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.
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 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.
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.
The top of the rim has scenic lookouts and hiking trails. For a little extra, you could purchase a ticket to the Skywalk. The Skywalk is a world famous structure that extends 70 feet beyond the edge of the Canyon and is suspended 4000 feet above the Canyon floor. 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.
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. If you're starting in Vegas, you'll need to book a flight to Tusayan to begin your tour, but if you'll be staying in a city in Arizona, you can drive yourself to the airport in Tusayan. The airport there is located right outside of the main gates to the South Rim. Even though there are no landing tours permitted at the South Rim, you'll still find the tours there worthwhile. The standard tour is 30 minutes to the North Rim, and then back to the South Rim. The longer tour is much better because it also flies to the North Rim, but it includes a leg over to the eastern border of the Park. This flight gives you 50 minutes of air time and you get to view about 75 percent of the entire wilderness land that makes up the National Park.
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 helicopters used on these tours are newer, sightseeing choppers. The seats are comfy and situated so there are no seats with bad views no matter where you sit. The cabins have more room in them too, and they are comfortably climate controlled. Most importantly, the deluxe helicopter has a huge windshield that provides 180 degrees of unobstructed sightseeing. Also, your ride is made more comfortable because the helicopters are quieter and they are more stable so they fly smoother.
Conclusion
It's going to be cold at the Canyon this year, so dress in some warm layers, with a winter jacket on over top. It can sometimes snow at the South Rim, so dress warm!
I hope this has helped you to discover a new way to enjoy New Year's Eve. Grand Canyon flights are popular from Las Vegas and Arizona, so make sure you book early. Book at least two weeks before you intend to fly, and book using your credit card, online. 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.
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 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.
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.
The top of the rim has scenic lookouts and hiking trails. For a little extra, you could purchase a ticket to the Skywalk. The Skywalk is a world famous structure that extends 70 feet beyond the edge of the Canyon and is suspended 4000 feet above the Canyon floor. 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.
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. If you're starting in Vegas, you'll need to book a flight to Tusayan to begin your tour, but if you'll be staying in a city in Arizona, you can drive yourself to the airport in Tusayan. The airport there is located right outside of the main gates to the South Rim. Even though there are no landing tours permitted at the South Rim, you'll still find the tours there worthwhile. The standard tour is 30 minutes to the North Rim, and then back to the South Rim. The longer tour is much better because it also flies to the North Rim, but it includes a leg over to the eastern border of the Park. This flight gives you 50 minutes of air time and you get to view about 75 percent of the entire wilderness land that makes up the National Park.
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 helicopters used on these tours are newer, sightseeing choppers. The seats are comfy and situated so there are no seats with bad views no matter where you sit. The cabins have more room in them too, and they are comfortably climate controlled. Most importantly, the deluxe helicopter has a huge windshield that provides 180 degrees of unobstructed sightseeing. Also, your ride is made more comfortable because the helicopters are quieter and they are more stable so they fly smoother.
Conclusion
It's going to be cold at the Canyon this year, so dress in some warm layers, with a winter jacket on over top. It can sometimes snow at the South Rim, so dress warm!
I hope this has helped you to discover a new way to enjoy New Year's Eve. Grand Canyon flights are popular from Las Vegas and Arizona, so make sure you book early. Book at least two weeks before you intend to fly, and book using your credit card, online. 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