Ready for a different kind of Vegas experience? If you are ever going to treat yourself to a private helicopter ride, Las Vegas is the place to do it. Take in the bright city lights, and then travel into the beautiful area beyond the city limits.
On my recent excursion to Vegas, I had the opportunity to do a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon, and it was truly unforgettable. Getting a bird’s-eye view of such a remarkable sight is definitely a once-in-a-life experience.
Here’s my experience flying over the Grand Canyon with Maverick Helicopters!
Starting Point
Maverick Helicopters’s tour of the Grand Canyon starts out in Las Vegas. If you are staying within a five-mile radius of the Las Vegas Strip, someone from the company will pick you up to take you to the Las Vegas terminal.
They offer complimentary coaches that come right to your door and take you to the terminal in no time, so the whole thing is totally hassle-free.
Helpful Tip
Getting on a helicopter for the first time is scary. If you are afraid of heights like yours truly, Maverick Helicopters’s safety record is very reassuring.
It’s won 150 awards for safety and customer service and actually has the best safety record of any tourism-based aviation company in the world. So, while it might be a bit daunting to get up there, it is very safe (and so worth it!).
The Flight
Leaving Las Vegas, we got to see the city from above and then take in the view of the red rock and sandstone formations as we made our way over to the Grand Canyon.
During the flight, we crossed over Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam, and Fortification Hill (an extinct volcano) before descending 3,500 feet and landing in the middle of the Grand Canyon.
And Maverick Helicopters does it all in style!
During the descent, we had an extended stop for champagne and hors d’oeuvres 300 feet above the Colorado River. When we finally made our way down, we were greeted with a breathtaking view of the Hualapai Indian Territory in the center of the Grand Canyon.
After checking out the Grand Canyon, we headed back to Vegas. Passing over the Bowl of Fire, we ended our journey flying over Las Vegas at sunset. Trust me, guys; no matter how many times you have seen Vegas, you have not seen it like this.
Watching the sun set over the city while the neon lights came alive was absolutely incredible.
Maverick Helicopters
I took the Wind Dancer Grand Canyon Tour from Las Vegas. It offers a Grand Canyon landing with the desert sunset. While it was amazing, it’s just one of the many flights that’s available.
For a quickie tour, the Vegas Strip Tours (available both day or night) is breathtaking. For a longer adventure, travel between the Las Vegas Strip and the Hoover Dam. This one includes a sunset arrival back in Vegas, which is stunning.
As for the Grand Canyon, Maverick Helicopters has tours that range from three and a half hours to thirteen hours, so you can completely customize your adventure to meet your budget and schedule.
Another very cool option is the HeliYoga Limitless. A must-do for any serious yogi, this journey takes you to the top of the Valley of Fire for a seventy-five-minute private yoga session surrounded by the gorgeous red rocks.
Oh, and if you are planning to go to the Electric Daisy Carnival in June, Maverick Helicopters has got you covered. See the view from above the crowds and arrive in style with VIP transfer service!
Special thanks to Maverick Helicopters and Visit Las Vegas for making my first Grand Canyon experience possible. As always, the content & opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
That is absolutely incredible, you must have gotten some amazing aerial shots… it must be an entirely different experience to visiting the Grand Canyon from the ground! What was your favourite — helicopter or foot?
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They’re both amazing experiences, but it was very cool to see the landscape from the sky!!
Your photos are gorgeous. I can see the beauty of the trip! What kind of conversations do you make with the pilots? I’m curious if they take a tour guide approach or a fun-facilitator approach.
Depends on the pilot, but most have funny and interesting stories to share!