Helicopter rides from Vegas to Grand Canyon?
How was it? Do they have options to land at the canyon or just fly over it? Which is better? I do NOT want to be doing any hiking. Just want to see it.
Which companies did you use? Was transportation to and from the airport / Strip provided?
Any info on prices or discounts available? How many friends can go in a group? Group size might be anywhere from 2-4.
Thinking about late march / early april.
I did a package with a company with red helicopters that lands by the river, you do about a half hour boat ride, then get back in the helicopter and fly back. So, hardly any time in the canyon. The boat ride didn't do much for me.
I know the Grand Canyon quite well and was disappointed with the landing spot, which is in the west Grand Canyon, which is only about half as deep as the National Park at the north or south rim. However, if you aren't familiar with the better spots, you would probably be impressed.
Discounts are probably going to be hard to come by. As I recall, the helicopters fit four guests.
If you've never been in a helicopter and/or have never been to the Grand Canyon -- go ahead. It is expensive but a trip you'll never forget.
Still, I think if you want to do the Grand Canyon properly, then pay a visit to the National Park on either the north or south rim.
Groupon has discounts for helicopter tours of the Strip and Red Rock Mtn, but not Grand Canyon. However, there are discounts for bus tours to Grand Canyon.
Quote: sodawaterThanks, Wizard. A tour that lands for a 30-min boat ride sounds just about perfect for my purposes. Do you remember the company?
I just looked for the DVD from the trip, but couldn't find it. However, I'm about 90% sure it was Papillon, which I think means butterfly in French.
BTW, one of my favorite trivia questions is the greatest cause of death in the Grand Canyon. The answer is aviation disasters.
Quote: GWAEI have never been there. If you are going to go 1 time only, is it more impressive to see it from the top looking in or landing on the bottom looking up?
I prefer at the bottom looking up.
I am afraid of heights, think it's called 'up in the air aphobia'. I'm going to wait for the release of the video, then watch it from my couch, with my seatbelt securely fastened ;-)Quote: AsswhoopermcdaddyI was thinking about the helicopter, but it was pretty expensive. I'm doing the Hot Air Balloon Ride instead.
Quote: TwoFeathersATLI am afraid of heights, think it's called 'up in the air aphobia'. I'm going to wait for the release of the video, then watch it from my couch, with my seatbelt securely fastened ;-)
Yeah me too....never flew till I was 44 years old.... had to for work ,flying us to job in Northern British Columbia (Fort Nelson)from Calgary few hours flying compared to 16 hrs driving time ..... small small plane big big mountains
http://www.flynca.com/fleet/king-air-200
They didn't tell me in advance we needed to copter in the last 20 minutes to camp.... 20 in the copter or three hours in the pickup on some pretty bad roads.... the red retired med evac copter that comes up
http://www.qwesthelicopters.com/aircraft.html
Trip back was a piece of cake, been in copters about a dozen times up there pretty smooth sailing except when the pilot puts it on its side so we could see his moose he was going to get the next week when hunting season opened LOL....
YOU get a chance to take a helicopter flight jump in its a blast....only part where it feels odd is at liftoff rest of time its
The best part was landing on the Mendenhall glacier. Blue and beautiful.
I've also gotten to fly in the ESPN helicopter over the Daytona 500. The Juneau flight was the only one to top it, helicopter wise.
Haven't done the gc via copter, but got to fly 200 miles of it at 2000 ft in the jump seat of a 757. So I kinda checked that off the bucket list. However, I do need to see it from below, as Mike recommended.
Quote: coilmanYeah me too....never flew till I was 44 years old.... had to for work ,flying us to job in Northern British Columbia (Fort Nelson)from Calgary few hours flying compared to 16 hrs driving time ..... small small plane big big mountains
http://www.flynca.com/fleet/king-air-200
They didn't tell me in advance we needed to copter in the last 20 minutes to camp.... 20 in the copter or three hours in the pickup on some pretty bad roads.... the red retired med evac copter that comes up
http://www.qwesthelicopters.com/aircraft.html
Trip back was a piece of cake, been in copters about a dozen times up there pretty smooth sailing except when the pilot puts it on its side so we could see his moose he was going to get the next week when hunting season opened LOL....
YOU get a chance to take a helicopter flight jump in its a blast....only part where it feels odd is at liftoff rest of time its
When the copter is moving, it is great. However, when the thing "hovers" it is like being trapped in a bouncing elevator. I don't know why the hovering part is so upsetting, and the moving part not a problem. Nevertheless, I do recommend the experience, with air-sickness bag caveat, to everyone who asks.
Quote: AyecarumbaWhen the copter is moving, it is great. However, when the thing "hovers" it is like being trapped in a bouncing elevator. I don't know why the hovering part is so upsetting, and the moving part not a problem. Nevertheless, I do recommend the experience, with air-sickness bag caveat, to everyone who asks.
The only time we felt like anything was hovering was this blue helicopter we passed heading to the same camp... as we passed him he looked like he was sitting still .....other photo the pilot seems pretty relaxed with his cruise control on for the long 20 minute flight
The pilot on my ride had a sponge taped to the stick. I suppose that was to provide some cushion against the nerve killing vibration. Flying a helicopter appears to be a really hard thing to do. It's like playing a huge organ because both hands and both feet are involved in different tasks.
