon and performing a scenic flyover, but only the landing tours can get you right into the action.
Try to book a landing tour if you can, because you'll get a very comprehensive experience at the Canyon. Some of the landing tours set down on the Canyon floor, and when you get there, you are treated to a champagne picnic, plus you'll have the opportunity to take a boat ride along the Colorado River. Other tours land on top of the Canyon rim where you can visit the Skywalk, which is a massive glass viewing platform that hangs over the Canyon. If you want the full experience, you can book a combination tour that lets you explore both the top of the rim and the Canyon floor.
The Tusayan air tours are all air-only because helicopters are not allowed to land inside the Canyon at the South Rim. This part of the Canyon is filled with spectacular natural beauty and you'll get to see it from the air as your helicopter flies over to the North Rim and back to the South Rim. There are two air tour options, and one of them lasts 30 minutes and the other lasts 50 minutes. Book the longer tour if you can because you'll get to see the South Rim, North Rim, and all the land over to the eastern Park border, which amounts to about 75 percent of the whole National Park. You'll get to view many famous landmarks from the air, including the massive Dragoon Corridor.
Grand Canyon Plane Rides
Plane rides will take you on the exact same routes that helicopters do, with the only difference being that they fly at higher altitudes. If you travel from Vegas to the West Rim, plane rides can only land at the top of the Canyon, but you will have an option to purchase helicopter tickets to the bottom. You also have the Skywalk at the top, and plenty of viewing areas and walking trails.
You can also fly to the South Rim on a plane tour from Las Vegas. The flight time is only an hour, whereas it would take you over five hours to get there by vehicle. From there, you could include the South Rim helicopter tour, or even a massive 2.5 hour bus tour that takes you to all the landmarks near the South Rim.
If you're airplane touring at the South Rim, take the extended option. Just like with the helicopter tours, it will show you 75% of the national park, from the South Rim, to the North, and the eastern park boundary.
An airplane tour is the ideal choice when you have several people on your tour. Nineteen people can fly on an airplane tour, while only six can fly at a time on a helicopter tour.
Wrapping Up
I hope this information helps you to decide on which Grand Canyon tour is best for you. Whether you choose Las Vegas or Arizona, airplane or helicopter, you will find plenty of options that suit any budget. I always recommend landing tours at the West Rim, and if you fly at the South Rim then consider the extended 50 minute tour. The opportunity to see so much of the park, is one that you don't want to miss.
Book now to avoid disappointment, and book with your credit card online. You'll get the best rates, and will be all set for a fantastic New Year's Holiday adventure at the Grand Canyon.
About the Author:
Prepared to fly Grand Canyon National Park? Writer Ione Mahler advises readers click here for the best plane tours and here for the top chopper flights: http://www.grandcanyondaytrips.com/helicopters/
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