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When you want to fully appreciate the magnificence of the Grand Canyon, you should view it from the air on a helicopter tour. These air tours let you see and experience the marvels of the canyon in a way that would otherwise take you a few days or even weeks. Hands down, they're a great way to see America's only Natural Wonder of the World! You can explore both the West and South Rim by helicopter. Helicopters going to the South Rim take off from Grand Canyon National Park Airport in Tusayan, Arizona and tours to the West Rim take off from airfields in the Vegas area. Helicopters do not fly from Las Vegas to the South Rim and there are no flights that go between the two rims. Chopper Tours To The South Rim South Rim chopper tours are categorized by flight time and how much of the Park they cover. On the longer 50-minute flight you pass through the widest and deepest part of the canyon known as Dragoon Corridor on your way to the North Rim and eastern Park boundary. You also get to fly over Grand Canyon Village. Other scenic landmarks you see include the Painted Desert, Zuni Corridor, and Imperial Point. West Rim Helicopters It takes about 45 minutes to take the chopper ride from Vegas to the West Rim. Before arriving at the rim, these air tours pass over Hoover Dam and scenic Lake Mead. A couple of things make the West Rim special. It is the only place in the canyon where choppers are allowed to fly down to the canyon floor. So you can take a helicopter tour that includes landing on the canyon floor for a champagne picnic! Another popular option is the tour that lands on the bottom and at the top. You can walk on the glass Grand Canyon Skywalk on top of the rim and float down the Colorado River at the bottom. Some other high points you don't want to miss include Eagle Point, Hualapai Ranch, Guano Point, and the Indian Cultural Center. Be sure to visit the Skywalk because it is a popular attraction. And there is good reason. It happens to be the largest glass cantilevered bridge in the world and you can walk out on it 70 feet past the edge and stand 4000 feet above the bottom of the canyon! There are professional photographs available for you to buy since you won't be allowed to take your camera or smart phone on the bridge. The photos are amazing and they make great mementos of your trip. The Aircraft The deluxe tour helicopters are state-of-the-art aircraft. Most of the time, they're EcoStar 130s. They are ultra comfy and have lots of personal space and leg room. They also offer terrific climate control, wraparound windshields and stadium-style seating. Is flying in an EcoStar 130 worth upgrading your tour? It definitely is! If you are going to tour the Grand Canyon, you might as well do it in comfort and style. Although upgraded tours are more expensive, you can still save money on your tour. Buy Online And Save Buy your seats directly from the tour operator on the company's website and you get the lowest rate possible. I hope to see you in the skies someday soon. It's a magnificent part of the world and deluxe tours are well worth the price! ----------------TRAVEL ADVISORY FROM THE AUTHOR Justine Moriarity is a travel editor specializing in Grand Canyon National Park tours. With regards to helicopter flights, she suggests downloading this free money-saving report prior to going here for the best discounts: http://www.grandcanyonhelicopters.org/hot-deals
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The author has years of experience booking Grand Canyon tours. When it comes to helicopter rides, she's says "book it!". Learn why. Read this importa,
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