Has it been a long while since you've done something truly breathtaking? New Year's Eve is coming up fast, and if you want to celebrate in unique style, you won't find anything better than a Grand Canyon helicopter tour.
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 early also allows you to have a wider selection in available tours, and when you buy your tour online, you'll get the lowest price available.
Vegas Chopper Tours
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. As a little extra, some flights offer tours of The Strip, and all flights go over the Colorado River, Lake Mead, and the Hoover Dam.
An air-only tour is a good choice when you don't have much time to spend on your tour or if you want to save money. These tours provide you with amazing aerial views of the Canyon, and then fly back to Vegas. If you do have more time, and these tours are by far the most popular, you can choose to land at the National Park.
These tours are a lot of fun because you can add on different adventures. You can land at the top of the Canyon, at the bottom, or you could even 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
The South Rim begins in Arizona, in the small town of Tusayan. You can take a flight there from Vegas, or you can start your adventure from there, if the location is more convenient for you. Your flight will start from right outside the National Park gates. You can't land at the South Rim, but there's an extended tour to make up for it. The standard tour is 30 minutes to the North Rim, and then back to the South Rim. 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. In around 50 minutes you will have your breath taken away while viewing almost 75% of the entire National Park area.
Choose A Tour Package
There are basic and deluxe helicopter flights to choose from. Basic helicopters follow the same routes, but they use older choppers. Don't worry, they're excellently maintained and fit for flight.
However, if you can afford it, upgrading to a deluxe tour is a good idea. The helicopters used for these tours are designed specifically for sightseeing. The seats are bigger and more comfortable, plus they are arranged stadium style so you have a good view no matter where you sit. The cabins are oversized and climate controlled. The best thing about deluxe helicopters is that they have massive wraparound windscreens that provide fantastic panoramic viewing. 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 early also allows you to have a wider selection in available tours, and when you buy your tour online, you'll get the lowest price available.
Vegas Chopper Tours
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. As a little extra, some flights offer tours of The Strip, and all flights go over the Colorado River, Lake Mead, and the Hoover Dam.
An air-only tour is a good choice when you don't have much time to spend on your tour or if you want to save money. These tours provide you with amazing aerial views of the Canyon, and then fly back to Vegas. If you do have more time, and these tours are by far the most popular, you can choose to land at the National Park.
These tours are a lot of fun because you can add on different adventures. You can land at the top of the Canyon, at the bottom, or you could even 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
The South Rim begins in Arizona, in the small town of Tusayan. You can take a flight there from Vegas, or you can start your adventure from there, if the location is more convenient for you. Your flight will start from right outside the National Park gates. You can't land at the South Rim, but there's an extended tour to make up for it. The standard tour is 30 minutes to the North Rim, and then back to the South Rim. 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. In around 50 minutes you will have your breath taken away while viewing almost 75% of the entire National Park area.
Choose A Tour Package
There are basic and deluxe helicopter flights to choose from. Basic helicopters follow the same routes, but they use older choppers. Don't worry, they're excellently maintained and fit for flight.
However, if you can afford it, upgrading to a deluxe tour is a good idea. The helicopters used for these tours are designed specifically for sightseeing. The seats are bigger and more comfortable, plus they are arranged stadium style so you have a good view no matter where you sit. The cabins are oversized and climate controlled. The best thing about deluxe helicopters is that they have massive wraparound windscreens that provide fantastic panoramic viewing. 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 professional Beth Adams suggests readers check out this listing of the best chopper tours as well as this page which lists the most recent deals and promotions: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopter.org/grand-canyon-helicopter-tour-coupons.html
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