For all non-Virgin travel topics, with subforums for popular common themes.
#919895 by Bretty
11 Apr 2016, 19:00
Hi everyone, hoping someone can advise on any tour companies they've used for Grand Canyon trips from Vegas. I'm specifically looking for trips by airplane or helicopter as we both dislike spending hours on a bus to get 50 minutes at the destination, I'm sure you get the picture.

I've been looking at 3 different companies, and it gets confusing, and one of them I'm not confident in as their website is atrocious. Another has a great trip to the South Rim by plane, but then has a 3 hour bus tour before returning by plane. Total 8 hours from hotel and back. Then I found the same company does a 'deluxe' tour - plane to South rim, then a 30 minute helicopter flight, and then for some reason only 1 hour to explore before returning. Total 8.5 hours. Well the flight is approx. 45 - 60 minutes each way so when I worked out the itinerary times I was coming with up 2 hours 'lost time'. The company hasn't responded to 2 emails asking for more detail on the itinerary. I've read a few reviews, and it seems you do only get 1 hour free time to explore the place which isn't much. And I've read some horror stories about the tour company.

In the end I'm losing the will to live so thought I'd see if the collective had any opinions / reviews. I've deliberately not named the tour companies. I'd appreciate any advice. We're particularly keen to go to the South Rim, which I know is the most touristy, but also has the most iconic / popular views, but would consider alternatives. We're travelling in 4 weeks.

Thanks for any help :D
#919901 by Eggtastico
11 Apr 2016, 20:18
Grand Canyon airport is about 20mins outside the park - so time could be lost in getting from the plane to helicopter to the park.
If you're going to see it from the Air, I am not sure if you need to see it from the ground as well. Maybe only the 'postcard' stops & visitors centre.
There is not much to see... and the views can feel samey quite quickly. You could probably squeeze in the postcard stops in an hour if the trolley buses work in your favour & there is not long queues. Will you will see more in 30mins helicopter ride & an hour to explore, than you will getting on & off a bus at each stop for 3 hours?

I have driven to South Rim from Vegas (not something I would be in a hurry to do again - its a boring drive!) & didnt really spend much time in the park itself. about 14 hours door to door. That includes stopping for breakfast & lunch on the way!
With the car, I didn't have to wait for buses.
#919905 by buns
11 Apr 2016, 21:43
Hi Bretty

It is now a few years since I took one of these tours, but some reality facts about doing a tour:

Most tour companiers will do a "round robin" of hotel pickups, so expect the trip time to be extended at both ends for that element of the transportation. I remember on one occasion where we booked the early morning flight (early morning and early evenings give the most spectacular views) that we were picked up around 5:30am :-O

If you have not already guessed, the vast majority of tours are done on an industrial scale, so expect lots of sheparding to get you on planes / helicopters and then on the transport if doing a rim tour.

Finally, flying to the Canyon is not for the faint hearted - Mrs Buns has done it once and has no desire to repeat it.

Sorry, if this sounds negative, but best warned I say

buns
#919906 by hazban
11 Apr 2016, 22:09
Well Bretty I have been to the Canyon a number of times over the years, flown there, driven there and even gone by steam train from Williams one thing for sure it is pretty impressive!
First time was on a tour with Scenic Airlines (don't know if they still exist) from Vegas, at the time this involved flying under the rim, landing at the airport then being bused to the south rim. It was a good first experience but we did feel a little rushed and had to follow our leader throughout.
Strangely I felt more of impressed by the scale and grandeur actually standing on the edge than flying through it!
Our most memorable trip was when we stayed at the El Tovar hotel overnight, experiencing the sunset and sunrise before the crowds arrived, with deer munching on the lawn and condors flying overhead was well worth the expense. (I know from your trip reports this is never an issue!)
I am so pleased that you intend straying from the Strip, love Vegas but I am so disappointed that many of my friends stick to the casinos and fail to explore the natural, and other, experiences the area has to offer.
#919911 by Maximus
11 Apr 2016, 23:34
I have little to add. You have decided on the South Rim which is a wise move. How you get there is personal choice, we went on a small group tour in a minibus, just 8 others and us and had a fun (though long and tiring) day. The others on the trip were a great crowd and we chatted away for hours, which made a difference. But such a trip may not be for everybody ;-) Flying in a small plane was vetoed when I suggested it! Note that helicopters at the South Rim are not allowed to fly in to the Canyon.

The day we went the temperature dropped to -15C and it snowed. It was VERY cold. But we had great views. One of our party was from Australia, she had never seen snow before. I think the experience traumatised her to some extent!! :D

Next time I visit it will be on a road trip and we will stay over and hike a little. A flying visit from vegas can only ever give a tastre and an hour there may indeed be enough to achieve that.
#919914 by Hev60
12 Apr 2016, 00:49
Hi Bretty. Well I have experience of doing a trip from LasVegas to the Grand Canyon (west rim) and then last year we saw the true awesome Grand Canyon National park from the ground.

In 2008 whilst staying in Las Vegas, as a very special surprise for my family I booked a trip from LV with Maverick Helicopters. We flew from their base near LV airport, firstly over Lake Mead and then onto the GC. The views of the Colorado river below and the final descent into a very shallow part of the canyon seemed amazing at the time. We landed and had a so called champagne lunch. Then we took off after about half an hour and flew back to Vegas via the Hoover Dam and finally flew up the Strip. I guess you could say it was a trip of a lifetime. Well to be brutely honest, as a family we considered it was overrated and a total waste of money. We did not see the real Grand Canyon - that can only be seen from the South Rim and even then not from the air. Helicopters and small light aircraft are not allowed to fly over the Grand Canyon NP.

Two years ago my son did a trip (against my advice) which involved a bus trip from his LV strip hotel then onto an airfield just north of Las Vegas, from there a light aircraft took them on a tour of some part of the canyon. He didn't enjoy it at all mainly because he felt terrible airsick as the plane shuddered and shook them about. Also he was waiting for those 'picture book' views. He commented to his pals "should have listened to my mother" !!!

Last year, from Phoenix we travelled on a tour to the real awesome GC. Yes it took a few hours to get there but we had some interesting stops on the way. We arrived at our first look out point behind the famous El Tovar hotel. Words cannot describe that first sighting and to be honest it was quite an emotional moment. The rest of the day was wonderful. Personally I found each and every view very different and our photographs of this magnificent place tell their own story. I actually know someone who says the GC is just a hole in the ground and is an boring tourist trap but everyone is entitled to an opinion.

Now I guess my negative comments about trips from LV is not want you wanted to read, sorry and if you decide to take a trip in either a helicopter or light aircraft I really hope it lives up to your expectations. There is no doubt you will see some pretty special views from the air but it won't be that part of the Grand Canyon which is described it as one of the " seven natural wonders of the world".

Maverick were a very well organised and have a good repution for their tours. I certainly would not consider a long coach trip, even just travelling to the west side of the GC. Which ever route you choose, I think you will find it quite tiring but perhaps a worthwhile experience. Hev
#919918 by Janeclar
12 Apr 2016, 08:11
We travelled to the south rim on a Maverick plane in April 2014.
The plane held about 16 people and everyone had s window seat. Views from the plane were good and we saw the Hoover Dam and west rim. On arrival we were taken to the Grand Canyon by bus. Most people were wearing shorts and t shirts but it was very cold until about 11am!! We were given a fairly poor sandwich for lunch on the bus. At the first stop we had about an hour to wander and take photos - the views were very impressive. The people not doing the helicopter tour were taken to a different viewing place for another hour. We then returned to the airport for the flight back.
From talking to people on the flight home, I am glad that we did not opt forged helicopter tour - those people missed half the viewing time and paid a substantial supplement!!!
I would definitely use Maverick again - the day was well organised but a little like being a sheep!
#919921 by TimCrawley
12 Apr 2016, 09:06
Hi Bretty,

I have done trips with Papillon twice (with different friends) and the tour I enjoyed the most was what they now call the Grand Voyager which you can now get for around $434 per person (or $459 including the Skywalk) if you book a few weeks ahead. The morning tours can be a few $ (10-30) more expensive than the afternoon ones (supply/demand - most people go for the morning one if they can). Grand Voyager is 7 hours but that includes flights out & back by plane, boat trip, helicopter descent into canyon etc plus time for shopping or skywalk.

It's a hotel pickup of the type already described in other comments so you can be unlucky and waste time up & down the strip on hotel pickups / drop-offs unless you are driving yourselves to the tour - which some people do for the helicopter one just to avoid the delays as they take you out towards Boulder City to join the helicopter if that's how your particular trip starts but I just can't remember where the airplane ones like Grand Voyager starts as that was 20+ years ago and may have changed since anyway!

Enjoy, whoever you travel with!
Tim
#919925 by Smid
12 Apr 2016, 10:13
I've done "Grand Canyon" a few ways, all of which have their own merits:

1) Helicopter from McCarran, into the West rim to the ground. Quick to get there, a different view, never seem to get the scale from the ground.

2) Bus to Grand Canyon West. This was the first trip. Left at 6am. Got there about 11ish, after a couple of stop offs for ghost towns, boulder dam etc. Had about 3-4 hours wandering around. Got the skywalk. Restaurant was there, and wild west place, and chance of helicopter down from there. Got back at a reasonable time.

As you probably know, it's not technically the grand canyon at this point. However, it is still interesting, with a nice view down, sheer drops, at around 4000 feet up. You get a different, but actually good view of the canyon. In some ways this was actually nicer than the helicopter trip, because you never got to get to see the scale up high.

3) Bus trip to south rim. Left at 6am. Got there around 3:30pm, after a few more ghost towns, interesting stop offs, boulder dam, including a IMAX place with restaurant before we got there. In January, we only got about an hour before the sun went down, but it was clear, and the definitive view of the grand canyon at around 7000 feet up.

On way back, it was a loooong trip because little interruptions. They stuck videos on on the bus to amuse us, but apart from toilet and food breaks, there was little to see. Got back about midnight. So a long day for this.

But like the West, it was still an interesting trip in a different way, and you'd miss a lot if you fly over there.

In the future?

I'd consider it as a part of a longer road trip around National Parks around there. Zion, Bryce, maybe heading on up to Arches, Canyonlands, Rockie Mountain NP, perhaps east to Lake Powell and Monument valley.

But we'd drive to get there, and stay one night at or near the Canyon. We'd perhaps fly into Phoenix (Flagstaff doesn't seem to have a lot of options for getting to), and head on off. I suspect we'd miss the nice little tourist places to go to....

Alternatives too? At 2-3 hours out, we did Death Valley Humvee guided trip, with a lot of stop offs to and from there, and really enjoyed that. It's closer than any of the bits of GC...
#919933 by ScoobySu
12 Apr 2016, 14:56
Hi Bretty

In 2008 hubby & I did the West Rim Sunset trip with Maverick - the trip is currently called "Wind Dancer". Even this took nearly five hours. Not knowing any different at the time we thought it was great. I'm sure we didn't pay anywhere near the current prices though! What I do remember though is after nearly two hours in the helicopter I had a real headache and felt a bit icky when we got back to the hotel. That could just be me though.

However this year we are driving from Vegas to the South Rim - Google maps gives c 270 miles each way without detours on US-93 S and I-40 E. We're staying overnight at Tusayan, with the aim to see sunset and perhaps sun-rise (hubby might be on his own on that one ;-) ). I've been trying since January to see if any cancellations happen inside the park itself though so we can maximise our time at the Canyon.

Hope this helps!

ScoobySu
#919948 by Traveller2
12 Apr 2016, 19:13
We did quite a good trip a few years ago. We went with Scenic Airways for an hour long flight over the Grand Canyon and then we were driven to the Hoover Dam and had a couple of hours there. We did the flight in the early morning and it was amazing. We were on a Twin Otter (two engines....no helicopter for me) and the plane took 13 passengers and two pilots. The windows were huge so we had fantastic views and it was lovely and calm. We booked before we left the UK.
#919950 by pjh
12 Apr 2016, 19:40
Traveller2 wrote: We were on a Twin Otter (two engines....no helicopter for me) and the plane took 13 passengers and two pilots. The windows were huge so we had fantastic views and it was lovely and calm. We booked before we left the UK.


Why does "Con Air" spring into my mind? :)

We stayed at the Canyon so had the chance to wander around. I loved the helicopter trip we did, regardless of which bit of the canyon we flew over. We barrelled along reasonable low toward the rim, "Ride of The Valkyries" came over the headphones and we went from an altitude of a few hundred feet to a few hundred plus what seemed like a few thousand in an instant. That was a test of the stomach....
#919952 by Bretty
12 Apr 2016, 19:44
Thanks everyone for your helpful views, positive and negative, it's enabled me to get a balanced view and given me a few tour operator names to look into.

The main reason for flying for us is speed and cuttIng down what could be a long day. We're neither of us the type for a long day on a charabanc, we'd hate it so we started to look at alternatives. Plane looks the best option and I've done my fair share of flights in a small twin engine plane across to Belfast to know how they roll.

My main concern was with the itinerary of one company I looked at that didn't add up, and even adding time for admin and organising people there still seemed to be 2 hours that was not accounted for in the itinerary description. I've read trip advisor reviews, and whilst I generally take negative reviews with a pinch of salt, there were a reasonable number of these, and even average reviews indicating that the company in question isn't well organised and has pax sitting around waiting unnecessarily, and sometimes subcontracts to another company who change the itinerary.

Thanks again, I'm only in Vegas for 4 nights, 3 full days, so we only have a day for the trip and neither of us want anything above 8 hours or so. I think we've just got to bite the bullet and decide on which, and whether we put in a helicopter flight or use time on the ground to see the main places and iconic views.
#919956 by SNOMO
13 Apr 2016, 08:54
First time we did it we flew from LV to the Canyon in a little 12 seater, interesting flying over the Dam etc., then bus round the rim then flew home again in same plane - felt sick & cramped in plane & said won't do that way again. Since then we have done the Pink Jeep Tour (very comfortable drive, - brilliant driver stopped at the Dam for photo's and walk about and visit to museum then on to Canyon & helicopter down to the bottom (helicopter scary if you sitting in the front - well I did and I was) then boat trip along the Colorado River and return back up on helicopter then trip to the glass walkway & lunch, then drive back to LV. Pick up drop off from hotel. Full day but never felt rushed or tired at the end of it. Excellent value, great information from driver, saw all we wanted got photo's & would do the same again next time we are there - would recommend.
#919964 by Maximus
13 Apr 2016, 11:42
Good luck on whatever you decide. I do think the breathtaking views will be worth it.

There is no getting away from the fact that the South rim is 270 miles from Vegas, and however one chooses to get there will take most of a day. A major investment in time on a short visit, which ofcourse is why the West rim trips are so popular.

A UK comparison would be a day trip from London to the Lake District (269 miles). Not something most of us would relish I guess!
#920335 by Smid
22 Apr 2016, 09:06
Bretty wrote:My main concern was with the itinerary of one company I looked at that didn't add up, and even adding time for admin and organising people there still seemed to be 2 hours that was not accounted for in the itinerary description.


I wonder if this is related to Daylight Savings time, which means that mid autumn to mid spring, Arizona is a different timezone in effect, because they don't do DST.
#920344 by Bretty
22 Apr 2016, 12:57
Well we decided on a tour, and it was fully booked for the dates we have, so decided on another (papillon & pink jeep) to find it fully booked, so found a third and our preferred times were booked so had only a choice of early morning (ugh, no thanks) or afternoon. But we have something booked at last, South Rim airplane to and from and a ground tour when there. Yaayyyy! I can relax now as all the forward planning and pre booked activities are taken care of.
#920361 by Maximus
22 Apr 2016, 20:23
Glad you got something booked and am sure the tours are all much of a muchness. The important end point is that you see the Canyon :-)
#920366 by Bretty
22 Apr 2016, 21:56
@Maximus, you're right, and I'm pleased we got it sorted. I left it a bit late.

@eggtastico, no I think not this time around.
Virgin Atlantic

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 19 guests

Itinerary Calendar