Spring 2013 is fast approaching. So it is time to book a seat on a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon for your spring vacation. You have several tour operators, packages, sights and attractions to choose from when planning your tour.
Your first decision is whether to go to the South or the West Rim. If you will be vacationing in central Arizona, helicopter tours to the South Rim is the best choice. If you'll be coming from Vegas, the West Rim is close by, only 120 miles away.
Grand Canyon helicopters don't fly from Vegas to the South Rim because of the distances involved. If you really want to see the South Rim and leave from Vegas, you can, but you have to take a plane or bus to the South Rim and then board a helicopter once there. I strongly recommend the plane because it's so much quicker and more convenient than the bus.
The West and South Rims are very different from each other. If seeing nature's beauty and vast scenic landscapes is your main goal, then going to the South Rim is the best choice. The West Rim is the place to be if you want adventure and thrills. The West Rim's altitude is around 4000 feet and offers hot summer days where the temperature soars above 100 degrees, and the South Rim is cooler at 7000 feet and offers cold and snowy winter days.
Because winter is the off-season, there are fewer tours available then. When spring rolls around and the weather gets warm, tourists return and tour operators fill the demand with a variety of tour options. The summer months are considered peak season and the tours are so popular the seats fill up fast.
As stated earlier, the South Rim is known for its magnificent beauty. It is often referred to as the "official" or "real" Grand Canyon and the main gates to the Park are located there. The Park is so huge, it covers more than a million acres, that the only way you can truly appreciate it is to see it from the air in a helicopter.
You can choose from two tours at the South Rim. One is in the air for 50 minutes, while the shorter version gives you 30 minutes of airtime. The short one goes from the South Rim to the North Rim and then back. The longer tour adds on a side trip to the East Rim. That is where you can see Zuni Corridor and Imperial Point.
The West Rim is the only area where the government lets choppers fly below the rim and land on the canyon floor (this is strictly prohibited at the South Rim). That's one of the reasons this part of the canyon is known for excitement and adventure. For example, you could enjoy a fun champagne picnic while on the canyon floor or go for an exciting raft ride on the Colorado River.
One particular tour package lets you do the picnic, the float trip, and take an exciting stroll on the Grand Canyon Skywalk - the famous glass bridge at Grand Canyon West. When you walk out on the Skywalk, you can peer past your feet into the depths of the canyon, thousands of feet below.
Any of these tours would be great fun on your spring vacation. I'm convinced that more are coming, though. Tour operators are always looking for new ways to help travelers see and experience the glory of this natural wonder.
Keep in mind
, the best bargains for these tours are found online. You can even get an internet discount when you book and pay for your tour online. I've saved up to 30% by booking my flights this way!
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