What to Bring on a Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour

You've reserved your Grand Canyon helicopter and you're excited as heck to get up in the air. Before you buckle up, You should first make a list of items to bring. Here's what I recommend you take to help make your trip picture-perfect:

All Climates And Seasons

Extra batteries. It's a picture-taking gold mine up there. Load up on batteries. Digital cameras and camcorders burn through them. Make sure your memory stick is empty or has lots of space left, and bring an extra.

Extra Film. Depending when you go, you will be dealing with various lighting conditions, take film with different ISO speeds. Be ready to shoot no less than a roll both before and after the flight. Allocate a minimum of three rolls for aerial shots.

Hat & Sunglasses. The Arizona sun is bright and strong. Pack strong UV sunglasses, preferably ones that wrap along the contour of your face. Include a brimmed hat to safeguard against sunburn - many of today's helis use 180-degree windshields.

Sun block lotion and Chap Stick. Bring SPF 50 sun block, even on over cast days. Use liberally. Climatic conditions can be dry and windy - a perfect combination for chapped lips.

Summer Season

Comfy walking shoes. You may be able to get by with flip flops on air-only trips. I'd be cautious and wear a good pair of walking shoes or cross-trainers, particularly if you take a excursion that comes with, for example, the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, a smooth-water float trip, or a flight to the bottom.

Light-weight, loose clothing. The Grand Canyon is hot, particularly in July. I would recommend wearing a shirt made of wicking fabric. Avoid tank tops. Jeans will also protect you from sun and wind. Windbreakers are usually a good idea.

Drinking water. I can not over-emphasize bringing water. Temperatures are regularly over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Take a quart or more. Not staying hydrated can lead to lethargy and possibly heat stroke.

Winter

Gloves and Scarf. The Grand Canyon can get wicked cold. You want to keep as much of your own body heat as you can.

Head wear. Your head is responsible for probably the most heat loss. Cover it. I suggest bringing a "beanie" that you can roll down over your ears. Try to get one manufactured from wool or fleece.

Coat. I've seen people turn up in t-shirts. Not a good idea. The canyon's average elevation is 5,000 feet. Snow is common. Bring at the very least a medium-weight coat.

Layers. An example of this is wearing a t-shirt, shirt, sweatshirt, and jacket. In case the weather warms, you take off a layer. It's a very efficient means of keeping comfortable while in cold weather.

Final Words About Weather

Choppers used for Grand Canyon trips include climate-controlled cabins. These systems are amazing against heat and cold. Whatever the case, it's essential to still come prepared because:

1. You'll be outside making the switch to the aircraft

2. If your trip features a ground segment, you'll be subjected to either heat or cold.

Summing Up

Flying in a Grand Canyon heli above the West Rim or South Rim is definitely the trip of a lifetime - if you are prepared. Triple check your camera equipment and make certain you have extra batteries, film, and memory sticks. Throughout the summer, it is all about protecting yourself from the sun and staying hydrated. During wintertime, dress yourself in layers to stay warm. Take time to come up with a checklist of things to bring. Doing so nearly guarantees you will end up comfortable before, during, and after your flight.

About the Author

Mr. Kravitz is a travel journalist who writes about Grand Canyon tours. Go here for his list of the Top 3 Grand Canyon Helicopter tour operators. Ratings are based on quality, safety and price. His reviews have saved a lot of people a lot of money. Time for you to benefit from them, too.

Here's Why Air Tours are the Best Option for Visiting Grand Canyon

There are several ways to see the Grand Canyon. Nothing, however, stacks up to going on a canyon air tour. Two types are offered: Helicopter and plane. Both fly Grand Canyon West and the National Park. Let's take a closer look at these fantastic trips:

The West Rim

This is actually the rim you ought to visit should you be visiting Vegas. It's a destination most noted for its fun-based activities and interesting attractions. Helicopter and airplane trips begin with the classic air-only trip. Helicopter packages can be extended to include a 4,000-foot descent to the bottom of the West Rim. If you find yourself feeling really adventurous, add a river-rafting trip down the Colorado River. There's even a package deal that includes an 11-mile smooth-water float trip that starts off at the base of Hoover Dam. Airplane flights may also be enhanced to include these side-trips.

Another big Grand Canyon West air trip includes the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Nicknamed the "glass bridge," the Sky Walk draws in over 200,000 visitors each year. This impressive example of modern-day engineering carries you 70 feet beyond the side of the rim. Under you some 4,000 feet is the churning Colorado River. It's gravity defying adventure at its best.

Grand Canyon National Park

All chopper and plane rides depart from Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, AZ, a small town directly beyond the National Park's main gate. The airspace over the National Park is tightly regulated and all air excursions adhere to exact flight plans. Heli flights leave over Grand Canyon Village and enter the Dragoon Corridor, the broadest, deepest area of the Grand Canyon, before going back at the majestic North Rim.

Plane rides have a different path. They begin northeast and use the edge of the South Rim as a guide. Points of interest as you go along include historic the Painted Desert, the Little Colorado River, the Desert Watchtower, The Navajo Indian Reservation, and the North Rim. I estimate that what you see during this air tour is equivalent to two or more days on the ground.

Should you be looking for an even more in depth South Rim journey, check out the 1-day smooth water float tour. Flights depart the South Rim and land at Glen Canyon Dam for the start of an awesome 15-mile water-rafting (kids four-years-of-age and older are welcome).

Obtaining the Best Price

The Net has transformed how we buy travel. I encourage you to search online and shop these air tours. There are lots out there. I've come across some great deals on the market with a few shaving off 35 percent of the list price! When you book online, don't be tempted to call customer care to complete your transaction. The individual on the other end of the line is a commissioned sales agent. It's there job to move you up to a more costly package. If you must call, use it to get the questions you have answered, then hang up the phone and conclude your booking on their website. That will ensure you get the best possible price.

Let's fly!

Experiencing the Grand Canyon by air is the greatest way to interact National Park. Chopper and plane tours can be reserved for the West Rim and the South Rim. I might suggest that Las Vegas visitors investigate going to the Grand Canyon West as it's just 120 miles away and will take only 45 minutes to reach. If you want to see the South Rim from Vegas, you have to take an airplane tour (highly recommended!). There are no helicopter flights between the two rims. List prices for air tours are over-priced. Always purchase your tickets via the internet. Grand Canyon air tours - your ticket to viewing the canyon in all its splendor.

About the Author

Travel writer Keith Kravitz reports regularly on the Grand Canyon. Go here for his reviews of the Top 3 Grand Canyon Tour operators for airplane flights, helicopter rides and more. His unbiased rankings are based on quality, safety and price. If you want the best canyon experience, his reviews are definitely worth a look.