Las Vegas to Grand Canyon Helicopter tour

[boomy]

Looking for recommendations on helicopter tours.

There are many companies which offer different packages at different price rage. We are looking to maximise time in the air with a stop in the canyon.

Since we’ll be there during winter we can pass on all kinds of fancy meal options in the canyon which I see some companies offer as part of the package.

 

[Captain Halliday]

We flew from GCN down the southern end, but I can recommend Grand Canyon Helicopters. They operate EC130 Ecostar helicopters. Ecostar | Grand Canyon Helicopters

These aircraft are designed for tourism ops and have a wrap around style windscreen which improves visibility, especially in the front seats.

One other tip, Papillon is the parent company of Grand Canyon Helicopters (or vice versa). But both operate as separate brands. When we were there three years ago they offered the same tours but with different names. Eg “Grand Explorer” or “Canyon Explorer” and the pricing was different. We saved USD20 per person booking with GC Helicopters rather than Papillon even though it was the same tour, same aircraft.

 

[vetrade]

Agree with Capt. Halliday that Ecostar is the only way to go. Without knowing your time constraints, can I say that it's best to get a chopper tour from Tusayan Airport rather than from Vegas where most of the flight is spent just travelling to / from from the GC? We flew with Papillon but from memory prices tended to vary with what time of day you wanted to take the flight rather than between companies. Prices for both companies were better the further out you book.

Since you are going in winter also be aware that the weather can cause cancellations at short notice. We went in mid May and drove from Vegas, and stayed in Tusayan because, after the GC, we were heading further east to Monument Valley. Even though we were there at a warm time of year, on the first day our chopper tour was cancelled because it snowed and visibility was too low to fly. So, having the option of trying for better weather the next day can be worth it.

 

[Hvr]

And if they offer the option to fly and land in the canyon I can only say, take it.

 

[jastel]

Sunset cruise is usually a few bucks more but worth it as Vegas is lit up when you get back.

 

[n7of9]

I went with Maverick and it was a great day. Picked up super early, 5'ish, caught a small plane from Henderson, NV to Arizona (which was great because everyone went to sleep and I hung out at the front with the pilots!). Then the helicopter tour from South Rim to North, then minivan to Grand Canyon village for a sandwich lunch and picture rest. We were back in Vegas by about 2pm. It was around $500 per person and one of the best touring days I've ever had.

Make sure you go to the National Park proper, the South Rim, as it's more stunning than the Indian lands where the 'West' Rim and Skywalk are. I think the rule is, if you can land a helicopter on it you're not in the NP. Park rangers pay particular attention to sustainability and eco conservation.

This sounds like the same trip - Grand Canyon Plane Tour | Grand Canyon Helicopter Ride | 702-843-6196