If you want a Grand Canyon helicopter tour from Las Vegas and you want to make it quick, I suggest going air only (versus landing). These flights cover the Canyon and everything else in between and at a price that can\’t be beat.

The travel industry here in Las Vegas refers to this particular kind of tour as the \”basic\” package. I personally find that to be a misnomer as these trips pack a lot of punch, especially the one that leaves from The Strip.

In essence, these helicopter rides leave from the Vegas area and fly over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Grand Cliffs Wash, the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon Skywalk before heading back to Sin City.

Departure Points

Now here\’s where it gets interesting. These air-only helicopter rides take off from two locations: Boulder City, NV, and The Strip. The former is essentially a suburb of Las Vegas and requires a 30-minute shuttle ride to that town\’s municipal airport. The other takes off from The Strip itself.

Thus location is everything. If you want to get the cheapest version of this flight I recommend taking the Boulder version. In essence you\’re getting a reduced fare in exchange for the 1/2-hour shuttle ride. Further, there are more choppers there so volume also plays a role.

However, if you want convenience, then The Strip version of this flight is the ONLY way to go. From most Las Vegas resorts it\’s just a 10-minute ride. But the real benefit in my opinion is that you do it in a limousine.

Game Changer

To my mind, limos really change the game, especially if you are celebrating a special occasion. Think about it. If you were doing a birthday or an anniversary, wouldn\’t it be extra special to be picked up in a limo versus a van? For me, it\’s the latter of the two.

Both of these tours use the EcoStar 130. If you\’re unfamiliar with this aircraft, it truly is the only way to fly. The EC 130 is 25 percent larger than other aircraft and comes with forward facing, theater-style seating. Moreover, it boasts a 180-degree wraparound windshield, thus offering superior views.

Another thing you need to keep in mind is availability. Even though The Strip version of this flight is more expensive, it nearly always sells out, especially if you try to book it within 48 hours of departure. So to avoid being \”locked out,\” I suggest you try to purchase it at least a week in advance. Booking like this will also lower your rate.

Conclusion

This article\’s intent was to introduce the Grand Canyon helicopter tour from Las Vegas that\’s air only. I wanted to explain that there are two versions of this trip, the basic and the deluxe. The key things that differentiate the two are: 1) Where you take off from; and 2) if you prefer a van or limousine transport to and from you Vegas hotel. Lastly, remember to book these flights ahead of time as both are very popular and have a tendency to sell out.

Grand Canyon expert Keith Kravitz is an expert on national park helicopter tours. He recommends these flights from Las Vegas: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopters.org/las-vegas/

Grand Canyon expert Keith Kravitz is an expert on national park helicopter tours: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopters.org/ He recommends these flights from Las Vegas: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopters.org/las-vegas/

Author Bio: Grand Canyon expert Keith Kravitz is an expert on national park helicopter tours. He recommends these flights from Las Vegas: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopters.org/las-vegas/

Category: Travel
Keywords: las vegas helicopters, grand canyon helicopters, south rim, skywalk, tours, flights, deals