Hey it's Keith Kravitz and this is the Helicopter Weekend Update!
It's NFL football playoff time here in the US and I can't wait to see who gets into the Super Bowl. It's gonna be a good one!
There's also a Government Shutdown going on at the moment. I get people from the US and abroad asking if the Grand Canyon is affected. The answer: NO. Not one iota. Everything is open and we are flying as if this impasse is non-existant. The great thing? Everyone going to the South Rim gets to enter the National Park for FREE! That's a savings of $25. Take advantage of it now before
Congress decides to resolve its issues!!!
By the way, if you're doing a tour from Las Vegas, you fly to the West Rim, which is outside the National Park and completely out from under the U.S. Congress because it's on an Indian reservation. As such, it will never be affected by politics and shutdowns etc. because the Tribe runs the show and we are grateful to them for allowing us to access their incredibly beautiful part of the Grand Canyon.
I get a lot of questions about winter weather. I can tell you in Jan. it's temperate and a great month to fly. Sure, it's winter, and nature is subject to change. But for the most part it's a go. Here's a quick primer on weather at the Rims.
Las Vegas, NV
This is the helicopter ride from Vegas where you go to the bottom and sip bubbles. It's an awesome flight, expecially the part when you descend some 4,500 feet to the bottom. Once you deplane, you're literally standing on some of the oldest exposed rock on the planet. Get more info on Champagne helicopter here...
There's a deluxe version of the Champagne tour, too. Instead of taking off from Boulder City (a suburb of Vegas about 25 mins. from The Strip), you fly from McCarran Airport in Vegas. Further, hotel transfers are by limo, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a "celeb" or an "A-lister" for a day. Book deluxe Champagne tour here...
Things to Do
Flights and tours start from Las Vegas and Tusayan,AZ (Grand Canyon National Park Airport. Las Vegas flights go to the West Rim, which is about 120 miles east as the "crow flies." The South Rim, which is located in northern Arizona is 60 mins. from Flagstaff and Williams and about 3.5 hours form Phoenix. From Vegas, you'll need 5.5 hours to reach the South Rim. So...what to do when you get there? Lots! Here's a list of things to to at the West Rim and one that highlights things to do at the South Rim.
South Rim/Tusayan, AZ
We are getting a lot of bookings for the 50-minute South Rim flight. Doesn't surprise me. This tour covers 75 percent of the Canyon and goes over the South Rim, North Rim and the East Rim. Of course, it's the most expensive option but in my opinion it's the best value by far.
For folks on a budget, I strongly recommend the South Rim 30-minute basic flight. It does a straight-shot from South Rim to North Rim and back via the Dragoon Corridor, which is the widest, deepest section of the National Park. Prices fluctuate during the fall season but you can get the cheapest rates if you book online and in advance.
I also want to let you know that the weather is so darn awesome that it's an ideal time to do the helicopter + open-air Hummer/Jeep tour. This package starts with a 30-min. heli ride and concludes with a terrific 2-hour Jeep tour (over flat roads) that includes a guide and stops at key Park lookouts and monuments. There's also a sunset version (sells out fast).
(I also have a 50-minute helicopter + 2-hr. Jeep tour but it's super limited and only available over the phone. If you want it, call me at 702-530-8687. Ask for Keith).
NEED A TOUR?
Reply back to this message if you need to buy a tour by telling me:
*From Las Vegas or South Rim?
*Day and month you want to do a tour
*The kind of tour you want
I reply to EVERY email.
Have a great day!
