Are you looking for a fun and different way to celebrate the New Year? The Grand Canyon is waiting for you, and there's no better way to see it than from the air. You can tour the West Rim or the South Rim depending on which area you want to see.
Because we're already in December, tickets are being snapped up fast. If you want to avoid disappointment, you will need to book now, or at least one week in advance. You can book online using your credit card, which is the most convenient way to ensure your seats are secured, and you will also find the best deals when you book online.
Tours leave from Vegas and Arizona, and you can even fly to Arizona from Vegas if you're more interested in seeing the South Rim. There are plenty of fun things you can do on these tours.
Vegas Airplane Tours
If you depart from Vegas, your plane will fly over the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead giving you a bird's eye view of these impressive landmarks. Then, if you buy an air-only tour, your plane flies over the rim and heads back to the city. If you have time, you should consider booking a landing tour so you can spend some time at the Canyon.
Tours land at the top of the Rim, and from there you can take advantage of a number of additional packages. There's the Skywalk viewing platform, for starters, which will place you on a transparent platform that is around 4000ft above the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and 70ft over the edge. For safety, you can't take cameras on the Skywalk, but there is a professional photography service on hand, to capture the moment.
You can also fly to the bottom of the canyon in a helicopter. This one is super popular with tourists. There's a Champagne picnic option, or even a boat tour on the Colorado River.
South Rim Tours
You can start your tour from the South Rim, or you can fly out there from Vegas. All of the tours begin near the main gates of the South Rim.
Although there's a shorter 30 minute flight, the 50 minute flight is the best option at the South Rim. It costs only a little extra, but it offers so much more. This tour goes to the remote and mystifying North Rim. And then out to the eastern boundary of the park, before going back to the South Rim. Why do I love this tour? Because it allows you to see around 75% of the total Grand Canyon National Park. When you take into account how big the Canyon and the park is, that's a massive achievement. The Dragoon Corridor is located at the South Rim, and it's the deepest and widest part of the entire Canyon.
Your airplane won't be able to land at the South Rim like planes do at the West Rim, but there are still fun adventures you can add on to your tour. You could book a 2 1/2 hour bus ride through the Park or a fun off-road Jeep tour through the rugged terrain.
Sightseeing Aircraft
Airplane tours are all-inclusive, so there are no extra costs once your tour is underway. Nineteen people can ride on each tour, so touring by plane is a good choice when you have a large group or family that wants to go on the same tour together. Most importantly, the planes have been designed for optimal viewing. They have oversized viewing windows, and the wings are mounted above the windows, so there's nothing to block the view. If you're coming from abroad or have companions who are, there is in flight-narration, which can be provided in 10 major languages.
Final Thoughts
Even though New Year's Eve is a time to celebrate, it is easy to get in a rut and do the same thing each year. Booking a Canyon tour from Las Vegas or Arizona will allow you to do something truly special this year, and make the most of the holiday. Remember that you need to book early, as this is one of the most popular times of the year to travel. Book your tour the easy way by paying for it online with your credit card. You'll get the best price and will have no stress with your booking when it comes to the day for your tour.
Because we're already in December, tickets are being snapped up fast. If you want to avoid disappointment, you will need to book now, or at least one week in advance. You can book online using your credit card, which is the most convenient way to ensure your seats are secured, and you will also find the best deals when you book online.
Tours leave from Vegas and Arizona, and you can even fly to Arizona from Vegas if you're more interested in seeing the South Rim. There are plenty of fun things you can do on these tours.
Vegas Airplane Tours
If you depart from Vegas, your plane will fly over the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead giving you a bird's eye view of these impressive landmarks. Then, if you buy an air-only tour, your plane flies over the rim and heads back to the city. If you have time, you should consider booking a landing tour so you can spend some time at the Canyon.
Tours land at the top of the Rim, and from there you can take advantage of a number of additional packages. There's the Skywalk viewing platform, for starters, which will place you on a transparent platform that is around 4000ft above the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and 70ft over the edge. For safety, you can't take cameras on the Skywalk, but there is a professional photography service on hand, to capture the moment.
You can also fly to the bottom of the canyon in a helicopter. This one is super popular with tourists. There's a Champagne picnic option, or even a boat tour on the Colorado River.
South Rim Tours
You can start your tour from the South Rim, or you can fly out there from Vegas. All of the tours begin near the main gates of the South Rim.
Although there's a shorter 30 minute flight, the 50 minute flight is the best option at the South Rim. It costs only a little extra, but it offers so much more. This tour goes to the remote and mystifying North Rim. And then out to the eastern boundary of the park, before going back to the South Rim. Why do I love this tour? Because it allows you to see around 75% of the total Grand Canyon National Park. When you take into account how big the Canyon and the park is, that's a massive achievement. The Dragoon Corridor is located at the South Rim, and it's the deepest and widest part of the entire Canyon.
Your airplane won't be able to land at the South Rim like planes do at the West Rim, but there are still fun adventures you can add on to your tour. You could book a 2 1/2 hour bus ride through the Park or a fun off-road Jeep tour through the rugged terrain.
Sightseeing Aircraft
Airplane tours are all-inclusive, so there are no extra costs once your tour is underway. Nineteen people can ride on each tour, so touring by plane is a good choice when you have a large group or family that wants to go on the same tour together. Most importantly, the planes have been designed for optimal viewing. They have oversized viewing windows, and the wings are mounted above the windows, so there's nothing to block the view. If you're coming from abroad or have companions who are, there is in flight-narration, which can be provided in 10 major languages.
Final Thoughts
Even though New Year's Eve is a time to celebrate, it is easy to get in a rut and do the same thing each year. Booking a Canyon tour from Las Vegas or Arizona will allow you to do something truly special this year, and make the most of the holiday. Remember that you need to book early, as this is one of the most popular times of the year to travel. Book your tour the easy way by paying for it online with your credit card. You'll get the best price and will have no stress with your booking when it comes to the day for your tour.
About the Author:
Grand Canyon expert Debbie Shooster recommends these National Park tours and specifically these fabulous airplane tours from Las Vegas and Arizona: http://www.grandcanyondaytrips.com/best-airplane-tours/
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