Grand Canyon West Rim Helicopter Tour: Everything You Need To Know

Six must-see attractions with the Grand Canyon West Rim helicopter tour may be seen in a single action-packed day, making for the most picturesque, historical, and aesthetically enticing experience possible. The day begins with pick-up at your Strip or Downtown hotel in a luxury SUV or mini-coach. After that, snap a picture of the iconic Hoover Dam along the way, an unforgettable engineering feat for its massive size, innovative design, and detailed craftsmanship.

Big Horn sheep, native to the area, will be gathering along the steep cliffs along the Colorado River by the Hoover Dam. They have been known to travel up into Boulder City and graze in the grass of residences homes and in the local park.  As you approach the Grand Canyon You’ll fly along and below the canyon rim. There are some flights that only do an air tour over the canyon and some that land on the bottom for a champagne toast and snacks. Other tour combinations offer both top and bottom tours of the Grand Canyon with anywhere fron 45 minutes to 3 hours at the top of the canyon depending on which tour you choose and fits your budget.

Is it worth going on the Skywalk at the Grand Canyon West Rim?

Including a visit to the Skywalk on your West Rim Helicopter tour is something that comes highly recommended by our team. Imagine yourself hanging in midair above the Grand Canyon at the height of 4,000 feet, with a vantage point that takes in a 180 degree view of the canyon and the Colorado River below. Since it was opened to the public in 2007, this glass cantilever bridge has swiftly established itself as one of the Grand Canyon’s most popular attractions. When you go to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, going on the Skywalk will surely be one of the most memorable parts of your trip. Note that no cameras or cell phones are allowed on the Skywalk, but they do have free lockers to store your belongings.

Can you go down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon at the West Rim?

Up until 1988 the helicopter tours could not land on the bottom without permission of the Hualapai Tribe, as they owned and controled the western portion of the canyon. There are only 2 helicopter tour operators that currently have permission and permits to land on the floor at their own private area. Visitors interested in exploring the bottom of the Canyon may do so from the West Rim by helicopter. Helicopters may only land on the canyon floor at the West Rim, the only area with access. There is also daily helicopter flights departing from Grand Canyon West and flying guests to the bottom of the Canyon, which is located next to the Colorado River. Availabilty is limited. Vegas Tours offers a selection of sightseeing excursions from Las Vegas that have this option. Such as touring by luxury motorcoach or SUV and Mercedes Sprinters to the west rim and then boarding a luxury jet helicopter for a tour thru the canyon and landing at a private spot on the bottom for 20 minutes with a return flight back to the top of the rim. Allow 45 minutes to do the tour. A safety briefing will be done prior to your flight.

How many tour options are there?

You can just do an air only flight from Las Vegas which takes about 2.5 hours hotel to hotel, including flight time.

Vegas Tours offers the most popular helicopter tour which takes approx. 4.0 hours hotel to hotel. It is a flight over Hoover Dam and flying deep below the rim with 30 minutes on the bottom to photograph the majestic canyon that surrounds you. Tour includes a champagne toast and snacks. Your tour will fly back to Las Vegas with a view of the Bowl of Fire and the famous Las Vegas Strip. Return back to your hotel. This is the most popular excursion and sellls out weeks in advance. So book early to guarantee your trip of a lifetime! You can also book a Grand Canyon Sunset Tour as well and enjoy the Vegas neon Lights on your return flight.

If you want to maximize your time and spend the most time at the canyon…  Vegas Tours has an exclusive Grand Canyon Helicopter tour that takes approx. 7 hours from pick up to drop off at your hotel. Fly over Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Colorado River and thru the Grand Canyon alnding on the bootom for a champagne toast. Your tour continues to the top of the Grand Canyon Rim, Visit Guano Point, Eagle Point, Gift shops, and the Indian Village. This is the location of the famed Grand Canyon Skywalk. Tour includes a light meal also. You will have 2.5 hours at the top of the canyon and 30 minuttes at the bottom. Note that this tour may sell out as there is only one flight per day.

 

Things to keep in mind

• Those passengers who are more likely to experience motion sickness should remember to pack appropriate medicine on the day their trip is planned.
• Kindly allow for additional time between the finish of your tour and the start of your subsequent activity, which may include making reservations at a restaurant or spa, purchasing theatre tickets, etc. The length of the trip might be shortened or extended based on the weather and traffic circumstances that exist on the day you are scheduled to take the tour.
• It is strongly recommended that guests who use wheelchairs book flying excursions that do not involve any landings. The local operator may keep clients’ wheelchairs at the airport if traveling with them. Additionally, those with poor mobility must have their friends help them.
• Weight limit is 295 lbs per person.

Airports from which helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon left

Several helicopter trips depart from Las Vegas and go to the West Rim of the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. Most of the tours leave from the Las Vegas Strip. There is also a terminal in Boulder City. Make sure you check with vegas Tours when booking tofind out which terminal you will be departing from. If you are coming to Las Vegas and wish to visit the South Rim, you have two options: you may drive yourself to the Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan and then take a helicopter trip from there.  Check with your Vegas Tours agent for availabilty. You can also book a South Rim Bus tour with the helicopter option.

Taking a helicopter tour of Las Vegas is a fantastic opportunity to take in sights like the Grand Canyon and the Strip. After dark, when the lights are on, it stands out. Other tour firms in Las Vegas will organize flights for you to the Grand Canyon if you depart from there.

Conclusion

Moreover, the Grand Canyon’s West Rim is the only starting point for helicopter excursions. Helicopter tours over the West Rim of the Grand Canyon sometimes include stops on the canyon floor, which is a unique and unforgettable experience. Only in this particular section of the Canyon is this possible.

As you can see, there is no one “right” Grand Canyon helicopter tour; rather, it all depends on the visitor’s desired itinerary, starting location, kind of aircraft, available time, and available funds. You may choose your desired service provider as soon as you have things figured out. Most of these excursions sell out quickly, so plan.  Learn more about what we can do for you by checking out http://vegastours.com/. You can also get in touch with us at info@vegastours.com or give us a quick call at 1-866-218-6877.