Helicopters fly direct to the canyon's West Rim, which is 120 miles from The Strip, and reach the Park in under an hour.
"The flight over is terrific," said Keith Kravitz, owner of Grand Canyon Helicopters. "The flight path takes you over Lake Mead, Hoover Dam and the Grand Cliff's Wash."
Travelers have two kinds of flights from which to choose: Air and landing.
"The aerial tour is the cheapest option," Kravitz said. "It’s also perfect for travelers looking for the quickest way to sample the canyon."
Landing tours are trips that land at the bottom or top of the canyon.
"The most popular landing tour is one that flies to the bottom," Kravitz said. "Once deplaned, passengers get to partake in a Champagne picnic."
Typical bottom time is estimated to be half and hour.
"That's just enough time to toast the canyon and check out the Colorado River, which is around 125 yards away from the picnic area."
Kravitz also praised another landing tour that includes the top and bottom in a single flight.
"This is called the super tour because it packs everything possible into one trip," he noted. "First up is a Colorado River boat ride and then full-access to the Grand Canyon Skywalk.”
There's also a trip that lands at the top that includes the Skywalk and up to three hours of exploration time.
"The Hualapai have done a great job making the top of the rim accessible," Kravitz said. "There are two key lookout points, Guano Point and Eagle Point, and both can be reached by the Tribe's free shuttle bus service.”
The West Rim, also known as Grand Canyon West, is situated entirely on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, which is comprised of more than 1 million acres of Mojave Desert.
"The rim is as isolated as it gets," Kravitz said. "This only intensifies once helicopters dip below the rim and go inside the Grand Canyon."
The West Rim is the only place where helicopters are allowed to fly below the rim and land on the bottom.
It’s advised that travelers book helicopter tours at least a week ahead of time.
“Flights are very popular, especially during summer,” said Kravitz. “Book one week out and most tours will still be available, and avoid waiting until the last minute. I’ve seen too many travelers show up and get left behind on the tarmac.”
Also key is reconfirming reservations and being at the designated pick-up location on time.
“If a flight has been cancelled or rescheduled, it will be announced during the re-confirmation phone call,” Kravitz said. “Also, find the shuttle-stop location the night before your flight. This will assure you are the right place at the right time.”
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