Hey it's Keith Kravitz and this is the Helicopter Weekend Update!
June 20 is the first day of summer. That means rates go up. Happens like this every year because that's peak travel season. Some think COVID might have impacted this. It didn't. In fact, demand is massive as everyone wants to get out of their bubble and stretch their legs.
Temperatures will also be popping off. West Rim averages over 100 degrees until September. The South Rim is relatively cooler as it peaks in the low 90's or high 80's (this is due to the rim being at an elevation of 7,000+ feet). Regardless, you'll want to stay hydrated and dress like this.
Is summer a good time to fly? Yes! The skies are clear and the canyon is magnificent. Once piece of key advice: if you don't like the heat, take the earliest morning flight possible. As you'd suspect, these are the most popular flights and tend to sell out first.
Las Vegas, NV
You're super lucky if you're departing from Sin City. That's because you get the chance to fly to the bottom and land and partake in a Champagne picnic. This is only available from Vegas (South Rim tours are banned from flying below the rim.). If there's a must-do tour, it's the bottom-lander!
In addition to the basic picnic tour, there's a deluxe option and a sunset departure.
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.
For folks on a budget, I strongly recommend the South Rim 30-minute tour. 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 summer based on demand (lots!).
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. There's also a sunset version.
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!
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