Question about Vegas and the Grand Canyon

quaz · quaz's Garage

My wife and I are going to Vegas in a couple of weeks for our anniversary and she has never been to the Grand Canyon. Last time I went I took my rental and drove out there from Vegas and it is a long drive. I am not sure I want to waste a day and spend that much time with a rental. So I am considering either taking a helicopter or plane tour. Does anyone have any experience with either and is there one particular tour you would recommend? I realize they are a little pricey, but how many times in your life do you do it?

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Have you considered checking out the Hualapai Skywalk? It's also not cheap, but a lot cheaper than flying to the park. I think it's not too far from Kingman, which is about 1/3 of the distance from Vegas to the GC. From now on I will only ever go to the North Rim. It's kind of remote, so it's never really crowded. The scenery is much better that way and I hate crowds. I did a helo tour from the South Rim. The company is called Papillon Tours and I think they also operate out of Vegas. It was pretty reasonably priced from the South Rim airport. Dunno about pricing from Vegas.

Joeaksa · 05-20-2010, 06:47 AM

Thanks for coming to Arizona. You will love the canyon and if you can take the ride to the bottom.

lukeh · lukeh's Garage

I used actiontours.com out of Vegas. I did the drive and fly package. You drive out on dirt trails into the Mojave desert. We saw Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, black canyon and a Joshua tree forest.

The canyon is on a reservation so the view is unspoiled beauty. There was nothing between you and the mile drop to the bottom of the canyon.

We took the helicopter back and that was beyond words. The pilot took us over the edge of the canyon and put the helicopter into a fall. He has us all screaming.

It was the perfect day and I'll never forget that trip.

KNS · 05-20-2010, 07:33 AM

I lived at the south rim for two summers, (95-96), A helicopter tour is a must-do but you have to see the canyon from the edge, much better still is to do a day hike or even just a couple of miles down the Bright Angel or Kaibab trail. That is the *best* perspective.

Paco Anton · Paco Anton's Garage

A few years ago I was in LV and did the Grand Canyon Deluxe Tour with Scenic Airways:

Tours from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon - Canyon Connoisseur - Air Tours from Las Vegas

Plane to the Canyon + bus to the rim + plane back to LV

Very happy with it. The trip takes you over Lake Meade and the Hoover Dam. The plane did move a lot, but I just made it more thrilling!!!

sammyg2 · 05-20-2010, 11:10 AM

My youngest brother used to fly grand canyon tours when he was first starting out and trying to get his hours up.
Based on the stories he told me, I'd never, ever get in one of those junkyard salvaged planes.
Never. Did I mention ever?

Seahawk · 05-20-2010, 11:32 AM

One of the fine memories of my flying career was dropping over the north rim on NVG's, half moon.

I know I probably thinned the placenta of canyon sheep...

sailchef · sailchef's Garage

Stop by at The El Tovar Hotel for lunch, its on the south rim. The patio looks straight down to the canyon floor. I used to work there back in the 70's. It is an awsome place. Have fun.

scottmandue · 05-20-2010, 11:42 AM

I took the plane ride and it was great.

Added tip, if you book the early morning flight don't stay up till 4 getting drunk like I did.

Joeaksa · 05-20-2010, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

One of the fine memories of my flying career was dropping over the north rim on NVG's, half moon.

I know I probably thinned the placenta of canyon sheep...

In the "old days" we flew all through-out the canyon, both above and below the rim. Now its not allowed but sure was a lot of fun back then.

NVG's would be the trick way to do things.

Sailchef,

El Tovar is still very nice and a excellent place to visit.

AFC-911 · 09-15-2010, 08:26 AM

I've never been to LV or the GC. How long is the drive to the GC? I just found a really good deal on a flight/hotel.

Also, I remember reading about a Pelican get together in LV, when is that happening?

Laneco · 09-15-2010, 08:41 AM

Why don't you go to Vegas, drive the Grand Canyon (which is absolutely AWESOME), then go to Lake Powell?

Rent a house boat for a few days, park down one of the arms of the lake and be away from everything. The stars are so bright, and with no ambient light, you can read a book by starlight without the aid of the moon. Water is still about 80 degrees in early October. No crowds. Better deals on the boat.

angela

Joeaksa · 09-15-2010, 11:08 AM

Arvin,

Where are you driving from, Vegas or AZ?

You can make it in about 4 hours or so from either Vegas or Phoenix to the Grand Canyon.

As for the meeting in Vegas, I cannot get enough people to hold their hands up and say "Hell yes, lets do it again" to get things rolling.

AFC-911 · 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Arvin,

Where are you driving from, Vegas or AZ?

You can make it in about 4 hours or so from either Vegas or Phoenix to the Grand Canyon.

As for the meeting in Vegas, I cannot get enough people to hold their hands up and say "Hell yes, lets do it again" to get things rolling.

I'm flying from TPA to LAS. I'm either trying to get friends to travel with me (highly unlikely since we're all mid to late 20s) or was looking forward to meeting with you guys.

One way or the other, I NEED to travel!

For those who were on the fence about LV: here's the deal that I found Las Vegas, Air/3 Nights, From $249 - Budget Travel

BTW, if I do end up going, I will be doing Vegas & the Canyon...Undecided if I want to drive there though.

Joeaksa · 09-15-2010, 05:12 PM

If you do not drive the Grand Canyon, you really should spend the $$ and take the quickie helo or airplane tour. Its well worth seeing.

Let me check with Todd and see when he is going to be there.

JoeA

Jeff Jagusch · 09-15-2010, 05:49 PM

You wont regret it, my wife and I did it a few years ago, and it's in our top 5 ever list!
almost a cool as the canyon, is the flight down the strip on the way back!

Drive over to Hoover Dam, it's a great tour!

Joeaksa · 09-15-2010, 05:56 PM

Arvin,

Just posted after talking with Todd a bit.

Anyone up for a Pelican meet in Vegas? 1-3 October?

DanielDudley · 09-15-2010, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukeh

I used actiontours.com out of Vegas. I did the drive and fly package. You drive out on dirt trails into the Mojave desert. We saw Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, black canyon and a Joshua tree forest.

The canyon is on a reservation so the view is unspoiled beauty. There was nothing between you and the mile drop to the bottom of the canyon.

We took the helicopter back and that was beyond words. The pilot took us over the edge of the canyon and put the helicopter into a fall. He has us all screaming.

It was the perfect day and I'll never forget that trip.

This is it.

I was carpentry supervisor for the National Park Lodges for five years, and this is really the best.

Kaliv · Kaliv's Garage

I took a helicopter ride from Boulder Airport to the Grand Canyon. It was well worth it. For one, I had never flown in a helicopter so the experience there was nice. The tour took us around the Hoover Dam, past the Hualapai Skywalk and then landed on some island in the Grand Canyon on an Indian Reservation. Nothing there except a pavilion. Lunch was provided in the price when we landed and we got to walk around an take pictures. The return flight was over the Joshua Tree area.

I don't remember the company name, but it may have been Papillon. The link looks like exactly what we got.

Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours from Las Vegas - Grand Celebration Tour

And make sure you get the upgraded helicopter, the one where the back rotor is in some kind of housing. They looked a lot better than your typical helicopter with more viewing area.

Atleast that was my experience.