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Flying From Fantastic Las Vegas to Picturesque Grand Canyon National Park by Plane

By Ione Mahler


Considered one of the greatest wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon is indeed magnificent. With beautiful scenery, this paradise in the southwest U.S. is a must-see tourist destination. A great starting point is Las Vegas, but getting to the South Rim can be a bit daunting. This concern quickly goes away if you take a canyon airplane tour. These flights are incredibly rewarding and get travelers to the Park in less than 60 minutes.

The Park is indeed a wonder. It's home to seven "life zones," encompasses more than a million acres of wilderness and is split by the powerful Colorado River, which winds it's way through the canyon for more than 250 miles. In certain spots, the canyon is 18 miles wide and on average is a vertical mile deep. Some of the most ancient exposed rock on the planet is found here.

Expect flight time from Vegas to the National Park to settle in around 50 minutes. That's nothing if you compare it to the 5.5-hour drive many visitors endure if they go by bus or rental car. More remarkable is the fact that the main entrance to the South Rim is mere minutes from Grand Canyon Airport (GCA).



Nightlife is very exiting in Las Vegas, and, if you are thinking of taking a quick trip to the canyon, a flight can be very convenient. Basically, if you are going to drive to the Park and back to the city, you need at least ten hours. This is generally not a good idea as you will be too exhausted to enjoy the Vegas Strip when you return.

On the flight over, I suggest you get a window seat. This is because the airplane will be flying parallel to the Colorado River all the way until you touch down at GNP airport. Most tour operators use an aircraft called a Vistaliner. These aircraft have their wings affixed to the top of the body and come with over-sized viewing windows so you get incredible views of the magnificent terrain below.

On the ground, you have two options. The first is to transfer to a luxury coach and take a ground tour inside the Park and see, among other things, Mather Point, Yaki Point and Grand Canyon village. The second is to board a helicopter and go on a spectacular 30-minute, rim-to-rim flight that includes such highlights as the Dragoon Corridor, the North Rim, Kaibab Plateau and Phantom Ranch. The helicopter package also includes the guided coach trip.

Couple more thoughts about the ground trips. The best tour operators allocate three hours to this segment of the trip, which, from my experience, is more than enough time to discover the viewing points and most of Grand Canyon Village's art galleries, souvenir shops, museums and restaurants. However, if you find yourself short on time, go directly to Bright Angel Lodge, which is packed with things to do and see and features the restaurant that serves the best food.

Las Vegas Grand Canyon airplane tours are going to run you anywhere between $250 per person to $375, depending on which side trips you add on. Are they worth it? Absolutely. The transit time alone is priceless. But the real value comes from the spectacular aerial views. The Grand Canyon is a big place. If you have only a day or two to visit, definitely consider an air tour. It's the best way to fully experience America's best National Park.




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