| It's the dream of many travelers: Descending a mile | | | | in Hualapai Indian territory. |
| into the Grand Canyon and standing on the banks of | | | | Most helicopter tour operators, including Papillon, |
| the Colorado River. The reality is that outside of a | | | | Maverick, and Sundance, let visitors deplane, toast their |
| strenuous overnight hike, a helicopter is your only real | | | | journey with Champagne, indulge in a small meal, and |
| option. | | | | explore the surrounding area. Typical bottom time is |
| The South and West Rims are the focal points for | | | | about 30 minutes. |
| Grand Canyon visitors. Helicopter flights are available | | | | There are also air-only tours to the West Rim, as well |
| at both locations, but it's only on the West Rim that | | | | as a variety of side-adventures, including Hummer |
| you can land on the Canyon's floor. | | | | tours, horseback rides, Western wagon rides, |
| Flights typically depart from Las Vegas, or Boulder | | | | whitewater rafting, as well as a walk on the |
| City, NV. The West Rim is about 120 miles away. | | | | magnificent Grand Canyon Skywalk - a glass bridge |
| Expect to spend up to 45 minutes en route, and | | | | that lets you feel like you are walking on air. |
| expect some fantastic sightseeing, including Lake | | | | Noted earlier, there are helicopter flights departing from |
| Mead, Hoover Dam, and parts of the Mojave Desert | | | | the South Rim, but they do not land. The compromise |
| that look prehistoric. | | | | is that you get to fly through the Dragoon Corridor, the |
| You are now in Canyon country. The West Rim is | | | | deepest part of the Canyon, until you reach the |
| distinctly drier than the South, which is situated in the | | | | beautifully isolated North Rim. Some the cleanest, |
| Kaibab Plateau, home of the largest Ponderosa Pine | | | | clearest air exists here, and on clear days its easy to |
| forest in the nation. The other differentiator is the color | | | | attain visibility of some 150 miles and more. |
| of the Canyon, which is much more subdued and pale | | | | The helicopter flight back to Las Vegas is equally |
| than that of the South Rim. | | | | enjoyable. Depending on the pilot and the package you |
| The excitement reaches a crescendo as you leave | | | | booked. I highly recommend including an option to fly |
| the Rim and drop into the Canyon, descending nearly | | | | the Las Vegas Strip, a perfect compliment to just |
| 4,000 feet until your helicopter softly lands on a | | | | having experienced one of the Seven Wonders of the |
| makeshift helipad near the Colorado River, right square | | | | World. |