Spring Break will soon be here, so it's time to plan a fun way to celebrate. For instance, nothing is more exciting than taking a trip to the Grand Canyon. You can catch an airplane tour out of Vegas every day of the Spring Break Season. Here's a quick look at what kind of tours are available.
Vegas Airplane Tours
The airplanes that depart from Vegas follow a flight path that goes over the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead on the way to the Canyon. There are flyover and landing tours available, with the air-only option being the most affordable. Even so, I recommend a landing tour, because it will allow you to get the most out of your visit.
You can upgrade your airplane tour with different adventures, such as a helicopter descent to the Canyon floor. That particular tour is exciting, so it is very popular. A picnic awaits you at the bottom of the Canyon, and you can even add on a fun boat ride along the Colorado River if you want.
Visit The Skywalk
If you take a tour to the West Rim, you'll want to visit the Skywalk. The Skywalk is a huge glass viewing platform that extends past the edge of the Canyon wall. It will allow you to stand 4000ft above the Canyon, looking straight down and all around at the sights. There are no cameras allowed on the platform, for safety reasons, but there are professional photographers on site who can capture your moment forever.
South Rim Airplane Tours
You may want to take an airplane tour of the South Rim instead. They fly from Vegas to Tusayan, Arizona near the South Rim. These tours take an epic 50 minute route over the National Park, covering the South Rim, North Rim, and eastern boundary. While you can't land at the South Rim, you can add a ground tour onto your package if you want.
One of the ground tours you can take is a bus ride through the park that lasts about 2 1/2 hours and takes you by all the main sights. If you crave even more adventure, there's also a 4x4 Jeep ride that takes you to locations that aren't easily accessible from a touring bus.
Why Airplane Tours Are Best
Airplanes are the prime choice for budget conscious travelers, because they're more affordable than helicopters. Another point is that if you're traveling in a large group, you can ride together on an airplane. Airplane tours can seat 19 passengers, and there is commentary available for all passengers, in up to 10 different languages. Request any special commentary before your flight, to make sure that it is available on the day.
These airplanes are deHavilland Twin Otters and they are totally customized for sightseeing. For example, the wings are affixed to the top of the body so you can see everything beneath you via the aircraft's oversized windows.
Dress For The Weather Conditions
The West Rim is close to Vegas, and the weather mirrors what's happening in the city. So if you're dressed appropriately for the weather in Vegas, you should be fine at the West Rim. If you're traveling to the South Rim, and you will be departing the airplane, make sure that you bring a warm sweater, with some lighter clothing on underneath. The temperatures can be chilly at the South Rim in the spring, so you want to make sure you'll be warm on your Jeep or bus tour.
Wrapping Up
You want to book your airplane tour in advance, before it sells out. Spring Break is a busy time at the Canyon and tours fill up fast, so try to book yours about two weeks before you go. You can book even earlier to be safe, and the most convenient way to buy your tour is to do it online with your credit card so you lock in your seats and get the best price.
There are plenty of options available for Grand Canyon sightseeing. From Vegas, you have access to the West Rim, and the South, and there are options to suit any budget. So buy your tour as soon as you can, and get ready to have a fantastic Spring Break getaway.
Vegas Airplane Tours
The airplanes that depart from Vegas follow a flight path that goes over the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead on the way to the Canyon. There are flyover and landing tours available, with the air-only option being the most affordable. Even so, I recommend a landing tour, because it will allow you to get the most out of your visit.
You can upgrade your airplane tour with different adventures, such as a helicopter descent to the Canyon floor. That particular tour is exciting, so it is very popular. A picnic awaits you at the bottom of the Canyon, and you can even add on a fun boat ride along the Colorado River if you want.
Visit The Skywalk
If you take a tour to the West Rim, you'll want to visit the Skywalk. The Skywalk is a huge glass viewing platform that extends past the edge of the Canyon wall. It will allow you to stand 4000ft above the Canyon, looking straight down and all around at the sights. There are no cameras allowed on the platform, for safety reasons, but there are professional photographers on site who can capture your moment forever.
South Rim Airplane Tours
You may want to take an airplane tour of the South Rim instead. They fly from Vegas to Tusayan, Arizona near the South Rim. These tours take an epic 50 minute route over the National Park, covering the South Rim, North Rim, and eastern boundary. While you can't land at the South Rim, you can add a ground tour onto your package if you want.
One of the ground tours you can take is a bus ride through the park that lasts about 2 1/2 hours and takes you by all the main sights. If you crave even more adventure, there's also a 4x4 Jeep ride that takes you to locations that aren't easily accessible from a touring bus.
Why Airplane Tours Are Best
Airplanes are the prime choice for budget conscious travelers, because they're more affordable than helicopters. Another point is that if you're traveling in a large group, you can ride together on an airplane. Airplane tours can seat 19 passengers, and there is commentary available for all passengers, in up to 10 different languages. Request any special commentary before your flight, to make sure that it is available on the day.
These airplanes are deHavilland Twin Otters and they are totally customized for sightseeing. For example, the wings are affixed to the top of the body so you can see everything beneath you via the aircraft's oversized windows.
Dress For The Weather Conditions
The West Rim is close to Vegas, and the weather mirrors what's happening in the city. So if you're dressed appropriately for the weather in Vegas, you should be fine at the West Rim. If you're traveling to the South Rim, and you will be departing the airplane, make sure that you bring a warm sweater, with some lighter clothing on underneath. The temperatures can be chilly at the South Rim in the spring, so you want to make sure you'll be warm on your Jeep or bus tour.
Wrapping Up
You want to book your airplane tour in advance, before it sells out. Spring Break is a busy time at the Canyon and tours fill up fast, so try to book yours about two weeks before you go. You can book even earlier to be safe, and the most convenient way to buy your tour is to do it online with your credit card so you lock in your seats and get the best price.
There are plenty of options available for Grand Canyon sightseeing. From Vegas, you have access to the West Rim, and the South, and there are options to suit any budget. So buy your tour as soon as you can, and get ready to have a fantastic Spring Break getaway.
About the Author:
Expert author Ione Mahler recommends readers go here for a list of all Grand Canyon tours and here for the best Canyon airplane rides at low Internet discount prices: http://www.grandcanyondaytrips.com/best-airplane-tours/
