Recommendations for helicopter tour of Grand Canyon?

[Descartes]

The fiance and I are going to Vegas for a few days, and since she's not from the states I thought it'd be nice to show her the Grand Canyon. I've never done the helicopter tour, but I think that'd probably give the best experience overall.

Any recommendations for tour companies or alternatives? Thanks!

 

[MrPickins]

My sister in law and her husband did that when they were in Vegas, and had a really good time. I'll try to find out the name of the company and a few details this evening.

 

[ultimatebob]

Go for the Papillon "Grand Celebration" helicopter tour with the Las Vegas strip flyover upgrade. It takes off and lands at the Las Vegas airport, and they fly you right into the canyon for lunch.

I've done two Grand Canyon flying tours, and that Grand Celebration was the better of the two by far.

 

[KillyKillall]

mail order bride?

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: KillyKillall
mail order bride?

I thought that was Bennylong

 

[kranky]

We did it a couple years ago, and it was OK. They are not allowed to actually enter the canyon. One side of the canyon is a little higher than the other so they go lower than the high side but not the low side, giving you the illusion you are in the canyon.

I don't remember which outfit we used but they had three seats in the back, and some poor person got stuck in the middle. I wouldn't do it again unless I knew I'd have a window seat.

 

[jst0ney]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
Go for the Papillon "Grand Celebration" helicopter tour with the Las Vegas strip flyover upgrade. It takes off and lands at the Las Vegas airport, and they fly you right into the canyon for lunch.

I've done two Grand Canyon flying tours, and that Grand Celebration was the better of the two by far.

Agreed, I know the guys who run Papillon and they are great.

 

[Descartes]

Thanks everyone. That helps. We might try and do the skywalk as well. I'm not too impressed by it, but might as well give it a try since we'll be there. They have some tours that tour the Indian villages, etc. as well.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: KillyKillall
mail order bride?

Uhh, no. She's been here 6 years. When I said she's "not from the states" I merely meant that she hasn't seen some of the monuments that many Americans have.

 

[mercanucaribe]

The creationist one

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: kranky
We did it a couple years ago, and it was OK. They are not allowed to actually enter the canyon. One side of the canyon is a little higher than the other so they go lower than the high side but not the low side, giving you the illusion you are in the canyon.

I don't remember which outfit we used but they had three seats in the back, and some poor person got stuck in the middle. I wouldn't do it again unless I knew I'd have a window seat.

Part of the canyon is owned by the Hualapai tribe, and the helicopters are allowed to fly and land in that part of the canyon. The federally owned section of the canyon is off limits, though.

 

[sager66]

Originally posted by: Descartes
We might try and do the skywalk as well.

$75 per person and NO CAMERAS allowed on the SkyWalk.
http://www.lasvegastalk.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=39271

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: sager66

Originally posted by: Descartes
We might try and do the skywalk as well.

$75 per person and NO CAMERAS allowed on the SkyWalk.
http://www.lasvegastalk.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=39271

Ahh, that's crap. I'll probably still go though

 

[eleison]

Someone died on one of the helicopter tour when I was in vegas.. decided I'm not really into helicopter tours

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

When you do go, remember that the people selling the tickets are like most any salesperson - they have to sell, and so they can give incentives. I think we spent a good 5 minutes or so asking what kind of discounts they can give.

Be sure to check your hotel and pick up all the flyers/pamphlets possible. When you're ready, go to one, and show them what the competitors are offering and ask them to beat it.

 

[paulney]

I'd buy a tour on a Blackhawk or a Huey if possible. Bet that would be the view

 

[CaptnKirk]

If you could get your hands on this it would be a fun ride, armed of course . .

 

[jpeyton]

Do the Airwolf tour. They do that cool thing rising out of that rock chimney :thumbsup:

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Do the Airwolf tour. They do that cool thing rising out of that rock chimney :thumbsup:

I'd go if the tour guide allowed you to fire rockets at targets in the canyon

Even then, the tour would probably have 50 minutes of boring plot development and only the last 10 minutes would involve flying in the helicopter!