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The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular natural wonders in the United States. Sightseers from all around the world travel to Arizona to view the magnificent scenery, and many of them choose a guided tour by bus, helicopter, plane, Jeep, horse, mule, or even on foot. If you take a tour out of the city of Las Vegas, you can choose between going to the West Rim or the South Rim. Tours that depart from central Arizona from cities such as Scottsdale, Sedona, or Phoenix, only have the option of going to the South Rim. Below are the types of Grand Canyon guided trips on offer: Helicopter Tours Although helicopter tours are offered at both rims, the South Rim is beyond the range of choppers flying out of Las Vegas. So if you are leaving from Vegas, your copter will only fly you to the West Rim. If you have your heart set on seeing the South Rim and you plan to leave from Vegas, then you will need to take a bus or airplane to the canyon and board your helicopter there. Just keep in mind the West Rim is where helicopters have permission to fly down and land on the canyon floor. That makes this tour almost a must-do experience, especially since you're able to add an optional boat ride down the Colorado River. Another fun option to include on a landing tour of the West Rim is a VIP pass to the thrilling glass Skywalk. The South Rim is a little different because helicopters are not allowed to fly lower than the rim there. Helicopter tours are available at the South Rim, but they fly rim-to-rim or fly over most of the National Park area. These flights are great if you don't have much time to explore the canyon; you will get to see a large part of it from above. Sightseeing Motor Coaches If you are leaving from Vegas, you can also choose a guided bus tour of the South Rim of the West Rim. All these tours include a stopover for photos at Hoover Dam. Trips to the West Rim are usually pretty flexible; you could even add a helicopter ride to the bottom of the canyon and a boat ride down the river. Bus tours from Vegas to the South Rim are the least expensive way to see this spectacular location. If you want, you can add an optional helicopter tour to your package. Airplane Tours You can take airplane tours at both rims. There are air-only tours and landing tours; the landing tours are only available on the West Rim. If you decide to land at the West Rim, an enjoyable option would be to add a helicopter trip to the bottom of the canyon where you can float down the Colorado River. Another fun experience you don't want to miss when you land at the West Rim is a heart-pounding walk over the glass Skywalk. If you choose a plane tour to the South Rim, your pilot will follow the same route as the helicopters take that fly to the South Rim. Guide Trips by Raft Smooth-water rafting (much different from whitewater rafting) is offered at both rims, but only between April and November. From Vegas, you can catch a chopper to the base of the Hoover Dam where the boats depart. From that point, you will meander eleven miles down the Colorado River to Willow Beach, Arizona. The rafting tours at the South Rim begin at Glen Canyon Dam in Page, Arizona and take you fifteen miles down river to historic Lee's Ferry; you can take a luxury bus or airplane from Vegas to Glen Canyon Dam. All of these tours to the West Rim, raft, plane and helicopter, offer transportation to and from your hotel as part of the package. The chopper, plane, and bus tours also offer meals and an informative and entertaining tour guide. If you want to take an air tour of the South Rim, you will need to make your own arrangements for getting to the Grand Canyon Airport, except for rafting tours, which include shuttle service as part of the package. All of these exciting guided tours of the Grand Canyon are so popular that seats fill up quickly; be sure to reserve you space well in advance so you don't get shut out. Remember to check the tour operators' websites before you book your seat so you can take advantage of current specials and coupons. Buy your tickets online too and then you can get the special internet discount. Just don't wait to buy your tickets after you get to Vegas. You'll pay more than need to, and you might not even get the tour you really want. Author Bio Travel editor Justine Moriarity is an authority on Grand Canyon tours. If you are looking for the top canyon outings at the cheapest price, she recommends you start out here: http://www.grandcanyon123.com
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