We recently returned from a fabulous road trip to California and Vegas. Whilst we were there we were treated to a present from family members - a helicopter trip over the Grand Canyon which was booked through Viator.com and Sundance Helicopters.
We were picked up by a stretch limo from our hotel for the short drive to the airport. The limo was air-conditioned, and we were also given water. We needed this as even early in the day, the temperature was in the 90s.
When we arrived we were greeted at the helicopter base at McCarran Airport and our details were taken. Weigh distribution is important on a helicopter and before boarding you are weighed. Now don't worry about this! No one can see your weight except the person taking your details and it doesn't show up anywhere, so even you can't see what it says. It is just part of the process.
The helicopter base had a little shop and toilets and was lovely and air-conditioned. Then we waited for our helicopter pilot Pete.
Pete greeted us and was very welcoming. We put our items in the back of the helicopter, climbed up, strapped ourselves in, put on our headphones, and then we were off!
I have to admit at this point, I am a nervous flier and I have never flown in a helicopter before so the butterflies in my stomach had started. Before we went I took a travel sickness tablet. I am pleased to say though that the journey was as smooth as anything. After we rose into the air and climbed to the select height, it almost felt that we were not moving, it was a little surreal, like being on a theme park ride.
We flew out of Las Vegas over the houses and hotels, and before too long the scenery changed. We were over the Mojave desert with the Hoover Dam below us. The headphones were perfect at keeping the sound out whilst giving us a running commentary of our surroundings via the audio system.
A marvel of modern engineering the Hoover Dam is over 726 feet high and 1244 feet long. It was built in 1935 to provide a reliable source of water to those in California and today it provides water for communities in Nevada, California, San Diego and Los Angeles, supporting an estimated 18 million people.
We also flew over Lake Mead, which is the largest reservoir in the United States when full and is formed by the Hoover Dam. The scenery was amazing as you can see below.
After approximately 45 minutes we arrived at the Grand Canyon.
After time to take a few photos of the breathtaking canyon, we had a picnic lunch. It wasn't a luxury lunch but the sandwiches and pasta salad were tasty, we also had some fruit and crisps and a choice of a variety of soft drinks.
Of course, the glass of sparkling wine was very welcoming. We ate our lunch in a shaded canopy in the canyon which gave us some relief from the sun.
On our trip back we flew over the Hoover Dam again and the Las Vegas strip.
We enjoyed seeing the hotels from the air and the bustle of the strip from the relative quiet of the helicopter. In fact in my opinion this was even better than the Grand Canyon.
Before long we were back at the airport and taken back to our hotel in the limo. Our only complaint was that we seemed to wait a long time here before we were chauffeured back but in reality it wasn't longer than about 30 minutes.
Our stop in the Grand Canyon was short, but we had time for photos and a picnic lunch with a glass of bubbly. If you drove to the Grand Canyon you would definitely see much more of it however it would take you an all-day round trip from Vegas by car. Our trip, from being picked up at our hotel to being dropped back off was approximately 4 hours, which is so much quicker than driving.
We enjoyed the trip, the scenery was breathtaking and although it was expensive it was worth it - I mean how often do you get the chance to go to the Grand Canyon?
Unfortunately, Sundance Helicopters only do corporate bookings now. If you wish to take a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon try out Max Tour instead which has a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence.
Tell me what do you think of my photos? Have you been to the Grand Canyon?
Wow! The photo's you have taken are absolutely breath taking! I would love to go and see the grand canyon! I am go glad you enjoyed your trip!
ReplyDeleteLaura x x x
It was am amazing trip. I hope you get the chance to go one dat Laura.
DeleteOh wow! The photo's are amazing, really captures the beauty. I've never been but this is something I would love to experience for myself.
ReplyDeleteThank you for you kind comment Jo. Hopefully you will have the chance to do this one day.
DeleteThe pictures are gorgeous, and I must say that trip sounds like a LOOOT of fun!!!
ReplyDeletemyunsettlinglife.co.uk
It was a lot of fun Paola
DeleteWow! This looks amazing! I want to go on one!!!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever been on a helicopter Emily?
DeleteTe pictures are amazing. You really captured the moments. Great post.
ReplyDeleteThank you Stella
DeleteThe views look stunning!! The Grand Canyon is def on my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteLucy
www.lucylovestoeat.com
Hope you get the chance to visit one day.
DeleteThe grand canyon looks awesome. Seeing it from air makes some great pictures x
ReplyDeleteThank you, it was a great trip.
Deletewow i would absolutely love to do that, looks beautiful. x
ReplyDeleteI'm joining the chorus here - 'oh wow!'. This trip looks amazing. I went to Vegas several times with an old job but never did the helicopter trip over Grand Canyon. It's my one big regret (I think they do hot air balloon trips too?). I'm sooo envious. Your pictures are amazing. A memory to treasure forever, for sure! Tx
ReplyDeleteYes I think you can go on a hot air balloon trip but I have never done this. Thanks for the comment!
DeleteThis looks amazing. i would love to see the Grand canyon
ReplyDeleteJuts wow. What an amazing trip. You're photos are amazing and I bet it's an experience you won't forget in a hurry
ReplyDeleteIt was an experience I won't forget, you are right Zena.
Deletehow fabulous, I would love to do this. I have seen it from the ground, by air would be amazing. Thanks for linking to #outandabout.
ReplyDeleteOh my this is certainly the way to see the views, thank you for sharing your photos
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is!
DeleteSpectacular views! My husband made the same trip and loved it. Me, I'd rather stay on the ground, I'm terrified of the heights. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of heights myself but it was nice and relaxing in the helicopter - it hardly felt like it was moving.
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