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.
If you don't want to spend much time or money, then you'll probably want to book an air-only tour. These tours provide you with amazing aerial views of the Canyon, and then fly back to Vegas. The other option is to take a landing tour, and these are very popular because you get to land at the Canyon and explore on foot.
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.
You'll enjoy exploring the top of the rim and walking on the scenic trails and viewing the sights from popular lookout points. You can also upgrade this tour to include Skywalk tickets. The Skywalk is a massive glass platform that hangs 4000 feet above the Canyon floor and 70 past the edge of the rim Walking on the transparent platform is an exhilarating experience you don't want to miss.
Another option is to land on the bottom of the Canyon where you can have a Champagne picnic before you float down the Colorado River on a relaxing boat tour. This landing tour is very popular and it's a good one to take when you visit the Canyon.
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.
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.
Wrapping Up
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.
If you don't want to spend much time or money, then you'll probably want to book an air-only tour. These tours provide you with amazing aerial views of the Canyon, and then fly back to Vegas. The other option is to take a landing tour, and these are very popular because you get to land at the Canyon and explore on foot.
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.
You'll enjoy exploring the top of the rim and walking on the scenic trails and viewing the sights from popular lookout points. You can also upgrade this tour to include Skywalk tickets. The Skywalk is a massive glass platform that hangs 4000 feet above the Canyon floor and 70 past the edge of the rim Walking on the transparent platform is an exhilarating experience you don't want to miss.
Another option is to land on the bottom of the Canyon where you can have a Champagne picnic before you float down the Colorado River on a relaxing boat tour. This landing tour is very popular and it's a good one to take when you visit the Canyon.
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.
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.
Wrapping Up
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 expert Beth Adams recommends readers check out this list of the best helicopter tours as well as this page which lists the newest specials and promotions: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopter.org/grand-canyon-helicopter-tour-coupons.html