The Grand Canyon is larger than life. It is 190 miles long, an average of one mile deep, and covers 1,900 square miles. On foot, you will see only a fraction of this natural wonder. For those serious about taking on this geological beast, the only real option is to take a plane tour.
I only know of two tours that actually do the job. One is called Grand Canyon Deluxe and the other Grand Discovery. Both are operated by Grand Canyon Airlines. Here are details:
luxury grand canyon
This flight departs from Las Vegas, NV and is the only air tour that goes directly to the South Rim. The flight time to the National Park is 45 minutes. The trip takes place aboard a fixed-wing Vistaliner, a plane that has been outfitted with oversized windows for sightseeing (and photos!) and an enlarged cabin for added comfort. Includes in-flight narration in multiple languages. The flight plan follows the Colorado River and includes overflights of Lake Mead and Hoover Dam before landing at the Grand Canyon airport. Here, you’ll disembark and board a luxury coach for the South Rim. This tour will include a stop at Mather Point, the best lookout point on the rim, before heading to Bright Angel Lodge, where there are plenty of great gift shops and restaurants. The price is $190 adults and $170 children. Total travel time is eight hours.
great find
Departures from the Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, Arizona. The airport is about 10 minutes from the main gate on the South Rim. This tour is the one that “invented” the aerial tours over the Park. Done on a Vistaliner, it departs daily and heads east across Zuni Point and Zuni Corridor where you’ll see the Desert Watchtower, the Painted Desert, and the Navajo Indian Reservation. The flight returns along the North Rim past Imperial Point, the highest point in the canyon, to Dragoon Corridor, the widest and deepest part of the Canyon before making a thrilling descent over the Kaibab Plateau. Every seat is good. The price is $120 for adults and $98 for children. Total flight time is 50 minutes.
There is a lot of confusion about the difference between the South Rim and the West Rim. Here are some quick facts that distinguish the two:
south rim
The South Rim is located in the heart of Northern Arizona, about 277 miles east of Las Vegas. It’s four hours from Phoenix and two hours from Sedona, AZ. This rim is a classic canyon – most of the photos you’ve seen are of this area. It is famous for its lookouts (Mather Point, Yaki Point, Hermit’s Rest), trails (Bright Angel, South Kaibab), and gift shops (Hopi House, Bright Angel Lodge, Kolb Studio). Travelers from Las Vegas have two ways to get here: by bus, which takes 5.5 hours, or by plane, which takes 45 minutes.
west edge
The West Rim is 120 miles east of Las Vegas and just outside the official boundaries of the National Park. It is home to the world-famous Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass bridge that extends 70 feet beyond the rim and suspends 4,000 visitors over the Colorado River. The West Rim is also the only place you can take a helicopter to the bottom. There are several ways to get there from Las Vegas: bus (2.5 hours), helicopter (45 minutes), and plane (25 minutes). There are no direct flights from the South Rim to the West Rim.
I have taken the bus and plane tours of the South Rim from Las Vegas. I highly recommend the plane tour. It’s worth paying extra because you get to the edge faster and are fresh when you land. You also get back to Las Vegas in time to go out to dinner and see a show. From the South Rim, nothing beats the Grand Discovery tour. The parts of the canyon you experience in 50 minutes would take at least a week to see on foot. Plus it’s ridiculously priced. So go and get your boarding pass and your camera – it’s time to fly and dominate the Grand Canyon.