Being in Las Vegas for the second time, I felt that I had been pending to do this excursion, although it is a bit expensive, as any helicopter flight anywhere in the world is worth doing and highly recommended. I assure you that you will never forget this experience.
Las Vegas is a city where it offers hundreds of things to do, and when we talk about visiting the Grand Canyon of the Colorado a range of possibilities appear, the most economical is to go by car on your own, where we have the freedom to stop, and be the time that one wants, with a duration of a little more than 2 hours from the city of Las vegas we will be there. If they do not want to drive, they can hire a tour that will bring and bring them, including meals, tickets and a guide if they wish.
The other options we have is to go by air, much more comfortable, fast and unforgettable. It can be done both by plane or by helicopter, where they will offer options such as descending the Colorado River, boat trips, rafting and dozens of other activities, always depending on the budget of each, if they did not spend everything on the machines.
I chose to go by helicopter and this post is going to tell you about my experience with the Maverick company (which appears in many of the searches), as well as the necessary tips to make a helicopter flight over the immense Grand Canyon of the Colorado.
Among the many options that had to go to the Colorado Canyon, we chose âSkywalk Odysseyâ with a price of $ 574 per person. This includes being picked up from the hotel, being taken to the airport, flying to the Colorado Canyon, transportation to the famous Skywalk, free gift photo right there, and return flying over the Las Vegas Strip, transfer to the hotel again. Total duration 5 hours.
Flight preview
Together with my girlfriend we chose the schedule in the afternoon, we stayed at Westgate Resort, and at the agreed time we happened to find a very nice limousine truck, to take us to the McCarran airport that has a rear access from where these types of flights depart, To give you an idea it is on the same Las Vegas Blvd a little after the famous âWelcome to fabulous Las Vegas Nevadaâ sign.
Upon arrival, they take the data and we check in, completing a form, weigh us to balance the helicopter later and they put a security video explaining about the seat belt, dangerous areas, etc. For those who are not used to boarding a helicopter, they will give you directions not to approach or leave without authorization, stay well away from the tail rotor, donning and using the life jacket, and always leave the aircraft for the front side.
Once we have all the instructions, they give us the green light and we go to the platform walking and we get on the helicopter, on the way there we travel the 2 in the back, when we return we can go forward which is the best view.
The aircraft that touched us is a Eurocopter EC130, for 6 passengers, we had to travel with 2 other people and the pilot, so we had a free place behind, we put on the headphones and within minutes we began to take altitude.
Flight to the Colorado Canyon
Once we take off, the journey lasts about 45 minutes, it is super quiet and safe, Lara was scared, but later she enjoyed it. Along the way, the pilot indicates the points we are passing, all in English. While you may be asking questions, the first thing we will see is the Hoover Dam, a marvel of engineering and a true icon of the American West, with a height of 221 meters. Located on the course of the Colorado River, on the border between the states of Arizona and Nevada, it was built in the 1930s, without a doubt a beautiful privileged view of the dam. It supplies water and electricity to Arizona and Nevada, including Las Vegas.
In a few minutes we find the sparkling Lake Mead, which is the largest artificial lake and reservoir in the United States, formed by the water collected by the Hoover Dam, stretches 180 kilometers behind the dam and has 35 kmÂŗ of water.
Little by little we are getting closer and we appreciate the immensity of the Canyon, and we are close to landing. Before we will pass through the imposing West Rim, where we enjoy intimate views of the meandering curves of the Colorado River.
The Canyon was created by the Colorado River, whose channel undermined the terrain for millions of years. It is about 446 km long, has mountain ranges between 6 to 29 km wide and depths of more than 1,600 meters. Nearly 2 billion years of Earthâs history has been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries or tributaries cut layer after layer of sediment as the Colorado Plateau rose.
It is time to land, and we are preparing. We descend into the heart of the Indian territory of Hualapai, where a van will be waiting to take us to the Grand Canyon Skywalk.
Grand canyon skywalk
Once we get to the SkyWalk, we go downstairs and they give us the tickets, we have preferential access, for which we do not queue to enter.
This tourist attraction was inaugurated in March 2007, and located in the Hualapai Indian reservation, the project was opposed by the members of the tribe, but it was finally carried out.
The Skywalk protrudes 20 meters from the edge of the canyon, and although it has been built in such a way that it could support the weight of up to 800 people, in practice it is not admitted that more than 120 people stand on it at the same time.
This panoramic walkway has a U-shaped glass floor, which is embedded in the rim of the canyon and offers an exciting experience of unique views and walking on the void. If you want to go on your own, access to the reserve costs about $ 45 and the combined ticket including the skywalk costs $ 80.
Before entering, it must be taken into account that it is not allowed to enter the facility with personal objects, including photo cameras or cell phones. There are some lockers, where we will leave everything there until we leave.
They themselves have the work of the photo, so when we finish the tour we can see them on the screens and then with a code and entering their website, we download them. Since our tour included a printed photo, we took that memory with us.
You cannot step on the catwalk with our sneakers, so they will give us a shoe cover or cap, this should not be scratch or slip. Many people feel vertigo when walking around, the strong point is the sensation of walking on the void, thanks to the glazed floor that separates us from the bottom of the canyon located more than 1,300 meters down the wall.
The following photos were the ones we bought. Taken by the professional photographers of the place! They told us how to put on and pose. Photos can be purchased for $ 16 a printed photo or $ 70 a flash drive for all digital photos.
For those with more time, they can enjoy the Sky View restaurant that offers panoramic views of the Skywalk and Eagle Point. Nice to have a beer or eat something
Once we left we had enough time to explore the surroundings and continue taking photos. While the Skywalk is certainly a highlight, there is much more to enjoy here at Eagle Point, named after a natural rock formation that is it looks like an eagle. They can see Native American dances in the amphitheater, visit the village, and buy some crafts.
Once we finished with the photos and the walk around, the driver was waiting to take us back to the helicopter. In total you are an hour to do the walkway, and walk its surroundings.
Returning and flying over Las Vegas
Once we got to the heliport, we took some photos with the helicopter, and this time we sat in the front, for me itâs better, but honestly everything looks good in any location. The return flight will also offer us spectacular views of the canyon and Lake Mead.
This time, the flight seems faster, and as we get closer to Las Vegas, it heads to the historic center of Las Vegas, passing Fremont Street and the oldest casinos in the city.
The Stratosphere tower is also appreciated, where is that amusement park at high altitude. We continue south on Las Vegas Boulevard, where we have unparalleled views of the worldâs most flamboyant hotels, including Bellagio, Parisâ Eiffel Tower, Las Vegas, The Mirage volcano, and the iconic Caesars Palace.
We landed just as smoothly as when we took off, with the feeling that we wanted more, because these things are not done every day. About 5 hours had passed since we were picked up by the hotel, and it was time to return. Again in the limo and to rest to go out at night.
I recommend watching the video of the flight.
Conclusion: Do I recommend seeing the Grand Canyon by helicopter?
Definitely yes. It is not the same to see an aerial photo than to live the flight. This experience is not cheap, but it is worth what it costs, without hesitation. It is a different way of seeing the Grand Canyon. I am lucky to have flown by helicopter in several countries, and each one has its charm.
Today for Argentines, it is increasingly complicated by the value of the dollar, but all those who want to do it, I hope this post has served them.
You can read my last post:
Flight to EVEREST: See the top of the world
and $70 for digital copies - Is that included in the access ticket fees?
